Technology dictates the world nowadays.
Fast pacing.
All information accessible in cell phone & laptops.
But the problem is…..
There is too much information.
Information overload.
Even fake news create a story.
Why do we expose ourselves too much thru social media?
As millennials, do we “think before we click”?
Do we discern the time to be disreet with our digital life?
Some recieve attention when post recieve 1,000 likes or more.
No problem.
But do we want the ” likes ” to say we are important?
Jesus sees you important already without the “likes”.
Gospel today mentions Jesus telling apostles not to tell He is the messiah they are waiting for.
Even Jesus wants to be discreet.
IT is not the perfect time.
Why hide?
Jesus has enemies.
Enemies’ attention is the least of Jesus’ priority.
Jesus wants to focus on his mission more.
Less distractions.
There should be balance in social media.
OR we get distracted….
A time not to post everything.
A time to post & acknowledge others.
A time to post about Jesus.
Discernment is important.
Social responsibility is also our duty.
In our time, we have bashers online.
To be off the radar, sometimes
Less is more.
Silence in social media online at times is a bliss.
To be focused on forming our new life goals.
Reflect God’s goodness & his mission for us.
First reading mentions God promising prosperity in His house. God will shake everything to bring splendor to His house.
When we take care of God’s Church & his kingdom, we open ourselves to God’s blessings.
Place God No.1 in your life.
And He fulfills his promises.
GOD deserves the best.
It is fit to praise God for His faithfulness.
First Reading HAGGAI 2:1-9
in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet,”Speak now to Zerub’babel the son of She-al’ti-el, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehoz’adak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, `Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? Yet now take courage, O Zerub’babel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehoz’adak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts,according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit abides among you; fear not. For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.'”
What do these verses mean to me?
On 7th month, on 21st day of the month:
The word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet:
“Speak now to Zerub’babel the son of She-al’ti-el, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehoz’adak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, `Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not in your sight as nothing?
● God knows who are your parents & social status
● God is frank about His house & how it should look like
● He wants His house constructed beautifully
● God advises Zerrubabel, Joshua & all people to take courage
work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts,according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt.
● God assures us He is with us when we work for His mission
● God lets Israel remember His former promise from Egypt
God may not be pleased that Jews are delaying His house construction, but God remembers His promises.
God is still loves Jews in Haggai’s time even if they were not faithful.
My Spirit abides among you; fear not.
● God’s answer to our unfaithfulness: Sending the Holy Spirit to us
God is faithful even if we are not.
Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens & the earth & the sea and the dry land; & I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, & I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts.
God is planning great things for His temple & people.
● Latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former
God is willing to shake everything to have treasures offered in His house.
Fit for the God of the Universe.
The silver is mine, & the gold is mine – God
Where God dwells, prosperity dwells.
in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.'”
If we want access to God’s blessings of prosperity, work on God’s house & his Kingdom.
God knows how to give rewards.
Gospel LUKE 9:18-22
Now it happened that as he was praying alone the disciples were with him; and he asked them, “Who do the people say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist; but others say, Eli’jah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen.” And he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” But he charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
What do these verses mean to me?
● Jesus was praying alone, disciples were with him
● Jesus asked the disciples
“Who do the people say that I am?”
Apostles answered:
– John the Baptist
– Eli’jah
– or one of old prophets risen
Peter answered
“The Christ of God.”
● Peter saw Jesus as the messiah God sent for Israel
What does it relate to Jesus?
● Jesus prays alone
● Jesus repeated & said to them
“But who do you say that I am?”
Jesus repeated the question to know what apostles think of Him
Who is Jesus according to apostles?
Who is Jesus to your eyes?
● Jesus is humble a man
● Jesus charged & commanded apostles not to tell anyone He is the Christ
Jesus knows how to be discreet.
Jesus does not want overwhelming attention.
Privacy & millenials:
Millenials nowadays show everything about their life.
Every event is posted.
Documented in Social media posts.
Nothing wrong if you are happy about those events.
But placing too much emphasis on every event….
Broadcasting everything…..
Has its disadvantages.
Bashers are existing…
Now & even in Jesus’ time.
Why will Jesus hide to the public He is the messiah?
Jesus have enemies.
To focus on his mission…
It is best at certain times….
To be discreet.
Jesus perform good works not for his public image…
but to share the love of God to people.
Love is the mission of Jesus.
Not self-image.
Self- image is connected with pride.
In Silence….
Jesus will see those who chose to believe in Him….
To see who has faith…
Those who believe in His words…
Who believe in His name….
Who believe in His power….
The Son of man must suffer many things & be rejected by the elders & chief priests & scribes, & be killed, & on the third day be raised – Jesus
● He refers himself as Son of Man
● Emphasizes He must suffer, rejected & killed
● tells He will raise from the dead after 3rd day
Jesus says He will be victorious over death.
What does it relate to the future?
● Imitate Jesus: pray
● Be humble
● We do not need to tell everything to all people
Drink Daily: God`s Word 