WE ARE IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY. PLEASE, PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY AND ASK THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO PRESENT YOUR INTENTIONS TO HER SON FOR REDRESS.
COLLECT: “ALMIGHTY EVER-LIVING GOD, INCREASE OUR FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY, AND MAKE US LOVE WHAT YOU COMMAND, SO THAT WE MAY MERIT WHAT YOU PROMISED. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Rom 8:26-30; Ps 12:4-6 and Lk 13:22-30.
Today’s readings encourage us that we have been called and justified in the Spirit (Cf. Rom 8:26ff), and therefore, we have to rejoice in our salvation (Cf. Ps 12:4-6) at the eschatological banquet (Cf Lk 13:22ff). In today’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to live in such a way as to be saved. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate”, we are to be vigilant, alert, watchful and always be on guard. “All things will (surely) work for good for love of God”, states Paul (Rom 8:28). Indeed, if we really love God, we will always live accordingly, striving in life to enter through the narrow and difficult gate and always being vigilant, alert, watchful and guard ourselves against our enemy the devil who always directs us to a wider gate but which leads to damnation.
It must be noted that only those who make serious strides and effort may reach the goal of not only salvation, but success in life and in work. Knowing the Lord and listening to his preaching is not enough for us to reach heaven, the goal of salvation.
Secondly, salvation is not won or gained on a lineage basis, for instance, on the basis that this particular group, or clan or tribe or family has been chosen first by God, or that I have been the first person to believe in God. One thing that will be considered seriously for getting into heaven is how each of us responds to the grace God gives us: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 7:21).
Talking about "only those who make serious strives and effort who can reach the goal of salvation” (Cf. Lk 16:16; Mt 11:12), this is what Bl. J. Escriva has to say. “A Christian’s struggle must be unceasing, for interior life consists in beginning and beginning again. This prevents us from proudly thinking that we are perfect already. We should inevitably meet difficulties on our way. If we did not come up against obstacles, we would not be creatures of flesh and blood. We will always have passions which pull us downwards; we will always have to defend ourselves against more or less self-defeating urges” (Cf. Bl. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 75).
Let us be consoled and be encouraged at the same time that as believers, we are not left alone to our own resources to cope with our problems and challenges. Even in our serious strives to go through the narrow gate to salvation, when we do not know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit will supply the words and God will answer us. May the Lord strengthen all of us in our struggle to reach our goal of salvation. Stay blessed.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, WEDNESDAY, ON THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES: ‘THE RESURRECTION, THE ASCENSION, THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE ASSUMPTION, AND THE CORONATION’. (WE PRAY FAITH, HOPE, LOVE OF GOD, GRACE OF A HAPPY DEATH AND TRUST IN MARY’S INTERCESSION) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “MAY YOUR SACRAMENTS, O LORD, WE PRAY, PERFECT IN US WHAT LIES WITHIN THEM, THAT WHAT WE NOW CELEBRATE IN SIGNS WE MAY ONE DAY POSSESS IN TRUTH. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com
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