Tag Archives: reward

LET EACH RUN HIS COURSE DILIGENTLY

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Wednesday 19th August: Wednesday of week 20 in Ordinary Time

LET EACH RUN HIS COURSE DILIGENTLY

Matthew 20:1-16

Great is the love of our Heavenly Father who sacrificed His only begotten son so that you and I might be saved (John 3: 16). Though our Lord Jesus Christ through His death paid the full price for our salvation, it nevertheless remains the choice of each and every one of us to either accept or reject the gift of Divine life offered us. While some start up early with the Lord, some do not embrace the call to salvation until the noon or twilight of their life. It is however more beneficial to come to know God early in life, to minimize the risk of making costly mistakes in life that could lead to future heartache and regret (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

The Gospel reading gives a glimpse of the magnanimity of God’s love. He constantly seeks to bring to the fold of His flock all who are yet to accept His Lordship over their lives. This should be an encouragement for us never to lose hope on the salvation of any one no matter how wayward their current way of life seems to be. Saint Monica never gave up on her son Augustine despite the depth of his waywardness. Through years of unrelenting intercession the bright light of conversion eventually shone in his heart. So deep was his conversion that the sinner was transformed into a prominent Saint in the Church.

Dearest in Christ, as we are encouraged never to lose hope on anyone, so are we equally admonished to keep watch over ourselves. No matter how long we have been living out our committment to Christ, of greater importance is the state of our relationship with God at the point our departure from this world, (Ezekiel 18:21-29). Let each of us run the course of faith diligently that the first might not end up being the last (Matt. 20: 16; 1Tim 4:16). God help us. Amen.

PRAYER: Help me Lord, that having come to know you, I may never forsake you but rather serve you till I see you in Heaven. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 294: Is someone a sinner if he experiences strong passions within himself?

No, passions can be very valuable. They are designed to lead to and reinforce good actions; only when they are disordered do the passions contribute to evil.
Passions that are ordered to the good become virtues. They then become the motive force of a life of fighting for love and justice. Passions that overpower a person, rob him of his freedom and entice him to evil, we call vice. 

Hide a treasure: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on the last Day, and not to only me but also to all who have loved his appearing”  1 Tim. 4: 7-8 RSV-CE

Today’s readings: Judges 9: 6-15; Psalm 21: 2-7 Matthew 20: 1-16

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THE REWARD OF A GOOD LIFE

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Saturday 6th June – Saturday of week 9 in Ordinary Time

Reflection: Tobit 12: 1, 5-15, 20

THE REWARD OF A GOOD LIFE

“As water extinguishes the burning flames, almsgiving obtains pardon for sins. The man who responds by doing good prepares for the future, at the moment of his downfall he will find support” Sirach 3:30-31

Tobit was not only addressed by his kinsmen as a ‘good and worthy man, an honest man who is just and compassionate’ (Tobit 7:6, 9:6), but also by God who took notice of all his works of mercy in burying the dead and alms giving. For this reason, God sent the Angel Raphael in human form to deliver him in his time of need.  This shows that the reward of the just is truly with the Lord and that at the moment of their downfall, the Lord will support them. Ultimately, the Lord will reward the righteous with the beatific vision at the end of his sojourn on earth.

Dear friends, the exemplary life of Tobit is a model for us to follow. Give alms from what you have and do not give grudgingly but rather cheerfully. Do not turn your face from anyone who is poor so that God may not turn away His face from you. Give alms in proportion to the amount you have; if you have little, do not be afraid to give alms according to the little you have. The poor widow in our gospel today gave from all she had to live on and the Lord acknowledged her. In giving alms, we store up treasure against the day of tribulation, because almsgiving frees us from death and it is a form of atonement for our sins (Tobit 12:9). It is a precious treasure in the sight of God. Give to the poor and your neighbors in need; give to God His due (tithe) and give to His ministers and to your family members.

Beloved in Christ, a good name is better than gold or silver. Let us strive to live for the glory of God that we may be successful in all that we do.

Prayer: Lord, help me to daily strive to live a blessed life and make me understand that it is only in giving that I can receive.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2443 – God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor and rebukes those who turn away from them: “Give to Him who begs from you, do not refuse him who would borrow from you;” “you received without pay, give without pay.” It is by what they have done for the poor that Jesus Christ will recognize his chosen ones.

Hide a Treasure: “Always remember the Lord our God. Do not consent to sin or go against His commandments. Act justly all the days of your life, and do not walk in the paths of wrongdoing, for, if you act uprightly, you will be successful in all you do.” Tobit 4:5-6 CCB

Today’s Readings: Tobit 12:1,5-15,20; Tobit 13:2, 6-8 (canticle);  Mark 12:38-44