“We, though many, are one Body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them.” Rom 12:5-16

Let love be sincere;
hate what is evil,
hold on to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
anticipate one another in showing honor.
Do not grow slack in zeal,
be fervent in spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
endure in affliction,
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,
exercise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you,
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Have the same regard for one another;
do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Rom 12:5-16
 
St. Paul reminds us that each of us have been blessed with physical and spiritual gifts individually and united we make up the mystical Body of Christ (all baptized souls). Each time one of us sins it hurts the Mystical Body, each time someone does something to grow in holiness it helps the Mystical Body.  We are a community of believers.  We are called to keep the Truth of Jesus Christ preserved and undamaged.  We are to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, so that we continue to bring our souls and the souls entrusted to us to heaven.  Continue to seek out the gifts God has blessed you with and use them to help others.  Most importantly, swallow your pride and allow others to help you.
 
One of those at table with Jesus said to him,
“Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.”
He replied to him,
“A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many.
When the time for the dinner came,
he dispatched his servant to say to those invited,
‘Come, everything is now ready.’
But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves.
The first said to him,
‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it;
I ask you, consider me excused.’
And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen
and am on my way to evaluate them;
I ask you, consider me excused.’
And another said, ‘I have just married a woman,
and therefore I cannot come.’
The servant went and reported this to his master.
Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant,
‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town
and bring in here the poor and the crippled,
the blind and the lame.’
The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out
and still there is room.’
The master then ordered the servant,
‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows
and make people come in that my home may be filled.
For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'” Lk 14:15-24 
 
Jesus is sitting with Jews who are the chosen people.  Through the parable, Jesus is teaching the Jews that they were chosen but they are not responding to God or His Son who is right in front of them.  Therefore, the kingdom of God will be given to those who do respond, Gentiles, poor, crippled, lame, blind, anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed, the Savior of humanity.  Jesus is trying to have an encounter with us and invites us to be with Him every day.  At Mass, in prayer, in each person you encounter throughout the day Jesus is asking for your yes.  We either reject Him or invite Him.  The beautiful thing is even if we reject Him He never gives up.  He will be right there waiting for the next encounter with open arms ready to greet you and accept you.  The kingdom of God is about your response.  Choose wisely.
 
Today’s challenge: Reflect on the gifts God has blessed you with, especially spiritual gifts.  God is calling you today like He was calling the Israelites and Jews. How are you responding?
 
Be a servant, become a saint!
#Christian YOLO