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In the brief parables we hear today about the thief in the night and the devoted servant, Jesus tells us to stay awake and be attentive to the coming of the kingdom. It can catch us by surprise if we are not careful. What part does the coming of the kingdom play in my life?
The world says, “Put your best foot forward,” but sometimes I care so much about what the world thinks of me that the foot I put forward isn’t really mine—it belongs to someone I’m pretending to be.
We know nothing about Saint Bartholomew except that he was one of the original twelve apostles. If he is the man called Nathanael, then we know he is from Cana in Galilee—but that still doesn’t tell us much. But knowing that he gave his life in the service of the faith is enough.
Most of us are not called to proclaim the gospel of Jesus full time as apostles, but we can bring people into touch with Jesus. We can introduce them to him by the way we speak about him, by the reverence we offer him, by the importance we give him.
Just as there are seasons in the year, there are seasons in our prayer lives.
Don’t confuse pride with healthy self-esteem and gratitude for God-given talents, gifts, and accomplishments. Pride takes credit for everything and denies God’s grace working in my life. Its antidote is humility—the virtue that keeps my feet on the ground.
A member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, Saint Rose of Lima lived a life of penance and devotion to the poor at home under the disapproving eyes of her parents.
Much of society emphasizes external appearance whether in clothing, the car one drives or the choice of food they eat. All of that says nothing about who the real person is within himself. And that is ultimately what God judges–the heart and intentions rather than externals and appearance.
The international interfaith organization GreenFaith provides a grassroots movement to mobilize people for climate justice. Find out how you can join other people of faith in your community to protect the earth’s natural resources.
