Inherit Eternal Life

Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen I say to you, it will be hard for one that is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier to for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For men this is Impossible, but for God all things are possible." Then Peter said to him in reply, "We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."

Consideration: There are many who possess much, and yet are empty and void of peace within. The disciples, after spending much time with Jesus, came to believe in him and the truth he conveyed to all he came in contact with.

Do we possess the faith of the disciples? We live in a time where knowledge is at our fingertips; words of truth and falsehoods are heard with our ears; and we have the ability to see good and evil displayed before our eyes. We are at a crossroad in time; and it's now clear for us to choose sides. Jesus said, "I Am the Way; the Truth; and the Life." I pray that we, as one, will decide for Christ! Amen.

Enter into Life

A young man approached Jesus and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He answered him, "Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." He asked him, "Which ones?" And Jesus replied, "You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; your shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "if you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Consideration: Jesus tells the young man if he wished to enter into life, keep the commandments. When we are called, there are only two destinations; life or death. Only by the God's grace will we enter into life; that time will be for God to decide. We have been given a clear direction; it is for us to choose; the everlasting joy of Heaven; or to dwell forever in the wasteland of the damned. Amen.

Have pity on me Lord

At that time, Jesus withdrew to region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus' disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "it is not right to take the food of children and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.

Consideration: Jesus tells the woman that her faith is great; then he grants her request that the demon that tormented her daughter would be gone from her. 

Jesus tells us to ask and will shall receive; but we must ask with faith that request will be granted. We must always approach our Lord, with a contrite heart and a faithful spirit. Knowing that our Lord always hears and answers the prayers of his loving children. And if it pleases the Lord, he will grant our request in the way that it gives glory and honor to him and in a way that is best for the salvation of his children as well. Amen.

Let the Children come to Me

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Lord, Jesus, fill us with the grace of understanding and humility, that we who long for the Kingdom of heaven in our hearts, will indeed come to you with the hearts of children; when the human heart is at its purist form. Amen.

Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

St. Maximilian (1894-1941) became a Franciscan and devoted his life to fostering devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a priest, publisher, and founder of the "City of the Immaculate." Sentenced to hard manual labor at the death camp in Auschwitz, he offered his life in exchange for that of a family man. He is remembered for his prophetic words, "Hatred is not a creative force. Only love is a creative power."  

Consideration: This holy man offered up his own life that another man would live. There is no greater love than this act of total surrender, that he gave his life voluntarily for another man who had a wife and children. Amen!

Seventy-Seven Times

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." 

Consideration: This scripture passage is powerful. We have all been offended by others in one way or another. Jesus is clear when he tells Peter, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." Remember, we have also offended others as well; and we are in need of forgiveness. 

In this troubled and unperfect world, there is plenty of pain and difficulty. Forgiveness is the key to unlock the freedom of peace that every heart longs for. In the end, it will be the mercy of our Lord, Jesus, that will free us from the darkness of this life; to the freedom of the light when we enter into his light. Amen.

Prayer in the name of Jesus

Jesus said to his disciples: "if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses even to listen to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them."

Consideration: Jesus speaks to disciples about forgiveness, and community prayer. The power of praying together as a group reaches the heavenly Father; promising to grant our request.