Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary 



Jeremiah 3:14-17

Jeremiah 31:10-13

Matthew 13:18-23


UNDERSTAND GOD ‘S WORD AND REAP A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST 


If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven right at the moment of our conversion. It was not necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should tarry here. It is possible for a person to be taken to heaven, and to be found partaking in the inheritance of the saints in light, though he has just believed in Jesus. Our sanctification is indeed a long and continued process until we lay aside our bodies and enter within the veil; nevertheless, had the Lord so willed it,  he might have taken us to heaven at once. 



Why then are we here? Would God keep his children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? Why is the army of the living God still on the battlefield when one charge might give them victory? Why are his children still wandering hither and thither through a maze, when a solitary word from his lips would bring them into the centre of their hopes in heaven? 



The answer is—they are here that they may “live for the Lord,” and may bring others to know his love. We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed; as plowmen to break up the fallow ground; as heralds publishing salvation. We are here as the “salt of the earth,” to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life. We are here as workers for him, and as “workers together with him.” 



Mary is the seed of Joachim and Anne and her seed is the promised seed from the root of Jesse Messiah, Christ Jesus. He is the one who has told us to have faith and trust in Him and he will grant our hearts desires.  Let us remember that for every mustard seed, there are countless mustard trees yet to spring up. 



We as seeds have a lot of things to offer. We have skills, we have talents we can activate our potential. Let us see that our life answers its end. Let us live earnest, useful, holy lives, to “the praise of the glory of his grace.” Meanwhile, let us turn our hearts to him who is on the throne for good and his love has no end. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  ST. BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLES, FEAST   Apocalypse 21:9-14 Psalm 144(145):10-13a,17-18 John 1:45-51 COME TO JESUS  Today's readings emphasize the significance of heaven. We must stay focused on the ultimate prize, just as Bartholomew did when he sought spiritual enlightenment under the fig tree. When Philip introduced him to the Messiah from Nazareth, Bartholomew initially questioned whether anything good could come from Nazareth. However, after encountering Christ, he recognized Him as the Son of God. Bartholomew made the wisest decision of his life by coming to Jesus. As it says in Psalms 145, "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him." Our prayer life can be as simple as coming to Jesus and seeking Him for rest, as stated in Matthew 11:28. Let us also have a deep desire to draw closer to Jesus and focus on the things above where Christ is. Amen. N. B. Pray for me as I celebrate my birthday today. Thank you and God bless. 
Read more
Image
  Saints Charles Lwanga and his Companions, Martyrs   2 Peter 1:2-7 Psalm 90(91):1-2,14-16 Mark 12:1-12 LAY DOWN YOUR LIVES FOR CHRIST  Today's gospel features Jesus addressing the scribes, chief priests, and elders. They witness the behavior of the tenant farmers in a parable, which mirrors their violence, selfishness, and desire for possession. Despite being confronted with the truth, they are too afraid to change and miss the opportunity for a conversion of heart. Instead, they react defensively and deceive themselves, eventually acting out the negative roles depicted in the parable.  The Church commemorates the Martyrs of Uganda today, particularly St. Charles Lwanga and their companions, who bore witness to Christ by sacrificing their lives. This serves as a reminder for us to be faithful stewards of God's creation and caretakers of His people, willing to serve with love and faith, even to the point of laying down our lives.
Read more
Image
  Monday of week 13 in Ordinary Time   Amos 2:6-10,​13-16 Psalm 49(50):16-23 Matthew 8:18-22 THE COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP  Dearly beloved in Christ, as we embark on a new month and continue to journey through life, It is important to keep in mind the message in today's Gospel. The brief exchanges between Jesus and the two potential disciples remind us of the challenges of true discipleship. The stories of the teacher of the law and the man wanting to bury his father emphasize the commitment and sacrifices required to follow Jesus. We see that true discipleship involves a wholehearted dedication to living a life modeled after Jesus. When we think about the earlier experiences of other followers like Peter and Andrew, we are reminded that becoming a disciple may require us to let go of our old ways and follow Jesus without hesitation. It is not always easy, and Jesus does not ask us to calculate the costs or tie up all our loose ends. Instead, He simply invites us to "Foll...
Read more