YOUR LIFE MUST BE DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THOSE WHO DON’T BELIEVE 
The topic of one of our retreats was “if it is easy, it is not from God.” This does not mean that God makes things difficult for human beings just for the joy of it. Sometimes God allows human beings to go through difficulties so that the experience will help them to learn, develop, mature into strong, faithful and wise people. Some challenges are necessary for better development and maturity in the faith. Every challenge you overcome makes you wiser and stronger. But your mindset as you tackle each challenges is very important. It is more beneficial when every challenge is tackled with the mindset of being faithful to God. The choice we make at every moment in life can lead to either positive consequences or negative consequences. In those challenging moments I have option either to hold onto the teachings and principles of Christ. The option to live by the will of God or to let go those principles and do my own will. The first reading teaches us that those who chose to go with God make better choices and better decisions. Matthew Kelly would say, “God wants to strengthen your will each day. He wants you to live an incredible strong will. Then he wants you to surrender entirely to his will.” God wants us to be strong and wise in our choices but our will must be surrendered to God’s will in every choice and decision. In the gospel some people were following Jesus thinking that he has come to make it easy for them to live as they wish. Jesus would tell them that he has not come to make human beings live as they wish or do what they wish. Jesus said, “Do not think I have come to abolish the law and the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” Instead of abolishing the law so that human beings will live without any law. Jesus calls us to live guided by the law. We fulfill the law by our daily loving actions. True love and sincere commitment is how the law is fulfilled. Jesus teaches his disciples that as his followers their love should be greater than that of those who do not believe in him. He teaches them that their life of virtue and righteousness should be greater than that of those who do not believe. You are to live your life beyond what is written in the book of the law. Your life should be different from that of those who do not believe. Your moral integrity and transparency should be greater than that of those who do not believe. Every choice has a prize. Some people make choice that leads to true peace and joy. Some make choice that leads to self-destruction. Some people are still paying the prize of the choice they made. Some choice comes with joy while some comes with pain. Jesus teaches us to make choices and decisions that will bring us true peace and joy even if it involves some difficulty at the moment. It will turn to be a blessing for us in the near future. Faithful Christians make difficulty choices to live right because they look beyond the moment. A difficult but right choice opens us up to the glory of God. St. Paul teaches us that when we have made the right choices and are faithful in every challenges then we should be glad because God has prepared a blessing so great for us. “Eyes has not seen, and ears has not heard, and it has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him.” When we make a difference in the way we live our life today, we will have a tomorrow full of joy.