Saturday, August 31, 2019

Saturday of the Twenty-First Week of Ordinary Time

Readings for Today

All Saints for Today

“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.’” Matthew 25:23

This is a story about two things. First, it’s a story about the fidelity we are called to have in this life to the service of the will of God. Second, it’s a promise of Jesus’ fidelity back to us, both here on Earth and, ultimately, when we meet Him at the time of our death.

What a blessing it would be to hear Jesus say those words to us upon the completion of our lives here on Earth. “Well done, good and faithful servant…Come, share your master’s joy.” This begs the question, if you were to die today, what would our Lord say to you? If you are not immediately confident that in His mercy He would say these words above, then today is a good day to make some changes in your life.

A good spiritual practice is to live today in such a way that we are consciously preparing for that glorious meeting with Jesus. What “responsibilities” has He entrusted to you in this life and what are you doing with them? Are you seeking to place all your gifts at the service of the Gospel and the spreading of charity? Are you diligent in giving of yourself to God and His holy will? Hopefully there is no hesitation in your answer. If there is, this is a sign that God may want more of you here and now.

One of the biggest problems we can struggle with in this world is the temptation to seek worldly satisfaction here and now, at the expense of building up Heavenly treasure. But why? Why seek momentary and superficial satisfaction here and now and risk losing eternal joy?

Reflect, today, upon the ultimate goal that you should have in life. This is the goal of being fully prepared for that glorious encounter with our Lord as you pass from this life to the next. Heaven may seem a bit intangible right now, but when the time comes to meet Jesus face to face, it will not be intangible in the slightest way. Instead, you will immediately be made aware of every detail of your life here on Earth. Your fidelity, day in and day out, or the lack of fidelity, day in and day out, will become either the source of your eternal joy or the source of eternal regret.

Lord, help me to keep my eyes on You and Your holy will. Free me from selfish and momentary goals in life so that I can seek to serve You only in the way that produces joy to Your heart. Help me to keep my eyes on Heaven and to daily prepare for that eternal meeting with You. Jesus, I trust in You.

More Gospel Reflections

Divine Mercy Reflections