Being made over anew

November 18, 2017 6:00 am

“For all creation, in its several kinds, was being made over anew, serving its natural laws, that your children might be preserved unharmed.” (WIS 19: 6) 

We read today that :”Your all-powerful word, from heaven’s royal throne” came to make everything anew. We and our relationships are always in hope “to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” When we work close with His “all-powerful word,” we can expect His grace working with us, especially to help us grow as spouses, “that your children might be preserved unharmed.” 

“God has called us through the Gospel, to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

On that day

November 17, 2017 6:00 am

“On that day, someone who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise one in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.” (LK 17: 31-33) 

We must remember, one day, “on that day” we will continue our lives in Heaven. Our eyes should be focused on that direction: “whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.” Like we do for our children all the best, also Our Lord wants us to be in Heaven forever. 

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

The Kingdom of God is among you

November 16, 2017 6:00 am

“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” (LK 17: 20-21) 

“The Kingdom of God is among you,” so we can see our spouses, children , co-workers and our neighbors in a totally different way; today, we—weak people, with our limits and defects— can expect the Kingdom of God.  There is no need to look for it somewhere else—with “better” people or more prestigious communities; just remain in Him.

“I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord: whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Returned, glorifying God in a loud voice

November 15, 2017 6:00 am

“As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, ‘Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!’ And when he saw them, he said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan.” (LK 17: 12-16) 

Gratitude is a measure of our value. Ten lepers were cleansed; only one, “realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” Every day we can and we should recognize God’s gifts and be thankful: “for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 

“In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

The image of His own nature He made them

November 14, 2017 6:00 am

“God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made them. But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience it.” (WIS 2: 23-24) 

We are God’s creation. God “formed man to be imperishable.” We carry in ourselves the desire for eternity, so our every action or thought, even very small, but done with love, has the potential to bring us closer to Him. 

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.”

Seek Him in integrity of heart

November 13, 2017 6:00 am

“Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in integrity of heart; Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him.” (WIS 1: 1-2) 

When we “seek Him,” we have to do it in “integrity of heart,” praying as a wife or husband, as a mother or father, as a friend or colleague. When we come to Our Lord as His children, we can expect that He will “manifest himself” as Our Father—“in integrity of heart.”  

“Shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Thus we shall always be with the Lord

November 12, 2017 6:00 am

“For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 THESS 4: 16-17)  

The love of God is eternal, never ends. He takes care of us, whether we are dead or alive: He “will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive . . . will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Because when we are “in Christ,” “we shall always be with the Lord.” 

“Stay awake and be ready! For you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Gospel Acclamation)  

Greet… 

November 11, 2017 6:00 am

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I am grateful but also all the churches of the Gentiles; greet also the Church at their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the firstfruits in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners; they are prominent among the Apostles and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.” (ROM 16: 3-9) 

The list in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans is even longer. This is just the beginning. It shows how St. Paul’s missions were connected with the service of so many. With every name comes expressions, like: “my beloved,” or additional information, like: “my relatives” or “our co-worker.” This reminds me of our Programs: always demonstrating teamwork and always reflecting the amazing service of so many, and I can only repeat after St. Paul: “to whom I am grateful.” Thank You for Your outstanding service. 

“Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” 

Proclaim the Gospel not where Christ has already been named

November 10, 2017 6:00 am

“Thus I aspire to proclaim the Gospel not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on another’s foundation, but as it is written: Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.” (ROM 15: 20-21) 

This is our great vocation: “proclaim the Gospel not where Christ has already been named”: our colleauges, our neighbors, sometimes even our families or parents of our children’s classmates. We can bring them the Good News in a way which is easier to accept—with gentleness, respect, a gift of self and time spent with them listening to them. 

“Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Each one must be careful how he builds upon it

November 9, 2017 6:00 am

“You are God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.” (1 COR 3: 9-11) 

We know how important the foundation for the building is. You can’t build a skyscraper on the ground which is good only for a barrack, and it will be not wise to build a tent on the ground which allows you to build something amazing. The same is with us: “each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.” We think about us: “you are God’s building”; our relationships, our work and our service should be based on Him. We should build “like a wise master builder.”

“I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord, that my name may be there forever.” (Gospel Acclamation)