Jesus realized the intention of their hearts

September 30, 2019 6:00 am

“Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, ‘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: 47-48) 

Our Lord knows our hearts. There is nothing hidden from Him. This is good because knowing our hearts, He can help us grow, He can help us change our perspective and make us really “the greatest.”

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

Compete well

September 29, 2019 6:00 am

“But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith.” (1 TM 6: 11-12)

Whatever is really important in our lives (like love or prayers) is protected by freedom. We can’t force others to love, for example, us. And we cannot force others to pray. We need freedom, because it takes a lot of effort, it takes time, it takes failure and uprisings to keep the strong and beautiful relationship. We need to “compete well.”

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

they were all amazed at his every deed

September 28, 2019 6:00 am

“While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.’” (LK 9: 43-44)

The law of Undulation: today glory, respect, enthusiasm-“they were all amazed at his every deed,” tomorrow-“the son of Man is to be handed over to men.” The same law of Undulation exists in us; one day we will give everything to Our Lord and the next we forget to even make a sign of the cross. I very much like the way in which S.C. Lewis wrote about this “law of Undulation” in The Screwtape Letters (Letter nr VIII you can read here: http://www.samizdat.qc.ca/arts/lit/PDFs/ScrewtapeLetters_CSL.pdf). 

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

But who do you say that I am?

September 27, 2019 6:00 am

“Then he said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter said in reply, ‘The Christ of God.’” (LK 9: 20) 

So much depends on our answers. Our children’s faith depends on this, how our colleagues or neighbors will receive us depends on this, our relationships depend on this. Starting every day with St. Peter’s proclamation “You are the Christ of God” can initiate a chain reaction. 

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

Trying to see him

September 26, 2019 6:00 am

“’Who then is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he kept trying to see him.” (LK 9: 9) 

The key word here is “trying.” The problem lies in persistence and consistency. When we try every day “to see Him,” our eyes will be clearer and we will recognize Him in daily readings, in the Bible, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in our spouses and in our children. Our Lord came to be with us. He is hidden, invisible, but only for those who “don’t try.”

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

House you enter

September 25, 2019 6:00 am

“He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.’” (LK 9: 3-4) 

House was so important for apostolic mission; and it still is. House is the place where the true evangelization starts, where we rest and where we gather strength. House is the best school of evangelization also, because house is the place where we learn how to protect our relationships, rather than finish the mission; how to be more focused on people, their own limits and needs rather than on achievements and goals. Staying with nothing (“nor sack, nor food, nor money, no second tunic”) makes us dependent on others and grateful; at home we listen to each other and respect each other. With these strategies we are ready to “leave from there.”

“The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Act on it

September 24, 2019 6:00 am

“He said to them in reply, ‘My mother and my brothers  are those who hear the word of God and act on it.’” (LK 8: 21) 

Yesterday we spoke about taking care of how we hear. Today it is time to “act on it.” When we hear with love we make a space for many different acts of love. When we hear with love, we become gentler, more respectful, more focused on the quality of gifts, we spend more time together and our dialogue (including our inner dialogue) is full of love. These actions come from good hearing, these actions lead us to better listening. This is how we can create a circle of love. 

“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Take care how you hear

September 23, 2019 6:00 am

“Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” (LK 8: 18)

We know how important it is in our marriage on “how we hear.” We can hear with love and we can hear without love-because we feel rejected, misunderstood, forgotten or neglected. What our lives would look like if we decide each morning that today I would listen with love. Maybe we will fail the first time, maybe we will fail every day for a week, but focusing on “how we hear” one day, we will achieve it.

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity

September 22, 2019 6:00 am

“First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.” (1 TM 2: 1-2) 

We need “a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.” For every family and every marriage to grow, they need a good environment, “quiet and tranquil,” need to be respected in their dignity.

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

bearing with one another through love

September 21, 2019 6:00 am

“I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace…” (EPH 4: 1-3) 

Loving another person is sometimes not easy. When we have our wounds, our limits and our expectations, love can be a real challenge. We need all of our “humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” But when we are equipped with these strategies and these values, we can make our spouse happy.

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