An inspiration I

This is a reflection reading from the devotional Sabbath for September 12, 2007

A working man was invited to an antique shop where he admired a work of art that cost half-a-year’s salary. He worked hard for six months, going on overtime work and getting a second job, stopped his vices, and made a dramatic change in his lifestyle to save the amount of money he needed to buy the genuine artifact. When he had saved enough money, he went back to the shop and found the expensive antique; he bought it and went home.

In his home, the man placed his new treasure on a special spot. Each time a guest came for a visit, the costly antique easily caught attention and was greatly admired. But his house was rather unkempt and as the days passed, the obra maestra became more and more like a sore thumb inside his disheveled abode. The beautiful antique made him see how ugly his dwelling place was. The following happened:

Day One: General House Cleaning

Day Two: House Repainting

Day Three: Furniture Repair Works

Day Four: Floor Polishing

Day Five: Installation of Curtain Rods and Putting Curtains

Day Six: Other Interior Renovation

Day Seven: House Re-warming

His house became a place worthy of the great treasure.

The man is you. The man is me. The house is our hearts. The Priceless Treasure is Jesus.

St. Paul reminds us, as he reminded the Colossian through his letter read today, to make our hearts worthy of the Lord. The truth of our welcoming Jesus in our hearts is proven by the changing of our life according to His own. Genuine discipleship cannot leave us to the old lifestyle we had before we met, loved, and followed the Lord. If our discipleship is true, we will see whatever is dirty in our hearts and we will clean it, we will recognize what is ugly in our life and we will change it with what is worthy of Jesus, our Lord and Master. Beware: Jesus changes us; we do not change Him. Think twice before you bring Him home. Your home will never be the same again. But you cannot be any richer! You will have in your life the Source of every good gift.

Fr. Bobby T.
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I was strucked by todays devotional, the analogy is similar to the way I'm living my life. It is not enough that we believe, more importantly that our beliefs move us into action, to do what must be done. Take charge of our life and make it worthy in God's sight.