In Matthew 19, Jesus said to his disciples, "But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first." Again, in Matthew 20 in using the parable of the workers in the vineyard to explain the kingdom of heaven, he again stated "Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last." I am not sure how to interpret this saying, but this I am sure of: If you rank last according to how much pride you have, you'll come out first in a lineup based upon how easy it is to get into heaven.
Sunday, July 16, 2023
***All About Giving Yourself Up
At each Mass, we are reminded that the Lord gave up his body and poured out his blood for us. It's really all about offering oneself up. To follow his example, we must be willing to offer ourselves up to him for his sake. After receiving him each time, offering ourselves up is in order.
****Dealing with Material Possessions****
All the material possessions we have are useful to us only when we are living on earth, so enjoy using them while you are still here and be thankful to the Lord, for they were all supplied by him. Never become attached to them though; for we came without them and we'll be leaving without them. It's the Devil who wants you to get yourself attached to these transitory, material things to keep you away from the Father. Do not fall for it. Follow Christ only for a little while on earth and you'll enjoy everlasting life in heaven! Even if you can live on earth for all eternity, you won't be happy. We can only be truly happy in heaven—this is how the Father has made us, so we'll ultimately seek him. Don't disappoint him and our happiness is guaranteed.
****Accessing God's Power
How much power you can receive from God is entirely limited by how much you are open to and trust in him. Imagine what you can gain by totally abandoning yourself to him!
**Way to Store Up Treasure in Heaven
We do many things in our lives. Not long age, eight of us from church met after Mass and enjoyed eating a meal together at a local restaurant. But among all the things we do, those done out of love for God are the ones that will earn us spiritual merit. This is the way to store up treasure in heaven.
**Mighty Deeds Speak Volumes
In Matthew 9, people brought to Jesus a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When he saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he then said to the paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He rose and went home. The Lord performed a mighty deed here to show that he did have the authority to forgive sins. This morning I got up early and saw the sun already shining thru the bedroom window. Here the sun, almost 94.5 millions away, sending its rays to the earth regularly year after year since they were created. This mighty feat clearly points to the existence of an omnipotent creator, our God.
Saturday, July 15, 2023
**All Fears Dispelled
Communion experience. So much comfort in receiving the Lord. His love dispels all fears.
***Be One with God Always***
Know that everything that draws you away from God does not come from him. Attain union with God thru the Holy Eucharist and nothing can separate you from him anymore.
***Greatest Fear for Disbelievers
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus also said to his Apostles, "Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father." So for those who disbelieve Christ, their greatest fear should be not making heaven.
***Smart Breakthrough Move
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus said to his Apostles, "Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known." I feel good that the Lord knows everything about me. You see, we lose peace because we attempt to hide our sins from the Lord. But if you realize that there is nothing you can possibly conceal or keep as a secret from him and decide to tell him all your sins and ask for his forgiveness, this will bring you profound peace and great joy.
***What We Must Deal With
If we are in sin and don't do anything about it, we remain in a sort of limbo, not knowing where our soul will end up. This is not a good state to be in, for not dealing with sin will unavoidably lead to the destruction of our soul.
***A Truth to Face
Many of the truths I realize nowadays are nothing new, but I just see them more acutely. Today I am made aware that we all are going to die and be buried, whether we think about it or not. What matters is how we'll look to the Lord when we appear before him and see our entire life on earth revealed to us.
Friday, July 14, 2023
*****Most Beautiful Name
We address Jesus as Lamb of God because as God he is most humble. It's for this humility stemming from his infinite love for us that makes us fall in love with him, worship him, adore him, and want to live and die for him. "Lamb of God" is most fitting for our Lord and is the most beautiful of all names.
***Best Way to Live
We are imperfect and with a free will, so we do a lot of things not necessarily in accord with God's will. But the Lord is in charge of the course of all events and his final triumph over evil is already a given. The best way for us to live is to submit ourselves to him as perfectly as possible so that we may be amply rewarded in our next life. Yes, the souls lives on forever, for we are made in the image of God.
Thursday, July 13, 2023
***God Alone Protects My Soul
Communion experience. Receiving the Lord in the Holy Eucharist assures that I'll always be with him. The world can give me all the protection it can possibly give and that won't help my soul one iota.
***Essential Realization**
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus sent out his twelve apostles to proclaim the kingdom of heaven to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He said to them, "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." It is true that God has given us everything, so there is nothing we can really claim to be ours. Even ourselves were created by him! Realizing this can help us let go of ourselves and what we have, so that we may truly live only for the Lord.
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
***Most Comfortable Feeling
Communion experience. It's such a comfortable feeling not to offer any resistance to the LORD so that he may do whatever he wishes with you.
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