RIP most favored son of Germantown, IL. Confused? Don’t be, just know that Stan the Man has his roommate back…
Please pray for…The STL Cardinals!! Enough said on that.
Growing up, I can tell you one of the favored lines/questions of my parents were…”How many times do you have to be told?” Today’s readings scream that same message today. Let’s take a minute to go through some of the “screams”…
If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.
But if we deny HIM, He will deny US. Let’s say this again, so it sinks in a little deeper – If we deny Him, He will deny us. If we deny Him, what is it we are denying? How about the way – our only path to God; how about the truth – only in Christ can we find salvation; how about life – life eternal where joy never ends.
Remind people of these things
and charge them before God to stop disputing about words.
This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.
Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God,
a workman who causes no disgrace,
imparting the word of truth without deviation.
I don’t mean to be political with this comment, but it does lend to the meaning to stop disputing about words – let’s stop “defining what is is”. Be a man (or woman) of God and speak only the truth. Do not preach to others in a way that imparts “your” meaning of the truth but speak only in way that imparts God’s truth, God’s love and do this without deviation. God is love and can do no wrong. We are all made in the image and likeness of God and should work – man – to live in God’s truth.
How do I live in the Truth? Pray for that knowledge…just as our Psalmist did.
Responsorial PsalmPS 25:4-5AB, 8-9, 10 AND 14
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
“Which is the first of all the commandments?”
Jesus replied, “The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
And no one dared to ask him any more questions. Mk 12:28-34
St. Mary Magdalen Men of God 