SHARING WITH OUR MASTER'S JOY - 8/27/22 (Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time)

Matthew 25:23

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.  Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’”  

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082722.cfm

Blessed Memorial of St. Monica! As we see in the parable, God gives many responsibilities to people who are faithful in small matters. Why does God do this? Isn't it a bit tiring? In reality, we should be glad with everything that God gives to us in our lives. Its because this is the means by which we can share in the joy of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Many people think that happiness is found in worldly desires and worldly riches. But, this is far from the truth. True happiness is found in doing God's will. 

St. Monica is an example of holiness. She was faithful to God and to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Even though her husband was a pagan at first, she remained firm in her faith and patient with her husband. Her husband soon converted. There are many temptations around us. There are many occasions of sins. There are many people who may influence us to live a more extravagant lifestyle than a simpler one. God has placed us in this situation because He knows that if we trust in Him and beg for His graces, we can persevere in holiness and faithfulness amidst such temptations. It's true that St. Monica remained devoted to God. Because of this, she was given a greater responsibility, and that was the time when her son, St. Augustine, was not yet devoted in the faith. 

It was truly heartbreaking for her to see her son fall to many sins, especially lust. She was saddened by the fact that he embraced heretical beliefs while he depended on his worldly wisdom. But, God prepared for her many graces, so she could participate in the mission of Christ. For many years, she attended the Mass, and she was diligent in her prayers for the conversion of St. Augustine. Her sorrows became joys when she saw that her son, after many years, embraced the Catholic faith. After the trials we encounter, let's be prepared because God may be giving us another responsibility. These are the people in our lives who may not be following God's will and who are in need of God's mercy. 

When we look at the life of Jesus, we can see His sufferings. At the same time, because of His union with the Father and the Holy Spirit, He never lost His interior joy, the same gift that He promised to us. And, despite our sins, He offered Himself for our salvation. Through the cross, we can see God's Divine Wisdom because our Lord Jesus Christ is doing the will of the Father for our salvation. This is the same task that we receive from Him. May we also remember to constantly pray the rosary. By imagining in our minds the life of Christ in the mysteries of the rosary, we open our hearts for more graces in order to imitate Him and be more united with God's will. And, the rosary is a spiritual weapon that Heaven sends to us. By praying the rosary, and other prayers as well, we can have trust that people will see the fullness of truth, in accordance with God's time, and we can entrust their salvation to Christ through our Mother Mary. Through the gift of prayer, we can share in the joy of God and more souls will turn away from sins in order to find the forgiveness of the Lord. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Life of St. Monica

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/st-monica-mother-of-st-augustine---august-27/

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls