All things through him

Today’s readings put into a very clear context all the things we have in this world.

People today put quite a bit of emphasis on material possessions and other physical things. In today’s readings, both St. Paul and our Lord are reminding us that the most important thing in our lives is our relationship with God and that only in God are we to find happiness.

That is why St. Paul is not affected by how little or how much he has, because his relationship with God is everything to him.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me”

Also, both St. Paul and our Lord indicate that the way we use the things of this world has an impact on what awaits us in the next world. Both our purposes and our methods – why and how we do things – must reflect our faith and be pleasing to God.

We need to take advantage of every opportunity in this imperfect world that, by God’s grace, may perfect us for eternal life in the world to come.