Today at Holy Mass in the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah we are reminded that we are an Easter people - Do we keep this in the forefront of our mind?….”Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed”……Jesus said he will return - And he will - Do we lose sight of this reality?…..We as Catholics can get “caught up” in many things and in doing so lose sight of the fact that Jesus won the victory and while we are what is called “Church Militant” here on earth - “The battle” has already been won!…With that said - God’s plan for the salvation of mankind is still playing out and we all have a part in the plan - But the outcome has already been sealed - We WON! - Because Jesus was crucified on the the Cross…..And because Jesus is going to come back - Will He find faith on earth? - Will He find faith in YOU?…..When we disagree with Church teaching in essence we are telling God - We know better than he does - How do you think that is going to “sit” when Jesus returns?…..Think about it for a moment…When Christ returns - Everything he said will be publicly validated - Everything the Church has taught for centuries on end will be validated - What is to happen if we are on the “wrong end” on that return?….The very thought should terrify us….Look at our world today - Look at the choices people make, which are fundamentally against God and the Natural Law….When Jesus returns - How do you think those choices are going to be viewed by God?….Some may say - “God is merciful” - “God will understand”…..While it is true - God is merciful and God does understand….We however have a role to play and we are responsible for our actions….God’s mercy has a limit - The time to Repent and Believe the Gospel is NOW!!!!….Once we stop breathing, the time for judgment begins and one day that is going to happen - Like it or not - Don’t lose sight of that reality!
“May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation”
Do we have a healthy fear of God?….By the way society today lives - It sure does not seem like it…..”Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna”…Just as there is a heaven - There is a hell…..And the idea that there is a hell and people go there has been lost on our American culture - That mindset is very clear…..We hear phrases today - “You do You”…Such a mindset is not leading a person towards God - In fact, its just the opposite……..While God is love and God is also forgiving and merciful - God is also not blind to our sins!…..The Church needs to make this clear….We do not have a “blank check” to do whatever we want in this life and expect to “coast into heaven” - I am not God - But I think I can safely say - “It does not work that way!”……..Remember the words of the “good thief” nailed to a cross next to Jesus…..How he addresses the other thief who did not repent of his sins……”Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?”…….The man, known in the Catholic tradition as Dismas was not a scholar of the law - He was a common criminal - But he knew deep in his heart that he was guilty of crimes against God and against his neighbor….And he repented…..And Jesus not only accepted his confession but told him that he was completely forgiven…..“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”……What should we learn from this incident?…That we are all sinners and we each have to confess our sins to God in order to be forgiven - We CANNOT take that reality for granted……God is a reality - Heaven is a reality and we all fall short - This is why Jesus established a Church and this is why we were given the great gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation…..Some of the most beautiful words ever spoken by a person are - “Bless me Father for I have sinned”…….Followed by an even better set of words…..”Your sins are forgiven - Go in peace”
“I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them”
Today at Mass we are reminded that Jesus will return….And that his justice will be revealed…..That means we all must be ready for that return…Ultimately, no one knows when Jesus will return - However, when we die we all will stand before the Lord and be judged…That means we should always be ready!…..How are we ready? - By making frequent (once a month) and good confessions with a priest….And doing our very best to live the Gospel message and live according to the teaching of the one Church Jesus founded - The Catholic Church……Heaven is God’s house and God makes the rules!!! - We will not be judged on “our terms” - Its for us to not only recognize that reality but live our life by it - For those who have ears - Let them hear……..Never lose sight of the fact that Jesus will one day return - The question then becomes - Are we ready?…..”But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”…..JMJ
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