I will make you fishers of men

November 30, 2016 6:00 am

“As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, ‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” (MT 4: 18-19)

Ordinary fishermen becoming “fishers of men”? Impossible? Not for Our Lord, everything is possible for Him—“I will make you fishers of men.” He called us, ordinary men and women, and made us “fishers of men”; priests, consecrated people, husbands, wives, fathers and mothers. We are called by the amazing love of God to “come after Him.”

“Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Gospel Acclamation)

With justice

November 29, 2016 10:58 am

“But he shall judge the poor with justice and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.”(IS 11: 4)

Only God knows our hearts and knows everything about our motivation, hidden temptations and our inner battles. Only He can “judge with justice.” It is always good for us to look at our beloved ones from bigger perspectives, seeing them always through love.

“Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Shelter and protection

November 28, 2016 6:00 am

“For over all, the LORD’s glory will be shelter and protection: shade from the parching heat of day, refuge and cover from storm and rain.” (IS 4: 6)

Our Lord’s love always protects us, always takes care of us, and always is very detailed—“shade from the parching heat of day, refuge and cover from storm and rain.” When we imitate His love, we also can express our love one day by more gentleness and another day by respect or in a very specific way—a day’s gift of self. One day shelter, another day protection.

“Come and save us, LORD our God; let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ

November 27, 2016 6:00 am

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.” (ROM 13: 14)

We are totally protected and totally loved, hidden in His Sacred Heart, because we “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Whenever we read His words (like the daily readings), we can adopt one of His characteristics or attributes and “put [it] on” for a day, making Him more visible for our family and friends.

“Show us Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Anxieties of daily life

November 26, 2016 6:00 am

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.” (LK 21: 34-35)

It looks like not only “carousing and drunkenness” but also “the anxieties of daily life” are dangerous in our lives. It is probably easier to stop the first one, but more difficult to stop the second one. When we add more gentleness to our daily lives and when we start practicing small gestures of softness or sweetness to our spouses or children, we can achieve a better life.

“Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.” (Gospel Acclamation)

As a bride adorned for her husband

November 25, 2016 6:00 am

“I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (REV 21: 2) 

I like to listen about God’s love given in a very familiar way—“prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Love is a gift from God; we are loved and we were created to love. Marriage and family is God’s vocation for the majority of us to express the same love with which we are loved and to transmit it to others.

“Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God

November 24, 2016 7:00 am

“Alleluia! Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great harlot  who corrupted the earth with her harlotry. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (RV 19: 1-2)

It is good to remember that “salvation, glory, and might belong to our God,” not to us. He is our Savior, and our salvation comes from Him, not from our actions. We can, through our actions, show Him how much we love Him, how much we put our trust in Him, and how much we depend on Him.

“Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

 

It will lead to your giving testimony

November 23, 2016 6:00 am

“They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony.” (LK 21: 12-13)

We used to say after Program 1: “it is good because . . . , ” strongly believing that whatever happens in our lives is always provoked by God’s loving presence and God’s providence, like today’s warning: “they will seize and persecute you . . . ”. It is good because “it will lead to your giving testimony.” He will be with us always since everything is “because of His name.”

“Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The days will come

November 22, 2016 6:00 am

„While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, „All that you see here–the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”“ (LK 21: 5-6)

It is natural for us people to base our security on possessions—job, house, bank account, shares, „costly stones and votive offerings,“ etc. But „the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.“ Our only security is based on our relationship with Our Lord and our beloved one. Only when we are loved and when we love others can we grow, be more secure and able to be a respectful gift of self.

„Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.“ (Gospel Acclamation)

More than the rest

November 21, 2016 7:00 am

“I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” (LK 21: 3-4) 

“More than all the rest” wasn’t based on quantity, but quality. An unconditional gift, a gift given from the heart, contains love, and only love can reach God’s heart. Detachment from material possessions and dependence on God lead to blessedness.

“Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.”