LINGGO, HULYO 28, 2024

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE.

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Gospel Reading for October 24, 2026 – Luke 13: 1-9

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE.

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them– do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener,‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”

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As long as we live, no matter how old we have become, there is always hope. God always gives us chances and even the capability to change our ways according to how we are meant to be. Being made in his image and likeness, we are meant to project such image and likeness of being good, kind, compassionate, forgiving and everything that characterizes LOVE.

When we try to be what we are meant to be, some of us think we have to exert much effort, as if it is not worth the try. But it becomes this only when we got so used to being the opposite of who we are meant to be. Nevertheless, we need to cultivate and fertilize our lives through constant communication with God in prayer, the sacraments, and in doing charitable works.

The efforts, even if they be great, is worth more than our life on earth is, because it is what will bring us everlasting life with God.

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE.

Lord God, we thank you for always giving us the chance to attain eternal life with you. Amen.

RENDERED USELESS

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Gospel Reading for October 23, 2026 – Luke 12: 54-59

RENDERED USELESS

Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

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The scribes and Pharisees interpreted the Laws of God as they saw fit. Jesus described their behavior very well:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former” (Matthew 23:23).

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to” (Matthew 23:13).

“In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matthew 23:28).

If all of us interpreted laws according to what we wanted or as we saw fit, there would surely be CHAOS, and the law would be RENDERED USELESS.

For Jesus, it is very important that the Law of God be interpreted according to the intent of the One who gave it. Otherwise, the Law of God would be RENDERED USELESS. Since the Law of God is meant to bring peace, order, and happiness into our lives by placing LOVE for God and neighbor above all else, it should not be interpreted otherwise.

Lord Jesus, teach us to love and follow your decrees, knowing that they are the guideposts that will lead us to eternal life. Amen.