Saturday of the 23rd week in the ordinary time
Theme: Where do you stand?
Today in the 1st reading from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he reminds us of who we are as children of God. That is why we are all partakers in the one Body and Blood of Christ. So we have to be conscious of this fact and stay away from idols and things that are contrary to who we are as children of God. This assertion of St. Paul to the church in Corinth is very relevant in our own time, when it is not very easy to differentiate where some of us who claim to be Christians truly belong. This stems from the fact that many people who claim to be Christians, practice both idol worship in secret and Christianity in public; thus confusing people about their true faith and identity, although they cannot mislead God who knows each and every one of us. The admonition of St. Paul to you and I should be taking seriously by all of us who bear the name Christian. Why do you indulge in this type of practice as a person? Is it to mislead people or its due to the fact that you believe that God does not have the power to solve your problem. Dearly beloved in Christ, what we need when we deal with God is faith in Him and patience; because God’s ways are different from our ways and so is his timing too. Sometimes the problem is that we get impatient with God and want him to answer us immediately and in the way that we want it done.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are ambassadors of Christ, so we have to trust in God at all times and give him a chance in our life; especially when we are challenged by the storms and difficulties of life. Also in the gospel reading from St. Luke, Jesus tells us that each tree bears fruit according to its kind. A good tree will bear a good fruit and a bad one will bear a bad fruit. With the picture presented to us in the 1st reading, what type of fruits are such Christians bearing in their lives; your guess is as good as mine. Dearly beloved in Christ, Jesus is saying to you and I today that saying Lord Lord is not enough, we have to do what he tells us and we authentic in the practice of our faith and bear good fruits. To practice our faith as true children of God, will make us Christians who have built a strong foundation for themselves that will stand the test of time, no matter what they encounter in life, they will be victorious. May Almighty God bless his words in our heart in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.