Whoever listens to you listens to me

September 30, 2016 6:00 am

“Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (LK 10:16)

We have a great responsibility—always to reveal Our Lord’s presence: “whoever listens to you listens to me.” And Jesus also reveals God’s presence—He came to tell us about God’s love for us.

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

Angels of God

September 29, 2016 6:00 am

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (JN 1: 51)

We will see them one day. Now we know and believe in their presence in our lives, their protection and their important role in our journey to heaven. Every day we can be very grateful for their service, but in a very special way today, when we celebrate the feast of the most important Archangels—Michael, Raphael and Gabriel.

“Bless the LORD, all you angels, you ministers, who do his will.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Fit for the Kingdom of God

September 28, 2016 5:49 am

 

“‘I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.’ Jesus answered him, ‘No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.’” (LK 9: 62)

Jesus speaks of the seriousness and the unconditional nature of Christian discipleship. Even family ties and filial obligations, such as burying one’s parents, cannot distract one, no matter how briefly, from proclaiming the kingdom of God. Following Jesus doesn’t means rejecting family; it rather means building a new family, based on our vocation.

“I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

He sent messengers ahead of Him

September 27, 2016 7:49 am

“When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him.” (LK 9: 51-52)

What a privilege it is to be His messengers. We are also invited and called to be with Him and to serve Him as His messengers. We can present His thoughts and actions in our homes and offices, among our friends and acquaintances. We can evangelize even our thoughts and correct them to be like His.

“The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

The one who is the greatest

September 26, 2016 6:00 am

“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” (LK 9: 48) 

From God’s perspective, “who is the greatest” is totally different from the world’s perspective. The world looks for success, improvement, effects and results; heaven looks for ministry, relationship, dependence, trust and love. Everything is “in His name” and is based on Him, who “came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

“The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  (Gospel Acclamation) 

Pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness 

September 25, 2016 6:00 am

“But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 TM 6: 11) 

But you, man of God, pursue…” the most important things in your lives. “Pursue” is active, needs our commitment, plans and good strategies. Starting with righteousness we go to gentleness to build a better world where our families can grow and “to which we were called.” Our Lord will assist us with His grace “so that we might become rich” in His love.

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

Handed over to men

September 24, 2016 6:00 am

“Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” (LK 9: 44) 

Our Lord “was handed over to men” because of His love. He trusted us. He came to tell us about God the Father’s love for us, but we rejected Him and His message—He was “handed over to men” and was crucified. But His love is stronger than death, and He was resurrected and lives forever to love us and to lead us to heaven.

“Our Savior Christ Jesus destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Jesus was praying in solitude

September 23, 2016 6:00 am

“Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’” (LK 9: 18)

Luke regularly presents Jesus at prayer at important points in his ministry. Prayer is important for His identity and His mission. Without prayer we can’t properly recognize who we are and where God wants to send us. Like Our Lord’s identity, “The Son of Man” and His mission, is “to give his life as a ransom for many.’

“The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

He kept trying to see him

September 22, 2016 6:00 am

“But Herod said, ‘John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he kept trying to see him.” (LK 9: 9)

It doesn’t matter what the reason was—curiosity or admiration—the most important thing was: “he kept trying to see him.” It happened several chapters later (in LK 23: 8-12). He expected Jesus to show power or to perform miracles, but Herod didn’t recognize in Him the Savior of the world. Sometimes we expect from Jesus things different from His mission.

“I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (Gospel Acclamation)

He saw, He said

September 21, 2016 6:00 am

“As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.” (MT 9: 9)

It doesn’t matter where we are, what we do, or what our occupation is; Our Lord can look at our hearts directly, without any obstacles—“he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.” And He has the same message for everyone—“Follow me.” The only difference will be in our response: “he got up and followed him.”

“We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.” (Gospel Acclamation)