Today I attended Holy Mass at St. Monica’s Parish as I usually do every Sunday with Charlene’s family who sings for the choir. Through the readings and the homily, the Lord reminded me of the importance of living under His authority and how I must try my best to avoid anything that may distract me from focusing on Him.
I can imagine that the second reading must have been difficult to hear, especially for those who are married. I say this because St. Paul warns that it’s better to not be married because it may cause the man or woman to be “anxious of this world.” Well, marriage is obviously a very good thing instituted by God Himself. I think St. Paul put it this way to emphasize the absolute importance of being focused on Jesus. I think he’s emphasizing that we must be careful not to turn icons (which are meant to point to a greater reality) into idols, for marriage is not an end in itself. It is a Sacrament—a Sign and a great mystery—that points to the marriage of Christ and His Church, ultimate communion with God. The Lord doesn’t want our hearts to be divided. He wants it to be perfectly integrated in Him.
I shouldn’t be afraid to allow the Lord to reign in my heart. In allowing Him, He casts out what should not be there, the things causing a dichotomy of worship. I need to be more confident in His authority in my life, and not see it as tyrannically oppressive, but lovingly liberating. For He is a Father who loves me and who will never stop loving me until I am completely and eternally His.