Outside you appear righteous.

August 25, 2021 3:00 am

“You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside, you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.” (MT 23: 27)

Our Lord speaks about integrity. If we recognize our identity correctly, we live our lives based on who we are, outside and inside. Outside speaks about the inside, our actions show our identity, and we live lives serving others and loving each other.

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

Outside you appear righteous.

August 25, 2021 3:00 am

“You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside, you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.” (MT 23: 27)

Our Lord speaks about integrity. If we recognize our identity correctly, we live our lives based on who we are, outside and inside. Outside speaks about the inside, our actions show our identity, and we live lives serving others and loving each other.

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

Come and see.

August 24, 2021 3:00 am

“But Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come from Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’” (JN 1: 46)

We see totally different strategy: “come and see.” I am not the one who will lead you, and I will bring you to the One, Who knows everything about you and knows perfectly how to love you and lead you to heaven.

“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” (Gospel Acclamation)

To make one convert.

August 23, 2021 3:00 am

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens, you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.” (MT 23: 15)

Every person is created by loving God, and every person is called to be for eternity with God. People of all colors, destinations, religions, and cultures. Sometimes we believe that only our way to God is the only one, and instead of being an example for them how to love God, we assume to have the right to lead because we know better.

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

The words are Spirit and life.

August 22, 2021 3:00 am

“It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.” (JN 6: 63)

We know the importance of words. We know how important they are in our relationship, how they can comfort, unite and give strength. We also know the opposite. The more we are connected with God’s words, the more life and Spirit we have.

“Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

August 21, 2021 3:00 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)

Humble persons see their limits and recognize when the ego is providing. A humble person knows how to surrender everything to God and gives Our Lord the right to lead. A humble person is safe because instead of ego, “the Christ is one master.”

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

You shall love.

August 20, 2021 3:00 am

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” (MT 22: 37-40)

Our only goal is to love. To love the Lord, our God, and our neighbors. There is no other mission in our lives. We work, travel, go for holidays, grow, are in relationships, move to new places, and still, there is no other purpose for our lives—we shall love. This is our future in heaven.

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

Guests.

August 19, 2021 3:00 am

“The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.” (MT 22: 2-3)

There are not many who decided to live conscious lives. So many are living reactively, demanding and expecting from others; their happiness depends on others. Only a few recognize the call from Our Lord and are living proactively. They are free, creative, and joyful givers, bringing more to others, happy to serve, and enjoying lives, seeing so many occasions to be grateful.

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

Because I am generous.

August 18, 2021 3:00 am

“What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?” (MT 20: 14-15)

Generosity is so connected with gratitude; when we are grateful for everything we receive, we see others as equally important, and we are open to share and support others. The more we give, the more we receive because generosity moves us to a different mindset, always more than we can imagine.

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

A hundred times more.

August 17, 2021 3:00 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)

Too often, we understand these words about “a hundred times more” about having. But God’s world is not about having, but about being. Losing our egoistic visions for having (idealistic spouse) brings fruits in being beautifully related.

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