The gospel mentions (1) the 40 days of fasting, (2) the temptation of Christ, (3) the death of John the Baptist and the beginning of Christ's ministry. Let me expound on these.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Fasting: The Exercise for the Soul
The gospel reading today is relatively short. Yet in its shortness it perfectly illustrates what a Catholic --- the lay Catholic, most especially --- must go through in pursuing one's path to holiness.
The gospel mentions (1) the 40 days of fasting, (2) the temptation of Christ, (3) the death of John the Baptist and the beginning of Christ's ministry. Let me expound on these.
The gospel mentions (1) the 40 days of fasting, (2) the temptation of Christ, (3) the death of John the Baptist and the beginning of Christ's ministry. Let me expound on these.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
God Lives With or Without You
If you encounter someone who lives his or her life as if God does not exist, know that God is allowing it. God's greatest gift to mankind is man's ability to choose - and God does not withdraw that gift from us even if the choices we make lead us away from Him.
Let's not be misled though. Our ability to make choices does not change the nature of God at all. Non-believers think that, if God truly exists, God would come down to appease us and make amends by conforming to what we think God should be.
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| Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” (Mark 1:44 NAB) |
Let's not be misled though. Our ability to make choices does not change the nature of God at all. Non-believers think that, if God truly exists, God would come down to appease us and make amends by conforming to what we think God should be.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Where Does The Burning Zeal to Preach Come From?
Saint Paul's zeal to preach the gospel was evident in the number of letters he wrote that made it to the New Testament. It was also evident in the number of places on the known earth during his time where he preached the gospel. We could credit much of Christianity today to Saint Paul's ministry.
Was it because of Paul's sheer desire to preach the Word? Apparently, not. Absolutely not. He experienced drudgery too. Yet he pulled himself to. Why? It was because of the "force" within him that pushed him, as can be gleaned by what Saint Paul himself said about his zeal in the gospel today:
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| The Missionary Journeys of Saint Paul Image Credit: christiantiyoasis.com |
Was it because of Paul's sheer desire to preach the Word? Apparently, not. Absolutely not. He experienced drudgery too. Yet he pulled himself to. Why? It was because of the "force" within him that pushed him, as can be gleaned by what Saint Paul himself said about his zeal in the gospel today:
If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 1 Corinthians 9:16-17 NAB
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