Do you show Respect to your elders? How about friends? Family members? Having respect is an important thing to grasp when it comes to living a good and happy life. It's one of God's Commandments for us to live by, to 'love one another'. It not only applies to those around you, but having self-respect as well. All of us have probably had that occasional moment where we disregard having respect towards our neighbour, evident through an eye roll, a passing judgement, gossiping. God wants us to love Him first and thr world around us almost to the same extent. It's the best way and probably one of the most challenging, in our call to discipleship. Take some time to reflect today on areas in your life you need to show greater respect.

Today's Gospel states: 'After he had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people he entered Caper'na-um. Now a centurion had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue." And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, `Go,' and he goes; and to another, `Come,' and he comes; and to my slave, `Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this he marvelled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well' (Luke 7:1-10).

Today's reading talks about how we need to have a strong grasp of our faith. Jesus tells us that we need to be able to go forward, be strong in our faith and follow God's Commands. If we put all of our time and effort into reading Scripture and developing a strong prayer life, yet lack the active role we need to take in respecting our neighbour, we're missing out on all of the opportunities to love and bring joy that God has made us for. Take some time to pray and ask God to help you show respect to everyone.

Today we pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for showing me by Your example what it means to love and be loved. Help me to strive to be respectful to everyone I meet, being a true example of Your love.

I pray in Your most holy name, Amen.