Prepare your heart for the Lord.

"I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1: 6).

This Sunday, we reflect a bit on the profile of a true and faithful witness. This person was called to ministry before the foundation of the world, sanctified in the womb, preserved from the corruption of society and at the right moment paid the full price for his calling. His name is John the Baptist.  God who began a good work in John was faithful and brought it to a splendid completion.  May the ever faithful God bring the good work He started in you and me to an excellent completion.

"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths"  (Luke 3: 4).

Brothers and sisters, this is the holy task laid before us this Advent.  Although today is the second Week of Advent, it is not too late to get on board.
How do you prepare the way of the Lord? Exactly the way you prepare yourself for the Coming of Jesus:  Increased prayer, more word of God, more Eucharist during the week.  Good examination of conscience and Reconciliation are of paramount importance.  A house that is untidy and smelly is a gross insult to the King of kings.

"Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy.
Those who go forth weeping,
carrying sacks of seed, will return with cries of joy,
carrying their bundled sheaves."  (Psalm 126: 5 - 6).
Those who prepare the way of the Lord by preparing their hearts will be surprised by the delights of the Lord and will sing:
"The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy." (Psalm 126: 2 - 3).

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The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. (Ephesians 1: 3 - 4).

Mary was chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blemish as the Mother of the Son of God.
The Church all over the world rejoice with Mary on the Solemnity of her Immaculate Conception, today December 8th.

When the Archangel Gabriel told Mary the astonishing news of the Incarnation, she said:  “How can this be..... And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you... "  (Luke 1: 34 - 35).  No problem said Gabriel. The Holy Spirit will do the job.  I will like to remember this whenever God is asking me to do what I consider impossible.  God also hastened to reassure Mary and strengthen her faith:

"Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;  for nothing will be impossible for God.”  (Luke 1: 36 - 37).

Do you notice:  "nothing will be impossible for God?” This is a word of God we should never forget.

I like Mary's humble response:  “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”   (Luke 1: 38).

Let us join the Choir of Heaven and  "Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done marvelous deeds" for us in Mary. (Psalm 98: 1).

Our God has indeed done great things for Mary.
"He has clothed her with a robe of salvation, and wrapped her in a mantle of righteousness, like a bride adorned with her jewels."  (Cf Isaiah 61: 10).

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Lord increase our faith.

"On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a scroll; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.  The lowly shall again find joy in the Lord, the poorest rejoice in the Holy One of Israel."  (Isaiah 29: 18 -19).

This is a fitting Scripture to honor the life of a big man whose feast we celebrate today:  St Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (337 - 397). The Lord filled St Ambrose with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory. St Ambrose used his immense talent to shine the light of Christ on many souls. One of these souls is St Augustine whose mother, St Monica convinced to meet St Ambrose. The rest is history so to speak.

"And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!”  (Matthew 9: 27).
Never forget that man's necessity is God's opportunity. These two blind men who have hanged out together for some time probably discussed what it would be like to meet this Jesus. Then without warning, it happened.

“Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him."  (Matthew 9: 28).
Sometimes the Lord gives this little test. These two blind friends were ready with the answer.

"Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”  (Matthew 9: 29).

Note carefully what Jesus said to them: “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
An Advent prayer intention could be:  Lord increase my faith.

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday.

December 7th, 2018  -  First Friday in December.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 12th and last month of the year 2018, we look at Promise #12.

#12. "The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour."

Friends, this is a tremendous promise. Let us thank our Lord Jesus Christ for such a generous offer.  I was once close to death.  My priest came and brought the healing Presence of Jesus in the Last Sacraments.  Whenever I think of Promise #12, I remember that awesome occasion and privilege.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

http://sfjweb.com/?q=content/sacred-heart-12-promises

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Where and how do you build your family home?

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock."  (Matthew 7: 24 - 25).

Any architect, building contractor, surveyor would hail the above divine word as absolute truth and common sense.  When I visited a small town near Corpus Christi after a huge hurricane, I realized that common sense is not so common.  There are still many who built their houses on "sand" and expect them to survive hurricanes and cyclones.  The real point of the teaching of Jesus today is about the choices we make that affect our eternal destiny.  In today's Mass Readings, there are no shortage of good advice to help us. Let us sample a few:

"It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes." (Psalm 118:  8 - 9).

"A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.”  (Isaiah 26:  3).
You can substitute man or woman.

"Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock."  (Isaiah 26: 4).
When you build your life on the Rock that is Jesus, your life will be safe, solid and secure.

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call him while he is near." (Isaiah 55: 6).
That means Today. You are not guaranteed Tomorrow.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." 
(Matthew 7: 21).
God does not deceive any person and He cannot be deceived. Don't even try it!

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What will the Lord provide on this Mountain?

"On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines."  (Isaiah 25: 6).

We see spectacular promises of what awaits us in the New Heaven and the New Earth which in the Gospel is understood as the Kingdom of God in its fullness. The Mountain of the Lord of Hosts will provide rich food and choice wines to the guests.  But there is more:

"He will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken."  (Isaiah 25: 8).

On the Mountain in today's Gospel, Jesus cured the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. (Matthew 15: 30).  Signs pointing to the Messianic Kingdom.

"On the same Mountain, "[Jesus] took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets full."  (Matthew 15: 37).  One more Messianic Sign.

The rich food and choice wines of Isaiah and the baskets of bread and fish are types of the Eucharist which will provide sufficient and super satisfying nourishment in the Kingdom of God.

Does this vision seem unrealistic? Not at all! God will fulfill all His promises as Isaiah declared below:

"On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain."  (Isaiah 25:  9 - 10).

Trust in God forever!

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It is the Father's gracious will to give you a magnificent Kingdom.

"Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." (Luke 10: 21).

Abba Father has revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom to the childlike. What are these mysteries?  Since Jesus spoke incessantly about the Kingdom of God in His public ministry, may be these mysteries have to do with the inner workings of the Kingdom.

What do we know about the Kingdom?  The Kingdom is already here and now. The seed of the Kingdom is in the Church.  Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe and we know His Kingdom is everlasting.  Citizens of that Kingdom will be anointed by the Spirit of the LORD: a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a Spirit of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and all shall delight in the fear of the Lord.

We know too that in that Kingdom, there will be no death, sickness, wars, hunger, any type of weather catastrophes, etc.  Isaiah captures the perfect peace and serenity that will permeate life in the future Kingdom in these verses:

"Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall graze, together their young shall lie down; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the viper’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.
(Isaiah 11: 6 - 10).

When you pray "Thy Kingdom Come!" you understand that
Yes, it is the Father's  gracious will to give us such a wonderful Kingdom.  (Cf Luke 10: 21).

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Go preach the Gospel to all the World.

"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you."  (John 15: 16).

Today is the feast of St Francis Xavier (1506 - 1552). St Ignatius Loyola founded the Society of Jesus with St Francis Xavier.  Francis heard Jesus calling him through St Ignatius and appointing him to go and bear fruit that will last through St Ignatius. His response to Jesus was most generous.

"I will bear witness to You in the world O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of Your name among my brothers and sisters.  (Psalm 17: 50 ; 21:23 RM).

St Francis traveled to India, Japan and China out of longing for the salvation of souls.  He converted hundreds of thousands of people to Jesus.

Jesus is still calling today:  “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." 
(Mark 16: 15).

The Internet and smartphone have made it easy today for everyone to respond to the call of Jesus from your home, work, bus, train, plane. In the park, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.

If you do not create contents like blogs or articles, you can distribute contents. How? You receive a daily scripture verse, you share it with friends, family or co-workers via text, email or Facebook or any of the Social media.  Imagine if your friend shares the same scripture verse with one friend.  In 365 days, you may have enabled over 1000 people to read Scripture and become Internet missionaries.  It is not difficult at all. All you need is to say Yes to Jesus.

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Enter into the spirit of Advent with hope.

"The days are coming—oracle of the Lord—when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah."  Jeremiah 33: 14).

As Advent begins today, let us give some thought to the concept of Waiting and God's Faithfulness.  What have you waited for in your life?  What are you waiting for now?   Use the Scripture from Lamentations below to enter into the spirit of Advent.

"The Lord’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent;
They are renewed each morning — great is your faithfulness! The Lord is my portion, I tell myself, therefore I will hope in him.

The Lord is good to those who trust in him, to the one that seeks him; It is good to hope in silence for the Lord’s deliverance." 
(Lamentations 3: 22 - 26).

To hope in the Lord is to wait for the Lord.

I hope your heart will be warmed by the truth that God fulfills His promises in the fullness of time.

As we wait with expectant faith for God to fulfill His promises to us, we do well to take note of obstacles and barriers that may stand in our way.

"Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap."  (Luke 21: 34).

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What are your plans for Advent?

"Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap."  (Luke 21: 34).

Today is the last day before Advent, the beginning of the New Year of the Church.  What is the above Scripture saying to me?  Be careful not to spend the next four weeks before Christmas like the Unredeemed. Parties, shopping, games, etc.  If you do, you will miss out on a lot of graces that Jesus Christ has prepared for you this Advent.

You ask: What should I do?

"Be vigilant that you may have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent." 
(Luke 21: 34 - 36).

"Be vigilant" means: Be alert and watchful through prayer, worship, songs and praises like someone waiting for the arrival of a very important guest.

"Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22: 20).

“These words are trustworthy and true, and the Lord, the God of prophetic spirits, sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon.”  (Revelation 22: 6 - 7).

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Go bring someone to Jesus.

"Beside the Sea of Galilee,
the Lord saw two brothers, Peter and Andrew, and he said to them: Come after me and I will make you fishers of men."  (Cf. Matthew 4: 18-19).

Today is the feast of St Andrew the Apostle.  One of his biographers describes St Andrew thus:
"Andrew went through life leading people to Jesus, both before and after the Crucifixion."  This is the ultimate accolade.  Sacred Scripture puts it this way:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!”  (Romans 10: 15).

Indeed!
“Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” 
(Romans 10: 18).

Jesus may be calling you today to be an Evangelist. Andrew, Simon Peter and the rest of the Apostles have sown the seed. It is up to us to finish the harvesting:

"And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?  And how can people preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10: 14 - 15).

Go bring your brother, cousin, neighbor, friend, colleague to Jesus as Andrew did:
"Andrew told his brother Simon: We have found the Messiah, the Christ, and he brought him to Jesus."  (Cf. John 1: 41-42).

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The Wedding Feast of the Lamb is the Eucharist.

"Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”
(Revelation 19: 9).

3 days to go before the beginning of Advent.  The Readings are frightful, urgent and escathological, pointing us to the end of the world. In the midst of the grim scenario, we receive a blessing and a hope:
"Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”

The wedding feast of the Lamb is understood by Church militants here on earth as the Eucharist.  We come to this feast by summons or invitation.  Those who receive the invitation of the King to the Eucharist and turn it down with scorn will miss the blessings pronounced in Revelation 19: 9.

Those who cling to deceitful attractions and distractions of the world are warned of what will happen to their beloved kingdom:

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great.  She has become a haunt for demons.  She is a cage for every unclean spirit, a cage for every unclean bird, a cage for every unclean and disgusting beast.”  (Revelation 18: 2).

What do you think of this warning of Jesus?
"Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."  (Cf Luke 21:20-28).

The Redeemed marked by the sign of the Lamb are encouraged to:
"Serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing for joy. Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock."

Advent is the Season of expectation, praise and singing. Let us not hold back. Our Redeemer is coming.  He will redeem us from these dire predictions.

"O praise the Lord, all you nations, for his merciful love towards us is great.  (Psalm 117: 1, 2).

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Join the army of martyrs.

"Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you... because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony."  (Luke 21: 12, 13).

Is your faith growing? Are you persevering in daily prayer, Reconciliation, Eucharist and works of mercy?  If your answer is Yes, then your faith is growing.  Your faith will be tested so that it becomes mature and bear fruit.  The branch that shows potential will be pruned.
You may consider your pruning season a very severe trial.  But be comforted by this truth:  "Man's extremity is God's opportunity."

One thing to remember in your period of trial is to be steadfast and constant in your determination not to give up.  At the end of every year, many people make New Year Resolutions.  The person that succeeds in forming the precious new habit is the one that breaks the resolution many times and refuses to give up.  He starts all over again. He or she is the one who will smile at the end of the year.  "By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”  (Luke 21: 19).

Join the army of martyrs (witnesses) by resolving today through your daily witness to the power of God to shock the conscience of the unbelievers.
How many years will the Lord require you to witness? The secret is to take one day at a time as if that day is your last.

"Remain faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life."  (Revelation 2: 10).

And never forget this priceless promise:
"Behold, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age, says the Lord."  (Matthew 28: 20).

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Remain faithful until death.

"Remain faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life."  (Revelation 2: 10).

As we listen to the End Times Scriptures from Revelation and Luke, it cannot be exaggerated that the counsel to persevere in the Christian life is the most important message today. In a culture of dictatorship of relativism, nothing is sacred anymore.  Not the vow to stick to marriage vows "till death do us part."  Not the perpetual vows of the priests and those in Consecrated life. Not the civil contract between the governed and the governors. We cannot forget that God loves constancy and faithfulness because faithfulness is the essence of who He is.

Although the Lord will come to judge the earth as Scripture teaches, we can never forget that God is full of mercy and always "speaks of peace to his people and his holy ones
and to those who turn to him." (Cf Psalm 85: 9).

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

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Who shall see the face of the Lord?

"Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come." 
(Matthew 24: 42, 44).

We are in the last week of the Church Year. One week to go. Does it occur to you that these may be the last days on earth for some people?  The message of the Holy Spirit to the Churches these days are urgent and simple:  "Stay awake!  For you do not know when the Son of Man will come."  (Matthew 24: 42, 44).

How much do you long to see the face of the Lord?   (Cf Psalm 24: 6).

But "Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? Or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain."  (Psalm 24: 3-4).

Sacred Scripture continues in Revelation 14 to refine the profiles of men and women who desire to see the face of the Lord and pray with constancy and sincerity: "Thy Kingdom come!"

"These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.  They have been ransomed as the first fruits of the human race for God and the Lamb. On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished."  (Revelation 14:  4 - 5).

As we wait with eager hearts for the coming of the Lord, we are comforted by this unshakable truth of Sacred Scripture:
"Behold, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age, says the Lord."  (Matthew 28: 20).

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Celebrate the Solemnity of Christ Our King.

 “My kingdom does not belong to this world."  (John 18: 36).

This Sunday is the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.  It is logical that our key Scripture for today asks the question to Jesus:  If Your Kingdom does not belong to this world, where does it belong?

The answer to the question takes us to the magnificent obsession of Jesus throughout His public ministry:  the King and the Kingdom.  What are the characteristics of the King and His Kingdom?

According to Daniel, the King who receives dominion, splendor and power will be an everlasting King.  "All nations, peoples and tongues will serve him." His reign and His Kingdom will enjoy everlasting security. (Cf Daniel 7: 13 - 14).

But the King who stood before Pontius Pilate as a prisoner is the Son of the lowly Virgin of Nazareth, who came "to bring glad tidings to the poor,
sent to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free."  (Cf Luke 4: 18).
Jesus Christ our King reigns from the Cross. This is the mysterious truth Pilate could not understand. (Cf John 18: 37).
The Ruler of the kings of the earth will inaugurate His Kingdom from the Cross. (Revelation 1: 5).

Our King is the Prince of Peace!

"The Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will bless his people with peace."  (Psalm 29: 10-11).

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Where are all the martyrs that died for Christ?

"They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise."  (Luke 20: 36).

Today's Scripture Readings by a peculiar arrangement of Divine Providence correspond to the feast of today.  Today is the feast of St Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions.  St Andrew, a Vietnamese priest was martyred in 1839 along with 117 others, 96 of whom were Vietnamese. Has any other religion the same experience of martyrdom as the Christian faith?  In other words, why is it easier for Christians to accept martyrdom?  Because of the hope of Resurrection!  Christians know that death is not the end of their life.

"Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death, and brought life to light through the Gospel." 
(2 Timothy 1: 10).

Just as death of Jesus Christ happened according to the plan and foreknowledge of God so was it for the Vietnamese martyrs and every martyr throughout history.  In his vision, John testified that the 2 martyrs were allowed to complete their appointed work before God allowed them to be killed.

"When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will wage war against them and conquer them and kill them." 
(Revelation 11: 7).

Brothers and sisters, millions of Christians have laid down their lives for Christ.  Do not be unbelieving and think it was in vain.  "May we never boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For the word of the Cross is the power of God to us who have been saved." 
(Cf. Galatians 6: 14; cf. 1 Corinthians 1: 18).

"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 5: 10).
This is true and faithful word.

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The Promises of God and the Joy of Answered Prayer.

"How sweet to my tongue is your promise, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119: 103).

Many years ago, after I moved to a new parish, I found myself one Saturday morning in a Bible Study group. The pastor was the teacher.  "What is the most important concept in Sacred Scripture?" He asked. Many answers were proffered.  When it came to my turn, I said: "Promises."  For better or worse, Promise has been my key to understanding and applying the Sacred Text to my life. As years go by, God's promises become sweeter and sweeter to me.  Often in my prayers, I play a little chess game with God.  I raise my hands up and say:  "What I am asking for is what You promised. What I am waiting for is what You promised."  Then I make a sweet surrender of the request as to how and when of it to God.

I believe firmly that:
"The law of your mouth is more precious to me than heaps of silver and gold."  (Psalm 119: 72).
All the heroes of the Bible fed exclusively on the word of God.

Here are a few Scriptures that have sustained my life in mortal spiritual warfare:

"God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable],
A very present and well-proved help in trouble."  (Psalm 46: 1 AMP).

"Never forget your promises to me your servant, for they are my only hope. They give me strength in all my troubles; how they refresh and revive me!" (Psalm 119: 49 - 50 TLB).

“If this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them – in that case you may even be found fighting against God!” (Acts 5: 38 - 39).
Are you discerning the viability of a project? This may be your Scripture.

"Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!"  (Psalm 27: 14).

The summary of what Sacred Scripture does for me in times of spiritual desolation and warfare is below:

1.  If God is with you, it is accomplished.  No matter the obstacles, delays,
disappointments or personal weaknesses.
2.  No fear. No worry. No doubt as long as the Lord is with you. 
3.  God will finish what He started. (Exodus 14: 13-14; Isaiah 13: 15; 2 Chronicles 20: 15;  Philippians 1: 6)
4. "The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need." (Psalm 23:1).
 5. "I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me." (Philippians 4: 13).

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Do you know what makes for peace?

“If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes."  (Luke 19: 42).

Jesus wept before He said the above words.  At this point in His public ministry, He had labored for three years teaching by words and examples the truth and the ways of God.  He taught them the 8 Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 3 - 12).  The Beatitudes is the Magna Carta for the New World Order that Jesus Christ calls the Kingdom of God.  Unfortunately, Jerusalem over which Christ shed tears ignored His teachings and warnings thereby making the prophecy below inevitable in 70 AD.

"They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”  (Luke 19:  44).

How can we repay the Lord for all His goodness to us, especially for His crucifixion, Resurrection and the Church? Let us aspire to join the Choirs of Heaven and sing Him a new song:

“Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slain and with your blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth.” 
(Revelation 5: 9 - 10).

As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, we thank You Lord Jesus for the prosperity and peace You have given us.  Help us by Your grace to be mindful of the poor, the homeless and the immigrants in our midst.

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What have you done with the talent entrusted to you?

“A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return."  (Luke 19: 12).

This is how Jesus started the a parable that is called the Parable of the 10 Gold Coins. 
His fellow citizens rejected the nobleman and his kingship. When he had obtained his crown and returned home, there was reckoning for everyone.  Each person has to answer a simple question:  how did you use the Time, Talent and Treasure that was entrusted to you? Some showed profit on their investment while others failed completely and blamed their Master for their failure.  Those who showed profit were rewarded while those who failed were punished and lost everything.  Jesus then concluded by saying:
"I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."  (Luke 19: 26).

"I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord."  (Cf John 15: 16).

Jesus was rejected as our King during His earthly life, a rejection that has continued till today in many quarters.  But soon we shall see Jesus glorified and see the Court of Heaven honor Him.

“Worthy are you, Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created.”  (Revelation 4: 11).

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