Today’s Inspirational Snippet:“Brethren, we have been given every inducement, to amend our lives. We have been called by God and now it is up to us to return to Him, while we still have time to One, who is ready to receive us. For if we renounce sinful pleasures and practice self-control, by refusing to yield to our evil desires, we shall share in the mercy of Jesus. To make sure that none of us is lost, we must repent from the bottom of our hearts.”
Reflection for Friday 32nd Week of Ordinary Times. Year C. Cycle II. November 11, 2022
Today’s Readings:
2 John 4-9
Psalm 119:1-2, 10-11, 17-18
Luke 17:26-37
Today’s Rosary: The Sorrowful Mysteries
Today’s Saint Quote:“Now let me fight for God. As for your bonus, let someone who is going to join the battle receive it. I am a soldier of Christ- combat is not permitted me. In the name of the Lord Jesus and protected only by the sign of the cross, without shield or helmet, I shall penetrate the enemy’s ranks and not be afraid.” – St. Martin of Tours
OVERCOMING TEMPTATION
Today, we are all reminded of the coming of the end of days, and the end of our own worldly existences just as this current liturgical year is coming to an end. We are also reminded that each one of us as Christians are expected to walk in the path that the Lord has shown to us, to be righteous, just and good as He has taught us to do. And that is our Christian mission and obligation that each one of us have been entrusted with, and we should not forget that, as we carry on living our lives from now on henceforth. We must be good role models for each other and show others how we should follow the Lord our God.
In the First reading, St. John the Apostle, reminded us, that God loves each and every one of us, and that same love ought to be shown by all of us as Christians, as God’s followers, as His people and children. Psalm 119 proclaims the importance of keeping God’s commandments and laws. In the Gospel, Jesus warns that when the end time comes, some will be welcomed into the Reign of God, while others will not be as fortunate, and it will not depend on chance.
“Anyone who tries to preserve his life will lose it, and anyone who loses it will keep it safe.” Do these words of Jesus describe your attitude towards life? If we do not live our faith vigilantly, will the Second coming of Christ catch us unaware? Are there aspects in the way we live our faith daily that Our Lord is challenging us to change? If so, which area would you consider more “urgent” than others? Each of us has been called by God for a specific purpose. God has a plan for us to fulfill.
Satan wants to keep people on the sideline and off the field of spiritual battle. If Satan cannot keep a Christian from entering the field of spiritual battle, his next tactic is to keep the Christian weak and defensive by constant accusations. He attempts to keep both Christians and non-Christians apathetic, fearful, paralyzed, distracted, and doubting.
We have the God-given gift of free will. We can joyfully and enthusiastically accept the challenge presented to us, or we can begrudgingly do what is asked of us, or we can freely choose to refuse to do that which God desires of us. God appreciates those who have laboured long and hard for Him. Satan aims to prevent that by pressing temptations upon us. Therefore, read and treasure the Word of God each day.
The greatest gift that God has given to us is the gift of choice. Every choice we make is very significant for us because it will become part of us. We are given the freedom to choose our own life. Therefore, we need to be alert and prepare ourselves, while we journey in life and must never lose sight of heavenly things. Are we prepared for the last journey we take in life? Have we made provisions? This is the question that the Lord is asking of us?
We can be very successful in life, making achievements and a name for ourselves in this life, but a failure in the eyes of God. When that time comes, we cannot bring anything of this world with us. We cannot bring our loved ones with us. So how can we live in such a way that we are always prepared for death? St John gives us the answer. What does it mean to love? We all claim to love and yet we are hurting each other.
The love of God is not just words and promises but it is a reality because God loves us concretely and personally in the flesh. Jesus is for us the Way, the Truth and the Life. The good news is that the Lord Jesus freely offers each one of us the grace, strength, and help we need to turn to him to receive pardon for our sins and healing for our minds and hearts. The choices we make now – for or against Christ – will either lead us on the path of life or death – heaven or hell.
God’s Day of Judgment is a cause for great joy and reward for those who have waited with patient hope and longing for the Lord Jesus to return again in glory and power.
Sisters and Brothers, let us all therefore follow the good examples set by St. Martin of Tours, in loving one another, especially the unloved ones, the poor and the weak, those who are sick and dying, and those who are ostracised and without anyone to care for them. Let us all walk therefore always ever more faithfully in the path that God has set before us, ever remembering His love for us, and doing the same henceforth to Him and to our fellow brethren, in obedience to His Law and to His will.
Today, let each and every one of us, reflect on how our lifestyle reflects the underlying choice of which kingdom we side with – the temporal or the eternal.
PRAY FOR THE CANONIZATION OF BLESSED MICHAEL TANSI, MICHAEL J. MCGIVNEY & NNADI MICHAEL
PRAY THE ROSARY & LITANY- THIS IS THE MOST POWERFUL SPIRITUAL WEAPON AGAINST EVIL FORCES.
Have you ever considered Total Consecration of yourself to Blessed Virgin Mary, grow your Spirituality?
PRAYER
-Lord Jesus Christ, I place all my hope in You because You have redeemed the world by Your death on the cross and by Your victory over the grave. Help me to never lose sight of the goal of heaven that I may live each day in joyful anticipation of Your return in glory.
GROW AS A DISCIPLE Of JESUS; EVANGELIZE; LET THE POWER & GRACE THAT ACCOMPANY THE SHARING & PROPAGATION OF GOOD NEWS TOUCH & TRANSFORM ME THROUGH JESUS OUR LORD. AMEN.
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