Author: WebDept ParishAdmin

The readings today describe the beginning of Job’s trials and a lesson for the apostles.

God points Job out to Satan. Job is shown as a faithful servant even when all is taken from him, he blesses the name of the Lord.

In the Gospel, the disciples argued about being the greatest. Jesus knew the intention of their hearts. He invited them to be the least, illustrating His point by placing a child by His side. Jesus challenged them to receive the child in His name and in turn receive the Father, the one who sent Him.

A child is the embodiment of the powerless who own nothing and cannot survive without consistent care. Jesus came into the world as a most beloved infant, not as the greatest or most powerful. Jesus served by teaching about God’s kingdom. He performed miracles. Jesus healed many. He, the Son of Man, came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.

Jesus did not claim to be the greatest. He did not claim to be a King. He came as the sacrifice for those who believe so that they can be with Him in heaven. 

Help me to remember Lord, that I am not to be the greatest. Allow me to interact with and respect all people as Your servant. Help me to be an example of your Son’s teachings within each situation I encounter today. Amen.

Contact the author

---

“Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.”

Particularly in this generation’s society, we tend to center ourselves around instant gratification. Tempted by the allure of the newest modern trends that money can buy us on Amazon with a  click of the mouse. Yet most are afraid or ignorant of what to expect after death. Today’s reading advises us of the Heavenly treasures that we can expect only if we are not first distracted by false riches we may be exposed to here on Earth. Food, material possessions and earthly comforts are temporary, whereas reliance on Christ provides for eternal salvation. Those who by worldly standards are considered first today will be last tomorrow in Christ’s second coming. 

As Christians, we must ask ourselves if we take the time to tend to those most in need. We must live in service to each other. This entails not only almsgiving to the poor, but counseling spiritually to those dearest in our lives: our family and loved ones. We are to care for others just as God cares for us. 

1 Timothy states that there are specific virtues as a man of God one must strive for: righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. “Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life.” We must recall the big picture, that as Christians we have the blessing to spend eternity in the presence of God’s great love, if we so choose to emulate that love in the short time we have here on Earth. This is best demonstrated by the love Christ displays for us, poor sinners, by dying on the cross. Instead of seeking comfort and security we are called to depend on God always, following His example of love.

Contact the author

---

“Jesucristo, siendo rico, se hizo pobre, para enriquecernos con su pobreza.”

Particularmente en la sociedad de esta generación, tendemos a centrarnos en la gratificación instantánea. Tentado por el encanto de las últimas tendencias modernas que el dinero puede comprarnos en Amazon con un clic del mouse. Sin embargo, la mayoría tiene miedo o ignora qué esperan después de la muerte. La lectura de hoy nos informa sobre los tesoros celestiales que podemos esperar solo si no nos distraen primero las falsas riquezas a las que podemos estar expuestos aquí en la tierra. La comida, las posesiones materiales y las comodidades terrenales son temporales, mientras que la confianza en Cristo proporciona la salvación eterna. Aquellos que según los estándares mundanos son considerados los primeros hoy, serán los últimos mañana en la segunda venida de Cristo.

Como cristianos, debemos preguntarnos si nos tomamos el tiempo para atender a los más necesitados. Debemos vivir al servicio de los demás. Esto implica no solo dar limosna a los pobres, sino aconsejar espiritualmente a los más queridos en nuestras vidas: nuestra familia y seres queridos. Debemos cuidar a los demás tal como Dios se preocupa por nosotros.

1 Timoteo declara que hay virtudes específicas por las que uno debe esforzarse como hombre de Dios: justicia, devoción, fe, amor, paciencia y mansedumbre. “Lucha en el noble combate de la fe, conquista la vida eterna”. Debemos recordar el panorama general, que como cristianos tenemos la bendición de pasar la eternidad en la presencia del gran amor de Dios, si así elegimos emular ese amor en el poco tiempo que tenemos aquí en la tierra. Esto se demuestra mejor por el amor que Cristo muestra por nosotros, pobres pecadores, al morir en la cruz. En lugar de buscar consuelo y seguridad, estamos llamados a depender siempre de Dios, siguiendo su ejemplo de amor.

Comunicarse con la autora

We have officially started fall, one of my favorite times of the year. I love the cooler weather, the need for a sweater in the mornings and the evenings. I am a teacher so it is a time of getting back into routine and nurturing our school community. 

But today’s reading from Ecclesiastes doesn’t pull any punches. The things of earth are temporary. Whether we are young and full of vigor or getting on in years and wondering where our energy has gone, (Did I really argue with my Mom about going to bed at 9 pm?) we are only passing through a season of life. We need only look at the changing leaves to remember that seasons change. 

When we build our lives on the things of this world, we become dependent on consistency, on a desire to control the sameness in our life. It gives us a sense of power and control. A sense of control that is an illusion.

Today’s readings offer us the opportunity to pause and reflect. We are reminded that what is happening around us is just a season and it will change. Our emotions and reactions to the world are fickle but God is not. When we can accept the seasons with grace and the confidence that “God’s got this”, we can say with the Psalmist, “In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.” 

Regardless of what personal season you are experiencing today, take a moment to take refuge in God. The peace and love found there doesn’t change with the seasons. 

Contact the author

Jesus was “praying in solitude” but the “disciples were with him.” This draws an interesting picture and an insight into Jesus’ Heart. He is alone but not alone. He needs to pray to the Father in solitude. It is this connection with the Father that keeps him focused on his mission. It is this lifting up of his human heart to the Father that allows him to know and do the Father’s will, which is his very “bread,” as he says elsewhere (Jn 4:34).

But he cannot always get away from everyone in order to be physically alone, so sometimes the disciples were able to observe him praying (which is why we know it happened). What must this have looked like? And what must the Apostles have thought when he looks at them immediately after this prayer and asks them two questions that he asks us as well: Who do others say that I am? But who do YOU say that I am?

Much has been said about Jesus in the 2000 years since he was crucified and rose from the dead. Some of it has drawn us to appreciate the magnificence of his preaching, the generosity of his life, the humility of his demeanor, or the prodigal love of his Heart. Some of it has focused on chipping away at the veracity of the Gospels, suggesting they are mythologized tales intended simply to encapsulate a universal truth. Some of it has been written to draw us into greater devotion to aspects of Jesus’ life and mission and to surrender our own lives to him.

These are things that others say about who Jesus is.

The pivotal question is: What is TRUE about Jesus? The next immediate question is whether we profess that truth about Jesus fully in our hearts and minds and lives.

We can take the answer of Peter – “the Christ of God” – but we must make sure we also accept all that the answer implies. If Jesus IS the Anointed One of God, then we must also profess Him to be the Master, the Light of the world, the Good Shepherd and the Gate, the True Vine, the Way and the Truth and the Life, the Lord of the Universe, the Source of all Holiness, the Redeemer of all Mankind, Incarnate Love, God the Son, the Living Bread come down from Heaven, Fulfillment of every prophesy, the One by Whose stripes we are healed, the Crucified One, the Pierced One, the Risen One, the Bridegroom of the Church, the Eternal High Priest, the Just Judge, the One Who Makes All Things New, and more.  

And if Jesus is all these things and more (and he is, and you surely believe it to be true because you are reading this), then what is our right and just response?

Contact the author

---

Jesús estaba “orando en soledad” pero los “discípulos estaban con él”. Esto dibuja una imagen interesante y una visión del Corazón de Jesús. Está solo pero no solo. Necesita orar al Padre en soledad. Esta conexión con el Padre es lo que lo mantiene enfocado en su misión. Esta elevación de su corazón humano al Padre es lo que le permite conocer y hacer la voluntad del Padre, que es su mismo “pan”, como dice en otro lugar (Jn 4,34).

Pero no siempre puede alejarse de todos para estar físicamente solo, por lo que a veces los discípulos pudieron observarlo orar (por eso sabemos que sucedió). ¿Cómo debe haber sido esto? Y qué habrán pensado los Apóstoles cuando les mira inmediatamente después de esta oración y les hace dos preguntas que también nos hace a nosotros: ¿Quién dice la gente que soy yo? Y USTEDES, ¿quién dicen que soy yo?

Mucho se ha dicho acerca de Jesús durante los 2000 años desde que fue crucificado y resucitó de entre los muertos. Algo de ello nos ha llevado a apreciar la magnificencia de su predicación, la generosidad de su vida, la humildad de su conducta o el amor pródigo de su Corazón. Parte de él se ha centrado en socavar la veracidad de los Evangelios, lo que sugiere que son cuentos mitificados destinados simplemente a encapsular una verdad universal. Parte de él ha sido escrito para llevarnos a una mayor devoción a aspectos de la vida y misión de Jesús y para entregarle nuestras propias vidas.

Estas son cosas que otros dicen acerca de quién es Jesús.

La pregunta fundamental es: ¿Qué es VERDADERO acerca de Jesús? La siguiente pregunta inmediata es si profesamos esa verdad acerca de Jesús plenamente en nuestros corazones, mentes y vidas.

Podemos tomar la respuesta de Pedro – “el Cristo de Dios” – pero debemos asegurarnos de que también aceptamos todo lo que implica la respuesta. Si Jesús ES el Ungido de Dios, entonces también debemos profesarlo como el Maestro, la Luz del mundo, el Buen Pastor y la Puerta, la Vid Verdadera, el Camino y la Verdad y la Vida, el Señor del Universo, Fuente de toda Santidad, Redentor de toda la Humanidad, Amor Encarnado, Dios Hijo, Pan Vivo bajado del Cielo, Cumplimiento de todas las profecías, Aquel por cuyas llagas somos curados, el Crucificado, el Traspasado, el Resucitado, el Esposo de la Iglesia, el Eterno Sumo Sacerdote, el Juez Justo, el que hace nueva todas las cosas, y más.

Y si Jesús es todas estas cosas y más (y lo es, y seguramente crees que es verdad porque estás leyendo esto), entonces, ¿cuál es nuestra respuesta correcta y justa?

Comunicarse con la autora