Meditation 11/11/2018

In today’s reading from the Gospel of Mark 12:38-44, Our Master is giving a teaching to the crowd. He is telling us to beware of the examples of those in Authority. “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.” Brothers and Sisters, we’re all human. We’re all capable of falling into sin and being short of the mercy of God. Romans 3:23 I’m not just talking about the ones in the Church who serve under our Pope, but also those who serve the Lord in some capacity. You can be a secretary for the Archbishop, or a brother in the Franciscan order or a consecrated virgin to the Lord. You can say you serve the Lord with your lips, but you also need to show it in your actions! As Jesus is talking about walking around in long robes, it can mean someone walking with pride (the devil’s most favorite sin) thinking to yourself “I work for so and so, I’m so much better than that poor family that sits in the church, I know the Archbishop of so and so and I donate a lot of money to the church, I’m super holy that I can never sin and need confession!” Another example would be, “well I teach bible studies on Wednesday evenings, these poor saps would be lost without me, I bring the Word to them. They should be buying me dinner for taking my precious time doing this!” And finally, my favorite example would be, “Well I’ve already given myself to the Lord. I said yes to his will, and I do all these great things for him. I don’t need to spend time in doing prayers because I serve the community already. I think I’ve secured my seat in heaven.”

How can any of you think that you have already made it to heaven? Only God can truly judge the heart of a person. What did Jesus say in scripture? Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ If you are a Shepherd, a deacon, a minister, a brother or sister in a religious order, then you need to be humble. Don’t put yourself at the foot of the table but take the lowest seat. Salvation is a gift and a grace from Almighty God. We must always put God in our hearts and our minds. If we keep God in front of our eyes, then we can be focused in life. We wouldn’t need to worry about offending someone, or not doing our part. Why? Because we would have that desire to do the will of God all the time. We should be beating down our fellow man. We should be trying to bring others to heaven as Blessed Bishop Fulton Sheen would say! Yes, prayer is good, but if we do it in a manner because we want to sound powerful or important, then you’re taking the Glory away from the Lord and trying to bestow it upon yourself. I’ll tell you the truth my brothers and sisters. When I was get called up to read the Sacred Word of God before the congregation, I’m nervous, I’m afraid I’ll mess it up. I’m unworthy to proclaim the word of God! I pray deeply in my heart for God the Holy Spirit to use this worthless dog in a manner that is most pleasing to him. I ask the Intercession of St. Stephen (Martyr, Deacon) or St. Paul the Apostle (Martyr, Priest) to teach me in reading the Word as passionate as they did! I’m unaware of how my posture is or how I speak. God the Holy Spirit is in full control and when I’m done reading, I thank The Holy Spirit and both St. Stephen’s and St. Paul and sit back down on the pew. I ask God for the courage to read his most sacred word because I’m a fallen creature, deserving of Hell because of my sins.

“A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.” Jesus Christ is not just talking about money. He is talking about giving of ourselves to Him. It’s not about comparing who writes a bigger check to the Church. It is about how much of yourself are you giving to the Lord. In my last blog, I touched on the commitment of mental prayer and personal attention when you go to Mass. We need to also dedicate time to God in our personal prayer life. God is the lifeline in this personal relationship with him. If we don’t find time for God, then we are Lost in the world. God is our light, a beacon of Hope in this black, dark fallen world. If we don’t cling to him, the devil will devour you and drag you down to the pits of hell. Like Jesus said” don’t recite lengthy prayers” But Pray form the heart. Get on your knees or stand and pray 10-15 mins before God. Ask God for his mercy to break the ice that is around your heart. If your faith is weak, ask the Father for his strength to be a block of Holy Iron. If you have doubts, ask the creator to remove that Doubt in your heart like he did St. Thomas, so we may confess “My Lord and My God” Start small and then build from that foundation. We must Build on Jesus, who is the cornerstone of our faith. I close with this prayer,

Heavenly Father, I ask for your mercy and grace to open the hearts of my readers. May God the Holy Spirit give my readers a fire for the living word of God, so that they may always to feed upon the word “Man cannot live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the Mouth of God” Matthew 4:4 Jesus give me my cross, so that I can carry it with you on your journey to Calvary, that I might appreciate more deeply the ultimate sacrifice you did. Not just for my salvation, but the salvation of the whole world! May you never let me forget that you love me. With the Intercession of the Queen of Heaven and Earth, the Blessed Virgin Mary and all your Saints, lead me deeper in my quest for a deeper relationship with the Holy Trinity, Amen.

God Bless you all,

Aaron JP