.aywv {font-family:Arial, Times, Serif,Times New Roman;color:454128;}.aybg {background-color:f4efd4}The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2013, whose website is located at dailyscripture.netMeditation: How do you react when someone who is in a position of power and authority shows up unexpectely to see what you are doing and you are caught off guard? The Boy Scouts have as their motto, Be Prepared! Jesus master-servant parables seem to extol the virtue of preparedness. But there is something deeper and even more important behind it. There is an element of surprise in the story of the master returning home at a late hour after attending a marriage feast. Will the master catch his servant sleeping rather than keeping watchful guard? And what about the reward promised for those who faithfully perform their duty, day in and day out, no matter what the circumstances? The image Jesus uses here is a great wedding feast in which the master honors his guests by seating them himself and personally waiting on them. What a great reversal the master becomes a servant to show his geat respect and honor for his beloved guests! This parable contains a lesson in faithfulness and a warning against sloth.Why is faithfulness so important to God? For one, its the foundation for any lasting and meaningful relationship. Faithfulness or fidelity allows us to persevere in living out an unswerving commitment. The Lord is committed to us in a bond of unbreakable love and fidelity. That is what covenant means keeping ones word, promise, and commitment no matter how tough or difficult it gets. Faithfulness is a key character trait of God and one that he expects of us. Fortunately God gives the grace and strength to be faithful. He also rewards faithfulness. Why is fidelity, commitment, and faithfulness so difficult today? Many today in western society extol freedom over fidelity and dont want to be bound to an unknown or uncertain future. Its regarded as inconvenient and a burden to the pursuit of the individuals interests. We badly need to recover this virtue, not only for our own sake, but for the sake of future generations as well. If we want to pass on the faith then we need to first be faithful models for our young people. Faithfulness demands consistency, a determination to stay the course and see the task to its completion. Cal Ripken, an American baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, is a sports hero and a legend to many simply because he always showed up for the game and gave his best. He didnt miss one game in 16 years of playing baseball! Thats a total of 2,632 consecutive games. Only one other baseball player in history has come close to that record. In 1983 he hurt his hand sliding on artificial turf and was unable to grip the bat at first; he somehow gritted his teeth and got five hits that night, two of them home runs. God loves faithfulness. That is why we can always expect God to give us what he promises. In turn, God expects us to be faithful to him and to one another. How can we grow in faithfulness? Gods grace shows us the way. When we are faithful in the little tasks and promises we make, we learn to be faithful in the bigger and more important responsibilities and tasks entrusted to us. Our reward is the Lord Jesus himself who shares with us his joy and friendship well done good and faithful servant ..enter into the joy of your Master (Matthew 25:21). Lord Jesus, you are faithful even when I fail. Help me to persevere in faithfulness and not shrink back in the face of challenges or difficulties. May I never forget your presence with me and may I always be ready to receive you when you call me to your home. The following reflection is courtesy of Presentation Ministries (c) 2013. Their website is located at presentationministries THE TIDAL WAVE OF GRACE Despite the increase of sin, grace has far surpassed it. Romans 5:20 Sometimes we think the Lord is trying to stem the tide of sin in our world by giving us His grace. Yet actually Satan is futilely trying to resist Gods tidal wave of grace. Grace has far surpassed sin. Much more grace is in this world than sin, despite sins increase. Because of Jesus, we share in such a total victory of grace over sin that we have no word to express our position of domination. So St. Paul calls us more than conquerors, conquerors-plus, super-conquerors (Rm 8:37). In subjecting all things to [Jesus], God left nothing unsubjected. At present we do not see all things thus subject, but we do see Jesus crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death (Heb 2:8-9). Although we may not see or feel it, we know for certain by faith that Jesus won a total and irreversible victory through His death and resurrection. If death began its reign through one man because of his offense, much more shall those who receive the overflowing grace and gift of justice live and reign through the one Man, Jesus Christ (Rm 5:17). Prayer: Father, may I consider the sufferings of the present to be as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us (Rm 8:18). Promise: Should He happen to come at midnight or before sunrise and find them prepared, it will go well with them. Lk 12:38 Praise: Jesus healed Loretta of multiple sclerosis. (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.) Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant my permission to publish One Bread, One Body covering the period from October 1, 2013 through November 30, 2013.Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 22, 2013. The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 09:21:10 +0000
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