Dear Missionary Disciples of Jesus Christ,

    What I write applies to all of us.  In other words, I am also writing to myself. Everything is a gift from God. I believe I need to be more intentionally grateful. What do I mean? I need to pray prayers of thanksgiving for all that God has given me, much more frequently. By the way, there are studies in positive psychology that indicate people who are grateful and practice such are happier. These studies are no surprise, as we read in Sacred Scripture, and we hear and pray this at Mass. 

    I am also meditating on the challenging Gospel from September 7th. The Gospel we proclaimed was from Luke 14:25-33. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2544 references that Gospel. In it we read, " Jesus enjoins his disciples to prefer him to everything and everyone, and bids them 'renounce all that they have for his sake and that of the Gospel. Shortly before his passion, he gave them the example of the poor widow of Jerusalem who, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.  The precept of detachment from riches is obligatory for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. This Gospel speaks to each of us personally, urging us to detach from worldly possessions and prioritize our relationship with Jesus. 

    The question of what to do with all that we have is a very important one for all of us. For this reason, almsgiving is not just important, it is crucial for all of us. Our willingness to give to those in need is a direct reflection of our commitment to the Gospel and our readiness to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Peace,  Fr. M