First Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33
Gospel: Matthew 24:14-30
In the gospel today we are told a parable. This parable is about a master who gave three of his servants each a certain number of "talents" each according to their ability. Back then a talent was a large sum of money, but when reflecting on this gospel I think it is okay to think of talents in our own terms as our abilities. After receiving the talents two of the servants go out and invest and gain even more money from this. These two servants were greatly rewarded. The master says to them, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you many responsibilities. Come and share in your master's joy." The third servant went out and buried his one talent, and when the master found out about this, he was very angry with the servant for wasting his talent. This slave was severely punished and thrown out.
For today, let us all reflect on how we are using our skills and abilities to give glory to God and to build up the body. God grants us each very special talents, we should not let them go to waste. If we have any ability, then we have a responsibility to use it. Then in the end, we can hear the words that we so long to hear after our lives here on earth; "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. Give us the courage to go out and serve you and use the talents that you have given us. Let us glorify you in all that we do. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
8.30.2008
8.29.2008
Martyrdom
Memorial of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33
Mark 6:17-29
Today we remember and celebrate the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist. John had a very significant role to play in our salvation history. His was to prepare the way for the ministry of Jesus. Today we learn of his last act on earth. In the gospel today, John was beheaded for speaking out against a wrongdoing of Herod and Herodias. Because of his witness to the truth, he paid with his life. But all was not in vain, for John suffered and died for the glory of God. John is considered a martyr.
So what exactly is a martyr? If we dust our catechism off the bookshelf and open it up, we find that the church in all her wisdom has a very clear definition. The following excerpt is taken out of our catechism:
"2473 Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death. The martyr bears witness to Christ who died and rose, to whom he is united by charity...He endures death through an act of fortitude."
I believe that martyrs teach us about being completely selfless. They give of themselves without thinking and with complete love of God. One thing about the martyrs and the saints, is that they know their role. To often we think about what we want and how we want to live out our life. How often do we think about what God has planned for us and what our role in this world really should be?
John the baptist knew his role from the beginning. John the baptist teaches us about giving our lives to God, even until the end. He teaches us about living out our role. In the gospel of John (ch. 3), John the baptist made it a point to tell people that he was not the Messiah, and then knowing his role ever more John says about Jesus "He must increase; I must decrease." (John 3:30) This is a very short and simple verse, but it should mean so much to us. This verse speaks of how we need to live out our life of faith. We must let Jesus increase in us and in our lives, while we must decrease. I pray that like John the baptist, I can know my role and let Jesus take the lead.
He must increase; we must decrease.
Father above, we thank you for giving us the great witness of John the Baptist. We thank you for him and the the martyrs who courageously gave their life for the faith so that we might go forward. May we like them, give of ourselves totally and not hold back from you at all in our lives. Lord, increase our faith so that no matter what we can follow you. Lord, let us decrease in our lives, while you increase so that your will may be done. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33
Mark 6:17-29
Today we remember and celebrate the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist. John had a very significant role to play in our salvation history. His was to prepare the way for the ministry of Jesus. Today we learn of his last act on earth. In the gospel today, John was beheaded for speaking out against a wrongdoing of Herod and Herodias. Because of his witness to the truth, he paid with his life. But all was not in vain, for John suffered and died for the glory of God. John is considered a martyr.
So what exactly is a martyr? If we dust our catechism off the bookshelf and open it up, we find that the church in all her wisdom has a very clear definition. The following excerpt is taken out of our catechism:
"2473 Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death. The martyr bears witness to Christ who died and rose, to whom he is united by charity...He endures death through an act of fortitude."
I believe that martyrs teach us about being completely selfless. They give of themselves without thinking and with complete love of God. One thing about the martyrs and the saints, is that they know their role. To often we think about what we want and how we want to live out our life. How often do we think about what God has planned for us and what our role in this world really should be?
John the baptist knew his role from the beginning. John the baptist teaches us about giving our lives to God, even until the end. He teaches us about living out our role. In the gospel of John (ch. 3), John the baptist made it a point to tell people that he was not the Messiah, and then knowing his role ever more John says about Jesus "He must increase; I must decrease." (John 3:30) This is a very short and simple verse, but it should mean so much to us. This verse speaks of how we need to live out our life of faith. We must let Jesus increase in us and in our lives, while we must decrease. I pray that like John the baptist, I can know my role and let Jesus take the lead.
He must increase; we must decrease.
Father above, we thank you for giving us the great witness of John the Baptist. We thank you for him and the the martyrs who courageously gave their life for the faith so that we might go forward. May we like them, give of ourselves totally and not hold back from you at all in our lives. Lord, increase our faith so that no matter what we can follow you. Lord, let us decrease in our lives, while you increase so that your will may be done. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
8.28.2008
What will you be doing?
Memorial of St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-19
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145
Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51
A thought came to me today, that had never really occurred before with this gospel. The gospel today is about the how we need to be prepared for when Jesus comes, and we are told of the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servant. The faithful servant does his work correctly when the master is away. When the master returns and finds that the servant has been a good steward, he is rewarded greatly. Now the unfaithful servant realizing that his master is gone begins to abuse his position and work. He mistreats the other servants and goes about partying. Now when the master comes back at an unknown hour and finds this servant, he is severely punished. Moral of the story: be prepared, for we don't know when Jesus is coming... just know that he is. When he does come back, what will you be doing?
As many times as I read this gospel I never thought about how I need to take this question of what I am doing and think about it during the day. Think about it, if before I did something I stopped to ask myself "If Jesus came back right now, is this what I would want Him to find me doing?" There is one of two answers: I am doing something to glorify God or I am not. I think that this is something that we should all be reflecting upon throughout the day. Say I am at work and I am slacking off and checking my email or making personal calls, what if Jesus came then? What if on Sunday mornings I decide to sleep in instead of go to mass? What if at night I neglect my wife and my responsibilities at home? If Jesus came at any of these moments, would these be the things I would want Him to find me doing? Of course not, I would want Him to find me working hard for His glory, going to mass, and thriving in my vocation as a married man!
I believe no matter what we are doing, if we stopped and asked ourselves this simple question, we can not only find ourselves coming closer to God and giving Him glory in all that we do, but we can protect ourselves from the many temptations of this world and of the evil one.
When Jesus comes back, what will you be doing?
Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. We thank you for the gift of great church leaders and teachers such as St. Augustine. Like St. Augustine, may we be given the grace to cast off the things of this world and serve you with all that we are. We pray for all those who are struggling in their faith, may they be strengthened by your spirit. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-19
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145
Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51
A thought came to me today, that had never really occurred before with this gospel. The gospel today is about the how we need to be prepared for when Jesus comes, and we are told of the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servant. The faithful servant does his work correctly when the master is away. When the master returns and finds that the servant has been a good steward, he is rewarded greatly. Now the unfaithful servant realizing that his master is gone begins to abuse his position and work. He mistreats the other servants and goes about partying. Now when the master comes back at an unknown hour and finds this servant, he is severely punished. Moral of the story: be prepared, for we don't know when Jesus is coming... just know that he is. When he does come back, what will you be doing?
As many times as I read this gospel I never thought about how I need to take this question of what I am doing and think about it during the day. Think about it, if before I did something I stopped to ask myself "If Jesus came back right now, is this what I would want Him to find me doing?" There is one of two answers: I am doing something to glorify God or I am not. I think that this is something that we should all be reflecting upon throughout the day. Say I am at work and I am slacking off and checking my email or making personal calls, what if Jesus came then? What if on Sunday mornings I decide to sleep in instead of go to mass? What if at night I neglect my wife and my responsibilities at home? If Jesus came at any of these moments, would these be the things I would want Him to find me doing? Of course not, I would want Him to find me working hard for His glory, going to mass, and thriving in my vocation as a married man!
I believe no matter what we are doing, if we stopped and asked ourselves this simple question, we can not only find ourselves coming closer to God and giving Him glory in all that we do, but we can protect ourselves from the many temptations of this world and of the evil one.
When Jesus comes back, what will you be doing?
Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. We thank you for the gift of great church leaders and teachers such as St. Augustine. Like St. Augustine, may we be given the grace to cast off the things of this world and serve you with all that we are. We pray for all those who are struggling in their faith, may they be strengthened by your spirit. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
8.27.2008
Responsibility. Whats your policy
First Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128
Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32
In the sports world today, there are many scandals of athletes taking performance enhancing drugs such as steroids. These acts of irresponsibility certainly put blemishes on sports stars and make us weary of who we call our heroes. Wouldn't it be great if all athletes took their position as a role model just as serious as they do their athletic career? Now please do not think that I am saying that there are no responsible athletes out there, believe me there are some and they are committed to their faith and to their job as a role model just as much as they are their careers; but I think that we all realize that the majority of athletes are not like this. Unfortunately most athletes and celebrities are me focused instead of others focused.
Jesus had the same problem with the the celebrities of His time as well, only these were not athletes, they were the religious leaders of the time. The scribes and Pharisees were described by Jesus as appearing righteous on the outside, but on the inside they were filled with "hypocrisy and evildoing." Jesus knew of how these leaders of the community were not living as they should, they were not modeling the behavior that they were teaching. They were being very irresponsible and selfish, only thinking of how they could better themselves.
Praise God that in the early church we were given doers and not just talkers. In the second letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul talks about how hard Silvanus, Timothy, and he had worked around them and how they conducted themselves in a respectable and orderly way around them. Why did they do this? Paul says "we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. (v9)" So Paul isn't saying here do as we say, not as we do...what he is actually saying is do as we say AND as we do! I believe this is called integrity, which basically means walking your walk and talking your talk. St. Paul and his group knew that they could not just tell the church what to do, they had to actually show them. Paul and the early church fathers knew that they had a responsibility to share the gospel, and as we all know sharing the gospel does not just mean talking about it, it means living it. This is the responsibility that we each have. As St. Francis of Assisi said "Preach the gospel at all times; and if necessary use words."
The company Liberty Mutual has these great commercials that have all of these people doing random acts of kindness and other people seeing them. They always end with the question "Responsibility. What's your policy?" I think that we can all see what the policy of the early church fathers was. Responsibility.
So what's your policy?
Father above, we thank you for the gift of today. Lord take all of the feelings of selfishness and take them up, fill us with kindness and compassion. Help us to sacrifice for you and your glory and to serve you will all our heart, mind and soul. Lord we praise you and may we serve you completely today. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128
Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32
In the sports world today, there are many scandals of athletes taking performance enhancing drugs such as steroids. These acts of irresponsibility certainly put blemishes on sports stars and make us weary of who we call our heroes. Wouldn't it be great if all athletes took their position as a role model just as serious as they do their athletic career? Now please do not think that I am saying that there are no responsible athletes out there, believe me there are some and they are committed to their faith and to their job as a role model just as much as they are their careers; but I think that we all realize that the majority of athletes are not like this. Unfortunately most athletes and celebrities are me focused instead of others focused.
Jesus had the same problem with the the celebrities of His time as well, only these were not athletes, they were the religious leaders of the time. The scribes and Pharisees were described by Jesus as appearing righteous on the outside, but on the inside they were filled with "hypocrisy and evildoing." Jesus knew of how these leaders of the community were not living as they should, they were not modeling the behavior that they were teaching. They were being very irresponsible and selfish, only thinking of how they could better themselves.
Praise God that in the early church we were given doers and not just talkers. In the second letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul talks about how hard Silvanus, Timothy, and he had worked around them and how they conducted themselves in a respectable and orderly way around them. Why did they do this? Paul says "we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. (v9)" So Paul isn't saying here do as we say, not as we do...what he is actually saying is do as we say AND as we do! I believe this is called integrity, which basically means walking your walk and talking your talk. St. Paul and his group knew that they could not just tell the church what to do, they had to actually show them. Paul and the early church fathers knew that they had a responsibility to share the gospel, and as we all know sharing the gospel does not just mean talking about it, it means living it. This is the responsibility that we each have. As St. Francis of Assisi said "Preach the gospel at all times; and if necessary use words."
The company Liberty Mutual has these great commercials that have all of these people doing random acts of kindness and other people seeing them. They always end with the question "Responsibility. What's your policy?" I think that we can all see what the policy of the early church fathers was. Responsibility.
So what's your policy?
Father above, we thank you for the gift of today. Lord take all of the feelings of selfishness and take them up, fill us with kindness and compassion. Help us to sacrifice for you and your glory and to serve you will all our heart, mind and soul. Lord we praise you and may we serve you completely today. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
8.26.2008
The sky is falling!
First Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a, 14-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96
Gospel: Matthew 23:23-26
"The sky is falling!" This is the cry from the story of chicken little. This story is about a little chicken who is hit in the head by a falling acorn. Becoming very frightened, the little chicken concludes that the sky must be falling, what other logical explanation could there be? The little chicken decides to go and tell the king, but along the way runs into his friends and creates the same panic within them as well. This is an excellent children's story about jumping to conclusions and the consequences that can come with it.
In Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, Paul warns the church about this "chicken little" mentality. He instructs them to "not be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a 'spirit' or by an oral statement...Let no one deceive you in any way." (2 Thes 2:2-3a) Paul warns against jumping to conclusions and goes on to tell the people to "stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught..." (2 Thes 2:15) Paul was aware of the dangers at the time and realized that the church needed encouragement. While the church at Thessalonica had earlier been praised for its endurance in the faith, Paul knew that it would only be a matter of time before they may be tempted to stray.
There has been, and always will be people against us telling us things that are different than what we are taught to believe by the church. I can humbly admit that before I came into the church, I had long been anti-catholic and had even sought to change the mind and attitude of my wife (girlfriend at the time) who was raised catholic. But thankfully by God's grace she "stood firm and held on to the traditions that she was taught." I now realize that God had a plan and a place for me in the church, but I had at the time a very hard heart towards the faith. As I have come into and grow in the Catholic faith, I am constantly realizing the abundant graces that begin to flow into our lives and how much closer I have come to Jesus and His church. I feel so blessed to be where I am at today, and it is partly because of those around me who stood firm.
We are going to be tested in our faith very often in our lives. There will be people (even those with good intentions) who will try to tear us away, perhaps from religion completely or to another faith; but in these times we must trust God, stand firm, and hold fast to the traditions that we were taught. If we do this, we can weather whatever is thrown at us, scandals, financial hardships, criticism, prejudices; it doesn't matter for God will always be there for us.
Today's pray will come from the scripture of 2 Thes 2:16-17.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.
We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96
Gospel: Matthew 23:23-26
"The sky is falling!" This is the cry from the story of chicken little. This story is about a little chicken who is hit in the head by a falling acorn. Becoming very frightened, the little chicken concludes that the sky must be falling, what other logical explanation could there be? The little chicken decides to go and tell the king, but along the way runs into his friends and creates the same panic within them as well. This is an excellent children's story about jumping to conclusions and the consequences that can come with it.
In Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, Paul warns the church about this "chicken little" mentality. He instructs them to "not be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a 'spirit' or by an oral statement...Let no one deceive you in any way." (2 Thes 2:2-3a) Paul warns against jumping to conclusions and goes on to tell the people to "stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught..." (2 Thes 2:15) Paul was aware of the dangers at the time and realized that the church needed encouragement. While the church at Thessalonica had earlier been praised for its endurance in the faith, Paul knew that it would only be a matter of time before they may be tempted to stray.
There has been, and always will be people against us telling us things that are different than what we are taught to believe by the church. I can humbly admit that before I came into the church, I had long been anti-catholic and had even sought to change the mind and attitude of my wife (girlfriend at the time) who was raised catholic. But thankfully by God's grace she "stood firm and held on to the traditions that she was taught." I now realize that God had a plan and a place for me in the church, but I had at the time a very hard heart towards the faith. As I have come into and grow in the Catholic faith, I am constantly realizing the abundant graces that begin to flow into our lives and how much closer I have come to Jesus and His church. I feel so blessed to be where I am at today, and it is partly because of those around me who stood firm.
We are going to be tested in our faith very often in our lives. There will be people (even those with good intentions) who will try to tear us away, perhaps from religion completely or to another faith; but in these times we must trust God, stand firm, and hold fast to the traditions that we were taught. If we do this, we can weather whatever is thrown at us, scandals, financial hardships, criticism, prejudices; it doesn't matter for God will always be there for us.
Today's pray will come from the scripture of 2 Thes 2:16-17.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.
We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
8.25.2008
Adversity
First Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96
Gospel: Matthew 23:13-22
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of us today!
One of my favorite movies is Remember the Titans. This is an amazing story of a football team who stands, and plays, together against the racial adversity of the culture at the time. During the movie we see a coach who is not only battling for a state title, but he battling to instil equality and community in his team. Obviously there are bumps in the road and they all take their licks along the way, but in the end they all come out on top...and still together. This story shows that when we come together for a good and common purpose and we persevere; then we can overcome whatever is in our path.
In the gospel today Jesus speaks of the scribes and the Pharisees as being hypocrites and obstacles to the Kingdom. Jesus tells them that they are blocking those who are trying to enter and that they are blind guides. Whoa, these are very harsh words for the main religious leaders of the community. Can you imagine what all the people of that community are thinking? They are probably wondering "well if the scribes and Pharisees are blocking our way and blindly leading, who can help us overcome this and show us the way?" I wonder how many of them knew that the answer was right in front of them...Jesus. Jesus can and will show us the way to His Kingdom, we just have to be willing to ask and trust Him.
Like the Titans, when we come together with a good leader to guide us, there is nothing that we cannot overcome. In the first reading today we are told of another "team" who has come together and persevered. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul is praising them for their faith. Look at why Paul praises them: "Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions you endure. (v. 1:4)" As we all know many Christian communities throughout the church's history have undergone many trials and afflictions; while some have rose to the challenge others have not. But we see today that the people of the church of Thessalonica are doing us all proud and showing us how through adversity we should persevere so that "the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified. (v. 1:11)"
The Thessalonians like the Titans knew about adversity...in fact we all know about adversity. Jesus tells us about the adversity that the people of that time dealt with. We are all going to face things each day of our lives that will try and prevent us from reaching the Kingdom. May we be strengthened by each other so that together we may show our endurance and faith as those have before us. Let us give all glory to our Father in heaven and live out His calling for our lives.
Father above, we thank you for the gift of our lives. We thank you for the trials and afflictions that we go through, for through these we can come to know you better and to give you glory. We praise you for the many blessings in our lives and for the gift of each other. Lord, through you may we all come together to persevere and be strengthened in our communities and in the body. Lord let us help those who you call us to and pray for all those who are suffering. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96
Gospel: Matthew 23:13-22
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of us today!
One of my favorite movies is Remember the Titans. This is an amazing story of a football team who stands, and plays, together against the racial adversity of the culture at the time. During the movie we see a coach who is not only battling for a state title, but he battling to instil equality and community in his team. Obviously there are bumps in the road and they all take their licks along the way, but in the end they all come out on top...and still together. This story shows that when we come together for a good and common purpose and we persevere; then we can overcome whatever is in our path.
In the gospel today Jesus speaks of the scribes and the Pharisees as being hypocrites and obstacles to the Kingdom. Jesus tells them that they are blocking those who are trying to enter and that they are blind guides. Whoa, these are very harsh words for the main religious leaders of the community. Can you imagine what all the people of that community are thinking? They are probably wondering "well if the scribes and Pharisees are blocking our way and blindly leading, who can help us overcome this and show us the way?" I wonder how many of them knew that the answer was right in front of them...Jesus. Jesus can and will show us the way to His Kingdom, we just have to be willing to ask and trust Him.
Like the Titans, when we come together with a good leader to guide us, there is nothing that we cannot overcome. In the first reading today we are told of another "team" who has come together and persevered. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul is praising them for their faith. Look at why Paul praises them: "Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions you endure. (v. 1:4)" As we all know many Christian communities throughout the church's history have undergone many trials and afflictions; while some have rose to the challenge others have not. But we see today that the people of the church of Thessalonica are doing us all proud and showing us how through adversity we should persevere so that "the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified. (v. 1:11)"
The Thessalonians like the Titans knew about adversity...in fact we all know about adversity. Jesus tells us about the adversity that the people of that time dealt with. We are all going to face things each day of our lives that will try and prevent us from reaching the Kingdom. May we be strengthened by each other so that together we may show our endurance and faith as those have before us. Let us give all glory to our Father in heaven and live out His calling for our lives.
Father above, we thank you for the gift of our lives. We thank you for the trials and afflictions that we go through, for through these we can come to know you better and to give you glory. We praise you for the many blessings in our lives and for the gift of each other. Lord, through you may we all come together to persevere and be strengthened in our communities and in the body. Lord let us help those who you call us to and pray for all those who are suffering. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
8.22.2008
Leave it all on the field
Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 107
Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40
Have you ever heard athletes talking about "leaving it all on the field?" When I played football we talked about this concept a lot. Leaving it all on the field means that while you are playing the sport, you play with all that you have; you play with all your heart and emotion, all your strength and energy, all your skills and abilities; and you play until the very end. This is so at the end of the game you can say that you put everything you had into that game, you didn't hold anything back and you left it all on the field. This concept has more than just athletic implications; imagine if we all approached our faith life like this.
We are told today that the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all you mind." What does this imply? God needs to be first in our lives; not just on Sundays, not only when it is convenient, not only when we are bored, and not only when we are in trouble. He needs to be number one, every minute of every day. When we do place Him first in our lives; it is simply amazing how everything else will fall into place and how things will be put into perspective more. It is not simply enough to just place Him first though. When we do follow Him and love Him we cannot just do it partially, we need to give of ourselves totally. We need to give it all to Him, all of our heart, all of our soul, and all of our mind. Place Him in your hearts, let His Spirit fill you, fixate your thoughts on Him at all times, love Him with everything you have and don't hold nothing back. When we give up everything for Him, this is called sacrifice. Our Lord Jesus knows all about sacrifice. It was He who gave all of who He was for us; so that we could have a way to the Father. Shouldn't we also sacrifice for Him, as he sacrificed for us?
Let us all play until the end, and leave it all on the field.
Father above, you give us this great gift of life. Let us use it to serve you with all that we are and to hold nothing back. Lord grant us the strength to persevere until the end so that when we reach you we might hear the words "well done good and faithful servant." Lord we pray for all those who are seeking you on their journey through this life. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 107
Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40
Have you ever heard athletes talking about "leaving it all on the field?" When I played football we talked about this concept a lot. Leaving it all on the field means that while you are playing the sport, you play with all that you have; you play with all your heart and emotion, all your strength and energy, all your skills and abilities; and you play until the very end. This is so at the end of the game you can say that you put everything you had into that game, you didn't hold anything back and you left it all on the field. This concept has more than just athletic implications; imagine if we all approached our faith life like this.
We are told today that the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all you mind." What does this imply? God needs to be first in our lives; not just on Sundays, not only when it is convenient, not only when we are bored, and not only when we are in trouble. He needs to be number one, every minute of every day. When we do place Him first in our lives; it is simply amazing how everything else will fall into place and how things will be put into perspective more. It is not simply enough to just place Him first though. When we do follow Him and love Him we cannot just do it partially, we need to give of ourselves totally. We need to give it all to Him, all of our heart, all of our soul, and all of our mind. Place Him in your hearts, let His Spirit fill you, fixate your thoughts on Him at all times, love Him with everything you have and don't hold nothing back. When we give up everything for Him, this is called sacrifice. Our Lord Jesus knows all about sacrifice. It was He who gave all of who He was for us; so that we could have a way to the Father. Shouldn't we also sacrifice for Him, as he sacrificed for us?
Let us all play until the end, and leave it all on the field.
Father above, you give us this great gift of life. Let us use it to serve you with all that we are and to hold nothing back. Lord grant us the strength to persevere until the end so that when we reach you we might hear the words "well done good and faithful servant." Lord we pray for all those who are seeking you on their journey through this life. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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