The Epiphany of the Lord

You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:  that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

We are all coheirs to the Kingdom. We are all members of the same body. We are all copartners in Christ. We are all called to work with each other to give glory to God and build up the Church. We are all tasked with becoming stewards of the faith, doing God’s Will in all things. We are all given the opportunity to be good and faithful servants, who give witness to the faith by sharing ourselves with others. We all have a vocation to be priests, prophets, and servant leaders, leading people to the Way, the Truth, and the Life by word and example. There are many who are only exposed to Divine Truth through us and we have a responsibility to proclaim the Good New through our every thought, word, and work.

Are we good and faithful stewards of our faith? How can we become better coheirs of the Kingdom, members of the Church, and copartners with Christ? What can we do to fulfill our callings to build up the body of Christ?

O Lord, we want to be better stewards of your grace.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.' They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.  What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times."

We might see the murderous tenants and wonder how they could do what they did, but in some ways whenever we sin we throw Jesus out of the vineyards of our souls and when we commit a mortal sin we kill our relationship with Jesus. We might not beat him or nail him to the cross with our own hands, but we join his persecutors in crucifying him at least spiritually. This is why it is so important for us to avoid sin and to remember who we are ultimately answerable to in our lives. Nothing we do is hidden. There is no sin we can hide from God and He knows exactly when and why we throw Him out of our lives and add to his sufferings on the cross. And so, let us not be like the wretched men who crucified our Lord, but rather let us be like the good and faithful servants who give God the good fruits of our lives at the proper times. Then, and only then, can we become co-heirs with Christ and inherit the Heavenly Kingdom.

In what ways do we disrespect God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? How can we live more faithful lives to the Holy Trinity? What can we do to welcome Jesus into the vineyards of our souls and allow him to show us how to bear good fruits?

O Lord, we give you the produce of our lives. Do with them what you will.

Amen.

Twenty-Fifth Thursday of Ordinary Time

Now thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways! You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed; And whoever earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it.

It is not enough to spend our lives sowing, but never reaping. Or eating, but never being satisfied. Or drinking, but never being exhilarated. Or clothed, but never warmed. Or to earn wages, but just as quickly lose them. What God is telling us is we need to sow the seeds of faith in our lives so we can bear good fruits to offer God and feed others, spiritually. He wants us to eat His Body and drink His Blood because it is only through sharing in the Eucharistic Feast that we can be truly satisfied and exhilarated. He wants us to be clothed in him because it is only by putting on Christ that our hearts can be warmed by the fires of the Holy Spirit. He wants us to earn our wage as co-workers in His vineyard, cultivating consciences and souls, and not wasting our time, talents, and treasures on worldly endeavors. When our lives are built on temporary earthly successes they fall apart and fail. However, if we build an everlasting temple to God within ourselves and give God honor and glory in everything we think, say, and do, then our lives will last forever with Him in Heaven.

Have we taken time to consider our ways and how they match or deviate from the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ? What can we do to more firmly found our lives upon God? Are we spending our lives wisely and well?

O Lord, help us to consider our ways and amend them so they build up the faith within ourselves and others.

Amen.

Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

Both men and women followed Christ and each proclaimed the Good News alongside him in their own unique way. The men eventually were sent out to heal, cleanse, and preach. The women provided for the men out of their resources. Both were necessary. You cannot live the itinerant life without depending upon others for your food and shelter. In addition, the women become the main witnesses of Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection. The men, except for John, ran away and hid while the women watched and lamented. Eventually, they were rewarded for staying with Jesus till the end by being the first to discover the resurrection. However, after the resurrection, both men and women are renewed in their faith and preach and proclaim the Good News through their witness to and sharing of their faith. We would do well to remember even outside of marriage, men and woman complement each other filling those things lacking in each other. This recognition of the uniqueness of each gender does not make them inequitable, but rather it reminds them of their equal responsibility to spread the Gospel through their own gifts as complimentary co-workers in the vineyard of souls.

How are we being called to preach and proclaim the Good News? What gifts and talents do we have as men and women that can help us to witness to the Gospels? What resources do we have that we can devote to the good works of our faith?

O Lord, teach us, both men and women, how to follow you as co-workers in the faith.

Amen.