Be Vigilant!

Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time/ November 8, 2020

Photo Credit: http://www.Biblestudy.com

Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus told His disciples a parable of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and five were foolish. The foolish ones brought no oil with them, however the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all become drowsy, and fall asleep. When they heard the cry, “Behold the bridegroom! Come out to meet him” only the wise ones were able to meet the bridegroom for they had enough oil for their lamps, while the foolish ones were not.

It is clear in our Gospel today, that Jesus wants us to be vigilant as we await for His final coming! We need to be vigilant and prepared like the wise virgins who were able to meet the Bridegroom! There preparedness gave them great joy and happiness together with the groom. They were assured to enter into the Kingdom of the groom. So, too for all of us! We need to prepare! But how are we going to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord Jesus? There are many ways to do in our preparation… But we need above all else to prioritize God, then we love our neighbors… We know it already how to prepare! Do your best, do ordinary things but with extra-ordinary Love.

May the wise virgins helps us also to prepare ourselves for the coming of God’s Kingdom! May we all inspired by their preparations…

Prayer

Abba, Help us always to be wise! Gave us wisdom so that we may prepare ourselves for the coming of Your Son. May the Holy SPirit keep us always in Your grace. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ YOur SOn who lives with You in unity of the HOly SPirit, One God forever and ever. AMen.

Prioritize God Above All Else!

Saturday of the Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time/ November 7, 2020

photo Credit: Chelsea Crockett

Gospel: Luke 16:9-15

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus said to His disciples; “no one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. No one can serve both God and mammon.

We remember always that Jesus do not disregard the importance of wealth as means or instruments for salvation. Also, Jesus do not think of wealth as evil per se. What the Lord JEsus wants to point out or emphasize in today’s Gospel is ‘our hearts priority!’ Our heart should prioritize ‘love,’ should prioritize God above all else, not wealth or any possessions of this world where moth and decay destroys. If we love and prioritize God, then treasures of this world will serve it’s purpose. But if we love otherwise, then the Lord will say the same thing to us s he said to the Pharisees who loved money above all else, “…what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God!”

We have given example in the letter of Paul to the Philippians, how to prioritize God and use wealth as means for salvation. the Philippian community through Epaphroditus, generously aided Paul in his missionary works. They provided Paul means for his journey and they never abandon him even Paul was in other places.

The same calling for all of us today! First we are called to prioritize God above all else. To seek first His kingdom, and all other else will come to us… If you remember Jesus asked His disciples, “If you desire to follow Me, deny yourself, take up your cross… hate your family… then, follow Me! YEs, this is difficult and challenging… but this is the way to Christ! This is the Christian way.

Prayer

Abba, Our Loving Father, we thank You for all the graces which you bestowed in our lives. We thank You for aiding us everyday in our journey to You. May we always prioritize You above all else and be faithful to You. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may we be always generous towards our brethren particularly those who need most of our help. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ Yours Son who lives with You in unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.