YOUTH CORNER

CLOTHED IN MERCY

“The king will reply, ‘I tell you whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.’”  (Matthew 25:45)

PART II

Click here for the Part 1        
              

The story of the prodigal son is linked to the youth of each generation. These youngsters often take on the latest trend of shortcuts than adopting the right version for any situation.

Take a lesson from the Good Samaritan. It was not easy for him to carry the wounded person to the inn and spent his valuable time for the stranger. Isn’t it noteworthy how he instructs the inn keeper to take care of the victim during his absence? The Samaritan had truly accepted the man and thus could do so wholeheartedly. He empties himself and all the money he has and says to the innkeeper, “This is what I have right now in my hand, take it but don’t delay his treatment or needs.  I will go and come back soon and surely repay all his expenses.” The Good Samaritan was merciful to his fellow human and he pleased God by his compassion towards the needy one. 

Meditate the whole stanza if you seriously wish to embark on the journey to be a follower of the Good Samaritan- Jesus Christ, the Lord of Mercy. The King Jesus was predicting His Second coming when He would return with a reward.

What point does it make to imbibe theory but not on practical level?

 Humility has an undeniable link with Christ, and emphasis it when He says that whenever we owe to the least important ones, we have done it for our Lord.

A heart of mercy must come before an honour. In response to the Teacher of the Law’s question on which would be the most important commandment, Lord Jesus replied, “Love your neighbour as yourself.” The sensible teacher who was upright with God, acknowledged it front of the Sadducees…. “Yes Sir, it is most important to obey the commandments than keep on holding only on ritualism like offerings and sacrifices to God.”

Yes dear ones, the Scriptures says, “Then they will answer Him, ‘When Lord did we ever see you hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick or in prison and would not help you.’  The king will reply, ‘I will tell you whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones you refused to help me.’  In the above verse King Jesus clarifies one of the major facts we have to remember in our earthly life, as He says, “Whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones you refused to help me.”

Perhaps we can close our eyes towards the facts and our hearts towards the people around us.  But the HolyBible strongly exhorts us that you would become unworthy of the Kingdom of God. “For God’s Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy which the Holy Spirit gives.”  (Rom 14 : 17)

 The world may be entangled in the power of its king, but heed to the Saviour’s advice, “Don’t conform yourselves to this world by hoping in the fleeting pleasures and comfort of this world.”

The Holy Bible educates us that Lord Jesus never turned His face away from the needs of his fellow beings and community. Self centred thoughts and life style destroys our personality and threatens community life.

“Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share with others.”  (1 Tim 6 : 17-18)

It would be an asset if they could store up treasures which could be a solid foundation for the Kingdom of God. So we insist that you do not ruin the future glory by keeping away the trouble facts of life for some mere pleasures.

As the Holy Bible instructs, “So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires.  Your hearts and minds must be made completely new and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.”  (Eph 4 : 22-24)

Therefore let us check our deeds and be careful not to do anything from a selfish ambition or a cheap desire to boast. the King of Mercy will grant us a new heart, a new steadfast spirit and He will take care of you. Obey the Lord, be humble and you will get riches, honour and a long life. 

Whatever you desire others to do for you, do it for them; accordingly make your life shine before everyone and let the people glorify the Heavenly Father by sharing the salt of your good deeds.

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

                                                                                                                                                                                                           LORD OF PARDON

            The Lord says, “I will never turn away, anyone who comes to me.” (  Jn.6:37)

 This is the supplication of a man, who has offended God, his Creator.

God is just --- He rewards the good and punishes the wicked. He is also merciful as born out of book of Books and history of mankind.

He has made assurance of pardon to sinners who are repentant. God asked sinners  to be humble and to acknowledge their sins and to be sorry for them. "If  we acknowledge our sins , He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquities." (1 John 1:9)

If we say that we have not sinned, we make God out to be a liar, and His Word is not in us.

We shall not hesitate to seek pardon and mercy of God. We should go to Him, the moment we fall into sin.

"Delay not be converted to the Lord and differ it not from day to day, for His wrath shall come on a sudden." (Eccl 5: 8-9)

God listens to the prayers of a humble penitent sinner.

 "A humble and contrite heart O God! Thou will not despise." (Psalm 50:19)

Be frank to admit your sins and hide them not when you confess them and ask forgiveness for them. 

"He that hides his sin shall not proper, but he that shall confess and forsake them shall obtain mercy." (Prov 28:13)

The Lord Himself spoke of the joy of a pardoned sinner. "There will be joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents more than over ninety-nine, who have no need for repentance." (Luke 15:7)

The Apostles themselves understood the measure to obtain pardon.

"Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be bloated out." (Acts. 3:19)

Since we all are sinners it is required to approach  the channel of grace of pardon in the Sacrament of Penance. Our Lord Christ after His Resurrection appeared to the Apostles and given them the power to forgive sins. 

"Receive the Holy Spirit, whose sins you shall forgive, they shall be forgiven and whose sins shall retain, they are retained. (John 20:23)

                                                STORIES OF PARDON

Keep in mind dear ones in Christ, that these stories concern the goodness of our Lord, who is always dispose to forgive, repentant sinners.

Story I
There was  once a man with two children. The younger one went to his father saying, "Father, give me the property that shall belong to me." So then the father divided his possession between the two children and the younger of the two went afar; travelling to another town, where he wasted the possession which he inherited. Famine reigned in that place and the young man suffered so much that he had to get employment in a piggery.The time came, he had to eat even what was offered to the pigs.

In his moments of quiet and contemplation, he began to think about his home. "In my home there is abundant food, while here I am suffering from hunger. It would be better  that I return to my father to ask him forgiveness for my foolishness." And he kept his promise to return to his home. Meeting his father he said," Father, I am not worthy to be called your son because I have  sinned against you and Heaven".

Father was profuse in grant of pardon to his son, who was repentant of his sins.

He even prepared a banquet to celebrate the return of the son who had left him and sinned. The elder son became envious and told his father, "Father, for many years I have stayed with you, serving you but you have not prepared such a banquet as you have offered to my brother. 

The father pacified him saying, "Son, we have to rejoice because your brother had been separated from us and he has now come back to our midst."

Synopsis

The Father in the story is the picture of our Sovereign Lord. The prodigal son is a mirror of man who have sinned against Him. 

A sinner who repents of his sins and goes back to God and promises to live a new life in His grace will obtain pardon for his sins.

Story II

There was a man in Jerusalem about 38 years of age, who was suffering from a scare disease. He was one of the sick who went to the pool of Bethzatha. Many who were deaf, lame, blind and paralytic were waiting for the descent of an angel of  God, who would cure them of their ailments. 

Jesus was passing by and He saw the man down his disease. "Do you want to get cured?" asked Jesus and the answered, "Lord, nobody will help me to go down the pool because I have always been left behind whenever the water moves."

Jesus told him, "Arise and Walk!"

Immediately the sick man stood up and got healed. But it was a Sabbath day --- a day of rest for the Jews. They therefore got mad at Jesus asking the cured man, "Who was it that healed you?"

The same man went to the temple and Jesus met him. The Lord told him," Now you are cured and don't ever sin again for something worse may happen to you."

Synopsis

This story again is one of pardon granted by the Sovereign Lord, to those who admit their weakness and are repentant of their sins.

After being sorry for the sins and obtaining pardon of the Lord, it is wise that the sinner does not go back to the place or occasion of sin.

The Lord is merciful to those who really repent. 

Beads of the Sacred Heart

Soul of Christ, sanctify me

                                                    Body of Christ, save me

Blood of Christ, inebriate me

Water from the sides of Christ, wash me,

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

Good Jesus, hear me, within Your wounds, hide me 

Suffer me not to be separate from You,

From the Malignant enemy, defend me and

Bid me come to You that with Your Saints  

                              I may praise God for all eternity. Amen. 

Jesus meek and humble of heart

Make my heart unto yours.

Sweet Heart of Jesus, Be my love

Sweet Heart of Mary, Be my salvation.