Oil and Water do not mix - Neither does God and the material world

Today at Holy Mass in the first reading in St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians - He tells them how a Catholic is to live….”Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones, no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God”…..Now - Think about those comments made by St Paul and ask yourself…How would they translate in the world of business today?….In the world of power?…..If we were honest - Not too well…So what does that tell us? - That this is not our “world” - “This world” and those who “thrive” in it play by a “different set of rules”…And because of that, they “thrive” in the here and now…And here is the part no one wants to hear - AND YOU MOST PROBABLY WILL NOT!!!!…..Its human nature to want to have “the best of both worlds” - To be a faithful Catholic and thrive in the here and now materially and have God as well…The reality of the matter is - If we follow Christ and do what St Paul tells us today - We most likely will not thrive in the here and now - Sorry to be the bearer of bad news….”The world” does not honor the things that St Paul talks about in this reading…Kindness - Compassion - Forgiving others….So that means we must make a choice…Are you willing to “walk the narrow road" that leads to heaven?…Think long and hard before you answer - Because if you do…Know this - That “narrow road” is full of “stones” and “thorns”….Are you still willing to walk it? - Is it worth it?….To answer those questions in one word - YES!….."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."

“Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth”

There is an old saying in America - “Nice guys finished last”….And if I were to be honest - There is “some” truth to that statement…..If you see the world purely from a secular and materialistic lens - As many do - That statement is very accurate…..This world does not reward virtue…Try being “virtuous” around the boardroom table of a Hedge Fund on Wall Street - See how far that gets you!…..But here is the part of that statement, which is not captured….When we live differently from the world - As we all know - Catholics are to be “in the world but not of the world”…We have a deep peace and joy - The likelihood of having a solid and strong family and living “according to the rules of the world” is slim to none…How can I make that statement? - Look at how many divorces “power brokers” go through - How their children want nothing to do with them - Now of course there are exceptions to that rule - But if we are honest - What I just stated happens a lot!…..Now, say we do as St Paul tells the Ephesians today at Mass…..”Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma”…You may not become rich…or….Marry a movie star…But you all have peace - You will find a good woman, who loves you for who your are - You will have stability in your home and family - Your children will love you - You will have deep and lasting joy that can overcome any hardship the world throws at you - Not a bad “trade off”!…So I guess we have to make a choice right?….When you think about it - Life is all about choices….And if you do not agree with what I just wrote….Let’s look to the words of Jesus Christ, who also addresses this matter…..…”The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’t If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me”……So we MUST make a choice - Choose well - There is no “sitting on the fence either”……Oil and Water do not mix - Neither does God and the material world……….JMJ

“Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. So do not be associated with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light”