Preach the Gospel

As Christians, we are all bound to spread the Word of God. It is our duty bring the message of God to the people. As servants of God, we shall all act according to His will. This is the message of the Gospel today.

Luke 12:39-48
39 Jesus said to his disciples: Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” 41 Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” 42And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, 46then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 47 That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; 48 and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

Reflection:

As a follower of Christ, have you ever played your part in spreading the Good News?

Be Prepared at All Times

Following Christ is not an easy task. As Christians, we are all bound to be of service to the Lord. The Gospel for today is telling us all to be vigilant at all times and be prepared to face God and heed His call when the time of His arrival comes.

Luke 12:35-38
35 Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps 36 and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. 38 And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”

Reflection:

As disciples of Christ, it is truly difficult to follow the call of the Gospel. Are you always prepared to follow what God may have called you to do?

Be Rich in what Matters to God

Presently, people become greedy. All they think is to accumulate wealth no matter what it takes -- even if they commit crime or gain wealth through other people's expense.

Today's Gospel speaks about what really matters to God. God wants us all to be rich of the things that really matters to Him.

Luke 12:13-21
13 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” 14 He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” 15 Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” 16 Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. 17 He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ 18 And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods 19 and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ 21 Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”

Reflection:

Wealth itself is not evil, however, it becomes evil if wealth becomes your master. Are you building wealth just for your self or for the glory of God?

Holy Spirit: Our Guide

Today, God wants you to know that the Holy Spirit is always with us. We shall not fear because at times of our need the Holy Spirit is there to guide us. 

Luke 12:8-12
8 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 10 Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

Reflection:

In times of trials, do you fear? Or do you seek guidance from the Holy Spirit?

God Knows Everthing

The Gospel today speaks about how God knows everything about us. No secrets could be kept from Him.

Luke 12:1-7
1 At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven — that is, the hypocrisy — of the Pharisees. 2 “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. 5 I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. 7 Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

Reflection:

What are the secret sins do you keep? God knows everything.

Share you Faith with Others

God is calling on all of us to spread His Words. Jesus called His disciples to spread His teachings. He did not do the preaching alone but He delegated the task to His disciples.

Today's Gospel is about sharing our own experience of faith to others. As followers of Christ, we need to have faith in the potential of other people to the tasks we cannot do by ourselves. 

Luke 10:1-9
1 The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. 3 Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. 5 Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ 6 If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. 8Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, 9 cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’

Reflection:

Do we reflect on our faith and share it with others?

Lead by Example not by Words

Today's Gospel is about leadership. It's message is very simple, and it is to lead by example. As for a shepherd, he must be responsible in helping his flock to lift heavy burdens. This is just the same to the leaders of the Church. Every leader shall practice what he preaches.

Luke 11:42-46
42 The Lord said: “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. 44 Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.” 45 Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” 46 And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”

Reflection:

As members of the Catholic church, can you boldly say that you believe and practice its teachings in your life?