WHAT CAN WE ASK OURSELVES ABOUT THIS PARABLE OF JESUS?

Jesus tells us the parable about the three servants and the talents - Gospel of Matthew 25:14-30

·        Is this just a “Master/Servant” story that would have taken place in the time of Jesus?

·        Why didn’t the Master tell his servants what to do with the talents he gave them?

·        What did the servants think that they were supposed to do these  talents that were given to them?

·        Why did the third servant not do what the other servants did with their talents?

WHAT DOES THIS STORY OF THREE SERVANTS HAVE TO DO WITH YOU AND ME?

IS GOD YOUR BROKER?

Like a good broker does God act in your the best interest?

Like a good broker does God generate for you Positive Life returns? 

Like a good broker does God provide grace according to your need for forgiveness and healing? 

WHAT IS IT, IF ANYTHING, HAVE WE BEEN GIVEN?

The mission of Jesus is today as it was then is: 

·        to heal the contrite heart,

·        to gather all sinners to himself,

·        and to intercede for us to the Father.

We the “servants” have been given Sacraments that specifically address the Mission of Jesus, the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation.

EUCHARIST – 

Where we become renewed in the life of our savior.

Where we become one and inseparable with the divinity of Jesus Christ. 

“By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.” 

This is the sacrament we participate regularly in praise and thanksgiving.

RECONCILIATION – 

       This is where we reach the fulfillment of Jesus’ ministry.

       This is where we receive the grace of forgiveness and healing.

       For many Catholics this is the one sacrament that can be the toughest to come to, creating unnecessary anxiety, pain and fear. 

Jesus said to his disciples, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, Be on your guard! Luke 17:1

Some have said: “I confess my sins to God; I don’t need to confess them to another man. It’s just between me and God.”

      

First of all, you don’t confess your sins to “another man” – the Priest is the essence, the presence, the embodiment of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, The “talents” spoken of in today’s Gospel could be compare to the grace received in Sacrament of Reconciliation, the grace of Forgiveness and grace of Healing; two graces in one sacrament.

When the priest, in the person of Jesus Christ, pronounces the words of absolution by saying: “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit” he proclaims the forgiveness and healing that comes from the mercy of the Father and the Holy Spirit and through the Church.

You cannot cause this grace of forgiveness and healing by yourself, any more then you could cause, by yourself, the transubstantiation of your own bottle of wine and loaf of bread into the living Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Many are missing the blessed opportunity to allow this grace of this Sacrament of Reconciliation to bring forgiveness and healing into their lives.

WAS JESUS ALSO A SINNER?

2 Corinthians, chapter 5:21 For our sake God made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the worthy of God in him.

Even though God created humans he never lived the human experience. When God took on the human form through Jesus, he subjected himself to all the pains of human life – even our tendency to fail. As Paul wrote: ”he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” PHILIPPIANS 2:7-8

Then there was the time Jesus 'ditched" his parents  . . .

 

Jesus did have a “learning” period of obedience as probably with other things.

Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. They returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple. When his parents saw him, his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” He then returned to Nazareth with them, and was obedient to them. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

The writer of Hebrews affirmed that “we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without Sin” (Heb. 4:15-16)

While grew in age and wisdom – and certainly had issues of human behaviors – he never rejected the Father.

So let us confidently approach Sacrament of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.  

Let us make certain that we like the two servants, wisely make use of the “talents/gifts” God has given each of us – and not imitate the third servant that was paralyzed in fear of the Master.

LET US PRAY

O Lord, be to us a source of Light, Strength and Courage so that we will profitably use the graces you give to receive your forgiveness and healing. Amen.

      

 The National Day of Prayer, May 1, 2014

The National Day of Prayer – a tradition of honoring God that began in 1774 at the First Congress – is a call to all of God’s people, that together we may with one voice to "glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:6). Let us unite on the largest Solemn Assembly in U.S. History and glorify the Lord, remembering that we are one nation, UNDER GOD.

       Let us pray for our Country, the United States of America; for its citizens, for its leaders; for those who defend and protect us, for those who feed us, heal us, teach us, entertain us, and employ us. For all of this we pray.

   Lord of the Universe.

Lord of this planet.

 Lord of the nations.

 Lord of our hearts. 

On this National Day of Prayer, we look to you…
       In the darkness, you are our Light.
       In the storm, you are our Anchor.

       In our weakness, you are our Strength.

       In our grief, you are our Comfort.
       In our despair, you are our Hope.
       In our confusion, you are our Wisdom.

In time of terrorism, you are our Shield.

In time of war, you are our Peace.

In times of uncertainty, you are the Rock on which we stand.

We make our prayer to You using the words of the prophet Daniel:

"O Lord, You are the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love you and keep your commandments."

       You are merciful and forgiving. You are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame because we have sinned against you, and have done wrong.

We have turned away from your commands and principles.

We have turned away from you.

Yet you have promised in Second Chronicles 7:15. . . 

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, than I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be opened and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place."

              So we choose to stop pointing our finger at the sins of others, and examine our own hearts and lives.

       We choose to acknowledge our own sin–our neglect and defiance and ignorance and even our rejection of you.

This day we choose to repent.

       In response to our heartfelt repentance, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Father of Jesus Christ; in keeping with all your righteous acts and according to your promise, turn away your anger and your wrath from the United States of America. Hear the prayers and petitions offered to you on this National Day of Prayer, as we give you our full attention. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.

       For the glory of Your Name hear our prayer, forgive our sin, and heal our land.

       We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ who offers us salvation from your judgment, forgiveness for our sin, and reconciliation with you through His own bloodshed on the Cross. Amen.

- 2014 National Prayer by Anne Graham Lotz

Numbers 6:24-26

"May The Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; and may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

CATHOLIC CHURCH MAKES 2,000 YEAR HISTORY!

Are you a saint?

        Mother Teresa gave a surprising answer to a reporter’s question? A news reporter, in a seemingly attempt to embarrass Mother Teresa, asked her:

“Sister, do you consider yourself a saint?”

        Mother Teresa, without a moment’s hesitation answered:

 “Isn’t that what God has called all of us to be?”

        I presume that put an end to this brash reporter’s Q & A!

        This weekend the Church celebrated a very significant event. On Sunday, April 27^th  (at 9:30 am Rome time) the Church recognized and elevated to the title of sainthood two former Popes – and equally unusual is that never before in the 2,000 year history of the Church have there been two popes canonized on the same day and with two living popes present.

        The Catholic Church teaches that all people in heaven are saints, but some are officially declared “canonized,” or recognized as having lived lives of heroic Christian virtue and are worthy of emulating their lives. At a time when society presents to us and our children very few, if any, heroes or genuine role models – these two new saints certainly come at a advantageous time.

St. John XXXIII

        St. John XXXIII had a vision to share with us, a vision of “Peace on Earth” which projected a world where peace would be achieved by governments dedicated to the fulfillment of human rights. St. John XXIII’s vision of peace was not “an impossible dream,” his peacemaking initiatives gave substance to the design for a more peaceful world. St. John was a man of great courage who met many challenges to his leadership as pope, especially when he called for the beginning of the Second Vatican Council.

ST. JOHN XXIII WAS A MAN OF HUMOR.

        Here's a look at some of this saint's funny quips:

         Visiting a hospital he asked a boy what he wanted to be when he grew up. The boy said either a policeman or a pope. "I would go in for the police if I were you," the Holy Father said. "Anyone can become a pope, look at me!"

         "It often happens that I wake up at night and begin to think about the serious problems afflicting the world and I tell myself, I must talk to the pope about it. Then the next day when I wake up I remember that I am the pope."

         In reply to a reporter who asked, "How many people work in the Vatican?” he reportedly said: "About half of them."

        When a cardinal complained that a rise in Vatican salaries meant a particular usher earned as much as the cardinal, the pope remarked: "That usher has 10 children; I hope the cardinal doesn't."

        When he went to visit a friend at the nearby Hospital of the Holy Spirit in the evening, the nun answering the door said: "Holy Father, I'm the mother superior of the Holy Spirit." He replied: "Lucky you! What a job! I'm just the 'servant of the servants of God.'"

         Not long after he was elected pope, Blessed John was walking in the streets of Rome. A woman passed him and said to her friend, "My God, he's so fat!" Overhearing what she said, he turned around and replied, "Madame, I trust you understand that the papal conclave is not exactly a beauty contest."

         He once wrote: "There are three ways to face ruin: women, gambling and farming. My father chose the most boring one."

        When he was cardinal and patriarch of Venice, the future pope was talking with a wealthy city resident and told him, "You and I have one thing in common: money. You have a lot and I have nothing at all. The difference is I don't care about it."

        When a journalist asked the then-patriarch of Venice what he would be if he could live his life all over again, the future pope said, "Journalist." Then he said with a smile, "Now let us see if you have the courage to tell me that, if you could do it all over again, you'd be the patriarch!"

        A Vatican official told the pope it would be "absolutely impossible" to open the Second Vatican Council by 1963. "Fine, we'll open it in 1962," he answered. And he did.

SAINT JOHN PAUL II

       St. John Paul was known for some frequent activities that were unheard of for a pope, such things as Parish visits – joking with and leading a big crowed is singing – sneaking out of the Vatican to go skiing or hiking, but most importantly, he orchestrated the implementation of many of the Vatican II documents into the new life of the Church.

        St. John Paul also instituted World Day of Consecrated Life - World Day of the Sick – and World Youth Day.

 THE CHURCH NEEDS TODAY’S YOUTH

        St. John Paul said: "All young people must sense that the church is accompanying them, being committed to the good of our youth, addressing their worries and concerns, and supporting and encouraging their openness and their hopes.

         The church, which looks to youths with ‘hope and love,’ must help young people by communicating the Gospel truths to them, supporting them as they seek God's plan for their lives and in living their faith.”

         These two new saints have now joined the vast number of saints, and we should rely on them to help us in our times of need.

 WHAT IS Divine Mercy Sunday?

         This day of the canonization is also Divine Mercy Sunday -- an observance that St. John Paul put on the church's universal calendar for the first Sunday after Easter.

         Presiding over the first observance of Divine Mercy Sunday, St. John Paul quoted from his encyclical Rich in Mercy:

 “The cross and resurrection of Christ never ceases to speak of God the Father, who is absolutely faithful to his eternal love for us... believing in this love means believing in mercy."

        As we look around the world today, we may ask ourselves if there has ever been a time for a greater need for God's mercy. Wars, violence, lies, manipulation, and out of control selfishness seem to dominate the world.

        St. Faustina Kowalska has recorded in her diary, conversations with a merciful God:

"My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world. Who can measure the extent of my goodness? I never reject a contrite heart. Your misery has disappeared in the depths of my mercy."

“I am your strength; I will help you in the struggle.”

“My mercy is greater than your sins.”

“Your misery has disappeared in the depths of my mercy.”

“I shall heap upon you the treasures of my grace.”

“Look at the splendors of my mercy and do not fear the enemies of your salvation.”

“O soul steeped in darkness, do not despair. All is not yet lost. Come and confide in your God, who is love and mercy.”

 THE DIVINE MERCY MESSAGE IS ONE WE CAN CALL TO MIND SIMPLY BY REMEMBERING A.B.C.:

A - Ask for His Mercy.

B - Be merciful.

C - Completely trust in Jesus.

       Pope Francis:

“we cannot forget the great insight and gifts that have been left to the People of God. And Divine Mercy is one of these insights and gifts.”

      LET US PRAY

We praise you and we bless you, good and gracious God,

for giving us Saints John XXIII and John Paul II

to be our brothers on the path of holiness

and examples of hope and light for the world.

Let their courage encourage us,

their missionary zeal for the Gospel inspire us,

and their contagious joy be ours

as we continue their work of proclaiming the good news

to a world in need of your divine mercy and love.

 

Saint John XXIII, pray for us!

Saint John Paul II, pray for us!

Blessed be God, for ever!

Prayer by Diana Macalintal was originally published in Give Us This Day, April, 2014.

 

LEARN MORE . . .

        Additional information regarding Divine Mercy and Divine Mercy Ministries, and obtaining God’s total forgiveness of all sins and punishment; that means each person would go immediately after death to the heaven, without suffering in purgatory – can be found on these web sites:

Divine Mercy Sunday

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Mercy_Sunday

 Divine Mercy Sunday is a Roman Catholic solemnity celebrated on the Sunday after Easter, the Octave of Easter. It is originally based on the Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy that Saint Faustina Kowalska reported as part of her encounter with Jesus, and is associated with special promises from Jesus and indulgences issued by the Church.

 Our Apostolate - The Serenellians http://www.pornnomore.com/ourApostolate.htm

 Who We Are - Who we Serve . . .

The Serenellians are an informal group of Catholics, both lay people and religious, who have chosen to dedicate and devote some personal level of effort through prayer, work or exhortation to:

1) Combat and counter the evils of pornography addiction by asking God through prayer to bestow on our society an ever increasing abundance of the graces of Purity, Humility and Love of God – the three virtues dearest to our Blessed Mother, in order to bring about a renewal of these virtues in the world and, thus, hasten the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the kingdom of her Son.

2) Reach out to suffering souls, both individuals and their families who are caught up in the addictive effects and consequences of pornography, in order to bring them hope, encouragement, strength and increased confidence in God’s infinite love, compassion and mercy, for their healing, consolation and, most importantly, for their salvation.