‎7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit

‎The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.  In a series of blog entries I will attempt to provide information to assist us in learning what the seven gifts are and how we can apply them to our daily lives.  I will begin with the gift of understanding.  The Baltimore Catechism teaches "To gain the happiness of heaven we must know, love, and serve God in this world".  As we journey in our lives, our moral life if guided by the gifts of the Holy Spirit will manifest in us according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church the fruits of the Spirit.  CCC 1832 states "The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory.  The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them:  "charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity."

"The first fruits of eternal glory" speaks volumes to me, it reveals who I will be in heaven and who we all will be in heaven.  Let's unpack the gift of understanding a first step to helping us gain and sustain as Christians the moral life we are called to embrace and live.  

The Gift of Understanding gives us a deeper insight into the divine truths of faith. It discloses to the soul the hidden meaning of Scripture and reveals the mysterious significance of many of the symbols and figures used there. This gift corresponds to the beatitude of the pure of heart . Those who possess purity of heart begin to see God, even now, in all that happens to us.

What does being pure of heart mean in our everyday life?  After all, if we are to attain a deeper understanding of our faith, scripture, the church and it's traditions our lives need to ascribe to this quality.  So, how do we attain it?  How can we recognize someone who has this attribute?

A good question?  I believe we will attain understanding through the study of the faith, scripture, the teachings and traditions of the church and by living them out.  We will recognize the gifts of the Holy Spirit by the fruits of the spirit evident in the lives of others.  In others we will witness by their lives the manifestation of charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity; although, at times imperfect, they will continue to persevere in God's love, mercy and forgiveness striving everyday to please God and live according to His will.   

 According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "Purification of the heart demands prayer, the practice of chastity, purity of intention and of vision.  (CCC 2532).  

How do we in our daily lives acquire a pure heart?  We must seek the answers exercising our ability to pray, study scripture, meditate on the scripture and it's message God is trying to reveal to us individually and collectively, study of our faith and the teachings of the Church, it's traditions and knowing God and ourselves through all of these resources.  And most of all TRUSTING GOD no matter if we can understand the WHY?  

Living a pure life is a challenge and a Cross difficult to carry, yet one we must all strive to conquer in our lives.  If we strive each day to flower the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit we will undoubtedly reap the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives hear on earth, in our relationships and inevitably in our life with God for all eternity.  

 Although practicing a life of Chastity in our lives whether single or married is difficult St. Josemaria Escriva tells us that "When you decide firmly to lead a clean life, Chastity will not be a burden on you:  It will be a crown of triumph." 

According to Jason Evert's statement on his and wife, Crystalina's website at http://chastity.com/node/442

"Some think that "chastity" simply means "not having sex." But that's mere abstinence: what you can't do and can't have. Chastity is more than that, it is about what you can do and have—right now: a lifestyle that brings freedom, respect, peace, and romance without regret."    

According to http://catholic.net/index.php?option=dedestaca&id=6832 in the article "Chastity:  What are you saying YES to? Chastity is defined as "a virtue that directs all our sexual desires, emotions, and attractions toward the dignity of the person and the real meaning of love."

"That means that all of our sexual desires, emotions, and attractions to others are supposed to be at the service of the dignity of the other person and the real meaning of love—not at the service of what we want! Chastity is a deep respect and admiration for the person AND for the gifts of our sexuality and sex. As Blessed Pope John Paul II puts it, chastity is the readiness to affirm and love the person in every situation. You know what you are saying no to by living chastity, but what are you saying YES to?".   

When we choose to live a life of Chastity we are saying yes to authentic real love, to the person, the “it is very good” kind of sex, your future and if married your spouse, a great future and yes to God. 

So, what can we practically do each day to attain a pure heart?  How can we practice chastity in our lives?  Some of the things we can do each day begins with prayer, loving now, being ourselves, practicing self-discipline, controlling our thoughts and imagination, thinking about how we advertise ourselves, being alert, knowing ourselves, having reminders and being with others according to "Chastity:  What are we saying YES to?" at www.catholic.net.  

I quote and list here the explanation of each of these practical approaches to acquiring the purity of heart that the gift of the Holy Spirit of understanding will give to us and what will help us attain a pure heart.  

"Practical Things You Can Do to Start Living Chastity NOW

1. PRAY!!

Mother Teresa said “Purity is the fruit of prayer.” Chastity cannot be lived by one’s own strength, but requires the help of Christ and the graces He gives through the Sacraments. Pick a saint—St. Joseph, St. Anne, St. Maria Goretti, St. Philomena, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati are some suggestions—and ask them to pray for you specifically in the area of purity. Pray for strength to always do what’s right, for your future vocation and spouse, and for all people to know the joy that comes from living a chaste life for the Lord.

2. Start loving now.

Chastity isn’t about waiting to love; it’s about authentically loving NOW. Find ways to renounce your will and sacrifice for the good of others. Act in such a way that all you do reflects your own dignity and helps others to realize their true worth as well. Learn to give of yourself and receive the gift of others.

3. Be yourself.

Never change who you are or water down your beliefs and moral convictions in hopes that others will like you more. You will be respected for your authenticity, and people will know where you stand by the example of your life. Find friends who will encourage you in living a chaste life rather than pressuring you to conform to the world’s standards.

4. Practice self-discipline.

Challenge yourself in the little things: not hitting the snooze button, skipping dessert, avoiding gossip, etc. By renouncing yourself in the little things, you are training yourself to renounce yourself in the big things. Then, when temptation comes your way, you’ll be ready. Be faithful to your commitments; set goals and stick with them.

5. Control your thoughts and imagination.

Once you go to a place mentally, it is easier to go there in reality. Some of what we hear and watch in the media sabotages our longings for real love by training us to use people. If you have romance novels, pornography, explicit songs, or anything else that tempts you, trash them. It might be hard, but you will experience the freedom that comes from rejecting sin and addiction, and Satan will no longer have these tools to use against you.

6. Think about how you advertise yourself.

The things you do and say, your friends, the way you dress, etc., all tell the world something about you. Dress in a way that accents your beauty rather than just your body. Modesty is about respecting yourself and helping your brothers and sisters in Christ to live chastity as well. Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, “No one ever becomes truly beautiful until he stops trying to make himself beautiful, and begins making himself good. Mary was not ‘full of grace’ because she was beautiful; she was beautiful because she was full of grace.”

7. Be alert!

Don’t drink alcohol or do drugs. Be aware of your surroundings (watch your drink!), and keep full possession of the capacity to think clearly, which is so compromised by drugs and alcohol.

8. Know Yourself.

It’s not just about saying NO when you’re in a bad situation, but about avoiding these situations to begin with. If certain situations, things, or people are a source of temptation to you, have the wisdom and strength to stay away. If you are ever in a situation where you may be tempted beyond your strength, 1) speak up, 2) stand up, and 3) walk out.

9. Have a reminder.

Wear a chastity ring/necklace or say a certain special prayer daily. Do something that reminds you of your commitment to true love.

10. Group date.

Go out with a guy/girl in a group of people. It will be more fun, and you will get to see how this person interacts with your friends. Be up-front and honest so he or she knows that chastity is essential in your relationship. If your date doesn’t respect your choice to live chastely, what else won’t they respect?" 

Although this article targets specifically the unmarried, this also applies to married couples as well.  We are all called to live a life of Chastity and to attain a purity of heart and understanding of God's will for our lives.  

Are you up for the challenge to seek, understand and live the spirit of understanding?  What are you willing to do to attain a pure heart?  Are you hungry to know God, love God and serve God?  Will you pick up your bible and catechism today in order to know God better?  Will you speak to and ask God for the spirit to understand His word, His love and will for your life?  Will you take the time to examine your conscience and get to know who you are?  Will you surrender your will to the will of God today?  I hope that you take the time, because life is short and uncertain as to when He will call us from this life. Will you be ready?   

When we meet again we will unpack the Gift of Knowledge, which allows us to judge correctly concerning the truths of faith in accord with their proper causes. It makes us see the emptiness of created things and the necessity of placing our complete trust in God. As this gift shows us the gravity of sin, it corresponds with the beatitude of those who weep for their sins .

May you be blessed and may God reveal is love and mercy to you on your quest to know him more, love him more and serve him more.  

Peace Be With Your Spirits,

Stephie

Risen in Christ Suffering and Cross

Today is the 5th Sunday of lent and as I prepared for the third Scrutiny with the scriptures of Ezekiel 37:12-14, Romans 8:8-11 and John 11:1-45 my meditation and time spent with Jesus was a sweet embrace of love and a promise that He will be coming back for us of believe and follow Him. 

     It is comforting assurance of God's love for me and all of us who believe in Jesus.  Knowing that he has promised us that he will raise us from our graves and breath His spirit in us in order that we may live with Him eternally brings me solace and hope in this life. 

     Lord I desire with all of my soul to embrace your redeeming Cross for I am becoming surer each day that the suffering in my life if only I embrace it is your love for me.  It is because of your Cross that I have been saved from eternal death.  The Cross you bared for me unites the Crosses I bear in suffering with the redemption of this world as I know it. 

     Lord if only they knew, if only they trusted you, if only they believed your promise of eternal life there would be only love, joy and peace in this world we live in today.  And Lord I am included in the "they", because each time I fail, I too lose sight and am dead because of the sin I commit when I am unloving, unkind, impatient and lack the understanding and empathy for myself and others.

    Lord, I pray for your help each day to embrace your Cross, so that in communion with you I may in my suffering know your love and look forward to the day when you will call me home and say "I know you".  Living with you for all eternity is my greatest desire.  Unite my suffering with yours Lord that the world may be redeemed and know that you are God, a loving and merciful God.  May I always put you first in my life above all else and may they know me as one of your disciples because of you who lives in me.  In Jesus most holy name, Amen. 

Jesus' Love is Pure and True

As I reflected yesterday on the scripture readings in the Gospel, Matthew 5:43-48 my first response is one of great sorrow and pain, because I am reminded of how unloving I am now and have been towards some of my family.  The word gently reveals God to me and who He is calling me to be, perfect as He is perfect.  I say with my lips and although I feel in my heart I forgive those who in my family have hurt me or by my perception of how we must live our lives I  love them, but, do I.  Jesus loves me purely, never for his sake; but, for my own sake.  He pursues me in my weakness in order to reveal my good.  He knows me better than I know myself.  He knows that all I want is to love and be loved; yet, he recognizes in me the cause for my weaknesses.  The reason we sometimes are unable to love, forgive or see the goodness in our neighbors is because we only look or see what is visible to us.  Many times I am dismayed at why we love those who love us and are cold, distant and indifferent towards those who we consider against us, our enemies.  For if you are not for me, you must be against me, isn't that usually our thinking; yet, even when we are away from God, even when we hurt him, even when we disappoint Him, He loves us, each of us, good or bad; as well as the just or unjust things we do.  So, if we in our weakness are loved in this way, we too are called to love, forgive and pray for our enemies.  The Lord seeks us, calls us each by name to remind us of His love for us.  Jesus takes up our defense, gives us His heart, His time and His trust.  He seeks to arouse our hearts to recognize the good in us and others.  Jesus does this in order to renew our spirits so that we will emulate the love He has for us and in us in order that we will share His love with our neighbors; but, more significantly our family.  So, I challenge myself and each of you this lent to pray and reflect on how we love.  Do we love our enemies enough that we seek to understand in them what is hidden?  Do we understand what pain they must be going through now or have suffered in the past so that we may understand?  Jesus made himself smaller in order to make us better.  Can we too make ourselves smaller to serve the needs of others?  Can we pray for and love others so they recognize Christ' love in us?  Let's not judge the vices of our Brothers and Sisters; but, seek in them what remains pure by doing what Jesus would do, seek and love them without motive, pure and true. 

Peace in Times of Tribulation

"I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
"John 16:33)

The scripture passage above, it truly was what I needed to hear after learning that "The Senate today voted against the Blunt Amendment that would have protected the rights of religious employers from having to pay for birth control and drugs that may cause
abortions." (http://www.lifenews.com/2012/03/01/thirteen-catholic-senators-vote-against-religious-liberty/).  Thirteen of them voted against the amendment with Mary Landrieu, our democratic Senator from the state of Louisiana being one of them.  “By consenting to the disastrous HHS mandate, the U.S. Senate has taken the unprecedented step to deny our religious liberties instead of defending the Constitution,” said Matt Smith, president of Catholic Advocate. “It is disappointing to witness a group of senators misled on this issue at the expense of one of our key founding principles.”" (http://www.lifenews.com/2012/03/01/thirteen-catholic-senators-vote-against-religious-liberty/)

I am so disappointed in the Senator Mary Landrieu, but, the Lord in his consoling words found in John 16:33 reminds me that the victory has already been won for he has overcome the world.  This consoles my mind and my spirit for I know that no matter what, immorality will not prevail over the gates of Heaven.  I will persevere in the fight to protect the innocent lives and our religious, moral and civil liberties and I hope and pray that you will too.  With that said, it is our duty as laity to hold those accountable who do not support our values.  I am consoled by the vote of Nay by Senator David Vitter, because he took a Pro-Life stance for this amendment to be approved so that we would have the freedom to say no I will not provide services that go against my moral conscience.  Hence, today, I took the stand and wrote Senator Mary Landrieu to express my deep disappointment in her vote of Yea to table or kill the Blunt Amendment,which would have protected our rights.  I hope and pray that you exercise your duty and let her know how you feel about her unjust vote against the citizens of this state and hope that each of you will vote your conscience on election day. 

I would like to share my letter sent to Mary Landrieu and hope it inspires you to take a stand for Social Justice. 

"Senator Landrieu you voted today against an "amendment to restore the religious liberty protections for employers who don’t want to be forced to pay for birth control or drugs that may cause abortions in their employee health plans."

A Yea vote to kill the amendment is pro-choice.  I wonder Mary do you really know what you are doing?  At the end of your life when you have to meet Jesus, your Judge, how will you justify your Pro-Choice stance?  What choice, one to decide who lives, who dies and who does not have a moral choice to not choose to kill life? Your yea vote is a disgrace to your own mother, who by her choice chose to give you life.  Mary, you do not honor the name you were given by your parents!  The name of the Woman whose fiat gave us the Savior of the world!  Our Heavenly, Mother Mary's yes, restored our life, the life we cherish and I give God thanks and praise for giving us His only Son to save us from our sin and open the gates of Heaven for us to live in all eternity with Him.  Life is a gift from God, do you get this?  It saddens me deeply that you represent our wonderful state of Louisiana!  I am not and have I ever been one of your supporters and would never vote for you, because you are a disgrace to this state.  We are God fearing, loving and forgiving people and it is my hope and prayer that you will search your conscience and hear the voice of Jesus, saying..."Mary why are you persecuting me?"  And like Paul I hope you are struck down off your Pro-Choice horse and have a conversion of heart and repent and believe in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! With that said it is because of the love of God that I forgive you, love you and pray for you.  Be not mistaken in no way do I condone or approve of your vote or Pro-Choice stance.  I can love the sinner and hate the sin, yet I do not have to support the wrongful choices you insist on imposing on the people of this state.    

When you go back to vote to table or kill the amendment I pray you reflect and seek the counsel of Almighty God for guidance.  

Our health care plans should not be forced down our throats dictating us "to provide controversial preventive health services, including birth control, drugs that may cause abortions and emergency contraception. The Blunt Amendment would prevent health care providers and insurers from being forced to violate their principles to offer services they are morally opposed to, and it guarantees that all Americans are not penalized or discriminated against for exercising their rights of conscience."

"The text of the Blunt Amendment consists of the language taken from the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (S. 1467, H.R. 1179).    Respect our Choice, Mary!  It can be assimilated to that of a rapist and rape victim.  Obama insist on forcing his mandate upon our religious rights and we are being raped, without a choice to decide not to provide these immoral "healthcare" services that you define as healthcare.  How ironic is it that you call this healthcare, this is far from caring for the health of human beings life!   

"Hatch said that “…our Constitution demands that those individuals and institutions that object to providing these services on religious and moral grounds be protected.” Hatch added that “under this administration, our Bill of Rights has been subordinated to President Obama’s desire to micromanage the nation’s health care system.” I agree with Hatch it is our constitutional right to be protected against being forced to provide services that go against our religious and moral choices and I expect you, Mary, who represent me as a citizen of this state to represent me better than you have. I am proud to have Senator David Vitter represent me and my family for he gets it.  He understands our moral and constitutional rights; which is a lot more than I can say for you Mary. 

Sincerely troubled and disappointed,
Stephanie Broussard "   

Citations:  http://www.lifenews.com/2012/03/01/senate-defeats-blunt-amendment-to-stop-obama-hhs-mandate/

Links:  http://www.lifenews.com/2012/03/01/thirteen-catholic-senators-vote-against-religious-liberty/

The Potters Clay

Who are you? What are you? These are two very hard questions to answer about myself. Not one I truly know how to put into words? Can you? Deacon Hyde says he realized he was the King of Brokenness, which really made me think long and hard about my own brokenness. How do we express brokenness? Today I heard the definition of Sin is the willful abuse of human freedom. The willful abuse of human freedom, what is it? Glad you asked; it is the willful act of exercising our will rather than doing God's.

When I reflect and examine my conscience on who is the person looking back at me in the mirror? I ponder in my heart, am I the loving, forgiving, kind, humble, meek and joyful person I think that I am? Or is that the person dissimulated in the disguise of the person I think that I am? There are times in my life when I am at my weakest that I feel unfaithful to the Lord's calling me to emulate Jesus. For example, when I am feeling tired and frustrated I am not the most kind person I can be. At other times when I am facing a crisis in my personal life I sometimes am unforgiving and lack prudence in my speech because all I want to do is simply flee so as not to have to deal with the situation that needs addressing. When I feel the anxieties of the world closing in on me by it's relentless persecution of my exposed weaknesses, I am not always very kind or joyful towards my neighbors. These are the crosses that I bear and the ones that when recognized lead me to the waters of renewal in the Lord's love and forgiveness. So, I can say without reserve that I am the Queen of my brokenness. I am weak until I decide to pick up my cross with both hands. When I surrender myself completely to God's will then and only then do I find healing for my broken spirit.

I am a broken clay pot who is weak with stumbling and failings; yet I know without a doubt because of the words God has spoken in Jeremiah 18:1-8, he is constantly reminding me to rise up, pick up the Word of God and come to him. Come to him all you, who are weak and I will give you rest. The Lord Jesus Christ is working day and night at the potters wheel, even in the times I am turning out badly, yet he tries again, shaping me out of my weaknesses again and again shaping and molding me into another me that pleases Him. I am sure most often he is disappointed. How His wounds must ooze, sometimes even flow with blood and water, yet, I know without reserve that he is there at the wheel ready to forgive me of my sins and renew my spirit through his merciful absolution in the sacrament of reconciliation. So the Who I am and what I am is who I am in Christ. His love and forgiveness not only for myself, but, of others changes me into who I want to be. I will know Jesus in the Gospel and I will know myself in the sacrament of reconciliation. For one spin of the wheel at a time will I become who God calls me to be, a disciple.

So, I ask you, who are you and what are you? Is this easy for you to answer? I invite you to share your thoughts and hope that you will accept. May God bless you this Lent and may you find him in the Who you are and the What you are and may you be transformed into the Who and What he calls you to be.

Is there room in the Inn?

As we prepare our hearts this Advent to meet our Savior are the doors of your heart open to receive Jesus? 

When Mary and Joseph arrive at the Inn of your heart will there be a room or a manger waiting for them? 

Joseph arrives with Mary riding on a donkey in Bethlehem.  The journey has been a long one and the time has come for the Savior of the World to be born.  There are no open rooms in the city, finally one Inn Keeper who says there is no rooms......directs them to go to the back of the Inn, where the animals where kept in the manger. 

When Jesus comes will there be any room in my Inn?  Is there a place in my heart or do I not have any room for him to be born in me?  Do I place Him in the back where no one can see him in my life?  Away in a smelly, cold, damp and dark place in the recesses of my heart.  A place where I do not have to worry about Him turning my life upside down, changing me. 

When He comes knocking on my door will I not answer the door or will I rip the door off my hinges, opening wide my heart to Jesus, making room there for him to be my Lord and Savior? 

If we love each other then we must learn to be stout....willing to say what is necessary to save souls for Christ.  We do an injustice to our brothers and sisters when we are complacent to accept the things that are Sin, because we don't want to get someone mad or upset with us?  How is this love?  If we really loved then we would tell them even if they leave us and never come back?  How will I help someone by not opening up the door to my heart to Jesus....and sharing Him with them? 

This world is in serious trouble?  We have become, as Deacon Hyde says.....stupid?  We don't see Sin and if we do we just are absent minded and stupid by allowing it to continue? 

When will I realize my brokenness and the things that I must clear out of my Inn to make room for Jesus? 

The problem in this country is that we are too rich?  We don't need anything, we have it all?  Hence, since we don't need anything, Jesus stays locked away in the back of the Inn of our cold, damp and dark Inn!!  When are we going to take this world back and stand up for what is right and wholesome?  When are we going to stop putting up with "stupid"? 

When will I stand up and fight for my Lord?  When will I stand up and fight for what is good?  When will I open the Inn and show the world the way to Jesus? When will you? 

Do you know how to spell Sin a 3 year old little girl asked the Deacon?  He said, why don't you show me?  She got a piece of paper and wrote  a big "I" little s, little n.  It is so clear to see the I pointing back at me and to you. 

I - it's all about me
I - want this
I - want that
I - don't want to do that
I - don't want to do this

When does it stop being all about "I" and start being about HIM?  When do I say yes I have room for you in the INN?  When will you?  When do I want what is good and pleasing to God?  When will you?  When do I want that, which will lead others to be a Christ filled loving person?  When will you?  When will I start loving Jesus, my family, loving my neighbor with in a way that is Christ like?  When will you?  When will I love my neighbor enough to open my ears, my eyes, my lips and my heart to lead them to the Inn, making room for them before I make room for "I", me, myself?  When will you? 

I = Self
I = Selfish
I = Self Centered
I = Anger - Anger because I was not satisfied  
I = Pridefulness - ignoring God's graces in our lives, believing all is done or given because of "Me", "Myself" and "I" syndrome....
I = Gluttony - it's all about what I have, what I get, what I need, what I do and don't have, never about others....
I = Envy...wanting to be someone we were never meant to be....who God made us to be, his Children, not the world's. 
I = Lust - I want what you have and I don't care what I have to do to get it! 
I = Greed...wanting more of everything for me, ignoring Jesus and God's will for our lives. 
I = Sloth - I want everything given to me, but, I do not want to do anything to get it. 
I = no love for Jesus
I = no love for family
I = no love for neighbor

When will I open my Inn up for the Savior of the World to be born in my heart? When will you?  What in my Inn needs to be removed in order to make room for Jesus?  What needs to be removed from your heart? 

This advent season what will you change in order to prepare for Jesus' coming?  Why do we celebrate Christmas?  Do I know?  Do you?  Does our family and friends know? 

Help me Jesus and send down your Spirit to assist me in examining my conscience and remove from the crevices of my heart those things that separate me from God.  Give me courage to open my life to you.  May my response be a resounding YES, as Mary's YES, let your will be done and not mine. 

Will you open your heart to receive Jesus this advent season in preparation for the birth of our Lord?

These are my thoughts what about yours?

Kingdom of Heaven Is Waiting for You

This Gospel speaks to me in this way. The kingdom of heaven is for everyone, not only me.  It does not matter where you are in your spiritual journey the Lord is merciful and forgiving no matter if we are early or late in seeking him.  Even if we seek him late in our lives our salvation is a gift from God and we will not be treated any differently than the devout who have always followed him.  Jesus is continuously calling us to him and will wait until the time we decide to to give our lives and love over to God freely.  And the miracle is that he loves us all just the same, can we say that in our own lives?  Let us not be afraid to take a risk on a loving relationship with our savior, Jesus Christ and our neighbors, for it is in the risk that we grow in virtue on our quest for holiness.  Seek always the kingdom of God in a relationship with Him by living a good and virtuous life for the good of all.   

Here are the reflection questions in the commentary link below for the Gospel on this upcoming 25th Sunday in ordinary time. 

"Have you been idle? Are you concerned about your eternal salvation? What are you doing about it? Do you frequently examine your conscience and are careful to avoid sin in your life? Are you always trying to do God’s will? Do you go to confession often to receive forgiveness and grace from Jesus to overcome your weaknesses? Do you immediately tell God you’re sorry as soon as you do wrong? What are your dominant faults? Are you trying to overcome them? Do you work at prayer and daily meditate on the word of God? Are you a laborer in the kingdom of God? Or do you stand idle all day? The word of God says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12)."
  
 The Lord calls each and everyone of us to build up his Kingdom, are you working out your salvation or are you idle?  Do not be afraid to follow Jesus? Pray and ask come Lord Jesus come!        

Matthew 20:1-16a
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,he sent them into his vineyard.  Going out about nine o'clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too
go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.'
So they went off.  And he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o'clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them,
'Why do you stand here idle all day?'  They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.'  He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.'  When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.'
When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage.  And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.'  He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?  Take what is yours and go.  What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?   Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?'  Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Commentary on this weeks Gospel. 
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