Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Priest, and Paul Chong Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs

For I am the least of the Apostles, not fit to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me. Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

None of us are complete free of sin. We’ve all been persecutors of the Church in some shape, form, or fashion. We have persecuted it through our sins, through our failure to do good, or our indifference. Thankfully, God forgives us like He forgave Paul and gives us strength and graces to grow in faith, hope, and love. These gifts should make us strive all the harder to be good and faithful servants willing to do whatever God calls us to do.

Are we toiling as hard as we should to fulfill God’s Will in our lives? How can we become holier followers of Christ? How can we put the graces and gifts God has given us to the best use in bringing about God’s Kingdom?

O Lord, we are not fit to be your followers, but by your grace we will be good and faithful servants to you and your children.

Amen.

Twenty-First Thursday in Ordinary Time

I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have been enriched by God in every way and yet we often take His gifts for granted. He has given us life. He has given us His Beloved Son. He has given us graces and talents. He has given us knowledge, wisdom, and free will. He has given us every spiritual gift we need to grow in faith, hope, and love. He has given us many good things from the moment of our conception and will continue to do so for all eternity if we let Him. He has given us His friendship and wants nothing but the best for us. However, He will not force us to give Him thanks or to accept His gifts. He allows us the freedom to choose between our selfish selves or Him. Hopefully, we'll make the right choice and live our lives in fellowship with Him forever and ever.

Do we give thanks to God for all the blessings He has given us? Are we using our time, talents, and treasures for the glory of God and the good of others? What can we do to become more faithful followers of our most generous God?

O Lord, we thank you for all the spiritual gifts you have given us.

Amen.