Are we losing our Christian faith? Is it diminishing at a fast pace in today’s world? How can we continue to be a blessing to others in an authentic way? In today’s first reading, we are reminded of God’s principles of how we can be a blessing in our actions towards others. We need and desire love and appreciation but do we offer them to others? Do we serve others with love and appreciation? Do we reach out to others in our community who are struggling, to meet them in their trials? Or do we remain in our comfort zones, avoiding and ignoring people when they need us the most? In the Gospel reading, we are challenged to check our conscience if we are crowd pleasers who dismiss our faith or whether we stand up for the truth. Like Herod, many of us, follow societal norms to side with the crowd to fit in and be accepted. When we become crowd pleasers, we loose our inner peace and freedom. Instead, let us stand by our faith.

PRAYER: Abba Father, may we go out, love and serve others and be a blessing to others. Amen.