Today’s Inspirational Snippet:“Our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial. We progress by means of trial. Who will gather the fruits of life, without having planted virtues in his soul? Cultivate them, prepare the earth with the greatest care. The work is never finished. Love never says ‘I have done enough.’”
Reflection for Monday 31st Week of Ordinary Time. Year C, Cycle II. October 31, 2022
Today’s Readings:
Philippians 2:1-4
Psalm 131:1-3
Luke 14:12-14
Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mysteries
Today’s Saint Quote:“If God wants me to be consumed, I am in His hands.”- St. Arnulf
BUILDING UP MISSION & ITS CHALLENGES
Today, we are reminded of the calling for us as Christians to be always filled with love, most importantly the love for God, our faith and trust in Him, and then, equally important is our love for our fellow brothers and sisters. As Christians we are always reminded of the love that we should have for our fellow men and women, and we should not be ignorant of this calling and mission we have in our daily lives as God’s beloved ones. The Lord has always shown us His love, to each one of us, no matter how we have treated Him and how we have been stubborn in rejecting Him and refusing to listen to His voice.
In the First reading, St. Paul challenges the faithful at Philippi to humbly regards others as more important than themselves. The psalm speaks about not being haughty. In the Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples to act not with the end of being treated equally by others but out of concern for those who cannot repay the kindness done to them.
Jesus tells us that when we throw a party in our home, we should invite the crippled, the migrant workers and the poor and the aged. What is preventing me from taking up Jesus’ challenge? Is it out of fear, prejudice or the need to keep our homes to ourselves and invite only those who can reciprocate our hospitality? Jesus tells us that the poor and crippled are also God’s children. Am I able to accept them as my brothers and sisters too?
Our lifestyles are shaped not by our own knowledge but through the transforming power of experience and example. One of the biggest challenges in kingdom building is uniting the People of God in one mission. We have division at every level, from the universal church to the diocese and the parish and within church organizations. There will always be elements that will sow seeds of division.
Communion begins in the heart of God, and is best witnessed in the unity and love. How, then, can we build communion among ourselves? St Paul urges us to “be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind.” Unity can only come about when we are ready to align ourselves together for a common purpose, which is the spread of the gospel and for the glory of God, and the salvation of humanity.
The dynamic of life and walking together that existed in the early Church is fundamentally the same nature of the Church. Christ is the source of our unity and the promoter of our communion. The communion Christ shares with the Father, the communion Christ shares with the Apostles is the communion Christ shares with His Spouse, the Church. This fraternal co-existence is what defines us as Church. Our church and society today are in great need of true witness and lifestyle which is permeated by the Good News.
There are two main causes of disunity, pride, and self-centeredness. St Paul was aware of such competition originating from pride and egotism among the Christians. In the community, the sin of pride continues to manifest itself in competition among church organizations, the struggle for power, recognition and honour. Promoting a spirituality of communion among ourselves is at the very heart of Jesus who longs for an intimate communion with each of us.
The Church say that they are working for Christ and the Church, yet many do so with self-interests and hidden agendas. We are to go out of ourselves to encounter others, to accompany others. In so doing we are called to exercise the tenderness of Jesus in our relations with each other, while at the same time discovering the tender compassion of our God for ourselves. We are also called to exercise humility in our service.
Death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has brought with it a new reality. A new way of life. Reconciliation between God and man, between man and man and between nature and man has taken place. St. Paul gives different terms to this new reality. The terms he uses are very meaningful. They are theologically and spiritually pregnant with deep significances. Such terms are: justification, sanctification, glorification, reconciliation, and transformation. All these concepts convey the spiritual dynamics that take place within the individuals by his/her faith in Jesus Christ.
Today as we mark All Hallows’ Eve or the Eve of the All Saints’ Day, we are also especially reminded that we should also look upon the examples of the great saints, the innumerable holy men and women of God who have gone before us to the glory of Heaven.
Sisters and Brothers, let us all ask ourselves then, whether we have been truly obedient to God and whether we have walked faithfully in His ways, or whether we have instead walked down the path of selfishness, ambition, pride and greed, as many among our predecessors had done. Let us remember that we are all called to be holy and loving just as our Lord Himself is full of holiness and love.
Today, let each and every one of us, spread love and service without vested interests. Let us go forth, armed with the Word of God, empowered by the Spirit of our Baptism, to walk together, giving witness to our faith in Jesus Christ.
PRAY FOR THE CANONIZATION OF BLESSED MICHAEL TANSI, MICHAEL J. MCGIVNEY & NNADI MICHAEL
OCTOBER DEVOTION: PRAY THE ROSARY & LITANY- THIS IS THE MOST POWERFUL SPIRITUAL WEAPON AGAINST EVIL FORCES.
Take a decision today for Total Consecration of yourself to Blessed Virgin Mary, grow your Spirituality?
PRAYER:
-Lord Jesus, your love never fails and your mercies abound. You offer us the best of gifts – peace, pardon and everlasting friendship with you at your banquet table. Fill me with gratitude for your great mercy and kindness towards me. And may I never fail to show kindness and mercy towards all I meet so that they may know the mercy and goodness you offer them as well.
ARE YOU A CHILD OF GOD? THEN RESPOND TO JESUS’S CALL TO BECOME FULLY INVOLVED AS A GOOD NEWS DISCIPLE.
Dear Readers, Good and credible news reportage is tedious task and requires huge finances.
We are soliciting your Noble support for as low as N1,000 your support would go a long way in assisting us to continue to guarantee our readers quality news.
Bank transfers can be made to:
Account Name: Harvest and Commercial
Bank: Sterling Bank
Account Number: 0078627735