**Big Deals

           For some, being admitted into a prestigious university is a big deal. To others, getting a job at a great company is a big deal. When I was a student at UC Berkeley, I knew of one person who tried to get a job in Berkeley, for he loved the all-year-round weather there. After trying for over ten years, he finally succeeded. That must've been a wonderful deal to him. It's also a big deal for our government to be able to make a fair trade deal with some other countries. For us followers of Christ, to succeed in banning abortion nationwide would definitely be a big deal, but fundamentally an even bigger deal for us is to submit ourselves to the Lord so that we might become holy and spotless! For this would be a big deal to the Lord too.

*The wise and the Most Foolish*

         The most foolish live and behave as if God does not exist, whereas the wise live and behave knowing that God knows everything. The division between the two camps couldn't be greater, but Christ can turn the most foolish into wise ones if they will only turn to him. 

**God Knows It All!

        In today's Gospel  reading from Matthew 14, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening, the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the 4th watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they cried out. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
       It is clear to me that the Lord had all this planned out from the beginning and knew exactly what's going to happen and what he's going to do. And that is the way with each of us who follow him. It is so good that we can trust in him fully to have him teach us, take complete care of us, and save us! 

***Go with God

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 22, Jesus told the parable of the wedding feast, explaining again what the Kingdom of heaven was like. His conclusion at the end was that "Many are invited, but few are chosen." We should take this message seriously. If we ever feel that the Lord is inviting us to go to him, we'd better go. In fact, we should leave everything behind and go without hesitation, as the apostles did when they heard his call.

*Knowledge vs. Faith

         Which one would you rather have? To see the correct answer, ask yourself which one will get you to heaven.

**God Is Always Fair

         In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 20, Jesus explained what the Kingdom of heaven was like to his disciples by telling them the parable of the workers in the vineyard. A landowner hired various laborers for his vineyard throughout the day. In the evening, the owner started to pay all the laborers. When they all received the same wage, those who were hired early grumbled against the owner that those who were hired late and worked less hours received the same pay. He said to one of them in reply, "My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. 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? Thus the last will be first, and the first will be last."
              To see the point more clearly, imagine that you work hard for the the Lord all your life and get to heaven. Then you meet someone there who had been bad all his life, but was saved because he repented just before he died. Would you feel upset? I don't think so, for all is fair and square. In fact, you'll probably feel good that you have served the Lord well. Besides, when you are so happy and content in heaven, you wouldn't know how to grumble against God anymore.

***Letting God Have Your Heart

        Today's Gospel acclamation, Hebrews 4.12: The word of God is living and effective, able to discern the reflection and thoughts of the hearts. All the more we need to give our heart to God. When the Lord has our heart, he will reveal all we need to know to us, setting us free! Yes, offer your heart up to him to become one with him! 

**Bypassing Our Shepherds

         In today's first reading from Ezekiel 34, Ezekiel prophesied against the shepherds of Israel that since they no longer looked after the Lord's sheep, the Lord was going to save his sheep by claiming them from their shepherds and pasturing them himself. This is how I feel about our Church divided today: we are no longer being pastured by our shepherds. All the more we need to go to the Lord directly to seek union with and guidance from him.

*Clear-Thinking Catholic*

          Many of you probably have heard about the controversial Fr. James Martin. Here's an older video that shows the response to him from an articulate, clear-thinking convert Catholic. 

**Most Profitable Possible Investment

          In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 19, Jesus said to his disciples, "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." From the business point of view, this has to be the investment with the best possible returns. Anything that will give you eternal life is definitely to be grabbed. Put the Lord first for a brief time on earth and he'll make you blissful for all eternity! For any amount of effort we put in to honor him, he'll always reward us to the max.