“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them.” (MT 5: 1-2)
We can always count on Our Lord whenever we need to learn more about Him, about God the Father, heaven, and about us. He knows us perfectly, and when we are ready to come and listen, He always responds.
“Rejoice and be glad; for your reward will be great in heaven.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take it; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.” (MK 14: 22-23)
Our Lord gave us His body and blood to bring us to heaven. “Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” In true giving is always the same concern—to give not only “things,” but always love, which will stay forever. Our Lord is always with us in the Tabernacles, the Holy Mass, and in our adoration chapels. He wants to bring us eternal life and perfect love.
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (MK 12: 33-34)
It is not only about supporting, sharing with others what we have, giving alms, and protecting the poor, but also a metaphor for our lives. We can give our lives totally to our spouses and children, and we can invest and invest more for our best relationship without worry what we will be able to offer tomorrow. When we live our lives fully and totally, focused on giving, we will always be refreshed because love, when given fully, come back more enriched, a hundred times more.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“David himself calls him ‘lord’; so how is he his son?” The great crowd heard this with delight.” (MK 12: 37)
We can’t imagine how amazing it was for people to listen to Our Lord. He is pure love, pure truth, and life, a way how we can imagine God the Father’s protection and unconditional love. Whatever Our Lord said was always about the same: we are loved, protected, and in the most secure presence.
“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ Jesus replied, ‘The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord, our God, is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’” (MK 12: 28-30)
When we listen to experts of self-development, modern “guru” of being perfect and we listen to their areas of perfection: mind-set, heart-set, soul-set and health-set and we are impressed by their complexity and holistic view, we need to remember that their areas came from the first of all the commandments: “with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The way of perfection and self-development is the way of love God.
“Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Jesus said to them, ‘Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?’” (MK 12: 24)
How important it is to know “the Scriptures and the power of God.” The Scriptures give us directions—where to go, what to do, how to live; the power of God gives us the strength and the real power we can trust.
“I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me will never die.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.” (MK 12: 14)
“You are a truthful man,” “you teach in accordance with the truth”—it was an opinion of people who “were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.” It wasn’t an opinion of friends but of enemies. Our Lord told us about Him that He is the truth, and life and the way. It is so important for us to be always honest, to live in truth—that way, we will be closer and closer to Him.
“May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to his call.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.” (LK 1: 39-40)
Today we celebrate the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a reminder that Our Lady is always a concern with us, on our lives, to support us and help us. Her mission was to protect life and help us grow and be in the best relationship with Our Lord. And wherever she goes, she always brings her Son.
“Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (MK 28: 18-20)
We are members of the Catholic Church. Catholic—means universal—of all nations, all ages, cultures, traditions, and colors. Our universalism comes from God, Who created us, and Who is love. Love is our nature; love is our destiny; love is our way of living and our way to heaven. “Making disciples” also means that we can learn how to love, and we can always be better at loving.
“Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“So they said to Jesus in reply, ‘We do not know.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.’” (MK 11: 33)
To live in truth, to be honest needs courage, needs to be proactive. It is important in marriage to be a spouse and parent who speaks the truth, who is honest. Instead of looking at what is good for me, we are looking at what is good for others, and we are happy in giving.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”