Tagged: word of god

IT DOESN’T ADD UP

“What must I do to inherit everlasting life?” –Luke 10:25 Mass Readings: October 3 First: Galatians 1:6-12; Resp: Psalm 111:1-2,7-10; Gospel: Luke 10:25-37 St. Paul founded the churches of Galatia on his missionary journeys. He preached that people were set right with God not by any efforts or actions of their own, but by having faith in Jesus Christ (Gal 2:16; 3:22, 26). Eventually, Paul moved on to other cities to preach the gospel. A few years later, traveling evangelists visited Galatia. These men taught that more was required to be justified with God. They accepted that faith in Jesus...

FAITH, NOT PESSIMISM

“Increase our faith.” –Luke 17:5 When Habakkuk prayed, he cried out, “Violence!” (Hab 1:2) He described his situation as “ruin,” “misery,” “destruction,” “strife,” and “clamorous discord” (Hab 1:3). He begged God to intervene (Hab 1:2), but God didn’t seem to do anything. We live in times which fit Habakkuk’s description. We live in the most violent and murderous of times for several reasons. One major reason is the mass murders occurring through abortions. We tend to feel depressed and hopeless. However, the Lord calls this a “rash” response to the violence and evil in our society (see Hab 2:4). Rather,...

THE DEVIL AND INTELLECTUAL PRIDE

“Many prophets and kings wished to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” –Luke 10:24 Mass Readings: October 1 First: Job 42:1-3,5-6,12-17; Resp: Psalm 119:66,71,75,91,125,130; Gospel: Luke 10:17-24 Because we are Jesus’ followers, “demons are subject to us” (Lk 10:17). We can shoot down Satan to fall from the sky like lightning (Lk 10:18). We can “tread on snakes and scorpions and all the forces of the enemy” (Lk 10:19). We can “quickly crush Satan under” our feet (Rm 16:20). However, few Christians are aware of their...

HATE THE SIN AND LOVE THE CHURCH OF SINNERS

“Then Job answered the Lord and said: ‘Behold, I am of little account.’ ” –Job 40:3-4 Mass Readings: September 30 First: Job 38:1,12-21; 40:3-5; Resp: Psalm 139:1-3,7-10,13-14; Gospel: Luke 10:13-16 God’s ways and thoughts are as high above our ways and thoughts as the heavens are above the earth (Is 55:8-9). Even the wisest people know nothing compared to God. We all must say with Job: “Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer You? I put my hand over my mouth” (Jb 40:4). Nevertheless, the infinite, all-holy, almighty Lord has decided to speak through His Church made...

LIVES WHICH NEED ANGELS

Jesus “went on to tell them, ‘I solemnly assure you, you shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’ ” –John 1:51 Mass Readings: September 29 First: Daniel 7:9-10,13-14; Resp: Psalm 138:1-5; Gospel: John 1:47-51 The Lord loves you perfectly, and He wants to show His love for you by sending Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and other angels to be more active in your life. For angels to be very active in our lives, we must have lives which fit into the job descriptions of archangels and angels. We need lives...