PERSEVERE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

 Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time 1 (23 September 2023 - Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina)

📖1 Tim 6:13-16; Ps 100:1-2, 3, 4, 5 (R.v.2b); Luke 8:4-15

🎤PERSEVERE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

At the end of the First Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, the apostle encouraged his audience, which now includes us, to hold on to the keeping of the commandments of God till the end, when Christ will come again (see 1 Tim 6:13-16). There are a number of things that can make us not to do so, and those things are well represented in the parable of the sower (cf.Luke 8:4-15).

There are some people who are under the manipulations of the devil and as such refuse to let the word of God to perpetrate them. They are like the seed planted by the path (Luke 8:5, 12).

Some others are always excited at the mention of God because they look forward to receiving favour from him. They are in every crusade and revivals, running from one Church to another, but possessing no strong faith in God. They are the seeds that fell on rock (Luke 8:6, 13).

Some are ever ready to temporarily forget about God insofar as some material things would enter their hands. They are ready to skip going to Church on Sundays that coincides with the market day, and may even be ready to become cultists. Quest for material things strangles the word of God in them like the seed that fell on thorns (Luke 8:7, 14).

Yet, there are those who allowed the word of God to perpetrate them, bearing good fruit in them, and guiding their way of life. They always see the hand of God in all that happens to them, both good and bad. They are like the seeds that fell on good soil (Luke 8:8, 15).

Where do you belong?

St. Pius of Pietrelcina, popularly known as Padre Pio, encourages us to seek God alone in humility and patience, and he will supply our needs in abundance. May God help us to accept his word at all times in our lives, and may it bear bountiful fruits in our lives through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a favoured and fruitful weekend. Peace be with you.

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