Inspirations at your Fingertips!

St. Matthias John 15:9-17 We come to know the apostle who replaced Judas.  Though apostles are irreplaceable, there might be a reason for filling up the 12.  What we're more interested in is how this apostle was chosen.  The reading pointed two requirements: first, "that he was with us" and second, "that he also witnessed the resurrection of the Lord". Today's gospel gives more insights on the qualities of an apostle: First, "loved by Jesus" - an concrete experience of Jesus' love as the Father loves Jesus. Second, "loves Jesus" - our capacity to respond to Jesus' love by becoming his friend Third, "loves as Jesus loves" - our capacity to love others as Jesus loves us even if it means laying down one's life for one's friends.

Can a Catholic not be a disciple?  The true essence of a Catholic is precisely in being a disciple. As we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew, let us learn how to live the life and ways of an apostle or disciple. In the gospel, Jesus to him, "Follow me" and immediately he followed him.  A disciple is a follower of Jesus.  May we have the courage and the eagerness to be Jesus' disciples. A disciple is formed according to Jesus' heart in the course of following him.  He is filled with love; the same united love of the Triune God. A disciple is a good steward for the gifts God has given him and he uses them to lead others to Christ. Whether the gifts be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastors, or teacher, he uses use all these to build up the body of Christ. Finally, a disciple is a healer.  By proclaiming Jesus' Good News , this world wounded by sin becomes an instrument of grace for all.

The Gospel John 14:6-14  Remember the gospel. When we remember the gospel, it becomes a part of us.  We are transformed into living gospels of Jesus. This is what we are celebrating today on the Feast of Sts. James and Philip.  St. James the less' life is a mystery.  With Philip, it is more of a developing faith until these two are immortalized in history as two of the twelve apostles who were sent to proclaim the Good News. How do we become Jesus' good news to others?  We can only do so if we cling to no one else except Jesus, not to the material things or power, but only to Jesus.  Desire to know Jesus in the level of the heart.  Do not just ask for prayers, but seek to know and love him above all else. Second, know what his good news mean.  Why are people not involved wholeheartedly in Church?  Because they have their own views of good news.  It may be according to wealth or power.  But all of these come to naught unle...

To be an apostle Matthew 10:7-13 God sent Barnabas to accompany Saul in his missionary journey to the Gentiles. In the Gospel, Jesus orients his disciples to go to the towns and villages to proclaim the Good News. How do we become apostles in the modern times? First, there has to be a direct intention to serve God and please Him. Second, there has to be an intention to proclaim his love to others. Third, there has to be an intention to change the course of this world from sin to grace. Want to be an apostle?  Follow Jesus.