Month: November 2023

REACHING OUT TO AND IDENTIFYING WITH THE LEASTEzekiel 34:11-12, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Matthew 25:31-46 According to a Jewish legend, a man went to heaven and watched at the gates.A rabbi came and made his claim to enter: “Day and night I studied the Torah.” The angel at the gate said: “Wait! We will investigate whether your study was for its own sake or for the sake of honours.”A zaddik approached next: “I fasted much; I underwent many ritual cleansings.” The angel said: “Wait until we investigate your motives.”Then a tavern-keeper came and said: “I fed without charge every

BE A HI-FI CHRISTIANProverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-30 As a child, Norman Geisler—the famous theologian and author—went to a vacation bible school because some friends invited him. He returned to the same church for Sunday school. Each week a bus driver picked him up. For eight years, he attended church, but never was never baptised. Finally, during his senior year in high school, after being picked up over 400 times, he was baptised.What if the bus driver had given up on Geisler at 395? What if the bus driver had said: “This kid is going nowhere

BE PREPARED Wisdom 6:12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Matthew 25:1-13 A youngster applied for a job as a farm hand. When the farmer asked him for his qualifications, he said: “I can sleep when the wind blows.” The farmer was puzzled but he hired the young man.A few nights later, there was a violent storm. The farmer and his wife woke up and began quickly checking things. They found a supply of logs near the fireplace; the implements were in the storage shed; the tractor was in the garage; the barn was properly locked; the animals were calm. The farmer grasped

CREDIBLE SERVANT LEADERSHIPMalachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10; 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13; Matthew 23:1-12 A pastor was excited that a university professor was coming to his parish. The pastor endeavoured to prepare and to deliver better homilies. A few months later, while chatting with the professor, the pastor found that the professor came to the parish not because of the homilies; he came because an elderly couple made him feel welcomed and valued. Hospitality outdid erudition. Servanthood surpassed showmanship. That’s the thrust of this Sunday’s readings.Malachi condemns the priests for not living up to the priestly ideal and for causing the people to