The secret to success

Good News Reflection
Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
February 4, 2010

Today's Readings:
1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12
1 Chronicles 29:10-12
Mark 6:7-13
http://www.usccb.org/nab/020410.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_02_04.mp3

The secret to success

King Solomon was a very successful, highly blessed king. He built the Temple of Jerusalem, he prospered Israel, he amassed more wealth than any other king, he was recognized throughout the known world for his outstanding wisdom, and his spirituality was so strong that he wrote and/or influenced four books of the Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, and the Book of Wisdom.

The secret to Solomon's success is explained by his father, David, in today's first reading: "Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees … that you may succeed in whatever you do…."

Remaining faithful to God keeps us united to God from whom all blessings flow.

Remaining faithful means we align our thoughts with God's thoughts, our will to his will. The reason why we sometimes have unloving thoughts, selfish thoughts, and self-destructive thoughts is because we don't practice self-control. It takes effort to remain faithful to God, and when we don't put forth this effort, we slide down the path of least resistance.

When we're surrounded by people whose minds are not on God, it's a lot easier to wander away from God's blessings. When we expose ourselves to influences that are contrary to God's, we become vulnerable to misconceptions and temptations. However, we live in a world where there are lots of ungodly people and unholy influences. So, we have to work harder to keep ourselves faithfully aligned with God.

Let us never be satisfied that we have done enough to remain in God! Jesus, save us from such complacency!

God gives us opportunities daily to remain in his blessings: daily Mass (which might require personal sacrifices or a new work schedule that God is happy to obtain for you), Christian music, praying at the tabernacle in church, making use of the Rosary and other special prayers, watching TV shows and movies that build up our spirits, attending prayer meetings or Small Christian Community gatherings, studying the Bible, and ... the opportunities are endless.

How much of your time is spent influencing your mind with God's opportunities versus being exposed to the world's influences? The secret to true success is immersing ourselves in God. Then, no matter how accursed our lives might seem to become, we know we are always being blessed by the Lord. He will transform every bad situation into great blessings.

Lent is almost here. Now is a good time to think about how you'll use that opportunity to increase God's influence on your life. To help with this, each Lent I make my Good News reflections available as a downloadable PDF file (an e-book) that can be printed and taken with you to daily Mass or Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament or any place of meditation. It's published at Catholic Digital Resources for a small fee, but if you cannot pay for it, please select the "Alternative Ordering Methods" below the order form to request a free gift voucher, which I offer as part of my tithing to our Lord. Start here: http://catholicdr.com/ebooks/Lent.htm

© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
This work is NOT in Public Domain and may NOT be copied without permission.
You may print one copy for your own personal use.
For PERMISSION and info on how to copy this reflection for sharing, see:
http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm

Seeking a past reflection?
Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.

WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?
To sign up for your own subscription, go to:
http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections


Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?
Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...

Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!

Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.

______________________________________________________________
This is the "Good News Reflections - American Edition" mailing list.
MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:
Change your address
Unsubscribe