Romans 14: 7-12 (Thursday, November 8, 2007)

So often, I run into Christians who say things such as: “it is my life, let me live it the way I want to;” or they will say, “I have the freedom to live my life as I want to.” These statements do not reflect a Christian understanding of freedom. Christian freedom is not being free from God, but it is being free for God. Our lives St. Paul tells us today, are not to be lived in isolation but should be lived in, with and for God. God is the source of our lives and we belong to him. Our membership in the body of Christ calls us to live in relation with other people who are part of this body. This means that we must show concern for each other. The way you live your life affects other members of the body of Christ. There is also an invitation here to be kind to other members of the body of Christ. Rather than pass judgments on the weak ones, pray that they may be strong and live fully their Christian vocation; rather than looking down on other members of the body who are not as graceful as you are, pray that God showers them with his graces so that they may become the people that God has called them to be.

Prayer:
God our Father, thank you for the gift of our brothers and sisters in the Christian family. Help us to appreciate who they are and to help them realize their full potentials.