Happy Birthday 60 years gift of life

In the Name of all the Secular Franciscan Brothers and sisters and General Spiritual Assistants I wish you dear brother Minister General Mauro Jòhri A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY OF 60 YEARS. God has done great things for you. Your inspirations and thoughts are forceful and spirit filled. Wish you all the best. May the Good Lord guide you and lead you in all your deliberations.

The foolish will miss heaven’s wedding feast

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus warns us that there are consequences for being unprepared. There are certain things you cannot obtain at the last moment. For example, a student cannot prepare for his exam when the day of testing is upon him. A person cannot get the right kind of character or skill required for a task at hand unless they already possess it. Our eternal welfare depends on our hearing, and many have trained themselves to not hear. We will not be prepared to meet the Lord, face to face, when he calls us on the day of judgement, unless we listen to him today. The Lord invites us to feast at his banquet table.

"If you knew in what part of the night the thief was coming, you would have watched!”

Scripture: Matthew 24:42-51

The Lord Jesus calls us to be vigilant in watching for his return and to be ready to meet him when he calls us to himself. The Lord gives us his Holy Spirit so that we may have the wisdom, help, and strength we need to turn away from sin to embrace God's way of love, justice, and holiness. The Lord's warning of judgment causes dismay for those who are unprepared, but it brings joyful hope to those who eagerly wait for his return in glory. God's judgement is good news for those who are ready to meet him. Their reward is God himself, the source of all truth, beauty, goodness, love and everlasting life.

"Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man"

Scripture: Mark 6:17-29 (alternate reading: Matthew 23:27-32)

John the Baptist bridged the Old and New Testaments. He is the last of the Old Testament prophets who pointed the way to the Messiah. He is the first of the New Testament witnesses and martyrs. Jesus equated the coming of his kingdom with violence. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force (Matthew 11:12). John suffered violence for announcing that the kingdom of God was near. He was thrown into prison and then beheaded. Why did Herod put John to death when he knew him to be a righteous and holy man? Herod was a weak ruler. He could take a strong stand on the wrong things when he knew the right. Such a stand, however, was a sign of weakness and cowardice. Unfortunately for Herod, he could not rid himself of sin by ridding himself of the man who confronted him with his sin.

We do not need to fear those who oppose the gospel, because the love of Jesus Christ is stronger than fear and death itself. His love conquers all, even our fears and timidity in the face of opposition and persecution. We can trust in his grace and help at all times

"You have neglected justice, mercy and faith"

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-26

Jesus went to the heart of the matter when he called the religious leaders of his day blind Pharisees and hypocrites! The word hypocrite means actor — someone who puts on a show to draw attention to themselves. The scribes devoted their lives to the study of the Law of God and regarded themselves as legal experts in it. They divided the ten commandments and precepts into thousands of tiny rules and regulations. They were so exacting in their interpretations and in trying to live them out, that they had little time for anything else. By the time they finished compiling their interpretations it took no less than fifty volumes to contain them! Jesus chastised them for neglecting the more important matters of religion, such as justice and the love of God. In their misguided zeal they had lost sight of God and of his purpose for the law.
What was the point of Jesus' lesson ? The essence of God's commandments is love — love of God and love of neighbour. God is love and everything he does flows from his love for us. Love is costly and sacrificial; it both embraces and lifts the burdens of others

Visit to HUMPOLEC from 23-24 august 2007

I have visited Antonin Bobek in the Hospital at HAVLICKUV BROD. He was very happy to see Magdalena and I. We have sung hymns and I have given short reflections for his retreat. I also have met Mr. JAN VYBORNY Director of Domov blahoslavenè Bronislavy. He is so excellent as his name stands. He is so kind and gentle. God bless him. May God bless all those old brothers and sisters and the religious sisters who take care of them.

Do not risk being shut out!

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Jesus doesn't directly answer the question, however; but his response is nonetheless unsettling on two counts. First, Jesus surprised his listeners by saying that one's membership as a covenanted people does not automatically mean entry into the kingdom of God. Second, Jesus asserts that many from the gentile nations would enter God's kingdom. God's invitation is open to Jew and Gentile alike. But Jesus warns that we can be excluded if we do not strive to enter by the narrow door. What did Jesus mean by this expression? The door which Jesus had in mind was himself. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved (John 10:9). Through the cross Jesus opens the way for us to enter into his kingdom. But we must follow Jesus in the way of the cross. The word strive can also be translated agony. To enter the kingdom of God one must struggle against the forces of temptation and whatever would hinder us from doing the will of God (even apathy, indifference, and compromise).

The good news is that we do not struggle alone. God is with us and his grace is sufficient!