When asked who will be saved, Jesus issues a call to strive toward "the narrow way".
God has given a great gift of faith to us, as He has to people throughout the world, through which He bestows His abundant mercy and love on us.
But so great a gift compels something of us, that we work to uphold it, making much of it.
Even in the midst of discipline in the troubles of life, God works to strengthen our faith.
And as we put faith into action, it comes alive as we join together as one people upholding our faith.
It was a faith I saw alive in the community of the St. Teresa of Avila Roman Catholic Student Center at Valparaiso University when I attended Mass there for the first time 10 years ago, and it spurred me on in faith for the four years of college and beyond.
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Sunday, August 18, 2019
August 18, 2019: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Christ came, like all the prophets before Him, including Jeremiah, to proclaim God's Truth.
But some are opposed to God's Truth and so oppose His messengers.
So Jesus declares that His mission on Earth causes division when people oppose Him, a mission that drives Him so strongly, it leads to His death. Yet it is part of His Passion, a baptism by which the world is set ablaze that it may be restored to the way God intended it.
As His disciples, we follow in His way to proclaim the Truth of God, and we face opposition for it as did our master, and the prophets before Him. Yet, we press forth, surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, striving on in our mission, in our journey of faith, to attain the goal of our faith, passing through the Cross to the joy of the fullness of redemption.
But some are opposed to God's Truth and so oppose His messengers.
So Jesus declares that His mission on Earth causes division when people oppose Him, a mission that drives Him so strongly, it leads to His death. Yet it is part of His Passion, a baptism by which the world is set ablaze that it may be restored to the way God intended it.
As His disciples, we follow in His way to proclaim the Truth of God, and we face opposition for it as did our master, and the prophets before Him. Yet, we press forth, surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, striving on in our mission, in our journey of faith, to attain the goal of our faith, passing through the Cross to the joy of the fullness of redemption.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
August 15, 2019: Assumption of Mary
I find much meaning in this feast because it hearkens back to Easter Resurrection Sunday.
As Christ, the Head, has arisen from the dead, so we hope to have our own Resurrection, redeemed in both soul and body.
As the first disciple, Mary has experienced this fullness of Resurrection by being assumed body and soul into Heaven.
We live in hope of the power of God that is to work in us in death through the final day of Resurrection.
We rejoice that by the power of the Resurrection, the corruption of sin that works against our bodies is reversed.
Together with Mary, we magnify the Lord Who brings us Life and hope of the fullness of Life one day.
As Christ, the Head, has arisen from the dead, so we hope to have our own Resurrection, redeemed in both soul and body.
As the first disciple, Mary has experienced this fullness of Resurrection by being assumed body and soul into Heaven.
We live in hope of the power of God that is to work in us in death through the final day of Resurrection.
We rejoice that by the power of the Resurrection, the corruption of sin that works against our bodies is reversed.
Together with Mary, we magnify the Lord Who brings us Life and hope of the fullness of Life one day.
Sunday, August 11, 2019
August 11, 2019: 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
We have been given a great treasure in the gift of faith that brings us into relationship with God.
In order for this gift of faith to really mean something, we have to work at building it, stewarding it with great care: We let our faith influence our lives, as we give of ourselves in serving others so that God is truly made present.
We demonstrate faithfulness to the God Who is so faithful in attending to us and revealing Himself so we can have a relationship with Him.
I've spent much time this weekend hob-knobbing with presidents at sites pertainign to them, specifically Herbert Hoover and Abraham Lincoln. Like John F. Kennedy said, as is indicated in the Gospel reading, good leaders recognize that being given much power means having greater expectations upon us.
Indeed, what a great gift of faith we have been given, which calls us to greatness in our living.
In order for this gift of faith to really mean something, we have to work at building it, stewarding it with great care: We let our faith influence our lives, as we give of ourselves in serving others so that God is truly made present.
We demonstrate faithfulness to the God Who is so faithful in attending to us and revealing Himself so we can have a relationship with Him.
I've spent much time this weekend hob-knobbing with presidents at sites pertainign to them, specifically Herbert Hoover and Abraham Lincoln. Like John F. Kennedy said, as is indicated in the Gospel reading, good leaders recognize that being given much power means having greater expectations upon us.
Indeed, what a great gift of faith we have been given, which calls us to greatness in our living.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
August 4, 2019: 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
A portion of the 2nd reading for today is slated for Resurrection Sunday. It is a reminder of the work Christ had done in our lives by the Paschal Mystery, which now focuses us on Heaven above.
Therefore, our aim in life becomes building up treasure in Heaven.
We need this focus because life without God becomes vanity, with our all efforts coming to naught once we leave this life.
That's why it is important for us to be rich in our relationship with God, and use this life to build up those riches, embracing our Heavenward calling.
Therefore, our aim in life becomes building up treasure in Heaven.
We need this focus because life without God becomes vanity, with our all efforts coming to naught once we leave this life.
That's why it is important for us to be rich in our relationship with God, and use this life to build up those riches, embracing our Heavenward calling.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)