predication.net

Some people love to be invited to various events, so they spend a lot of time sweeping various parties, receptions, lunches, and dinners. They live off the fact that it increases their prestige in the eyes of other people, and so they directly or indirectly climb the social or political ladder. Today, we also see Jesus at the banquet. As a missionary constantly going from one place to another and often had nowhere to lay his head, he gladly accepted the invitation. But, as we have noticed, he was not only concerned with food or rest but took advantage of this moment to tell a parable in which he used the image of a feast. He observed how many chose the leading seats at the table, which, on the other hand, could be very risky because the host could properly ridicule the given guest if he sat him as far away from him as possible. Jesus certainly wasn’t concerned with the rule of decent dining, but he wanted to teach the guests, as well as us, a lesson in false overestimation.

The desire for first place is as old as humanity and today it directly determines the rhythm of life. Life is a constant rush, and I fight for first place, not only in sports but also in my personal life. Today, the first place is prestige, popularity, promotion, success, promotion, career… Some people conquer it with broad elbows, others with hard work, others with a big mouth, and it falls into the lap of some… But no one has a guarantee because the first place can be lost today or tomorrow, and everything in the process.

It is typical for a person to want to progress, to go higher, and to be honored. This effort is reasonable, but it must be controlled by reason and will so it goes smoothly. However, there is also an area where this struggle is missing, and there is no interest. They are seats in our churches, unoccupied seats, and usually those in the first pews. Even in the last ones and near the exit, someone sits down. If these people do it out of modesty, Jesus would take them by the sleeve and lead them forward. And there needs to be more interest in one more leading place. It is a banqueting place in the kingdom of heaven, although Jesus Christ himself is seated there. How little do people do for heaven, and how much do they care about earthly achievements, although temporary and unstable?! We certainly remember how the mother of Zebedee’s sons begged Jesus: Say that these two sons of mine sit in your kingdom, one on your right and the other on your left. And what was Jesus’ reaction? What are you asking for? It is not mine to make someone sit on my right or left; those for whom my Father has prepared it will receive it.

Duke Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) once came inconspicuously to a banquet and took a seat at the end of the table. The hostess observed this with horror, apologized, and begged him to sit at the top of the table. The chancellor answered confidently: Where I sit, dear lady, there is always the top of the table! By these words, he indicated that it is not the chair, the throne, the garment, or the canopy that determines the first place but the personality. And personality will be decisive even before God. We will not be “settled” by tailcoats, dresses, rings, gold chains with crosses, earrings, awards, or acquaintances. But we will be “settled” according to how we have been attentive to the small, the oppressed, the weak, the sick, to people from whom we cannot expect reward or honor.

He formulated it clearly: When you prepare a feast, invite the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed because they have nothing to repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. And if we follow his words in dividing the places in his kingdom, he will tell us: I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a traveler, and you embraced me; I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me. Then the righteous will say to him: Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you as a traveler and embrace you or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you? The king will answer them: Truly, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers, you did for me.

The Lord would grant that each of us hear this answer of his once as a reward for entering the kingdom of heaven.

Today’s Gospel tells us about how Jesus accepted an invitation to the house of a prominent Pharisee. Jesus took the invitation to the Pharisee’s house. He avoided no one and knew how to get everyone, even the Pharisees. Thus, he showed his feelings and kindness towards man. But suddenly, a sick person appeared among those present. Whether he was invited as a guest or came alone, the Gospel does not say. He had dropsy, which was a sign of severe heart and kidney disease. The Gospel says that the Pharisees and scribes present were watching Jesus all the time since he came, what he would say and do. They were incredibly attentive now that a sick person had arrived. Indeed, many were surprised by the thought: “It is the Sabbath; perhaps he will heal him.” It seems that Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked them: “Is it free to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” (Luke 14:3). There were different opinions among the Jews on this question. There was a general opinion that it is not allowed to heal on the Sabbath unless there is a danger of death. The Pharisees present also held this opinion, but perhaps they were embarrassed to say it out loud in this situation. Maybe that is why it is said: “But they kept silent” (Luke 14:4a). The strict Pharisees forbade rescuing an animal that had fallen into a cistern or well on the Sabbath. It was only permitted to feed it and wait for the end of the Sabbath, i.e., at six o’clock in the evening. More moderate, the Pharisees allowed the animal to be saved immediately. Jesus told them, “If one of you has a son or an ox fall into a well, will he not immediately pull him out, even on the Sabbath?” (Luke 14:5).

In this question, Jesus approved that if such a thing happens, the animal can be saved. And if this happens to a person, no one doubts that he needs to be held all the more. Even more so when it’s your child, should a sick person be denied rescue? But they did not know how to answer him (cf. Lk 14:6). Jesus gave them a clear answer by taking the sick man, “healing him and letting him go” (Lk 14:4b). Jesus had previously asked: “If one of you has a son who falls into the well…” That is if he falls into the well ` your son.

God accepted us as his children. We have become sons and daughters of God because of his love. And so God shows that he cares about every person. He is figuratively speaking – `restless’ if one of his sons or daughters falls into a well. And that’s why she comes to get him out of her because she loves him very much. In this case, he pulls the person out of the well by healing him. He doesn’t care that it’s Saturday. It is a sacred time in which such things must not be done. The Pharisees forbade healing on the Sabbath. And so they caused man to be here for the Sabbath and not the Sabbath for man. Even worse. They drove that God was not here on the Sabbath for man. And suddenly, here comes Jesus, who answers that clearly. The purpose and fulfillment of the law is love. That’s why he healed a man on Saturday. He healed him not only as a sign to answer the Pharisees. He healed a man as a sign that God had come among his people.

And she is with him, especially on Saturdays, when he believes and belongs to God. God himself wanted to be with man. The proof of this is that Jesus healed a man. That was a sign that God is among us. The one who is expected has already arrived. It’s him – Jesus. However, he was in the flesh as a man, which was an obstacle for the Pharisees to believe in him as the Son of God. He was, so he could afford to interpret the law “in his way”. That is why he could heal a person even on Saturday because he was the giver of this Saturday. Thus, Saturday Day becomes a sign, the day of the Lord – God’s mercy. The Jews celebrated the Lord’s day on Saturday, that is, on the seventh day of the week. After the resurrection of Jesus, this day became Sunday for us Christians because, on Sunday morning, Jesus rose from the dead. Therefore, the content of Sunday is the resurrection of Christ, his new life that reigned in the whole creation. God wants us to seek him more intensively than ever at this time. It is the time when he wants to be with us, and he wants us to want to be with him.

Together, we pray: Lord, let us seek you for your love for us. Let us seek and find you. Let us know you. Let us experience the power of your presence, for you are always near.  

Brothers and sisters! On this day, our steps are directed to cemeteries. We stand over the graves of our closest loved ones, spouses, parents, children, friends, acquaintances… Over many graves, we can read the inscription: Here he rests in peace… All of us believers know that our homeland is not here but in heaven. At the grave, we often remember the moments we spent with him. However, Jesus gives us hope in today’s Gospel: Do not let your hearts be troubled! You believe in God; believe in me too. In my Father’s house are many mansions.” (Jn 14.1)

With these words, Jesus wants to encourage us to believe him firmly. That our faith may be like that of the centurion’s servant when he prayed for the healing of his servant. Faith was given to us as a gift in the sacrament of baptism. Only through Jesus will each person reach the goal of their journey. Jesus wants to show us the correct destination of the journey and how a person should get safely to heaven. Jesus goes to heaven earlier, after his resurrection. In the Gospel, we also heard about Thomas, who said to him: “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus then answered him: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:5-6).

Jesus is the way that should lead us to God. Many people today do not want to know the right way that Jesus Christ offers. This path requires an inevitable sacrifice, suffering, tribulation, and self-denial. The second reading of the holy apostle Paul also wants to encourage us: “Therefore we do not slack off; and though our outer man withers away, our inner man is renewed day by day. Our present light tribulation will bring us an exceedingly great weight of eternal glory if we look not to the things seen but to the things not seen, for the visible is for time, but the invisible is forever. After all, we know that when this tabernacle – our earthly house falls apart, we have a dwelling from God, not made with hands. Still, an eternal house in heaven.” with our Lord at his second coming, what is now experienced as a burden of graces will appear as “exceedingly great glory.” Here, he talks about our second home, eternity – eternal life. The path that today’s world is on is false values: possessions, money, fame. This path can hardly lead to our heavenly Father, as man is addicted to earthly things. If a person wants to be on the path that is Christ, he must be able to renounce unnecessary things. God will never judge a person based on how many possessions, money, or titles they have. God will look for our deeds out of love for him. We will only bring those deeds before him.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church also reminds us: “Even the smallest of our actions, if we do them out of love, resonates in this solidarity of all, the living and the dead, for the benefit of all, and it is based on the communion of saints.” This communion damages every sin.” Christ wants to be our true goal and way. His love for us was shown by his sacrifice on the cross. His open heart allows us to draw from him many graces and mercy. Only in him will we find our hope for eternity – our eternal home: heaven.

 And which path I am on. Is it a path that leads to Christ, filled with good deeds such as sacrifice service to our brothers and sisters? Or is it a path that leads to the false values ​​of today’s world, which are marked by property, fame, and money? God gives us the freedom to decide the path we want to walk. God does not force anyone to follow him. Jesus offers himself to us as hope for meeting the Father.

The 100th paramedic recalls: We were instructed to transport a seriously ill patient to the hospital. When they entered his apartment, we learned he was a former Olympic champion and a successful athlete. He looked evil. It was evident that he understood his numbered days and hours. We put him on a stretcher and walked around the living room. Medals, cups, wreaths, and gifts that testified to his fame were displayed in the showcases. He looked at it carefully and remarked: “I can’t take any of this with me. Worldly glory, grass of the field.!” I can only take with me the good deeds I have done for my fellow brothers and sisters during my life.” He added before leaving for the ambulance.

It is a hard fact. Neither beauty nor luxurious clothes nor cars will weigh anything in eternity. In the finale of our life, only acts of love that are precisely registered and marked with God, in his heart, will help us: “What you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.” (Mt 25:10) Lord Jesus Christ, we beg, you let us long not for an earthly homeland but for a heavenly homeland. Let us always search every day for the right way by which we can come to you in eternity. Lord, give us the strength and perseverance to remember this daily when meeting with our neighbors.

A great community of love
Today, we remember all the saints and saints of God. At the same time, today begins the Soul Octave, when we pray for all the faithful departed. How are the feast of All Saints and the memory of the faithful departed related? You must have heard that sometimes we divide the Church into three parts: the wandering, suffering, and triumphant. The wandering church – we are the ones who are still living in this world and traveling to the heavenly homeland. The suffering church is the souls in purgatory, affectionately called “souls,” who still have to serve the temporal punishments for their sins to enter into heavenly glory. And finally, the Church is victorious – those who are already in heaven looking at God face to face; these are all the saints.

One Christian song sings: “Let’s remember the little souls, help them from purgatory.” They will remember us when we die.” Seeing the interrelationship between the wandering, suffering, and victorious Church is beautiful. Let’s remember the souls – we, the wandering Church, think in our prayers about those who are in the suffering Church, all the “souls.” Let us help them from purgatory – thanks to our memories and prayers, the souls in purgatory leave purified to the Church victorious, among the saints in heaven. They will remember us when we are dying – the saints in heaven, in the Church triumphant, will intercede for us who are wandering on this earth when we are preparing for eternity. So we are interconnected and form one great community of love – one great community of Christ’s Church.

We especially want to consider the Church victorious at today’s celebration. Today is a holiday for all who are in heaven. That is, not only those saints who have a holiday during the year but also those whose names only God knows. And there are many, many more! And their wish is for us to be among them one day. They do everything for it. It is also up to us to do everything in our power and possibilities. When we do something, God will help us. There is a place in heaven for everyone. It is up to us not to leave our place empty.

Today, we should rejoice and thank our brothers and sisters who have already reached the goal. Their life is completed in God. They are experiencing what no eye has ever seen, what no ear has ever heard, what no human has ever thought of. They share what God has prepared for those who love him. At Holy Mass, we sing: “You alone are holy.” God alone is perfect; alone has all goodness in himself. The saints have everything they are and have from him. However, they show how God’s love can transform a person when he opens himself up to this love and lives in it. Therefore, God’s love shines in the saints and from the saints.

We know and believe that we are already somehow connected with them. After all, we confess that we believe in the communion of saints. If relationships of love, gratitude, and help can be formed between people here on earth, why can’t it be between us and the saints in heaven? The threshold of eternity that separates us cannot be an obstacle for God. Saints are our friends who intercede for us; they help us on the way to God and beg us that we, too, reach God, our goal, and that everyone will meet in Him.

Every age and every nation has these; they are of different statuses, inclinations, and natures. It is not only those whom we have during the year in the church calendar and who are worshiped in various places of the world, but also much larger groups of those who have their feast today as unknown saints – even those who were not perfect in this world, but they have achieved forgiveness After all, sooner or later there will also be among them those whom we will remember tomorrow, who are still purifying themselves. So we are not alone! Saints are very close to us, perhaps much more intimate than those around us. We already belong to their glory, and their brightness shines for us as hope so that we, too, will not be discouraged.

And today’s celebration reminds us of something else: Our life will be completed one day. We are not heading into the “empty nothingness” but into the marvelous light of God’s goodness and beauty. Even our life has its direction, goal, and meaning. And even if we don’t know what awaits us in earthly life, God knows our entire life path well. Therefore, under the protection of the saints, we can confide in God’s love with complete trust. All saints and saints of God pray for us from this time to age.

We live in the desire that when we are sick and perhaps elderly, dying, we will receive with faith the sacrament of the sick, the sacrament of reconciliation, and the Eucharist. We believers await the kingdom of God after our life on earth. Lord Jesus spoke about his kingdom to the crowd in a parable: …about a mustard seed and leaven (13.18.21).

In addition to these parables, Jesus points out the value of God’s kingdom with the words about the “precious pearl” about the “householder” who brings out of his treasure things new and old. The parables of Jesus have a deep meaning and point to the fact that a person should do everything to obtain the kingdom of God.

The “treasure” hidden in the field teaches that each person is to see the treasure in God’s kingdom, which is to become his life’s effort to obtain it. The parable of the “pearl” teaches that anyone who wants to get the kingdom of God must mobilize his strength, reason, and other gifts to obtain the kingdom of God. Another parable of the “net” teaches that all who have chosen the kingdom of God as their goal and highest value have chosen the best. Parables reveal the greatness of God and the value of his kingdom. A person should realize that he undertakes everything to participate in the kingdom of God in gratitude. In the parable, a person’s life is compared to a field. Like a farmer working in the field from the beginning, when he prepares the ground, when he sows the seed, he is already enjoying the harvest; he already sees the meaning of his work, the calluses, and the sweat of his face in a rich harvest. And so a person in his life, in all his events, should not lose sight of the kingdom of God. A person, and especially a believer, should not forget that life on earth does not end with death. Every person owns a soul. For her, he should use everything to be rich in graces merits: “Lay up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys them, and where thieves do not break through and steal” (Mt 6:20). The kingdom of God is a value for which it is worthwhile to bear the shame, misery, fear, sickness, pain and lose a life on earth. Also, do not be afraid to win over yourself when the temptation of sin comes.

A Christian and every person, when he discovers the treasure mentioned by Jesus in his life, is willing to hide and protect the treasure. Every day, he realizes the value of his treasure. He does not forget its value. He is constantly drawing strength and courage not to lose the treasure. He lives in the thought: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Mt 6:33). We need to know and confirm the hierarchy of values ​​in our lives. Not everything that seems valuable is worth gold because not everything that glitters is gold. And treasure, at a superficial glance, does not look like treasure. The farmer from Jesus’ parable plows his field so that the treasure is not stolen from him so that he does not destroy it.

We live in the desire that when we are sick and perhaps elderly, dying, we will receive with faith the sacrament of the sick, the sacrament of reconciliation, and the Eucharist. We believers await the kingdom of God after our life on earth. Lord Jesus spoke about his kingdom to the crowd in a parable: …about a mustard seed and leaven (13.18.21).

In addition to these parables, Jesus points out the value of God’s kingdom with the words about the “precious pearl” about the “householder” who brings out of his treasure things new and old. The parables of Jesus have a deep meaning and point to the fact that a person should do everything to obtain the kingdom of God.

The “treasure” hidden in the field teaches that each person is to see the treasure in God’s kingdom, which is to become his life’s effort to obtain it. The parable of the “pearl” teaches that anyone who wants to get the kingdom of God must mobilize his strength, reason, and other gifts to obtain the kingdom of God. Another parable of the “net” teaches that all who have chosen the kingdom of God as their goal and highest value have chosen the best. Parables reveal the greatness of God and the value of his kingdom. A person should realize that he undertakes everything to participate in the kingdom of God in gratitude. In the parable, a person’s life is compared to a field. Like a farmer working in the field from the beginning, when he prepares the ground, when he sows the seed, he is already enjoying the harvest; he already sees the meaning of his work, the calluses, and the sweat of his face in a rich harvest. And so a person in his life, in all his events, should not lose sight of the kingdom of God. A person, and especially a believer, should not forget that life on earth does not end with death. Every person owns a soul. For her, he should use everything to be rich in graces merits: “Lay up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys them, and where thieves do not break through and steal” (Mt 6:20). The kingdom of God is a value for which it is worthwhile to bear shame, misery, fear, sickness, pain and lose life on earth. Also, do not be afraid to win over yourself when the temptation of sin comes.

A Christian and every person, when he discovers the treasure mentioned by Jesus in his life, is willing to hide and protect the treasure. Every day, he realizes the value of his treasure. He remembers its value. He is constantly drawing strength and courage to keep the treasure. He lives in the thought: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Mt 6:33). We need to know and confirm the hierarchy of values ​​in our lives. Not everything that seems valuable is worth gold because not everything that glitters is gold. And treasure, at a superficial glance, does not look like treasure. The farmer from Jesus’ parable plows his field so that the treasure is not stolen from him so that he does not destroy it.

Let’s try to analyze what the present moment is in its essence, discover its actual value, draw on the richness of the present moment, and live it to the full. The moment cannot be analyzed by reason, for it no longer exists. It is not a passing time but a glimpse into eternity. In religious terms, we can briefly define it as follows: the present moment is the point of the soul’s encounter with God. The present moment is, first and foremost, a connection point with God. Whatever its form and content, by its very nature, it is, for us, an expression of God’s will. It is in this minute that God wants us to see how we do this act, which very often will not be exceptional nor spectacular but trivial and insignificant, and its only value will be that it is God’s will. But more is needed?
The present moment is not only an expression of God’s will but also brings us into the presence of God. If, at this moment, we are expected, the Lord asks us to be in this place and to do this, it is because he expects us to be here. It is at this point that we will meet him, and if we seek him elsewhere, we will miss him. He is waiting, therefore, for us to give Himself, to communicate Himself in his entirety. Let us specify what the present moment represents to us. God’s will and presence in the sense that the place ceases to be necessary; only the presence with God and in God has meaning, for in all times and places, we can give thanks to him.
Every time, there is a place where we are to give thanks to God’s presence in its eternal moment, which delivers us from the duration of
time. Various similes can illustrate this definition. Encompass each row in its entire length. Before or then, we see only an uncluttered jumble. Imagine two spheres, one of which is infinitely large and contains infinite energy potential, and the other is an image of the first but is infinitely tiny and immobile. They touch at only one point, but at that single point of contact, the power of one sphere flows into the other. It’s not the same as when we come into contact with God? However, this simile is correct because we do not forget that we belong to God; the small sphere is also contained in the big one: nothing exists outside God.
Every single minute of our life is indispensable. We approach God only in a single moment: in this and the next. Our whole existence is but a continuous succession of moments. And this gives it a semblance of continuity. This contact with God in every single moment thus gives birth to a moment that lasts forever, a permanent union with God through all things. Even when the soul is absorbed in active life, it remains with Jesus in constant renewal, in profound solitude with him alone. He can continually yield himself to the presence of God – in every event and every circumstance. Now, we can easily understand that the saints can accomplish much work, solve many difficulties, and take on heavy responsibilities without losing control of themselves, without ceasing to be all things to all men in all things. Therefore, when St. John of the Cross recommends the purification of memory, he means nothing else than that we should live in the present and free ourselves from the past.
The present moment, then, is the very basis of our connection with God. The divine presence certainly shines through more in prayer or suffering. And especially in the sacraments, God gives himself to us entirely uniquely. But every moment gives us God. We could also say that the present moment is, in a certain sense, a permanent sacrament, a sign of God’s hidden presence. Then, any waste of this moment is a heresy—the imitation of the present moment. To complete our analysis of the present moment, let us now look not directly at it but at how it is imaged in life and the chosen people, the living image of Christianity.
Let us open the Bible, the book of Exodus (15:22). Through Moses, God has just delivered his people from Egyptian bondage. A place to lead them to the promised land by an easy coastal route; he led them into the desert to strengthen their souls. Israel’s entire journey is full of uncertainties: every obstacle becomes an opportunity to fall, to grumble, or, on the contrary, to show confidence and faith. God is constantly intervening, always answering Moses’ prayer. The Jewish people hoped that once they had crossed the Red Sea, they would find themselves in the promised kingdom. It didn’t happen. It was forced to live in the desert in constant uncertainty. Egypt was undoubtedly a place of slavery, but there was safety. And in the hearts of the people of Israel, pity sprouted: bread and meat to the full for more valuable to them than freedom. What is the use of being free if …when one has nothing to eat? Would that we had died in Egypt! At the first test is the Jewish distrust. Scripture and tradition see this life in the wilderness as a foreshadowing of Christianity. The Christian, redeemed from sin as Israel was. Delivered from Egyptian bondage, it is not immediately called to eternal happiness, just as the Jewish people did not reach the promised land. The Christian, too, must wander through an earthly life where all sorts of difficulties and dangers await him. Every day, he must rely on the Word of God instead of trusting his impressions and personal decisions. He must agree to live by his beliefs, not what he sees. Faith replaces his sight and, in some cases, even reason. The Christian must rely on God every day, even in the most concrete problems, such as what to eat and what to drink. And just as Israelites, Christians grumble. Everything is perfect when God makes life humanly easy. Once the trial comes, the sickness and loneliness, there is no escaping the experience of the people of Israel. Like manna in the wilderness, we receive grace every day. It is, and we can’t stockpile it, even though we often see in it a cure for our pains, a solution to our issues, the removal of difficulties. It is nothing of the sort.
After we have received the favor of heaven, they reappear as issues and obstacles. Nothing is absolute; grace is not certain. Today, we are vainly being captivated by grace, experiencing spiritual joy, gaining assurance of eternity, and feeling that nothing will be complicated anymore; the new dawn will not find us stronger; perhaps, on the contrary, we will be a little weaker, helpless, and burdened by our burdens. Where are yesterday’s graces, the certainty, the certainty of peace, the victory over every fear… Where is the heavenly bread we thought we had enough of for a lifetime?… Where is the joy that our hearts overflowed with?
We have received so much, and now we have nothing. We’re living so
like those who have no hope. We grumble… One bad news, one failure, has dispelled our sense of security. We have only one certainty: we are alone, abandoned, at the bottom of an anxious abyss. Everything is exactly as it was before. Israel has seemingly yet to advance one step further. It wasn’t worth it to cross the Red Sea or leave Egyptian slavery when grace God’s grace was no longer with them. It must be so. We must learn that grace is always entirely new; it is only for this day. It is always complete and whole. If God gave us something yesterday, it doesn’t mean we won’t need it today. Although we are filled with grace, we must remain poor, exempt from everything. Every day and every minute of every day, we must surrender our being to God. The prayer of the completer should constantly flow from our hearts. I commend my spirit, O Lord (Psalm 31:6), into your hands, which Could you hold me at this moment? If God tests His people, it is to teach them to rely on God alone, to know that they are in His hands. What the chosen people have done for forty years, we must do continually. Without the slightest insurance for the future, with daily risk, trust that God will hold us tomorrow as he does today, to accept poverty and beg for God’s mercy. And when this act of faith is performed, the Christian must repeat it at every moment, for it is usually after the act of faith that God comes to our aid. To the end of our lives, we are to seek without ceasing the presence of Him who has promised to be with us always (cf. Matthew 28:20). He who is the same yesterday and today, the deliverer, the comforter, whom we need today and will need tomorrow. Without Him, we are as helpless today as we will be tomorrow.
The Christian, like wandering Israel, is also a pilgrim, accompanied by the uncertainty of grace. At every moment, he requires God as his guide. He is a creature in waiting, a pilgrim on the way to the Father’s house. He knows no rest. He does not dwell in this life; he does not say, “Let us stop here.” He is essentially a man of desire, inquietude, cor (= restless heart) until he finds eternal rest in God. And yet he is full of joy, security, peace, tranquility, and brightness, for he knows where he is going and in whom he has believed. More accurately, he does not know where he is going, but he knows that there he is going. Another – and what a perfect – representation of the present moment, we can ponder and marvel at the Blessed Virgin Mary herself. Her whole life was one series of moments, sometimes inconspicuous, but she lived with the utmost love. Her entire being, wonderfully pure through her immaculate conception, certainly gave at the disposal of these successive moments in perfect and total absorption; in each moment, she was exposing her entire being to the light that illuminated it, transformed it, spiritualizing. In Mary, the sun did not cast shadows. She was the pure dwelling place of God, body and soul belonging only to heaven, and we know how she pondered the meaning of things: But Mary kept it all. In her heart and considered it (Luke 2:19). And so to Mary belongs glory, in terms of her merit, for living fully in the present moment.

Our morality teaches us that love triumphs even over duty to the law. But we know that God is Love.

They did not want to admit this and stubbornly upheld the laws of the synagogue leaders when the Lord Jesus healed a sick woman on Saturday who had been hunched over for 18 years and could not straighten up. He said: “The woman is freed from her illness” (Lk 13:12). Because of this, a sharp exchange of views occurred between Jesus and the superiors of the synagogues about celebrating the Sabbath rest. The people, although they saw and heard what the Lord Jesus was doing, did not accept his offer to enter the kingdom of God; he rejected his calls to repentance and stubbornly maintained his external understanding of religion. The head of the synagogue is angry that the Lord Jesus heals on the Sabbath. According to him, it is a great job. But he no longer considers it heresy to take care of his cattle. He goes to water because he is thirsty. He can understand this, but he cannot understand helping another – the help shown by the Lord Jesus to this sick woman. What can be delivered to an animal cannot be delivered to a person. Such is the opinion of the head of the synagogue. Such teaching is Pharisaical. In this beautiful example, we can see the far-reaching consequences of the love of the Lord Jesus and the ossification of the paragraphs of the Law of the nation’s leaders. Saturday was a memorable day for the Jewish people to free the nation from Egyptian captivity. That is why even the head of the synagogue should have been happy that one of the nation’s sisters found relief from her illness. The superior may not have been the wrong person, but he stuck to the rules and knew little about love. For him, the prescription was more than an act of love.

After this explanation, we will think. Aren’t we like the head of the synagogue? Aren’t we just prescriptions? It can become an opportunity for us to say goodbye to chronic faith. Adults, try to develop your faith, leave childish ways, and start living the faith of your time. Living your faith means living it ever new and new, ever young and enriching. We have to get rid of such thoughts that still bother someone, that faith belongs to the Middle Ages, that it does not appeal to the youth, that it is far from the mentality of a man. On the contrary, we are witnessing the fact that faith, for those who try to know and understand it better, becomes a beautiful impulse in life and helps them to solve problems. The Lord Jesus healed a sick woman on Saturday. So he brought a new atmosphere to the celebration of Saturday. The Church does not distance itself from the teachings of Christ when it understands the temporal and regional needs of believers.

For us, Sunday is a day of rest, but that does not mean we are idle. It is a day to experience the family community. A day to deepen your knowledge in the field of faith. It is a day when we can visit each other and use the meeting to comfort, encourage, strengthen, or bring joy to the sick and old.