A Reading from the gospel according to Matthew
Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’ “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” The Gospel of the Lord
Once upon a time there were three little pigs. We should all remember the nursery rhyme. They do not build their home out of the proper material and the big bad wolf comes and huff and puffs and blows their house down and eats them.
Brother and Sisters the Big Bad Wolf is alive and well and ready to blow your house down and keep you from your inheritance of Heaven.
We hear in this Gospel that it is not works that we are saved, but unconditional service that is not our will but that of God himself. In the new English translation of the Mass we invite Jesus to Come under our roof. Every home has one. We invite Jesus in unity with God the Father and the Holy Spirit into our home. If we give ourselves unconditionally over to Jesus our house will be built on solid rock.
Jesus built his Church on Solid rock and we must build our house through the Church, and live Sacramental lives surrendering to God’s will.
It may not be easy, but as the storms rage in our lives, as the flood waters rise and the winds blow we must be strong and turn from the ruin of sin. It is only after the storm that the Sun rises and lights the way to eternal paradise.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Gospel Matthew 5:13-16
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” The Gospel of the Lord
We all have our favorite food. We know exactly how we like it. When we know it is going to be served, there is an anticipation that cannot be explained, you know it is going to be good.
Now, what happens when it is over seasoned, or the recipe was changed? It will not taste the same. As a matter of fact it will be a major let down. This is what happens when a little too much of ourselves gets intermingled with Jesus.
How well do we know the recipe to our salvation? If we believe that we have it, it leaves no possibility for imperfection. Jesus knew we could not do it on our own. He gave us the Holy Spirit, guardian angels, many people in our lives and reconciliation to bring us back to the right ingredients for his glory.
I am asked the question on regular basis, what do I do to evangelize if all I am doing is making people uncomfortable and unwilling to talk. "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words." — St. Francis of Assisi also said, "All the darkness in the world can't extinguish the light from a single candle." Are you the lamp that is shining the light and love of Jesus Christ to the world?
If we are Disciples of Christ, the Holiness is evident. The joy, peace, and compassion we display are unmistakable. It is in and through our selfless abandonment to the world and surrender to Love that is Jesus that shines bright as the sun on a clear morning in May. We cannot give a maybe to God; it has to be a yes. As we pray: “God may our every action be a yes to our lives being for your glory, and as an instrument of salvation to those in the darkness. “
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” The Gospel of the Lord
We all have our favorite food. We know exactly how we like it. When we know it is going to be served, there is an anticipation that cannot be explained, you know it is going to be good.
Now, what happens when it is over seasoned, or the recipe was changed? It will not taste the same. As a matter of fact it will be a major let down. This is what happens when a little too much of ourselves gets intermingled with Jesus.
How well do we know the recipe to our salvation? If we believe that we have it, it leaves no possibility for imperfection. Jesus knew we could not do it on our own. He gave us the Holy Spirit, guardian angels, many people in our lives and reconciliation to bring us back to the right ingredients for his glory.
I am asked the question on regular basis, what do I do to evangelize if all I am doing is making people uncomfortable and unwilling to talk. "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words." — St. Francis of Assisi also said, "All the darkness in the world can't extinguish the light from a single candle." Are you the lamp that is shining the light and love of Jesus Christ to the world?
If we are Disciples of Christ, the Holiness is evident. The joy, peace, and compassion we display are unmistakable. It is in and through our selfless abandonment to the world and surrender to Love that is Jesus that shines bright as the sun on a clear morning in May. We cannot give a maybe to God; it has to be a yes. As we pray: “God may our every action be a yes to our lives being for your glory, and as an instrument of salvation to those in the darkness. “
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