Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Care for the poor.

Trust in the Lord, your refuge.

Imitate the Apostles who imitate the Lord.

Love the Lord and your neighbor.

In today's second reading (1 Thes 1:5c-10) we read how pleased Paul was that they had turned from idols to live as the Lord wanted them to live.

What idols do you need to turn away from:

• American Idol?
• Gossip / Celebrity "news"?
• Pornography?
• Social Media?
• Work? 
• Play?

I've never seen a golden calf on anyone's mantel but I do see people with excessive focus and concern and attention paid to things like those listed above. 

If you love the Lord with your whole heart and mind and you love your neighbor as yourself as we are instructed to in the Gospel then everything else will fall into place. 

We live in a commercialized, materialistic world that is in turmoil. Use these tough economic times as an excuse to rid yourself of the excesses that distract you from focusing on the Lord and refocus on the things that matter: caring for the poor, walking with Lord, imitating the Apostles, loving your neighbor. 

Keep the faith.