Category: Prayers in English

ONE HELL OF A DECISION

“Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the night to wail and grind his teeth.” —Matthew 22:13 We can hear the word “hell” used frequently in the workplace, on TV and radio, in all types of popular music, at the ball games — everywhere, it seems, except in church, the one place where we most need to be repeatedly taught and warned about the reality of hell, the “state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1033). Not enough people in our society have a healthy fear of ending up in hell....

WHAT IS JESUS TEACHING US TODAY?

“…begin with the last group and end with the first…” —Matthew 20:8 Jesus, the “Teacher” (Mt 19:16), is always teaching, always teaching, always teaching. Therefore we, as His disciples, should be always listening for Him, always watching Him, and always docile to His lessons. Jesus describes the master who began paying the late arrivals first. Yet notice that He had gathered all those who had labored that day to watch the distribution of wages. Jesus was giving a lesson to those who had worked all day. His lesson was to display the lavish mercy and generosity of God, and He...

THE MIND OF CHRIST (1 COR 2:16)

m of heaven. Instead of spending our lives worrying about paying the bills, we focus on allowing God to provide for our genuine needs while we are occupied with doing His will and leading people into a new life in Christ. God knows everything we need before we ask Him (Mt 6:32). He is not stingy, but exceedingly generous. He is just, and though He demands that we bear fruit for His kingdom, He will not fail to provide for and bless those who spend their lives working for His sake (see Heb 6:10). Therefore, set your mind on heaven,...

TRUTH SOMETIMES HURTS

Jeremiah ” ‘ought to be put to death,’ the princes said to the king; ‘he demoralizes the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such things to them.’ ” —Jeremiah 38:4 The Lord commands us to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15). If we fail to try to dissuade others from their wicked conduct, God holds us responsible for their deaths (Ez 3:18). We must be men and women of the truth. However, in a world of lies, the truth and those who speak it are rejected. For example, Jeremiah spoke the truth...

FAMILY MAN

“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” —Joshua 24:15 Is your family so united that the father can speak for the whole family, as Joshua did? Are you of “one heart and one mind,” at least with your spouse? (Acts 4:32) Do your children share your faith in the Lord? Is your family united, or is it several independent, isolated individuals? The Lord is working at this moment to unite your family around Himself as the Center. As each member of your family draws closer to Jesus, you will become closer to each other. The way...