Jesus’
words have often been hard to swallow and at times have caused tension within
us. Jesus often asks us to go against the way the world sees things, the way
the world does business. Today’s Gospel is no different. When asked who will be
saved, Jesus tells us, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” The world
might say, “Look for the biggest gate there is.” Take the easiest way. But
Jesus say, “Go for the narrow gate.” In other words, take a different path, a
path that is often harder. Be faithful to your relationship with God. Do get
caught up in the things of the world. Be faithful!
It is not
an easy journey and Jesus has told us this over and over again. It is hard,
difficult and at times it can be impossible. It is a journey that can turn
things upside down. The last go first and the first go last. It is a journey
where the rewards in this life are often small but the journey through this
life is only temporary thus the rewards in the life to come will be profound.
Yes, God is a merciful God but at some point our time in this life will be over
and it will be important to be ready. Because if we are not ready when God
calls. If we have not been faithful to this relationship. If we have not strived
for the narrow gate. We will find ourselves outside where there is “wailing and
grinding of teeth.”
As our
responsorial psalm tells us a disciple, a Christian, a Catholic is someone who
goes out to all the world and tells the Good News. It is not easy. It is not something
that everyone is doing. Yet in the long run it will make all the difference.
Have a
great Sunday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
I will love you, O Lord, my strength, my stony rock and my defense, my savior,
my one desire and love. I will love you with all the power you have given me –
not as much as you deserve to be loved, for that can never be, but as much as I
am able to. The more power to love you that you give me, the more I will love
you. Amen. (Prayer by St. Bernard of Clairvaux)
A Runner’s
Thoughts:
“Don’t make a bad day a bad week, a bad week a bad month, a bad month a bad
year. Wake up and reset.” (Barry Brokaw)
Daily
Blessing:
Sunday greetings and blessings to all. I hope your Sunday is starting off well.
The sun is trying to rise here in Long Beach. I think today we are going to
have a little of everything, some sun, some clouds, some rain and perhaps most
importantly by the end of the day a break in the humidity. Yeah!
I have a
busy morning as I will be celebrating the 8:00 am and 10:00 am masses here at
St. Ignatius Martyr but then the rest of the day will be a nice relaxing
Sunday. I hope you will get to enjoy the day and perhaps even give a little
time to God.
My Sunday
prayer of blessing is that you will be blessed with the spirit of faith to help
you on this journey through life. May you be blessed with the spirit of hope to
get you through the rough times. May you be blessed with a spirit of mercy to
help to see God in others and yourself. May you be blessed with the spirit of
love to remind you in whose image and likeness you are created in, how special
you are and that you are never alone. As you journey through this day may you
know that God is with you always and will never leave you to face your
struggles alone! Don’t forget to give God a little time today and have a great
Sunday everyone! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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