Gospel – Matthew 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.‘ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
544 The kingdom belongs to the poor and lowly, which means those who have accepted it with humble hearts. Jesus is sent to “preach good news to the poor”; he declares them blessed, for “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” To them – the “little ones” the Father is pleased to reveal what remains hidden from the wise and the learned. Jesus shares the life of the poor, from the cradle to the cross; he experiences hunger, thirst and privation. Jesus identifies himself with the poor of every kind and makes active love toward them the condition for entering his kingdom.
526 To become a child in relation to God is the condition for entering the kingdom. For this, we must humble ourselves and become little.
From “Door to Heaven” Testimony of Catalina Rivas (DH-11:7)
7) If you look at your own sins, you will observe your own misery instead of seeking justice or compensation. I love to teach you; you do not love unconditionally and do not understand the mystery of My love. You want to be blessed and saved without undergoing purification and self-mortification. You do not want to work, but want to be revered. My Father does not bestow His graces upon the proud, but upon the humble! To be revered, you will be accused, and you must first achieve humility, which is what destroys evil and is the enemy of sin.
From “The Great Crusade of Love” Testimony of Catalina Rivas (CL-107:1-3)
1) I shall exalt the humble and lead him straight to the end of his weariness, without him knowing the qualities that he comes to acquire on the road to the perfect Light.
2) The humble please Me for they reproduce My lowliness, My humiliation, in themselves; the humble please Me because they are the mirror of truth and I consider their life like a precious story in which are written admirable and inspired things. He who strives with words in declaring his wretchedness is not true and humble. Sometimes this kind of humility receives the reward on earth, but in Heaven I shall reward much better that other humility which comes from the interior and firm persuasion of his nothingness and his faults
3) The origin of humility is in the heart. The more it grows the greater the humility in the soul. Therefore, secure love and you will receive all that is related to the lovely and holy humility.
Each week we will be presenting a portion of the following Sunday’s readings, and linking it to relevant parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and messages from the Testimony of Catalina. Pay special attention to the italicized underlined sections. This Sunday it is asked, What kind of soil will you be for the word of God? We hope this is inspiring and educational. Any comments you have are certainly welcomed.
Tim Francis prepared this educational program to help you increase your faith and love for the Holy Trinity and our Blessed Mother. His website is http://YouShallBelieve.com
I have known Tim for many years and recommend his work highly. He is a strong advocate for the “The Real Body and Blood Of Jesus” and the numerous miracles that occur on a daily basis. Both of us are greatly 3inspired by the amazing writings of Catalina Rivas. Catalina is one of the few individuals in history who personally experienced the “Stigmata Of Jesus Christ.”