Doctrinal Clarity, Not Change: Unpacking the Note on Marian Titles

Why do we find it so difficult to talk about God with other people? I am not talking about when you are at church or in a Bible study group. I am talking about general everyday life. Some find it even more difficult when it is a family member. Are we worried that we are going to offend them? Are we concerned that they are not going to like us any more. I have heard instances of people avoiding others because of their fervor for God. Isn't that the point? We should be on fire for God. We should want people to know that if they talk to us, they are going to hear something about God or at the very least get some advice that is based on God's word. This past weekend's gospel reading was about the difficulty that arises when you try to have two masters; putting things on the same level as God. Worshiping material things in place of God can cause so many problems for us. But having a conversation about these other things (sports, cars, money) is so much easier. Have you ever sat in a busy location and just listened? The conversations can be mind numbing. Especially if there has recently been a big event like the Oscars or the Super Bowl. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with talking about those things. It becomes a problem when we place them before God and our eternal life. Matthew 6:24 says, "No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." It is believed that Mammon was a devil. the word mammon has come to represent riches and materialism. As we begin to think about our Lenten journey, perhaps consider this dilemma. Are you struggling with serving two masters? Making a conscious decision to focus more on God and less on you is a good start to making a change in your life.