Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

My brothers and sisters the readings today talk about a healthy community and how to bring back a community that is lacking of good health. What can we do when evil or sin comes to our community. What can we do when we see error, sin, problems, and darkness in the lives of others?

Saint Augustine once said: ”We are not merciful if we don't correct the bad in others when we can do it”. Individualism sometimes unauthorized us to talk to others. There is a wrong idea that nobody should say anything to anyone that is doing wrong.

“Mind your own business” is a very common expressions at work, with friends (even with good ones), and even with family members. It is getting so difficult to be able to give advise or correct co-workers, friends and even to members if your family. Will you say to one of the ones that work with you: "hey David, I really think that the alcohol is destroying your life" or "I really think that you affective disorder is not going to lead you to success or joy"

My question is if the gospel we have heard is going to be well received from anyone in today's individualistic society in where everyone has their own private and untouchable world. Who wants to be corrected and who wants to correct when there are so many chances to be rejected or sometimes even sued?

Having said all of this, I will make a suggestion to all of us. Now that we realize that there are few that are willing to accept a fraternal correction. What if we try to be those who are willing to receive corrections. Those that are willing to change the way they see things and accept the will of God.

If you are like me and we have stony hearts, lets ask the Lord with His grace, to open our hearts so that when He speaks and corrects may we can remember that at the same time He consoles and teaches.

Lord, make me a person that can receive corrections. Help me to listen to the voice of my parents, son, daughter, wife… the word that I didn’t want to hear, the question that I didn’t like specially from the ones that I think have less knowledge than me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me to be attentive to the inspirations of your Holy Spirit. This day may be filled with many challenges and activities but throughout them all I invite you to be with me. Lord, you taught us to gather together in prayer. Grant your Church greater unity and charity. Help us to help each other. Give us the humility to be open to correction. I believe that your love will triumph

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The readings today (Jer. 20: 7-9 and Mt 16: 21-27) are full of paradoxes. The prophet Jeremiah said that was seduced, but we see that his life is not full of loving people towards him, but rejection. Jesus in the gospel preaches that whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself. After those words we can see that The Cross is behind, the sum of all the paradoxes for every Christian. That is our faith. We can announce the victory of Jesus without telling people that He was defeated after He was humiliated.

Jeremiah has a bad reputation. The reputation of someone that is always complaining. What sometimes we forget is that He has something to say and is the word that comes from God and sometimes God is not welcome.

God is welcome when we want Him to resolve a problem, heal from an illness, help us when we are sad, when we want power to control our life. But when is time for Him to lead or when He suggest us to leave idols that we love is not easy to receive the one is speaking in the name of the Lord.

Jeremiah tried to get ride of God because he brought to him many inconvenient. The history tells us that he couldn’t. With god the prophets can become martyrs, but without God may be only clowns. In Jeremiah we see that Love could do more in him even though was making his present uncomfortable but choosing faithfulness to God the criteria of Life.

Lord Jesus, your words, “be perfect just as your heavenly father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), have challenged saints and sinners for 2000 years, and they challenge me today. Lord, I ask you to grant me the grace to follow the steps to holiness by denying myself (purgative way), taking up my cross (illuminative way), and following you (unitive way)

Lord, place in the depth of my soul a great desire to become a saint by denying myself, taking up my cross and following you

Lord Jesus, I ask you for the courage to continue to follow your call to holiness. Help me to know where it is you want me to become more like you, and give me the strength to form myself into the saint of which you have always dreamed. Mother Mary, I entrust my spiritual life into your maternal care. Guide me as you guided your son.