God speaks to us through the events of our life - Those who respond thrive - And those who don’t - Frankly don’t

Today at Holy Mass Jesus in the Gospel of St Matthew tells us a story about a man who changes his mind…..He first refuses to follow instructions, but later does….What makes such a man come to this revelation?…….”A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”…….One of the greatest pieces of advice given to me was from a childhood friend who was not even religious…He told me - “Joe - Life is man’s greatest teacher”…The more I pondered that statement - And the older I got - The more I knew he was right!….Why is that?…Because God speaks to us through our life…..Most people don’t listen to “good advice”….We ignore the Church…We ignore our parents….We ignore the lessons from history…Only in time to “find out” that everything told to us was correct….But sadly, most of us find that out for our selves…..We are told in the pages of Scripture the following in the Book of Isaiah……”I will lay waste mountains and hills, all their undergrowth I will dry up; I will turn the rivers into marshes, and the marshes I will dry up. I will lead the blind on a way they do not know; by paths they do not know I will guide them. I will turn darkness into light before them, and make crooked ways straight. These are my promises: I made them, I will not forsake them”…….I tell my children all the time - “Making mistakes is apart of life but its the person who learns from their mistakes that become successful”…..How do we learn from our mistakes? - The first step is to acknowledge that we made a mistake in the first place…Not blame other people or circumstances….But to say - “That was me” - As we say in New Jersey - “My bad”….What is the next step?…To say - “I am sorry”…Some people can never say those words and frankly that is a terrible mind set to have…Because we all make mistakes, such a person who can’t admit they are wrong and say they are sorry ultimately destroys all their relationships, as well as their relationship with God….What is the next step?….To allow God’s grace in your life so you don’t do the same bad thing again….All humans are flawed and because of that reality, we need God’s grace to live the lives we ALL want…To deny that grace to penetrate our lives is simply a foolish decision…As I tell my children when they do something wrong and I correct them…”You are not hurting me - You are only hurting yourself”…..There are no humble people in hell - And conversely - There are surely no prideful people in heaven….Learn from your mistakes - “Own them”…Say your sorry to those you love and to God when you make a mistake…And rely on God’s grace to make you better….There you have it - Choose to ignore what I just wrote or put it into practice….Life is our greatest teacher - Those who learn from their mistakes succeed and those who don’t sadly don’t.

“Come, O Lord, do not delay; forgive the sins of your people”

So many people question the existence of God - I am going to tell you one way to prove God exists - So pay attention and "write this down"….If you are Catholic, go to Confession with a priest….What do you have to lose?…..If you take me up on this suggestion you will leave that confession feeling like a completely different person.....…That “feeling” is not some “psychological illusion” either…....Its a direct encounter with the Lord…Its PROOF that God loves you and that God CAN forgive even the worst of sins….It also proves that GOD IS REAL.......This is reality and its free!….Everyone wants peace…Everyone wants to be happy - I am telling you how to achieve both….Now its up to you!

“Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.”

Today we are told by Jesus in the Gospel at Mass that some people “change their mind” and learn to listen to the “good advice” offered to them….How about us?…..Before we can or will listen to someone, we first must learn to trust them….Grace builds upon grace and the same goes for trust....Give God a chance…..I can only say this and I say it from experience………God only gives - He never takes…….Don’t short change yourself - Learn from your mistakes - Learn to say your sorry….And make yourself available to Sacramental grace….. And from that grace will flow a good life - One in which you thrive…….Those who have ears let them hear….God speaks to us through the events of our life - Those who respond thrive - And those who don’t - Frankly don’t………….JMJ

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