8-21-2019 Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope Gospel MT 20:1-16

Learn more about St. Pius X: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-pius-x/

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082119.cfm

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off.  And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Whenever we come to the Lord, we receive the same grace, mercy and love as someone who never left Him. So many people get upset because of that, but those who receive those blessings are grateful He does not discriminate! Come home, you will not regret it. If you wait too long, it may be too late!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that you do not discriminate. I have been the recipient of so much love, grace, mercy and blessings since I came home. Thank you!

Lord, in your strength the king is glad.

 

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8-20-2019 Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church Gospel MT 19:23-30

Learn more about St. Bernard: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=559

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082019.cfm

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

When we become a true follower of Christ, we give up something. We give up what the world proclaims are virtues, but in Gods eyes is sin. We need to lose ourselves for Him! When we do, we receive grace and blessings from God a hundred times more valuable, a hundred times more precious!

Prayer: Heavenly Father you grace is sufficient to my needs. I Jesus’ holy name I give you praise, Amen!

The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

8-19-2019 Gospel MT 19:16-22

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081919.cfm

A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

The Lord wants our whole life, He does not want us to literally sell everything, but He wants us to be ready to give up whatever we have for Him. Are you willing to do that? Can you give Him your life and your possessions? When you can, you will truly love Him and belong to Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, the best thing I ever did was give you everything. You take care of me, giving me all I need, your love and so much joy! In Jesus’ holy name, Amen!

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

8-18-2019 Reading 2 HEB 12:1-4

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081819.cfm

Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.  Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” we have so much support, in prayers, love and yes, cheering us on as we run this race! We do not use the saints in heaven enough to help us and get us through our problem. We have strong friends, close to Jesus who are willing to intercede for us, take our prayers to Jesus. Do you use them? Why not, they are that great cloud of witnesses that surround us!

Prayer; Heavenly Father, I thank you for all the support you have given to us, saints to help us as we struggle through life to resist sin. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen!

Lord, come to my aid!

8-17-2019 Gospel MT 19:13-15

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081719.cfm

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Are you childlike when it comes to God? Are you open, loving, trusting Him with your deepest desires, giving Him your heart? That is what Jesus wants. He wants us to bring our anger, confusion, hatred to him and lay them at His feet. Can you do that? When we do, He understands and allows us to grow stronger by clinging to Him as a child. Go, He is waiting for you.

Prayer: Heavenly Father thank you for taking me back home to you! In Jesus’ holy name Amen.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

8-16-2019 Gospel MT 19:3-12

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081619.cfm

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.” They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.” His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”

Jesus changed what Moses had allowed. Divorce is not lawful, but we allow the breakup families constantly because people get bored, they “do not feel it anymore or they fall out of love”. All nonsense. When the Lord brings two people together, they should stay together because that is what the Lord ordains. How have we allowed ourselves to get so far from the law of God?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for all families broken by divorce, including my parents. May they be blessed with your holy love and reunited in heaven. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

His mercy endures forever.

8-15-2019 Reading 1 RV 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin

Learn more about the Assumption of Mary: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/solemnity-of-the-assumption-of-mary/

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081519-day.cfm

God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed One.”

Mary is in heaven interceding for us with our Lord. She is sitting at the throne of her Son Jesus. The Lord protects His own and we and Mary are His own, protecting us from evil. But we must believe in the power of the Lord and have faith that the Lord does what He says He will do. Mary is our Mother, do you believe?

Prayer: Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.