The tempting lie at the heart of the prosperity gospel



When we boast that we can know the mind of God, we’re on very shaky ground.

My family has had a lot of big decisions to make lately, and none of the options look like the clear winner. Whatever I choose is going to be life-changing, though, and it’s stressful. My prayers have all started to sound the same: “Hey, we’ve tried to be faithful, haven’t we? We’ve been good people, right? So can you hook us up with something good, please?”

Which is, of course, a really good example of that sneaky old prosperity gospel, sliding into my theology. We can pray for anything, but the idea that God should answer the prayer because, as I claim, we’ve been faithful? That’s a problem.

When it’s overt, prosperity gospel thinking is odious. If God really rewarded his best followers with lots of “wealth and health,” well, that doesn’t speak well of Jesus himself, or really any of the saints, some of whom were beggars and lepers.

But subtler forms of the idea are harder to ward off. I may not be willing to say that everyone who’s sick, poor, or unhappy can only blame his own lack of faith, but I’m often willing to say (to myself, at least) that God’s rewarded me with health and happiness because I’ve put my trust in him. Which I haven’t, but even if I had, that’s sure not how he treated Mother Teresa.

Still, no matter how nonsensical it is, this awful, irrational ideology keeps showing up in my prayers and assumptions anyway. That’s because the lie goes even deeper than just claiming that God’s justice is neat and tidy, and everyone gets what they deserve on this earth. At heart, it’s worse, a refusal to accept mystery, fueled by the pride that accompanies the blithe assumption that God is a predictable being, who reacts to us in a way that we can always understand.

Throughout C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, characters are constantly reminded that Aslan, a Christ figure, is “not a tame lion.” Now I see why the point was so important to Lewis. When we boast that we can know the mind of God, we’re on very shaky ground.

What can we actually know about who God is? Well, what he’s told us, to start–that God is love, light, truth, that God is a merciful Father, that God will not abandon us. But notice, we’re not told much about the specifics of what God chooses.

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways. … As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,” God says to Isaiah. What an important reminder it is. Without an acknowledgement of the indescribable, unknowable, bigness of God, we start to get pretty critical of him. There he is, saying he loves us, and then letting awful things happen to his children on a daily basis. Come on, God, even I could do better!

This habit of assuming that we can understand God’s actions and motives feeds directly into the prosperity gospel mistake. It feeds into a lot of other mistakes, too. An enthusiastic woman once gushed that God had done her a real favor that day; he’d turned all the traffic lights in her path green. She wasn’t saying that he’d done it for her because she was holy or anything, but she was still sure she knew what God had done. Hey, maybe God did change those lights. He certainly could have. But acting like we understand his specific actions, what he did and why, puts us in a bad place. We end up either cutting God down to our size, or elevating ourselves to God’s status, in our efforts to figure him out.

I’m trying to learn to let God be God, and stay grounded in what I do know about him, which is plenty. There’s a lifetime’s worth of richness in the simple fact that God loves us, that he is present, without trying to figure out the what and why of his actions. That’s more than enough for me to focus on.

Source: https://aleteia.org/2017/11/05/the-tempting...sperity-gospel/

Tuesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 486



Reading 1 (Rom 12:5-16ab)

Brothers and sisters:
We, though many, are one Body in Christ
and individually parts of one another.
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,
let us exercise them:
if prophecy, in proportion to the faith;
if ministry, in ministering;
if one is a teacher, in teaching;
if one exhorts, in exhortation;
if one contributes, in generosity;
if one is over others, with diligence;
if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be sincere;
hate what is evil,
hold on to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
anticipate one another in showing honor.
Do not grow slack in zeal,
be fervent in spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
endure in affliction,
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,
exercise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you,
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Have the same regard for one another;
do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3)

R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

Alleluia (Mt 11:28)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 14:15-24)

One of those at table with Jesus said to him,
"Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God."
He replied to him,
"A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many.
When the time for the dinner came,
he dispatched his servant to say to those invited,
'Come, everything is now ready.'
But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves.
The first said to him,
'I have purchased a field and must go to examine it;
I ask you, consider me excused.'
And another said, 'I have purchased five yoke of oxen
and am on my way to evaluate them;
I ask you, consider me excused.'
And another said, 'I have just married a woman,
and therefore I cannot come.'
The servant went and reported this to his master.
Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant,
'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town
and bring in here the poor and the crippled,
the blind and the lame.'
The servant reported, 'Sir, your orders have been carried out
and still there is room.'
The master then ordered the servant,
'Go out to the highways and hedgerows
and make people come in that my home may be filled.
For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'"



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



"Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God."

In the Gospel, Jesus likens the Kingdom to a great dinner party into which God invites us His dear friends whom His Son has saved. In God's Kingdom, there are many faith communities, church ministries and charities. He invites us to join one or two to keep our lives meaningful in service and away from the many temptations of the world. He serves us the Body and Blood of His Son to keep us holy and strong, and He provides us good clean fun with sisters and brothers of the same heart and mind.

In the First Reading, St. Paul reminds us that we are one Body of Christ given different gifts and talents according to God's Wisdom, each as important as the others, and we are invited to use these gifts and participate in building the Kingdom and share the joy of fellowship in Christ's life. He urges us to contribute to each other's needs, be hospitable, endure persecution for Christ, rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

This is all a fabulous invitation from Jesus to share in the fullness of His life! But sadly we often do not see it as such. Often when receive the invitation, we put up so many objections. Like those whom God invited in the Gospel, we beg to be excused due to business or family reasons. While these reasons could be valid, it's our attitude of not even making any attempt to reschedule our other concerns in favor of His invitation that can hurt Jesus who yearns passionately for our affection. He who loves much can be hurt much.

So when a messenger comes to offer you Christ's invitation to friendship, do not pain Him with rejection. "Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (First Reading)

Rather, we ought to be glad and say, "I am the servant of the Lord. Be done to me according to your word."

Source: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicMassReflec...797606157203808





This post has been edited by khool: Nov 7 2017, 06:08 PM

This post has been edited by khool: Nov 7 2017, 02:32 PM

Come, See, & Experience
The Real Presence of the Lord



Saturday, 11th November 2017
8:30 am till 4:00 pm
Church of St Ignatius, Petaling Jaya

LIVE Broadcast @ http://TV.ArchKL.org/

*Kid Friendly!!*

Helloooooo! Peace be with you!!!

Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 487



Reading 1 (Rom 13:8-10)

Brothers and sisters:
Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another;
for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
The commandments, You shall not commit adultery;
you shall not kill;
you shall not steal;
you shall not covet,
and whatever other commandment there may be,
are summed up in this saying, namely,
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Love does no evil to the neighbor;
hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 112:1b-2, 4-5, 9)

R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
or:
R. Alleluia.

He dawns through the darkness, a light for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia (1 Pt 4:14)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,
for the Spirit of God rests upon you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 14:25-33)

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus,
and he turned and addressed them,
"If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother,
wife and children, brothers and sisters,
and even his own life,
he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple.
Which of you wishing to construct a tower
does not first sit down and calculate the cost
to see if there is enough for its completion?
Otherwise, after laying the foundation
and finding himself unable to finish the work
the onlookers should laugh at him and say,
'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.'
Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down
and decide whether with ten thousand troops
he can successfully oppose another king
advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?
But if not, while he is still far away,
he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.
In the same way,
everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple."



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



Rock stars and TV networks would go to great lengths in order to please and keep their followers and fans. But not Jesus! He did not give His followers false promises or hide anything. He told them the real cost of being His disciple.

In the Gospel, a great crowd followed Him on the way to Jerusalem where He knew the cross awaited. He turned to them and said, "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."

Huh?! Didn't He command us to love one another? Even His great disciple St. Paul echoed Him, "Love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." (First Reading)

So is Jesus driving His followers away with this self-contradicting and horrible teaching? No, Jesus, the Wisdom from Heaven is teaching us something profound.

Hyperbole (exaggeration for emphasis) was a popular style of speaking in Jesus' time. Elsewhere Jesus also used hyperbole and told us to pluck out our eyes and cut off our hands if they cause us to sin. It is for emphasis.

In "hating" our family, Jesus is teaching us that as vital as family is, it cannot take first place in our heart. That place is reserved for the One who loves us the most - God Himself - who sacrificed HIS beloved Son to die for the rest of His family.

In loving and following His Father's will (the cross) above family, health, and even His own life, Jesus showed us the pattern to follow. Strangely, a man who follows Jesus and loves God first and foremost, in fact acquires much greater self-sacrificing love for his family, second only to the Lord, above business, vice and other women.

Jesus is Divine Wisdom!

LET US PRAY:




Source: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicMassReflec...797939850503772




This post has been edited by khool: Nov 8 2017, 01:09 PM

The Love of Solitude and Silence

Seek a suitable time for leisure and meditate often on the favors of God. Leave curiosities alone. Read such matters as bring sorrow to the heart rather than occupation to the mind. If you withdraw yourself from unnecessary talking and idle running about, from listening to gossip and rumors, you will find enough time that is suitable for holy meditation.

Very many great saints avoided the company of men wherever possible and chose to serve God in retirement. "As often as I have been among men," said one writer, "I have returned less a man." We often find this to be true when we take part in long conversations. It is easier to be silent altogether than not to speak too much. To stay at home is easier than to be sufficiently on guard while away. Anyone, then, who aims to live the inner and spiritual life must go apart, with Jesus, from the crowd.

No man appears in safety before the public eye unless he first relishes obscurity. No man is safe in speaking unless he loves to be silent. No man rules safely unless he is willing to be ruled. No man commands safely unless he has learned well how to obey. No man rejoices safely unless he has within him the testimony of a good conscience.

More than this, the security of the saints was always enveloped in the fear of God, nor were they less cautious and humble because they were conspicuous for great virtues and graces. The security of the wicked, on the contrary, springs from pride and presumption, and will end in their own deception.

Never promise yourself security in this life, even though you seem to be a good religious, or a devout hermit. It happens very often that those whom men esteem highly are more seriously endangered by their own excessive confidence. Hence, for many it is better not to be too free from temptations, but often to be tried lest they become too secure, too filled with pride, or even too eager to fall back upon external comforts.

If only a man would never seek passing joys or entangle himself with worldly affairs, what a good conscience he would have. What great peace and tranquillity would be his, if he cut himself off from all empty care and thought only of things divine, things helpful to his soul, and put all his trust in God.

No man deserves the consolation of heaven unless he persistently arouses himself to holy contrition.

If you desire true sorrow of heart, seek the privacy of your cell and shut out the uproar of the world, as it is written: "In your chamber bewail your sins." There you will find what too often you lose abroad.

Your cell will become dear to you if you remain in it, but if you do not, it will become wearisome. If in the beginning of your religious life, you live within your cell and keep to it, it will soon become a special friend and a very great comfort.
In silence and quiet the devout soul advances in virtue and learns the hidden truths of Scripture. There she finds a flood of tears with which to bathe and cleanse herself nightly, that she may become the more intimate with her Creator the farther she withdraws from all the tumult of the world. For God and His holy angels will draw near to him who withdraws from friends and acquaintances.

It is better for a man to be obscure and to attend to his salvation than to neglect it and work miracles. It is praiseworthy for a religious seldom to go abroad, to flee the sight of men and have no wish to see them.

Why wish to see what you are not permitted to have? "The world passes away and the concupiscence thereof." Sensual craving sometimes entices you to wander around, but when the moment is past, what do you bring back with you save a disturbed conscience and heavy heart? A happy going often leads to a sad return, a merry evening to a mournful dawn. Thus, all carnal joy begins sweetly but in the end brings remorse and death.

What can you find elsewhere that you cannot find here in your cell? Behold heaven and earth and all the elements, for of these all things are made. What can you see anywhere under the sun that will remain long? Perhaps you think you will completely satisfy yourself, but you cannot do so, for if you should see all existing things, what would they be but an empty vision?

Raise your eyes to God in heaven and pray because of your sins and shortcomings. Leave vanity to the vain. Set yourself to the things which God has commanded you to do. Close the door upon yourself and call to you Jesus, your Beloved. Remain with Him in your cell, for nowhere else will you find such peace. If you had not left it, and had not listened to idle gossip, you would have remained in greater peace. But since you love, sometimes, to hear news, it is only right that you should suffer sorrow of heart from it.

The Imitation of Christ
Thomas a Kempis
(1380-1471)



Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/16632189972...78721325704812/

the following question has been asked:



an answer would be most appreciated from anyone serving in Sunday School around Malaysia when answering, however please refer to brother @RomanCatholic as I am posting on his behalf

Tq & GBU!!!

This post has been edited by khool: Nov 8 2017, 06:27 PM

Actually, it is both ... Sunday School for Catholics in Malaysia follow a set syllabus with text books that has been localized. Based on catechism and also Sacred Scripture. I serve in Sunday School ... hehehe!

well ... the mormon's believe in big gods and little gods, mini gods and gods-in-the-works ... if i am not mistaken?

eh ... bro yeeck, how come got double post arrrr?

God bless and thank you!

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Lectionary: 671



Reading 1 (Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12)

The angel brought me
back to the entrance of the temple,
and I saw water flowing out
from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east,
for the façade of the temple was toward the east;
the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple,
south of the altar.
He led me outside by the north gate,
and around to the outer gate facing the east,
where I saw water trickling from the southern side.
He said to me,
"This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah,
and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh.
Wherever the river flows,
every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live,
and there shall be abundant fish,
for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh.
Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow;
their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail.
Every month they shall bear fresh fruit,
for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary.
Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine."

OR

(1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17)

Brothers and sisters:
You are God's building.
According to the grace of God given to me,
like a wise master builder I laid a foundation,
and another is building upon it.
But each one must be careful how he builds upon it,
for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there,
namely, Jesus Christ.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
If anyone destroys God's temple,
God will destroy that person;
for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9)

R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore, we fear not, though the earth be shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

The LORD of hosts is with us;
our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
Come! behold the deeds of the LORD,
the astounding things he has wrought on earth.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

Alleluia (2 Chr 7:16)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord,
that my name may be there forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Jn 2:13-22)

Since the Passover of the Jews was near,
Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves,
as well as the money-changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords
and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen,
and spilled the coins of the money-changers
and overturned their tables,
and to those who sold doves he said,
"Take these out of here,
and stop making my Father's house a marketplace."
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture,
Zeal for your house will consume me.
At this the Jews answered and said to him,
"What sign can you show us for doing this?"
Jesus answered and said to them,
"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."
The Jews said,
"This temple has been under construction for forty-six years,
and you will raise it up in three days?"
But he was speaking about the temple of his Body.
Therefore, when he was raised from the dead,
his disciples remembered that he had said this,
and they came to believe the Scripture
and the word Jesus had spoken.



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



"Religion does not save" is the claim of misguided people who have no sense of history but simply take bits and pieces of the Bible then claim they have the whole truth.

The Bible did not fall from heaven; it was compiled by the Catholic religion in 393 AD. Christianity did not teletransport ala Star Trek from Israel to the Philippines, it was brought by the Catholic religion in 1521. Without the Church, we would still be lost.

It's the same story with other countries around the world. For the first 1500 years of Christianity, it was the Catholic religion that sailed to the seven continents bringing Christ's salvation.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. It was dedicated on Nov. 9, 324, Built before the old St. Peter's Basilica (year 360), this cathedral is the headquarters of the Pope when he sits as the Bishop of Rome.

Thus, it is the Mother of all churches in the world. For centuries the waters of Baptism flowed out her doors (First Reading), bringing Christ's salvation first to the nations under the Roman Empire, and then across the vast oceans of the globe, building up God's worldwide temple (Second Reading), the Body of Christ that was destroyed and killed in Jerusalem but which God raised up again in 3 days (Gospel).

Let us celebrate our faith at the Holy Mass today. It is only at the Mass where "he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life." (John 6:54)
Let us thank Jesus for His religion that saves!



Source: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicMassReflec...798402637124160

Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 489



Reading 1 (Rom 15:14-21)

I myself am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters,
that you yourselves are full of goodness,
filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another.
But I have written to you rather boldly in some respects to remind you,
because of the grace given me by God
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles
in performing the priestly service of the Gospel of God,
so that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable,
sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast in what pertains to God.
For I will not dare to speak of anything
except what Christ has accomplished through me
to lead the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,
by the power of signs and wonders,
by the power of the Spirit of God,
so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum
I have finished preaching the Gospel of Christ.
Thus I aspire to proclaim the Gospel
not where Christ has already been named,
so that I do not build on another's foundation,
but as it is written:

Those who have never been told of him shall see,
and those who have never heard of him shall understand.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4)

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Alleluia (1 Jn 2:5)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever keeps the word of Christ,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 16:1-8)

Jesus said to his disciples, "A rich man had a steward
who was reported to him for squandering his property.
He summoned him and said,
'What is this I hear about you?
Prepare a full account of your stewardship,
because you can no longer be my steward.'
The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do,
now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?
I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.
I know what I shall do so that,
when I am removed from the stewardship,
they may welcome me into their homes.'
He called in his master's debtors one by one.
To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?'
He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.'
He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note.
Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.'
Then to another he said, 'And you, how much do you owe?'
He replied, 'One hundred measures of wheat.'
He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note;
write one for eighty.'
And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
For the children of this world
are more prudent in dealing with their own generation
than the children of light."



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us the parable of a business manager who is discovered to be cheating by his master/business owner. He is ordered by the master to render an accounting of the monies and goods left with him to manage. Jesus is reminding us that sooner or later, we too must face God and give final accounting of the gifts of time, talent and treasure that He has given us to manage.

All of us too are guilty of cheating on God ("All have sinned." Romans 3:23). We know and accept this, but we like to pardon ourselves, saying that on judgment day, God's love will triumph over the demands of justice.

Indeed, this is true - but only IF we too during our lives make God's command to love triumph over our demands for justice. "If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:14-15)

The clever manager reduced the amounts on the promissory notes of his master's business debtors by taking out his commissions which he would now be unable to collect anyway because of his crimes. Thus he made their loans easier to pay. He did this so that they will feel indebted to him and would help him later when he was jobless. He would still be collecting his commissions! Clever indeed.

Like the manager, we too can 'cheat' and escape God's justice by helping reduce the debts that others owe to God. We can do this too by forgiving those who have sinned against us and waive the justice due to us,Thus we lighten their payables to God. Then the debtors and offenders we decide to forgive and made friends again, will surely help us and pray for us when we will be 'fired' in purgatory. Clever indeed!

But why wait for purgatory at all? The very best way to "cheat" and escape God’s justice is available right now. It is by going to Confession and make His Son pay for our sins! This kind of "cheating" God approves and smiles upon.

Let us be clever and act quickly.

Video: JESUS PAID IT ALL


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Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin
Lectionary: 491



Reading 1 (Wis 1:1-7)

Love justice, you who judge the earth;
think of the Lord in goodness,
and seek him in integrity of heart;
Because he is found by those who test him not,
and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him.
For perverse counsels separate a man from God,
and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy;
Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not,
nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.
For the holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit
and withdraws from senseless counsels;
and when injustice occurs it is rebuked.
For wisdom is a kindly spirit,
yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips;
Because God is the witness of his inmost self
and the sure observer of his heart
and the listener to his tongue.
For the Spirit of the Lord fills the world,
is all-embracing, and knows what man says.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 139:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10)

R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Alleluia (Phil 2:15d, 16a)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 17:1-6)

Jesus said to his disciples,
"Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,
but woe to the one through whom they occur.
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea
than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.
Be on your guard!
If your brother sins, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,'
you should forgive him."

And the Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you."



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



Why are children getting pregnant and going into crime ever younger in every new generation? Because the earlier generation led them to it!

In today's Gospel, Jesus warns us parents and elders about the terrible punishment facing those who lead innocent children to sin through bad example.

Knowingly or unknowingly, we are all guilty. Jesus cites our refusal to forgive. It is our prime example to children of disobeying God's commandment to love. Children will not see the beauty of walking with Jesus when they have elders living disorderly, rebellious lives where God's Will is placed second to man's.

Let us teach our children the Wisdom of Jesus in the Bible and show them the peace, harmony and wholeness of life lived by His Word. We will see better generations of children as we watch in heaven.

YAHWEH, YOU ARE NEAR


Source: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicMassReflec...799953360302421

Dear Bro RC (easier to type, hope you don't mind?)

I was actually planning to ask for more information on this scenario, and on if it was based on a true account. I guess all that is settled ya? Thank God ... phew ... Now, to answer your questions(s):

a. "... So, was it correct or incorrect for the priest to say of such things to his parishioners, when in fact he should be encouraging his parishioners of repentance. ..." At least, I hope this is a question(?)

the context by which the priest made this statement would be most helpful, under what circumstances was it made would be good. however, on the surface level, the priest is not really wrong in making such a statement. A sin is still a sin, be it a venial and /or a mortal, and needs confession whatever the nature.

if the sin is venial in nature, then the confiteor recited during the welcoming rites of mass should be more than sufficient. a mortal sin, qould require a proper confession to a priest in the sacrament of confession, done with a contrite heart and mind after sufficient soul searching.

Mortal vs Venial sins: A brief explanation

b. "... Do you think the uneducated friend, whom the lawyer confided in, was able to find an answer in the Holy Bible to soothe desperately the heart in need of forgiveness ? ..."

short answer: yes!!!!

long answer: able to find where in the Bible? easy, somehow your question somewhat preceded the answer just by a couple of days. if you were to read my posting of yesterday's daily readings, 13 November 2017, it's there ... to cherry pick the verse itself ... Luke 17:3-4; further enforced by the succeeding verses five (5) and six (6).

in addition, I am sure you are also familiar with this other verse, Matthew 18: 21-22 (NRSV CE); "Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church[d] sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. ...". in short, always be ready to forgive. after all, is it not a commandment Christ to be merciful? again, this is the gospel reading from a few Sundays ago, Luke 6:30-36; " Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.". Which is what Frankie used as a slogan for 2016's extraordinary year of Jubilee correct?



hope this answer is alright for you? God bless!