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Message of the Day
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One who has been touched by grace will no longer look on those who stray as "those evil people" or "those poor people who need our help." Nor must we search for signs of "loveworthiness." Grace teaches us that God loves because of who God is, not because of who we are.
- Phillips Brooks "Love one another as I have loved you." Jn
13:34
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Readings of the Day
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Judges 6:11-24a
Psalm 85:9, 11-12, 13-14 Matthew 19:23-30 Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, I tell you again, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.’ When the disciples heard this they were astonished. ‘Who can be
saved, then?’ they said. Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he told them ‘this is impossible; for God everything is possible.’
Then Peter spoke. ‘What about us?’ he said to him ‘We have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I tell you solemnly, when all is made new and the Son of Man sits on his throne of glory, you will yourselves sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who
has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will be repaid a hundred times over, and also inherit eternal life.
‘Many who are first will be last, and the last,
first.’ USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“‘I shall be with you,’ the Lord said.” —Judges 6:16
Gideon asked: “If the Lord is with us, why has all this” misfortune “happened to us?” (Jgs
6:13) God simply answered: “I shall be with you” (Jgs 6:16). Jesus’ disciples “were completely overwhelmed” at His “impossible” demands (Mt 19:25-26). Jesus’ answer was: “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20). Humanity is in a rough spot. We have a fallen nature, a twisted heart (Jer 17:9), and are prone to self-deception. God doesn’t throw money at our problem, enroll us in self-help classes, or simply eliminate our problems. God’s answer is to
send us Jesus, “ ‘Emmanuel,’ a name which means ‘God is with us’ ” (Mt 1:23). We need relief from suffering; Jesus is with us in our suffering to strengthen us and guide us safely through our crosses. We need money; Jesus is with us as our Wealth (Phil 3:8). We are victims; Jesus is with us as a fellow Victim, our “Vindicator” (Jb 19:25) and “our Justice” (1 Cor 1:30). The Lord is with us as our Love (1 Jn 4:8), Peace (Eph 2:14), Strength
(Phil 4:13), Counselor (Jn 14:26), Wisdom (1 Cor 1:30), Life (Jn 11:25), and our All (1 Cor 15:28). Would you rather have good health, or the God of health? Would you rather have a life with no problems, or God with you amid your problems? Would you rather have the supplies you need, or the God Who can supply all things? (Phil 4:19) To prefer the benefits instead of the Lord is to live a preview of hell, that is, a life without God (see
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1035). The great reward of heaven is not riches, but being with the Lord forever. Choose Him now. Prayer: Lord, when I have You with me, I have all I need. Promise: “It is I Who send you.” —Jgs 6:14 Presentation Ministries
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Spiritual Reading
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The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life, by Brother Lawrence (1611 - 1691). Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
https://ccel.org/ccel/lawrence/practice/practice Twelfth Letter To another correspondent; expresses his own abiding comfort through faith. IF we were well accustomed to the exercise of the presence of GOD, all bodily diseases would be much alleviated thereby. GOD often permits that we should suffer a little, to purify our souls, and oblige us to continue with Him.
Take courage, offer Him your pains incessantly, pray to Him for strength to endure them. Above all, get a habit of entertaining yourself often with GOD, and forget Him the least you can. Adore Him in
your infirmities, offer yourself to Him from time to time; and, in the height of your sufferings, beseech Him humbly and affectionately (as a child his father) to make you conformable to His holy will. I shall endeavour to assist you with my poor prayers.
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