Tuesday July 15, 2008: Isaiah 7:1-9; Matthew 11:20-24

Jesus Christ rebukes the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum for their failure to believe in him. After performing mighty deeds in their midst, they were still lukewarm towards him and failed to believe in him. Sometimes, being lukewarm and indifferent could be worse than persecution. These people allowed Jesus within their midst, yet they were indifferent to the great sign they had among them. Sometimes we Catholics are like these people. How many Catholics are indifferent towards the Eucharist? They come to church on Sundays not because of the great gift of the Eucharist but just to avoid mortal sin. As you speak with Catholics who cannot freely practice their faith, they will tell you how much they crave for the Eucharist. As I have done some missions in rural Africa where they get to have Mass only may be once or twice a month, it is not uncommon to have people walk for about two miles just to have the Eucharist because it is a precious gift to them. Yet, we have the opportunity to have the Eucharist daily and we find it so difficult to do.

Jesus Christ tells us today that he is here in our midst and we must respond to him in faith. Our prayer today is for faith to always celebrate the Eucharist with joy knowing that Christ is among us doing mighty deeds.

Matthew 13: 44-46 (Wednesday, August 1, 2007)

The kingdom of God is like a treasure; a great treasure; more precious than silver and gold. There is nothing in value compared with the kingdom of God. Your job, your home, your car and any possession you have is not more valuable than the kingdom of God. If these things are on the way of your realization of the kingdom of God, you need to cut them off. Jesus tells us in the scriptures, what shall it profit you if you gain the whole world and lost your soul.

In a week, we spend about 40 hours to work, yet, we grudgingly work only an hour for the kingdom of God. God wants us to spend more time working for the kingdom. One hour on Sunday for Mass, at least twenty minutes daily for prayers, another hour daily for our greatest Christian obligation of Love. It is when we begin to do these things that we are beginning to acquire this great treasure that is worth selling every other thing.

Prayer
Lord, many times we fail to possess your kingdom because we are busy acquiring the treasures of this world. Give us the knowledge to know that your kingdom is more precious than every other thing and the strength to work for your kingdom.