Turkish Catholic Liturgical Music

SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR FRIDAY 7TH DEC. 2018. 1ST WEEK OF ADVENT
MEMORIAL OF SAINT AMBROSE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Isaiah 29:17-24. Matthew 9:27-31

THERE IS NO SUFFICIENT REASON FOR YOUR FAILURE TO GET CLOSER TO JESUS

We always have reasons for different actions in our life. sometimes these reasons may seem good but at other times, the reasons make no sense. But in following Jesus in our contemporary world today, I can say that there is no sufficient reason for anyone not to follow Jesus or seek him. In the Gospel of today, two blind men sought and followed Jesus, and when Jesus saw their faith, He healed them. Are you a business man or woman or a farmer who claims to have no time for Jesus? Ask St. Isidore the Farmer, who did not miss attending the Holy Mass, and his master was angry and doubled his portion of work for him, but angels came to help St. Isidore to complete his part of the farm work. Are you a student, struggling to pass in class that you have no time for Jesus? Ask St. Thomas Aquinas, who was called a dumb ass by his classmates, but this ‘dumb ass’ voice bellowed throughout the world as a literary giant.

Dear child of God, what is your reason for not following or seeking Jesus? Are you a house boy or house girl who has been forbidden to go to church or pray? Ask St. Anthony of Padua, who as a ‘novice’ in his Order was asked to wash plates while the ‘senior’ brothers attend the Holy Mass, but during consecration, because of the intense love and desire of St. Anthony to participate, the walls of the chapel and the kitchen were miraculously opened and he could participate in the Holy Mass from the kitchen. Are you sick or depressed or tired of life? Today in the Gospel, the sick went looking for Jesus. Therefore, dear child of God you have no reason whatsoever in your failure to seek Him who created you. IF YOU ARE TOO BUSY TO SEEK JESUS OR TO PRAY, KNOW THAT YOU ARE BUSIER THAN THE HOLY SPIRIT WANTS YOU TO BE. You can begin by looking for guidance from your spiritual director. St. Ambrose whose feast we celebrate today, directed St. Monica spiritually in the conversion of St. Augustine by these words: “the child of such great tears will never be lost”. Eventually he baptized Augustine after his conversion. Thus, in this Advent season, ask the Lord to help you get your priorities right. PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to seek you above all things, amen. God bless you as seek Him. ‘A CHRISTIAN IS NOT AN ORDINARY PERSON AND THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN IS A LIFE OF WARFARE’ (Padre Pio, CMF).