So [then] each of us shall give an account of himself [to God]. Then let us no longer judge one another, but rather resolve never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Romans 5:12-13

Are we a stumbling block to those we love? Do we help them with their growth? Do we guide them in the right direction or turn our backs on them. Have you looked in your communities (Parish & Towns, Cities) for any who need your guidance. Just like Elijah guided Ahab in today's first reading. God sends us to guide those who are lost. Or are we shrugging our shoulders and say someone else will do it. All we do throughout our lives we shall give an accounting for.

Do we love those who don't like us. That's hard to do, but can be done. Do not judge them by their reaction, but love them anyway. Open the way for them, so they will see God's goodness within. Letting God's light shine enables those in darkness to see the light. Except today we close the light so others do not see. We often turn our backs on our neighbors who have less than us and live close to. How often we walk away judging them because they lack. It's sometimes the smallest thing but we all tend to look and judge without realizing we do so.

Many out there are jobless, and the saddest thing is when employers judge another because of lacking a job. Or us doing the same, don't we think that way too. Classifying them as druggies or something else. I hear how people talk about them, and how they describe the homeless, and this is from Christians. It's hurtful. These people themselves may not hear it directly, but it is felt in the actions we do. Or someone shaking your hand, and then looking at their hand to see if they caught cooties or something, while in Church too. We need to change how we love our neighbor, if there is going to be a change in the world.

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:19

I used to smoke, now that I no longer do so, I found out something. Reformed smokers try like heck to help other smokers to quit their bad habits. Well, upon thinking about this, I also realized a reformed sinner does the same thing. But when God intervenes, then it becomes a greater mission to bring people back. With the Holy Spirits help in all I say and write and do, is for others to benefit. Many times it's from what my life has endured, my mistakes. I will tell you this, not once have I given anyone the advice to do wrong, and this I can thank my Catholic upbringing for. But there are many out there in the world who delight in causing others to sin, pornography is one. Fads that cause others to follow, skimpy clothes that cause others to commit adultery albeit unintentionally. Those eyes are bugging out of your head fads. I could go on and on, there are many. Let me see, have you lied today to anyone or told someone to lie just to cover up something. Today I am your conscience, why? Because I love you and I want you all to go to heaven. I want your life to be made better, to live with and part of God's family.

Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." Matthew 5:13

Does salt really lose it's taste? I've never noticed before. I try to recall if it wasn't as tangy, or as salty as it should be. Then I think maybe it goes a bit flat, but not as strong a flavor. Then I thought about how we toss salt away when we spill some.

Next we have blessed salt that is used as a sacramental in the Church. First, in Baptisms: like the baptismal waters, salt is blessed and exorcised. Then it is put on the tongue of the catechumen during the Baptismal rite.

Second, for use in the preparation of Holy Water and for the use of the faithful: regular salt is exorcised and blessed and is used in the preparation of Holy Water. It is also given to the faithful for their everyday use, for use in cooking; for sprinkling around rooms, doorways and yards, to protect against evil, etc.

Because of its exorcism and blessing, it is a powerful sacramental in keeping away demons. To get salt blessed, just take some table salt to your priest and ask him to bless it.

Salt it seems has many purposes, even in the Old Testament we read of it. And we are told by Jesus we are the salt of the earth. But if we lose flavor, we are not as effective. Our zip is gone then, we become dull to the point of lifelessness.

And then we come to the area where we tell ourselves that to live is to have the spice of life. True, we need to be salty in order to fulfill our roles in life. But we also have a version that others prefer to believe, to have a variety is the spice of life, such as; have as many partners as a person can have, to live it up in wicked ways. Not the salt of God that's for sure.

We often over look the healing properties that salt also has. Look at the seas, and oceans, how soothing the waters are, yet we are polluting them with garbage, and slowly destroying life in it.

Salt is everywhere, in everything. We are the salt of the earth, we remove it from our lives we lose.

Jesus begins his Sermon on the Mount in this chapter, where he tells his apostles of the Beatitudes. Do we wonder why he went out of his way to speak of the beatitudes to them. To teach the apostles about them. I don't wonder, I think the beatitudes are beautiful. They give you an idea of how you live; what you will attain from following them. Just as loving God is beautiful. When the beatitudes are part of your life, you will understand the beauty of God.

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Dear Father my spirit is so poor, I still lack the grace to completely acknowledge all that belongs to you, teach me to hand it all over to you.

2. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Dear Father, teach me to mourn, for in my sorrow I may be comforted.

3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Dear Father, teach me to be like you in all things. That no matter what hardship I may deal with it with meekness.

4. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Dear Father, teach me to hunger and thirst for what is right in your eyes, that I may say and do your will always.

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Dear Father, teach me to suffer gladly, so others may know mercy.

6. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Dear Father, teach me to always cleanse my heart so I may see you always.

7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Dear Father, teach me to always bring peace to those who are in discord, so I may be a child of God.

8. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Dear Father, teach me to suffer persecution gladly for the sake of righteousness, so I may attain the kingdom of heaven.

These are an awesome and loving gift to help us live a life worthy of God. Don't lose the chance to be a child of God, or to fail to see him. His kingdom is what we should all want daily. God, you are so beautiful, thank you.

From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. 2Timothy 4:8

Paul knows what awaits him, by his own conversion and his work for the Lord. Can we say the same? Have we been converted, literally have our lives turned around to do God's bidding. So that the just judge will also award to us the crown of righteousness.

Do we long for his appearance? For many yes, we long for his appearance. What would be the reason to long for this? So God would take care of the evil that seems to occupy this earth? Would that be the main reason we long for his appearance? One would think that longing for his appearance would merit recognition of a life lived in Him, where we would be by his side and not opposite him. Where we too would receive the crown of righteousness. But for us to be able to receive this we must all be willing to do our part. To love God above ourselves. To love our neighbors. To want what God wants, not what we want. What have we done in our life that would merit God's recognition, especially when it is time for his appearance.