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You know what is striking in today's Gospel reading from Matthew 13? The people--the ones that knew Jesus--clearly were impressed with His "wisdom and mighty deeds" and, yet, they were offended by HIm. They knew He was good, they knew what He was saying was good, and they knew what He was doing was good, but they "took offense at Him." What would they rather? For Jesus to be stupid and do bad things? Ahhhh...maybe. But, why? Well, because then they could gossip about HIm. "Do you hear how Mary's son is messing everything up? Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. Sure am glad I don't have to deal with all the trouble He's causing her." But, also, because they wanted to think they were better than Him. We all like that deception especially when it comes to people we know well. It's pride and it's envy. You would think that they would be so happy to see Jesus doing mighty deeds and speaking with wisdom. These are good, honorable things. Instead, they take offense. This is a tale as old as time. So, we must be aware of two things: 1. Don't take offense when someone is growing in wisdom and goodness. Don't get envious when people do good deeds. There is not a limit on wisdom or good works. You can do them, too. Let the person be an inspiration to you, not an offense. 2. Know that if you try to walk that Narrow Way, people will be offended because...forgive me for quoting a Taylor Swift song, but "people throw rocks at things that shine." Keep walking that Way anyway, because their offense is their problem, not yours. You don't need honor from them. Wisdom, goodness, and good deeds are all things we should delight in, Catholic Pilgrims, whether they come from us or others. Live the Faith boldly and travel well.
Continue ReadingNow with the power of AI, when a famous celebrity dies, we are inundated with AI-generated pictures of that person entering Heaven with a bevy of other famous people there to greet them. Recently, there have been a slew of these depicting Ozzie Osborne entering Heaven and other heavy metal rockers are there to greet him. I have no idea if Ozzie is in Heaven or not. I, also, have no idea about those other rockers. Our eternal judgment is the domain that is left to God alone. However, there are two things that I find curious. 1. We as humans like to declare that all people we like are in Heaven and all people we don't like aren't. While I have no idea the eternal resting place of many of the deceased rockers I've seen in these pictures, there are quite a few that I know did not live with God in mind--at all. It is dangerous to lead people to believe that literally everyone ends up in Heaven especially if you like or love them. Or just want them to be. It's dangerous because it sets a tone that there really isn't anything required of you to get to Heaven. This isn't true. Jesus says in our Gospel reading today, "The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace." Some do go to Hell by their own choosing. Who exactly? I'm not privy to that and neither are you. However, it's dangerous to set the tone that, no matter what, everybody just ends up in Heaven. 2. In all these AI-generated picture, one thing, rather one Person, is missing. I wrote in the comments to one of these pictures of Heaven, "Where's Jesus?" In all these pictures, it is extremely rare to see Jesus standing there to greet the person into Heaven. He is utterly absent 99.9% of the time. Heaven is depicted as just the place where you get to hang with your people again. I get that to an extent. Yes, there are people I look forward to seeing again in Heaven--hopefully. There is nothing wrong with looking forward to seeing your loved ones. Being with Jesus in Heaven often seems like an afterthought to many, but it should be the highest of desires, Catholic Pilgrims. This picture I have shared is the ultimate goal. Have a blessed day.
Continue ReadingThere are many that have been deceived into thinking that we can "knock on the door" and get whatever we wish for. Money Health The perfect spouse Perfect children That dream vacation We want to knock, ask for said thing, and expect it to--POOF--be granted to us. I once knocked, begging the Lord to give me something, and the response I heard deep in my heart was, "I'm saving you from something." I didn't understand it at the time, but I did years later. I was being saved from my ungrateful, selfish heart. What I needed to knock and ask for was faith and hope. We often read this passage from Luke 11 about knocking and receiving without noticing verse 13. Jesus tells us what we are to ask for--The Holy Spirit. If we ask--truly ask for the Holy Spirit to come to us, we will never be denied--ever. And what does the Holy Spirit bring with Him? The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. He brings into your soul the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. He, also, brings grace which is the Divine Life dwelling within us. These gifts will allow us to find The Way, the only way that will satisfy the longings of our hearts. If you are lost, lonely, hurt, confused, desperate, or unhappy, knock and ask for the Holy Spirit to come and aid you, Catholic Pilgrims. We will never be denied. Have a blessed Sunday.
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