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Sometimes spiritual masters will teach us that we should serve God and keep his commandments even without the hope of reward. This would indeed be a high degree of holiness. The New Testament, however, encourages us ordinary people to holiness by very definite declaration of the rewards awaiting us for living a good life. Without using the word "reward" Paul frequently refers to "the day of our Lord Jesus Christ", "until Our Lord Jesus Christ appears" and similar expressions. This is, of course not merely a cut-off date but the climax of faithful Catholic lives, when Jesus rewards us for being his faithful disciples by taking us to the Father in the Kingdom of heaven. So, in this passage from 1Timothy he urges us to keep God's commandments and so live lives which are good and holy, lives which will not incur any blame or reproach from God but which will be rewarded with eternal life and happiness.
Father in Heaven, in Your mercy and love, give us the grace to lead lives that are without blame or reproach, so that we will face the day of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fullness of joy and peace.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.
Elaboration
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