**Our Duty**

        Today is the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 13, Jesus is not honored in his native place and his own house. This happens to us too. Know that we are to serve and honor God alone, not to seek approval from others.

**A Truth**

        Today's Entrance Antiphon, Philippians 2:10-11, reads: "At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." If Saint Paul, who once was the most feared persecutor of those who followed Christ, finally came around to see this truth, who are we to refute it?

**The Biggest Fools**

        If being righteous for the sake of loving God, who can lead us to eternal life, is being extremely wise, then the evildoers have to be the biggest fools!

***Be Ready for Final Judgment Now***

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 13, Jesus said to his disciples: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full, they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." Therefore, do not live as if tomorrow will always be fine, for the day of final judgment will surely arrive. Now is the time to remain vigilant and be ready!

***The Essentiality of Christ***

        With Christ, we have salvation and march toward eternal life. Without him, we are earthbound and remain lost forever. The outcome could not possibly be more consequential.

***We Can Live Forever!***

        Today is the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. In the Gospel reading from John 11, before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die." If this truth is not enough for you, you will remain empty for all eternity.

***One Benefit of Union with God**

        When we attain union with God, we develop a keen conscience and see what is good and what is evil exactly as God sees them—truly a great deterrent to our tendency to sin. 

***A Most Beautiful State***

        The law of diminishing returns is an economic principle stating that as investment in a particular area increases, the rate of return from that investment, after a certain point, begins to decrease. It works in daily life too. For example, studying longer causes fatigue and provides fewer and fewer benefits. But when surrendering ourselves to God, this law breaks down. For the more we let go in God, the more peace we receive. It is a truly beautiful state!

***A Necessary Question**

        Jesus has cleared our path to eternal salvation; we need only to believe and follow him. Why, then, do we drag our feet and complicate the journey for ourselves and for the Lord?

**Simple Secret**

        Today's Acclamation before the Gospel reads, "The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever." This makes it clear that if we accept and nurture all that Jesus says to us, we will have life eternal!

***Calling for More Prayers & Forgiveness**

        Vandalism has just occurred at the Marian shrine in Medjugorje, a place I have personally visited. The beloved statue of Our Lady on Apparition Hill was covered in black spray paint across its face, chest, and dress. The pedestal was defaced with a graffiti phrase that is too offensive to repeat here. A nearby statue at the Blue Cross prayer site was similarly defaced. Security cameras also captured a man setting fire to the outdoor altar at St. James Church. Of course, I feel sorry for the Lord and the Holy Mother, but most of all, I pity the misguided vandal or vandals for having offended God and condemned themselves. 

**A Reminder and Warning**

        In today's First Reading from Jeremiah 13, the LORD shows the prophet that the wicked people who refuse to obey his words, who walk in the stubbornness of their hearts, and who follow strange gods to serve and adore them, shall be like a rotted loincloth which is good for nothing. The phrase "good for nothing" would be horrible for any Christian to hear. Jesus wants us to bear fruit that lasts, so if we are not productive, we fit into that category. 

**A Clear Lesson

        We often take great pride in whatever we accomplish, forgetting that every time we do so, we have to learn new things and go through trials. Our Almighty God knows all things, yet he remains humble and meek. There is a clear lesson for us to learn here.

***How I Follow God*****

        The God of Christ is my Lord, my creator, my loving Father, my brother, my spiritual guide, my Savior, my best friend, my most humble servant, and my dearest soulmate. I follow him simply by letting him hold me in his most tender hands, while I enjoy his sweet love and holy presence.

**The Kingdom of Heaven*

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 13, Jesus says to his disciples: "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it." If you can totally relate to Jesus' sayings here, you have entered the kingdom of heaven.

**To Be Pondered

        In today's First Reading from 1 Kings 3, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream. God said, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you." Solomon answered: "Give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong." If the LORD were to say that to you, what would you ask for? It is not an easy question, and I think your answer would reveal quite a bit about you as a Christian.

**Battling God**

        We ask God for things; sometimes we don't get them right away, and sometimes it appears that we are never going to get them. We persist, but we remain patient, always remembering, "Thy will be done." Instead, as the "battle" goes on, we appreciate and love the Lord even more, knowing that he knows best. This is a win-win situation all the way. The ending will be extremely happy for both sides.

**Connecting with God**

        If you sense that God is real for a moment, dwell on that. If you are in pain and feel like crying out to him, do it. If the sorrow of Christ touches your heart, weep for him. If you recognize that you have received a grace from God, thank him. If joy suddenly bursts forth from your heart, rejoice. Every chance you get, connect with him. Revelation 3:20—"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me." Better yet, leave your door wide open for him to enter at any time.