The prophet in the first reading picks up from last week’s Gospel and reminds us that, “the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble.” If we truly believe such, does it alter our behavior? We tend to dislike the fire and brimstone sermons, yet when trying to reach some people is that all that will work? How many people ignore the traffic laws unless there is a police officer behind them? Can we not do the good because it pleases God as to only do the good because we fear punishment?
Paul reminds us of the need to be good examples for each other. Can we show people our positive actions due to our love, or do we show them our actions due to our fear? We constantly are preaching to others, who observe our behaviors, by what we do and how we behave. Do we respond to others as Jesus would have us do, or do we look out only for ourselves?
As we come near the end of our annual journey, we are reminded that nothing on em1h will last forever. Are we ready for our end? Do we treat others in such a way as to have no regrets? How often do we do things just because it is the right thing to do? Someone once said, “Character is who you are in the dark.” Another asked, “If you could do anything without ever being discovered, what would you do?” None of us expect to leave this world without dying, are we confident we have lived in such a way so as to be ready for the next life? Too many people say, “I’m basically a good person.” Or, ”I’m not a bad person.” Remember Jesus said you can judge a tree by its fruit, and that we are called to be holy as the Father is holy.
Countenance of God 