ST THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS, V.D. (Memorial) White

Therese was born into a middle-class French family. She was cure of an illness at the age of eight when the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary smiled at her. She became a Carmelite nun at the age of 15. She is called the “Little Flower” because she saw herself, not as one of the extravagant flowers in the garden but as a common blossom whose simple beauty offers praise to God. She died from tuberculosis when she was 24, after living as a cloistered Carmelite for less than ten years. She was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II. Her parents, Louis and Zelie Martin were both canonised making them the first married couple in the history of the Church to be declared saints at the same time.

First Reading: Job 42:1-3. 5-6. 12-17; Psalm: 119. R. v. 135a; Gospel: Lk 10:17-24

HEAVEN: OUR ULTIMATE GOAL

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

“The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’” (Lk 10:17).

This experience of the seventy was an uncommon one. Never before have they been able to cast out demons either by their own authority or by the authority of another. So we can see how excited they were to do something they never imagined they could do. They were so impressed and carried away by the joy of this experience that Jesus had to remind them of what is more important.

Jesus said to them “I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” These words of Jesus say something very important to us. We could overcome and do wonders, cast out demons, heal the sick, and perform several miracles in Jesus’ name; but these do not guarantee our place in heaven. No matter our achievements, if they do not lead us to heaven, they are worthless.

We can be too carried away by appearances at times; something enticing that we can see. We live in a world where people centre their faith on miracles. Prosperity preachers and miracle workers are everywhere. Salvation of soul is rarely a topic to preach on because it does not attract listeners as much as prosperity gospel does. We can listen to Jesus today. Although healing miracle is good and needed, but we should go beyond it to understand that our final goal is heaven. This means that we pay more attention to our personal lives and grow in love and fear of God; for without this our names cannot be written in heaven.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, turn our hearts to you that we may desire only you and be united with you in heaven. Amen.