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Homily of the Day
December 3, 2018

In today’s world, can Jesus still find many among us with the same or even greater faith? Or have most of us lost their faith in God?

Perhaps we now focus too much on ourselves and on worldly things. We believe too much in ourselves, glorify material things, and forget God. We remember Him only when we are faced with serious trials, when we are helpless and depressed. During these moments, we realize we need God and we cannot separate ourselves from Him. Suddenly, we awake to the truth that God is our hope, our rescuer, and our Savior. With this insightful realization, we try our best to find Him, to ask Him to rescue us, and to find ways to reconcile with Him. We realize our need and hope that He is there for us, waiting and ready to take us back. We realize that we need to believe and trust in Him and in His forgiving Love. God will never abandon us even if we forget Him. Even if we feel shameful and unworthy, God will always be ready to welcome us back.

Today, let us be reminded of his reassuring words, “Go my child, your faith has healed you.” As we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, let us be inspired by his love for God and by his unwavering faith in Him.


31 posted on 12/03/2018 10:16:31 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 35, Issue 1

<< Monday, December 3, 2018 >> St. Francis Xavier
 
Isaiah 2:1-5
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Psalm 122:1-9 Matthew 8:5-11
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Please read: Donations appeal letter for 2018
 

SHAKERS AND MOVERS

 
"Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain." �Isaiah 2:3
 

Isaiah prophesied that God's people will be mountain climb��ers who will scale the mountain of war and attain peace. "One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again" (Is 2:4). In choosing this reading, the Church is encouraging us to make this Advent, Christmas season, and new year a time of unprecedented peace.

In today's Gospel, we are presented with a totally different picture. We see a boy "at home in bed paralyzed, suffering painfully" (Mt 8:6) � in no condition to climb mountains.

Which one will we be this new year: the mountain climber or the paralyzed? Even if we are paralyzed now in any way, by faith we can be healed for mountain climbing. By that same faith, we can climb even a mighty mountain.

In fact, many of us face a range of mountains. Some of these mountains must be moved rather than climbed (see Mt 17:20). Yet the same faith by which we accepted God's healing will empower us to climb, and even move, mountain after mountain. Isaiah prophesied of our new year: "Every mountain and hill shall be leveled. The windings shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God" (Lk 3:5-6; Is 40:3ff).

 
Prayer: Father, may I let You make the new year the best year of my life and conclude it with worldwide peace.
Promise: "They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks." —Is 2:4
Praise: St. Francis Xavier traveled to the end of the earth to spread the good news. A priest in southern India credits his town's Catholic heritage to St. Francis' missionary trip to his village.

32 posted on 12/03/2018 10:26:47 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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