theirs is the kingdom of heaven. MT 5:3
2 TIMOTHY 4:1-8
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
The Church always reminds us that we have to witness to the Truth with patience and with the right intention which is to 'refute falsehood and correct error.' Too often we are either silent because we are timid or too brash because we lack tact and wisdom.
When we read the New Testament we realize that all the new sins that dominate our world are not new at all, they are ancient. Ever since the fall, we have become slaves to all kinds of depravity. The world refuses to acknowledge that Truth is not relative nor does it change from one generation to the next.
The world has 'itching ears' that wish to be constantly tickled. Paul spoke prophetically when he wrote to Timothy saying, "The time is sure to come when, far from being content with sound teaching, people will be avid for the latest novelty and collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; and then, instead of listening to the truth, they will turn to myths."
The preaching of the Good News is a life-long mission and is not for the fainthearted. Grant us the grace, Beloved, that prompted by the Holy Spirit we keep a steady course until the end, then like Paul we too can say. "I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his appearing."
PSALM 71:8-9, 14-17, 22
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
May every breath I breathe be filled with praise of You for You are worthy. Thank You for the hope I have in You. Thank You for all You have made known to Me by Your incarnation, Your life, passion, death, and glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven. Thank You for the promise of eternal life and for caring for me so tenderly always. You have never failed me nor have You forsaken me. Every time I cried out to You, You hastened to my side and helped me. May I never cease to count Your blessings and proclaim Your goodness for as long as I live.
MARK 12:38-44
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
Am I like the scribes that You described to those who were listening to You? Have I ever made a pompous show of my piety? Have I deprived anyone of what was their due, especially the poor and the disadvantaged? Have I selfishly grabbed the best seat without a thought for anyone? If any of this is true of me, You assure me that I will answer to God.
Today You place before me the example of a poor widow who had practically nothing but two small coins and she gave it all because she loved God. To her, the joy of giving was more satisfying than the meal she needed, or the meagre necessities those two little coins could buy. Little did she know that her giving would be recorded and her generosity remembered for as long as this passage in the Gospels is read, taught, preached and written about until the end of time. You teach us that when we give we ought to give with open heart, open mind, and open hand without stinting or counting the cost. God who sees the heart will judge the greatness of the reward.
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