Sunday Wisdom

Today’s gospel is a story about wealth and how unimportant it is to God. Remember, you can’t take it with you!

God calls us to care for those less fortunate than us and we are to be caregivers to those whom God puts in our path. We are all called to see in each other the face of God.  This same God, who has given us everything, only asks us to share with others, and to be concerned for those who have nothing. When we do this we not only live more simply, but we walk humbly with God.

Not only did Lazarus live near the door of the rich man, the rich man know Lazarus’ name but did nothing to help him. Are we guilty of looking the other way when we come upon someone in need, perhaps someone who is homeless, or begging at an intersection?

When we enter the next life, we will be judged by not only our words, but our actions. I encourage you to at least pray for those you see begging at the side of the road. Everything we have is a blessing from God. Without Him we can do nothing and without Him we would have nothing.

The good things we have been given in life are callings or opportunities to be a blessing to others.  When we share with other what God has given us, we become an instrument of His love. When the Lord calls us home, let us stand before Him with honor knowing that we helped the least of our brethren.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

“And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life…” – John 3:14-15

God is a giver. He made the ultimate sacrifice for you and for me. His love and mercy is for everyone. Loving the world through Jesus’ name is where true life and true love begins. Notice how our hearts are more open to Jesus when we experience love. Well, Jesus has the love that surpasses all understanding. His love is stronger than death. God did not come into the world to save a few, He came to save all of us, regardless of our race, our status in life, or the gifts we have. He loves us despite of what we have done right or wrong. He came to save us and give us eternal life because He loves us.

God is a giver and by His grace, we can become givers too!

Heavenly Father, we thank you today for your unconditional love. Help us to live that love, speaking the truth, and always giving the glory to Your name. ~Amen

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

I wonder how frustrated Jesus must have been with his followers. Time was running out and he has tried to teach everyone through parables and signs of wonder. He basically spelled everything out for his apostles and they still didn’t get it.  Today’s gospel is sobering and yet comforting. Jesus is calling us to place all of our trust in him and to increase not only our prayer life but our deep and personal relationship with Him. If we don’t, we run the risk of Him not knowing who we are. I recently heard a priest that I know and respect reflect on the narrow path to heaven. He asked a simple, but powerful question. It went something like this-What if the narrow path to heaven is only as wide as our faith and our love for others? 

What does your path look like?

Our gospel today reminds us that God is a God of all nations and all people. He holds nothing back, so why do we? Jesus invites us to put our hope and our trust in God’s mercy that will widen our path to Him. When we live with an open heart and allow the Holy Spirit to move within us, we widen our path to heaven and there is room for everyone in His Kingdom.

I guess the question for me is, what do I need to do to enter the feast?  Do not be afraid! Have courage! Come, trust, hope, and join Him at the heavenly banquet.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

In today’s gospel the Lord is reminding us to stay awake and be prepared for the second coming, but really we should be awake and ready for whenever the Lord calls us home, which will be most likely before the second coming.

Trust is God’s mercy is crucial to our faith because unlike the apostles we cannot see Jesus in a human way. So faith, is trust in what cannot be seen. That does not mean we just sit around doing nothing while we wait. We must be active in our faith, attentive, and intentional in our prayer. God is going to do what he has promised and He will never leave us forsaken.

Do not be afraid, but stay awake in hopeful anticipation for the coming of our Lord. Have a blessed week!

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

Today’s gospel reminds us not only that we need to pray to our heavenly Father, but also to be persistent in our wants, needs and desires. Jesus reminds us in today’s parable that prayer does make a difference. We may not get what we want, but prayer makes a difference because it often changes the way we look at things. When we thank God for the many gifts and blessings in our lives, it helps turn our attention out of ourselves to recognize the needs of others.

So many times when we are in a difficult position or perhaps dealing with someone difficult in our daily lives, prayer helps us see things from a new perspective and opens the door for forgiveness.

It is important to petition our heavenly Father out of love, not always expecting to get all that we ask for. Prayer is not to be a list of our requests, but through prayers we come to recognize God’s holiness and his rule over all things. Jesus reminds us that God always hears our prayers and while we may not get what we ask for, we will always get what we need. It is so important in our quest for holiness to be content and accept everything, even the hardships, as a gift from God. So let us turn to prayerful thanksgiving for the abundant graces in our lives and ask the Lord to bless those who do not yet know him.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae