Author: admin

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Gospel: Matthew 9: 9-13

As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
He heard this and said,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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He said to him, “Follow me.”

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Saint Matthew had some idea of who Jesus was the day he called him. By then, talk was circulating around town about Jesus, the miracle worker.

It seemed understandable that when Jesus invited Matthew to follow him, he’d jump at the chance. He must’ve felt special; chosen.

But Matthew had no idea what answering that call with mean: that he’d help change the world; that his heart would be transformed; that he’d see Jesus raised from the dead; or that he’d bring the Gospel to Ethiopia, where he’d eventually be martyred.

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All he knew that day was this: Jesus of Nazareth was there, calling him by name. 

It’s all Matthew needed to know. Perhaps all he could handle.

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I’m sure looking back over our lives, there were times when we would’ve leapt for joy if we knew our future, and others when we would’ve shrieked in fear.

The same may be true if we knew what was in store for us tomorrow or the day after.

But our focus should always be on those words we often pray: “Give us this day our daily bread.” God only gives us what we can handle, one day at a time.

Maybe begin this day with one hope: that, whatever is in store, God may be glorified.

Saint Matthew, pray for us.

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Image credits: (1) In the Beginning, WordPress (2) The Calling of St. Matthew, Caravaggio (3) didyouknowfacts.com

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Gospel: Luke 8: 19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you.”
He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers 
are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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The history of Catholicism in Korea is fascinating, almost miraculous.

When the first priest arrived on Korean shores in the 18^th century, there were already an estimated 4,000 Catholic converts present.

“But how is that possible?” You may wonder. “How did Christianity arrive Korea without a Catholic missionary?”

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During the 17^th century, Korean scholars imported literature from China, including Christian literature. Although they were intrigued, ultimately these scholars denounced Christianity because of its belief in human equality.

Korean society was built upon Confucianism, which is a caste-based system; the wealthy and the scholarly are on the top and the poor are progressively on the bottom.

When a Chinese priest managed to secretly enter Korea years later, he found a community of 4,000 Catholics who had never met a priest. They were being taught by a few of those scholars who first encountered Christianity in a book.

Slowly, missionaries were sent, where they ministered to the Korean Catholic community under the cover of darkness.

Finally, the first Korean Catholic priest, Andrew Kim Taegon, was ordained in the 1840’s, but he was put to death by the sword at the tender age of 26.

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More than 10,000 Koreans died as martyrs over the span of 100 years.

But today there are an estimated 6 million Catholics in Korea, a sign that nothing – not even death – can stop the spread of the Gospel.

May the Korean Martyrs pray for us.

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Image credits: (1) Knights of Columbus (2) Vatican News, Vatican.va (3) Wall Street Journal

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Gospel: Luke 8: 16-18

Jesus said to the crowd:
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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When the power goes out, everything is dark.

When you open the fridge, you can’t find the milk.

When you wake up in the middle of the night, you run into a wall, stub your toe… or both.

When you walk outside, the streets are dark and eerily quiet.

We need light.

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But, have you ever thought about the fact that different size light bulbs are needed for different purposes?

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You don’t need a 1000-watt bulb to illumine your fridge; that’d be blinding! A 40-watt bulb will do. 

But you do need a 1000-watt bulb to light up a parking lot at night.

Different size bulbs are needed for different spaces, all with the same purpose: casting out the darkness.

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In a similar way, God has given each of us different roles to play – in the Church, in our families, and in the world. Some are given smaller responsibilities, while others monumental tasks.

For example, one child sings in the choir on Sunday, while another person is the pope. Both must do their part. Both must shine.

Otherwise, there’s no music… or no shepherd.

This is why Jesus says in the Gospel today, “No one who lights a lamp conceals it. Rather, it’s placed on a lampstand.”

Each Christian must play his or her role. It’s how we build up the kingdom and brighten the world.

So, what role do I play? How is the Lord inviting me to shine today?

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Image credits: (1) iStock, Parts of a Whole (2) Cummins (3) Pinterest, NYC