There is work to do and if we as Catholics do not do this work - Who will?

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Matthew Jesus once again shocks us…..“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers”…So what is it that makes for an authentic Catholic? - A valid question……I will argue that the Catholic Church possess the fullness of Truth - “On paper” - The teachings of the Church are perfect! - Now, lets look at the members of the Catholic Church, myself included - We are ALL far from perfect!….This is due to the stain of sin, which comes with being human - This is why Jesus came and walked the earth and gave us a Church, for the forgiveness of sins and to be used as a “vehicle” to dispense Sacramental grace, which we ALL need!…..As St Matthew tells us today…There are many who do and say in a superficial manner what Jesus told us to do - But will not taste eternal life - Again, what was missing?…..The missing “element” comes down to the intention of the human heart - Is our heart pure? - Are our intentions coming from a “place” of love?….Many people argue about the faith publicly only to “win arguments”….The argument is really about them being right over another person - Many do “good works” to be seen by others - As Scripture tell us - Those works will not be acknowledged by God because “you have received your reward”…..So basically, we can say “all the right things” and still be wrong - We can do “all the right things” and still be wrong…It all comes down to purity of heart…So the question then becomes - How do we purify our heart? - The answer - Frequent Sacramental Confess and Frequent reception of the Blessed Sacrament in the state of grace…No matter who we are - We can not self manufacture a holy life…Our life may “appear” holy to the world, but to God we are something far from holy…..Its from our interior life that we are first sanctified and from “that place” within us as Catholics we will sanctify the world around us…..Jesus very clearly tells us…..”Cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean”……An authentic follower of Christ will look very differently from the world’s definition of what is “good” - So much so, authentic followers of Jesus Christ are many times outcasts and despised by the world….Jesus had some advice for us to address this reality…..”Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way”…..”Looks” may be deceiving - But God sees the human heart and what is in our heart is what matters!

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him”

We are warned on the pages of Scripture to - “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves”…..I am a co-host of a radio show that airs in the New York City Metropolitan Area….I am one of many “voices” “crying out into the wildness” in America……I do not receive money for my work and at the end of the day, that is a good thing!….I am not saying everyone who “gets paid” in Catholic Media is “influenced” but when we receive money, our employer surely has a “say” in what we do….And if our employer has an “agenda” - Well, our “voice” will not only be corrupted but influenced…..Jesus sees the human heart and that is how we will be judged in the end - By the purity of our heart…..Over the years of co-hosting my show, we have spoken with countless Catholic intellectuals, scholars, and clerics from around the world….Many of them have impressed me greatly - But to the secular world - Many of these men and women are completely “unknown” - Being a Catholic intellectual does not usually “pay well” - But these men and women write books and lecture not for money but for the love of God….And this is one of the ways we can tell who is the “real deal” and who is not…Are you willing to work for free for God? - Are you willing to serve God and be completely “hidden” from the world?……The Holy family is a great example of this “kind of Catholic”…For thirty years, Jesus; Mary and Joseph were completely “unknown” - In fact, Biblical scholars refer to this thirty year period as the “hidden years”…..The secular world took no notice of the Holy Family - But God the Father surely did!….And that is all that matters!….In serving God, regardless of how we do it - We must always ask ourselves this question - Why am I doing this “work”? - Is it for God or is it for me? - Are our intentions pure?……Vincent Van Gogh, one of the greatest artists the world has ever known, during his lifetime he sold very few works of art…It was only until after his death that the world came to appreciate his work….Yet, Van Gogh painted anyway, even when his work was not celebrated - As Catholics, we too must have this kind of mindset….We must look to appease only God….And if others appreciate our work too - GREAT - But if not, my must look to serve “an audience of one” - God alone!…Mother Teresa put it best…”God has not called me to be successful; He has called me to be faithful”…….There will come a time when faithful Catholics will “receive their reward” but for now - Its time to work! - Head down and shoulder to the plow!

“When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes”

Today in the Gospel, Jesus is telling us that we as Catholics must be authentic!…..”Ticking boxes” by simply going to Sunday Mass does not necessarily make us “authentic” either…….Life as a practicing Catholic is not easy - And was we live as Jesus asked of us, no matter who we are, we will be tested…..Hardships, trials, and disappointments happen and they will always happen….But how do we respond? - Its our response that will make our faith strong! - Iron is molded and shaped by fire - So it will be for us…But have no fear and be encouraged!……”The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little”……In all of Christendom, no one many have suffered more then St Paul - The man was ship wrecked, imprisoned, beaten numerous times - And he ALWAYS went back for more!…St Paul tells us today when we feel like giving up - “So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God”…..God will not give us anything we can not handle - So never give up - And little by little our faith will grow strong….And as for our “reward” - That one day will come as well - In the meantime - There is work to do and if we as Catholics do not do this work - Who will?………..JMJ