God’s Justice Will Be Done
A Reflection for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time by Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
The Gospel for this Sunday is the parable about the judge in a certain town who had neither fear of God nor respect for man and our need to pray continually and never lose heart. Which ends with a promise from Christ and also a question that is worth our considering in this age and time, “will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them?? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?”
The Gospel story could very well be speaking about the many people who live in this world and seem to have little or no fear of God or the consequences of how they are living their daily lives and who also have no respect for anyone but their own self interests. Our world today is very narcissistic and a great many people seek out fame, fortune, and power and seem to care not about God or the plight of their brothers and sisters in Christ.
A recent survey has pointed out a decline in the last few decades in those who attend church on a regular basis. According to the poll this trend has increased more in the last decade at an alarming rate which might account for the massive closing of churches and schools throughout the United States and in other nations.
The attacks on even the mention of God and the display of any Christian symbols in public places has also increased and with it we have seen the decline of all moral values and even simple courtesy and respect.
Of course we also have those who use God to justify their discrimination and prejudice toward ethnic and other groups who do not fit their idea of the ideal individual.
One can not wonder what God perceives of all this and how He is going to judge us when our time before Him comes.
We might also think about the words of Christ at the end the Gospel reading “when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?”
I believe that He will find some who have lived according to God’s will and the teachings of Christ. He will find some who have “Loved their neighbor as they have loved themselves” and who have practiced the Beatitudes and looked out for the well being of those who are sick, aged, poor and needy and who seek to know and love God in spite of the rejection and ridicule of others.
In Paul’s second letter to Timothy 3:14-4:2 Paul tells timothy to “Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed and remember from whom it was taught” The teacher was God’s master teacher, His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
Believing in God and accepting Jesus Christ as our redeemer and Savior is not enough, we are called to live our faith every day of our lives. We are called to put our lives in God’s hands and to trust God’s will. We must make it our life’s goal to live our lives with respect for all God’s creation especially all His children regardless of their race, creed or social position.
Today’s newspaper had a story about the condition of seniors and how they are having a greater struggle every year especially those who live on only their Social Security since the COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) does not actually keep up with the actual increase in the cost of living. In the last decade seniors have actually lost 40% of their purchasing power because of the way the government figures the COLA. Calls by all the organizations that serve the elderly to change to way the formula works have fallen on deaf ears. This is just one example of many where the desire for greater profits for investors to make the wealthy even more wealthy and neglecting needy. Everywhere in our society there are many examples of a total disregard of the needs of the less fortunate.
As Christians and believers in the teachings of Jesus Christ, we should be actively speaking out against all injustices and doing everything in our power to force change especially in the richest nation in the world.
We need to rethink our own individual priorities and make sure that we set aside at least ten percent of the gifts God provides us with to give back in thanksgiving for them.
God desire to see justice done in all things as the Gospel reminds us of what Christ said of God “I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. AMEN
A mission of the Franciscans of Divine Mercy. We are a welcoming and affirming faith community to all who feel disenfranchised, unwanted, and rejected by Faith Communities. We welcome all persons who believe Christ was the redeemer and savior. The mission pastor is Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Friday, October 19, 2007
God's Justice Will Be Done
God’s Justice Will Be Done
A Reflection for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time by Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
The Gospel for this Sunday is the parable about the judge in a certain town who had neither fear of God nor respect for man and our need to pray continually and never lose heart. Which ends with a promise from Christ and also a question that is worth our considering in this age and time, “will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them?? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?”
The Gospel story could very well be speaking about the many people who live in this world and seem to have little or no fear of God or the consequences of how they are living their daily lives and who also have no respect for anyone but their own self interests. Our world today is very narcissistic and a great many people seek out fame, fortune, and power and seem to care not about God or the plight of their brothers and sisters in Christ.
A recent survey has pointed out a decline in the last few decades in those who attend church on a regular basis. According to the poll this trend has increased more in the last decade at an alarming rate which might account for the massive closing of churches and schools throughout the United States and in other nations.
The attacks on even the mention of God and the display of any Christian symbols in public places has also increased and with it we have seen the decline of all moral values and even simple courtesy and respect.
Of course we also have those who use God to justify their discrimination and prejudice toward ethnic and other groups who do not fit their idea of the ideal individual.
One can not wonder what God perceives of all this and how He is going to judge us when our time before Him comes.
We might also think about the words of Christ at the end the Gospel reading “when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?”
I believe that He will find some who have lived according to God’s will and the teachings of Christ. He will find some who have “Loved their neighbor as they have loved themselves” and who have practiced the Beatitudes and looked out for the well being of those who are sick, aged, poor and needy and who seek to know and love God in spite of the rejection and ridicule of others.
In Paul’s second letter to Timothy 3:14-4:2 Paul tells timothy to “Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed and remember from whom it was taught” The teacher was God’s master teacher, His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
Believing in God and accepting Jesus Christ as our redeemer and Savior is not enough, we are called to live our faith every day of our lives. We are called to put our lives in God’s hands and to trust God’s will. We must make it our life’s goal to live our lives with respect for all God’s creation especially all His children regardless of their race, creed or social position.
Today’s newspaper had a story about the condition of seniors and how they are having a greater struggle every year especially those who live on only their Social Security since the COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) does not actually keep up with the actual increase in the cost of living. In the last decade seniors have actually lost 40% of their purchasing power because of the way the government figures the COLA. Calls by all the organizations that serve the elderly to change to way the formula works have fallen on deaf ears. This is just one example of many where the desire for greater profits for investors to make the wealthy even more wealthy and neglecting needy. Everywhere in our society there are many examples of a total disregard of the needs of the less fortunate.
As Christians and believers in the teachings of Jesus Christ, we should be actively speaking out against all injustices and doing everything in our power to force change especially in the richest nation in the world.
We need to rethink our own individual priorities and make sure that we set aside at least ten percent of the gifts God provides us with to give back in thanksgiving for them.
God desire to see justice done in all things as the Gospel reminds us of what Christ said of God “I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. AMEN
A Reflection for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time by Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
The Gospel for this Sunday is the parable about the judge in a certain town who had neither fear of God nor respect for man and our need to pray continually and never lose heart. Which ends with a promise from Christ and also a question that is worth our considering in this age and time, “will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them?? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?”
The Gospel story could very well be speaking about the many people who live in this world and seem to have little or no fear of God or the consequences of how they are living their daily lives and who also have no respect for anyone but their own self interests. Our world today is very narcissistic and a great many people seek out fame, fortune, and power and seem to care not about God or the plight of their brothers and sisters in Christ.
A recent survey has pointed out a decline in the last few decades in those who attend church on a regular basis. According to the poll this trend has increased more in the last decade at an alarming rate which might account for the massive closing of churches and schools throughout the United States and in other nations.
The attacks on even the mention of God and the display of any Christian symbols in public places has also increased and with it we have seen the decline of all moral values and even simple courtesy and respect.
Of course we also have those who use God to justify their discrimination and prejudice toward ethnic and other groups who do not fit their idea of the ideal individual.
One can not wonder what God perceives of all this and how He is going to judge us when our time before Him comes.
We might also think about the words of Christ at the end the Gospel reading “when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?”
I believe that He will find some who have lived according to God’s will and the teachings of Christ. He will find some who have “Loved their neighbor as they have loved themselves” and who have practiced the Beatitudes and looked out for the well being of those who are sick, aged, poor and needy and who seek to know and love God in spite of the rejection and ridicule of others.
In Paul’s second letter to Timothy 3:14-4:2 Paul tells timothy to “Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed and remember from whom it was taught” The teacher was God’s master teacher, His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
Believing in God and accepting Jesus Christ as our redeemer and Savior is not enough, we are called to live our faith every day of our lives. We are called to put our lives in God’s hands and to trust God’s will. We must make it our life’s goal to live our lives with respect for all God’s creation especially all His children regardless of their race, creed or social position.
Today’s newspaper had a story about the condition of seniors and how they are having a greater struggle every year especially those who live on only their Social Security since the COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) does not actually keep up with the actual increase in the cost of living. In the last decade seniors have actually lost 40% of their purchasing power because of the way the government figures the COLA. Calls by all the organizations that serve the elderly to change to way the formula works have fallen on deaf ears. This is just one example of many where the desire for greater profits for investors to make the wealthy even more wealthy and neglecting needy. Everywhere in our society there are many examples of a total disregard of the needs of the less fortunate.
As Christians and believers in the teachings of Jesus Christ, we should be actively speaking out against all injustices and doing everything in our power to force change especially in the richest nation in the world.
We need to rethink our own individual priorities and make sure that we set aside at least ten percent of the gifts God provides us with to give back in thanksgiving for them.
God desire to see justice done in all things as the Gospel reminds us of what Christ said of God “I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. AMEN
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