Jesus’ Words…

Tuesday of the 22^nd Week in Ordinary Time/ August 31, 2021

photo credit: Google Sites

Gospel: Luke 4:31-37

Friends, after Jesus was thrown out of Nazareth, the city where He had lived; in today’s Gospel, He went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. As customary He goes to the synagogue during the Sabbath, and there, He taught them, and spoke with authority. While teaching the people in the synagogue, He healed a man with a spirit of unclean demon. He does this not only to help the man of his suffering, but also to prove His authority coming from the Father, so that they may believe. So, after Jesus told the demon to come out of the man, the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing any harm. The people were all amazed because with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits to come out. And because of this, news spread fast everywhere in the surrounding region.

Jesus’ words are authoritative. They are strong and direct that it urges a change of lifestyle. Even demons or unclean spirits obeys His word, without harming the man they possessed. They could not resist Jesus’ words for His, are firm, steadfast, and authoritative.

The same message and teaching were given every day to His apostles, disciples, and even unto us. We are given everyday a direct and strong words of Jesus in the gospels. But the question is; are we willing to listen and lived His words? Are we willing to change our lifestyle with the lifestyle of Jesus?

Prayer

Abba, Father, thank You for giving us Jesus as our teacher. May we who listen everyday His words in the gospels, always be firm and steadfast in our faith in You, and may we who obey His words change our lifestyle into His own lifestyle. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.

“Take Care…”

Saturday of the 21^st week in Ordinary time/ August 28, 2021

photo credit: Christianity

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus told his disciples about the parable of the talents. A man going to a journey called his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. For the first servant he gave five talents; the second servant he gave two; and the third servant one. Immediately, the one who receive five traded the talents and made another five. The second servant did the same, traded the talents and made another two. However, the one who received one talent, went out and just dug a whole in the ground and buried his master’s talent. So, it did not produce. And when the master came back from his journey, those who produced fruits came and presented their produce to the master. With great joy the master rewarded them for they were faithful servants. So, the master shares his joy with them and gave them more than what they received and deserved. When, the third servant came he presented the talent he received from the master, complaining that he is a demanding person… So, the master was not able to reward him, instead, he threw him outside were there are wailings and grinding of teeth.

The message of the Gospel for us today is this: “to take care of the talents (graces and blessings) that the Lord entrusted to each of us. These talents must be used for the greater glory of God, and for the good of other brothers and sisters. And what are these talents that God entrusted to each of us? These are our career, our skills, our characters, our good values, abilities, and etc.

Moreover, these talents must be traded – which means, it must produce good fruits so that all brethren can benefit. Therefore, it should not be buried nor hidden, rather, it should be developed, strengthened, and increased.

What are my talents? How do I take care of my talents? Am I producing fruits with it?

Prayer

Abba, thank You for all the talents You have entrusted unto us. May we able to nourish, and trade these talents so that it will produce more fruits for the benefit of all. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ You Son, who lives with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.