Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“COME, SHARE YOUR MASTER’S JOY!” (Mt 25:21, 23)

“Then He went away.” –Matthew 25:15 Mass Readings: September 2 First: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11; Resp: Psalm 98:1,7-9; Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30 Listen to the Mass Readings Suppose you have five children, but you serve the Lord in several ministries. Jesus is pleased with you. To reward you, He says: “You have five kids? Here, I’ll give you five more. Come, share your Master’s joy!” (see Lk 19:18-19; Mt 25:21) Perhaps you are involved in two ministries, and the power of the Lord shines through your service. Jesus is pleased with you. To reward you, He says: “You did well in these...

THE PURE, UNADULTERATED GOSPEL

“It is God’s will that you grow in holiness: that you abstain from immorality, each of you guarding his member in sanctity and honor.” –1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 Mass Readings: September 1 First: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Resp: Psalm 97:1-2,5-6,10-12; Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13 Listen to the Mass Readings Paul insisted the Thessalonians make still greater progress in sexual purity (1 Thes 4:1). They were to live “in sanctity and honor, not in passionate desire as do the Gentiles who know not God” (1 Thes 4:4-5). “For the Lord is an Avenger of all such things” (1 Thes 4:6). “God has not called...

THE COURAGE TO LIVE ABUNDANTLY

“What thanks can we give to God for all the joy we feel in His presence because of you?” –1 Thessalonians 3:9 Mass Readings: August 31 First: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13; Resp: Psalm 90:3-5,12-14,17; Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51 Listen to the Mass Readings Christians experience much consolation through much distress (1 Thes 3:7). In addition to consolation and distress, Christians feel amazing joy (1 Thes 3:9). They also “overflow with love for one another and for all” (1 Thes 3:12). Life in Christ is exciting, dangerous, and joyful. All human beings have a natural fear of living abundantly (see Jn 10:10). Life...

ARE YOU SPIRITUALLY CONTRACEPTING?

“We encouraged and pleaded with you to make your lives worthy of the God Who calls you.” –1 Thessalonians 2:12 Mass Readings: August 30 First: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Resp: Psalm 139:7-12; Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32 Listen to the Mass Readings Jesus came that we might have abundant life (Jn 10:10). God is the God of the living (Lk 20:38). He wants His people to live “upright, just, and irreproachable” lives (1 Thes 2:10). The Lord wants His people to be life-giving and fruitful. In this way, He will add to our numbers daily those being saved (Acts 2:47). However, we are...

THE GROWN-UPS

“The Lord answered me, ‘Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.’ ” –Jeremiah 1:7 Mass Readings: August 29 First: Jeremiah 1:17-19; Resp: Psalm 71:1-6,15,17; Gospel: Mark 6:17-29 Listen to the Mass Readings Today we badly need people like St. John the Baptizer (see Mk 6:17ff). We need courageous men and women who will speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15) and stand up for purity. We need mature Christians, not “infants in Christ” (1 Cor 3:1) “tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of...