Dear friends,
I am so happy to meditate with you on how to be TRUSTWORTHY.
In the first reading, God through Prophet Amos 8:4-7 reminds us about how we treat the poor and the needy. But, "The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Never will I forget a thing they have done!”
This a warning is to those who ill-treat the poor and the needy. Let us not forget that, as per the fulfillment of time, God will give to us what we deserve accordingly. Hence, if we give good treatment to the poor, it will be the beginning of becoming TRUSTWORTHY in the eyes of God.
In St. Paul’s first Letter to Timothy 2:1-8, St. Paul begins, “Beloved: First of all I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone...” and he ends, “It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.” In the small and very important word PRAY, St. Paul tells us will help us to take care of the poor and needy and will make us trustworthy. Let us increase our time of prayer, yes, I (St. Paul) mean it, Let us increase our time for prayer.
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 16:1-13 tells us, “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones,...” This is what is expectation of God from us, be trustworthy in small matters, only small, small matters.
Have you ever thought that the care and concern to the poor and needy can make us trustworthy of God? Did we ever feel that more and more prayer can make us trustworthy of God? Let us have great concern for the poor and needy. Let us pray more and more.
Message for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
My dear friends,
‘To Go in search of the lost ones’ is the nature of God. This is what we will try to understand with the help of His Word and be found to Him.
The first reading is taken from the Book of Exodus: 32:7-11, 13-14 tells about the power of the intercessory prayer. Moses pleads and intercedes for the chosen people. Though God was angry with them and was thinking of punishing them, Moses’ prayer which is reminding God of His promise to His people: "So the Lord relented in the punishment and he had threatened to inflict on his people.” This prayer of Moses is not changing the mind of God, but revealing it. This tells us that God always loves to go in search of His lost sheep.
In the second reading, taken from the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy 1:12-17, we have of the most powerful examples. St. Paul himself in his own words tells us how God comes in search of Saul and makes him Paul, “ …but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. Indeed, the grace of Our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. But for that reason I was mercifully treated so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.” What a more beautiful example of God’s nature as one who goes in search of the lost sheep? “This is my chosen vessel.” What wonders God has brought about through St. Paul?
In the Holy Gospel according St. Luke, the whole chapter 15:1-32 has the parable of ‘Lost Sheep:
On our part, if we are lost, allow us to be found to the Father through His Son in the Spirit by way of repentance and reconciliation.
‘To Go in search of the lost ones’ is the nature of God. This is what we will try to understand with the help of His Word and be found to Him.
The first reading is taken from the Book of Exodus: 32:7-11, 13-14 tells about the power of the intercessory prayer. Moses pleads and intercedes for the chosen people. Though God was angry with them and was thinking of punishing them, Moses’ prayer which is reminding God of His promise to His people: "So the Lord relented in the punishment and he had threatened to inflict on his people.” This prayer of Moses is not changing the mind of God, but revealing it. This tells us that God always loves to go in search of His lost sheep.
In the second reading, taken from the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy 1:12-17, we have of the most powerful examples. St. Paul himself in his own words tells us how God comes in search of Saul and makes him Paul, “ …but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. Indeed, the grace of Our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. But for that reason I was mercifully treated so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.” What a more beautiful example of God’s nature as one who goes in search of the lost sheep? “This is my chosen vessel.” What wonders God has brought about through St. Paul?
In the Holy Gospel according St. Luke, the whole chapter 15:1-32 has the parable of ‘Lost Sheep:
- in verse 5 "Rejoice with me …, Lost Coin"
- in verse 9 "Rejoice with me …, and above all the (Lost) Prodigal Son, nay ‘The Parable of the Loving Father"
- in verse 32, “but we were bound to make merry and rejoice, for this your brother was dead, and has come to life’ he was lost, and is found.”
On our part, if we are lost, allow us to be found to the Father through His Son in the Spirit by way of repentance and reconciliation.
Message for the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
My dear friends,
We shall meditate, on the occasion of the twenty-third Sunday, how ‘TO BE THE DISCIPLE OF JESUS’. Jesus himself, as well as the author of the Book of Wisdom and St. Paul, will help us learn how to be the disciple of Jesus.
The first reading from the Book of Wisdom 9:13-18 has two questions, “Who can know God’s counsel?" and “Who can conceive what the Lord intends?" The answer is NO ONE. But the reading goes on to suggest, “...except you had given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high?” In other words, "Wisdom" and "The Holy Spirit" only can help us. This we need to do at the basic level "to be the disciples of Jesus."
The second reading, taken from the letter of St. Paul to Philemon 9-10, 12-17 tells us with these words, “I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me … But …” This goes to say, do nothing for yourself but all that you do, do it for others. This is what the Lord teaches us in His words and actions, to be His disciples.
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 14:25-33 has three stages to be "a true disciple of Jesus."
The Wisdom, the Holy Spirit can help you. Be in deep intimacy with them.
What they will find us to be is TRUE DISCIPLES OF JESUS.
We shall meditate, on the occasion of the twenty-third Sunday, how ‘TO BE THE DISCIPLE OF JESUS’. Jesus himself, as well as the author of the Book of Wisdom and St. Paul, will help us learn how to be the disciple of Jesus.
The first reading from the Book of Wisdom 9:13-18 has two questions, “Who can know God’s counsel?" and “Who can conceive what the Lord intends?" The answer is NO ONE. But the reading goes on to suggest, “...except you had given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high?” In other words, "Wisdom" and "The Holy Spirit" only can help us. This we need to do at the basic level "to be the disciples of Jesus."
The second reading, taken from the letter of St. Paul to Philemon 9-10, 12-17 tells us with these words, “I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me … But …” This goes to say, do nothing for yourself but all that you do, do it for others. This is what the Lord teaches us in His words and actions, to be His disciples.
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 14:25-33 has three stages to be "a true disciple of Jesus."
1) Hate your father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters and even you own life. Meaning, thereby, none of these must come on your way of loving and following Jesus.
2) Carry your own cross and follow Jesus.
Your duties and responsibilities and whatever comes to you as vocation within the vocation must be strictly followed.
3) Calculate the cost.
It is not easy to follow Jesus. It is not easy to do what Jesus did. Be prepared to suffer with patience and love.
The Wisdom, the Holy Spirit can help you. Be in deep intimacy with them.
What they will find us to be is TRUE DISCIPLES OF JESUS.
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