The greatest among you

August 20, 2016 6:00 am

“The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (MT 23: 11-12)

It is a natural desire—to be the greatest: maybe in my class, maybe in a sport, or maybe as a fantastic mom or a best friend. The best project, the best team, the best boss or the best worker—wherever we visit a company, we will see something like this on the walls. Our Lord shows us a different way—“the greatest among you must be your servant.” We know how important this is in the family. When the father serves or when the mother serves, the family “will be exalted.”

“You have but one Father in heaven; you have but one master, the Christ.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Know that I am the Lord

August 19, 2016 6:00 am

“I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life. I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you, cover you with skin, and put spirit in you so that you may come to life and know that I am the LORD.” (EZ 37: 6)

God makes the unbelievable connection between “know that I am the Lord” and “that you may come to life”—“sinews upon you, flesh grow over you, cover you with skin, and put spirit in you so that you may come to life.” How it is possible that we can know God only when we are humans, in our bodies and souls? How important we are as bodies and souls united!

“Teach me your paths, my God, guide me in your truth.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Stony hearts—natural hearts

August 18, 2016 6:00 am

“I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts.” (EZ 36: 26)

This operation could be made only by God. Only God, who is love and knows perfectly how to love, also knows what kind of a heart we need. Our ability to love comes from Him, Who “will give us a new hearts and place a new spirit within us, taking from our bodies our stony hearts and giving us natural hearts.” Whenever we are tired, exhausted or feeling empty, we can ask Our Lord for “a new spirit and a new heart.”

“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Generous God

August 17, 2016 6:00 am

 

“Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (MT 20: 15-16) 

Envy is the most stupid of the seven deadly sins and brings nothing, no benefits at all. On the other hand, generosity brings a lot of fruits. Our God is generous and takes care of us always. When we fall He always thinks how to help us, how to start our relationship again. He never tires of forgiving.

“The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Everyone who has given up 

August 16, 2016 6:00 am

 

“And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.” (MT 19: 29) 

It is not about houses or family members, it is about my ability to be a gift of self, not a possessor. Because it is not about possessing, it is about relationships. When our sacrifice is based on “His name,” we will receive “a hundred times more” good relationships and “will inherit eternal life.” Eternal life is simple, it is to be with Him forever.

“Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich so that by his poverty you might become rich.” (Gospel Acclamation)  

Those who belong to Christ

August 15, 2016 6:00 am

“For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power.” (1 COR 15: 22-24) 

Our destiny is to live forever with God in heaven. Everyone who is “in Christ” will be brought from death to life, “but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits, then … those who belong to Christ.” Our Lady surely is the “one” who “belongs to Christ” in a very special way and today “is taken up to heaven, a chorus of angels exults.” God who created the fourth commandment for sure respects it.

“Mary is taken up to heaven; a chorus of angels exults.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Persevere in running the race that lies before us

August 14, 2016 6:00 am

 

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” (HEB 12: 1-2)  

“The race that lies before us” is easier when we are “keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” He answers all our needs; He knows perfectly where to go and how to protect us.

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” 

Let the children come to me

August 13, 2016 7:01 am

 

“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (MT 19: 14)

We all have different memories from our childhood: some of us were firstborn and experienced unfair changes in parenting with our younger siblings; some of us were the youngest and experienced being educated by everybody. Some of us had a very difficult childhood, a very sad time in our lives. Our God comes to us to tell us how important we are to Him and invites us to come to Him as a His children—complicated, wounded, immature, selfish and childish. Still—as a His children. And He prepared for us His home where He will love us forever; “for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Because behind our limited and childish behaviours are poor children, hungry for love and calling for love. When we are loved by God, we can grow and share His love with others. His love can change everything. Even us.

“Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

I pardon you for all you have done

August 12, 2016 6:00 am

 

“For I will re-establish my covenant with you, that you may know that I am the LORD, that you may remember and be covered with confusion, and that you may be utterly silenced for shame when I pardon you for all you have done, says the Lord GOD.” (EZ 16: 62-63)

Our Merciful God always comes with forgiveness and pardon. He wants to “re-establish our covenant with Him, that we may know that He is the Lord.” In the Bible to know somebody means to be in the most intimate relationship. We are loved, and Our Lord forgets all our sins when we bring them to Him.

“Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but, as it truly is, the word of God.” 

If my brother sins against me

August 11, 2016 6:05 am

 

“‘Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.’” (MT 18: 21-22)

Our daily life situations include—“my brother sins against me” and I sin against him/her. This happens not because I wanted it, but because we are different: with different experiences, a different life story, a different hierarchy of values and a different level of fragility. Jesus gives us only one strategy—forgive! Always! “Not seven times but seventy-seven times”—limitless forgiveness.

“Let your countenance shine upon your servant and teach me your statutes.” (Gospel Acclamation)