You have no life within you unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man!

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the first reading from the Book of Kings how Solomon asked God for wisdom as opposed to having a long life or acquiring wealth….."Because you have asked for this— not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right—I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you”…….If God asked you to wish for something - What would it be?……When a person lives in the State of Grace, the Holy Spirit animates their life….When a person lives in that reality, we are given by God seven gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord…….These gifts make for a good life - Now that does not mean you will be rich but it does mean you will make good choices, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out those good choices - And that makes for a good and fruitful life!….How many people today make poor choices? - Even highly intelligent people - They marry the wrong people - They spend their money on ridiculous things - They acquire vices…..All because they are not animated by the Holy Spirit…….We are warned by St Matthew, what we see in “real time” today, right before our very eyes - “If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit”…Look at our politicians? - Look at the ruling class in our society? - Look at the heads of industry? - Look at far too many familles?….Are their choices animated by the Holy Spirit? - That is why what they “build” does not last

“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it”

There is what I call - “An art to living”….This “art” is NOT what is advertised by Hollywood and Corporate America either….I was fortunate to have witnessed this “art” by my parents, who were simple people that built a 50 year stable and fruitful marriage……This “art” today is completely lost and needs desperately to be recovered!…..In America we no longer know how to live!!!!….We chase after material things we cannot afford and acquire them by going into debt - Living in debt is slavery!!!!…..We project an image of our self on social media that has nothing to do with God…..We evaluate ourself based upon the shifting standards of a Godless world, which leaves us empty……We no longer value marriage, children or anything which requires sacrifice…..These reasons and more have left far too many Americans lost and alone - Clinical depression, suicide, and substance abuse are the result…..Why? - Because we no longer know how to live!…..This “art of living”, which I am describing can only be found by a life lived in and through the Holy Spirit…This requires living Sacramentally…..How many Baptized Catholics go to confession regularly?…How many Baptized Catholics receive the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday in the state of grace?…If the majority of Baptized Catholics are not living in the state of grace - How can they possibly live a good life and make good decisions? - Again, the words of St Matthew come to mind - “If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit”…..America needs to stop “chasing” lies and start focusing on the fundaments - What I call “First Principals”…When we put God first, everything else in our life falls into place….We are assured of this by Jesus…”Seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides”…Its because we no long prioritize the “things of heaven” that America and Americans are lost.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it"

Today we are told about the importance of wisdom - How King Solomon asked God for wisdom so he could rule his people well….Is this what you see in our ruling class today in America? - When we build our life upon God, our life bears lasting fruit…Conversely, when we build our life on the “shifting sands” of this world - Eventually, everything collapses…..America must re-learn what it means to “live well”…..And that will NEVER happen unless we “invite” God back into our society…..St John in his Gospel tells us very clearly what Jesus told him and the first disciples - “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you”…..How can we as a people possibly “live well” when we no long live Sacramentally?!?….Notice again what St John wrote…..”You do not have life within you”……Every human being was meant to live Sacramentally - How do I know that? - Because Jesus said so - You have no life within you unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man!…….JMJ