I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS!

⏰Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week of Ordinary Time 2 (16 Sept. 2016 – Memorial of Ss. Cornelius & Cyprian)

????Rev 20:1-4, 11 – 21:2; Ps 84:3, 4, 5-6a and 8a (R. Rev 21:3b); Luke 21:29-33

????I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS!

It is important to note that one of the problems of the Church in Corinth is on the nature of the resurrection. They were expecting an imminent parousia but it was not forthcoming. So many of them began to question some of their articles of faith including the resurrection of the dead. Besides, there was a group, the Sadducees who taught that there is nothing like the resurrection of the dead (cf. Acts 23:8).

So Paul reminded the people and indeed all of us in 1Cor 15:12-20 that our foundation of faith is on the resurrection of Christ which is the collection of his victory over death and sin. He remembered that Jesus had promised that he was going to prepare a place for us, and when is done, he would come and take us to himself (John 14:2-3).

It is on the basis of that promise that we must make a firm decision to follow Jesus wherever he goes. The Gospels reported that he was going round the cities and villages preaching the good news of the kingdom (Luke 8:1). We too must follow him on that journey by bringing joy and not sorrows to those we meet on our way.

The women who followed him provided for his needs and that of his disciples (Luke 8:3). The book of Deuteronomy encourages us, “If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother” (Deut 15:7). Jesus added, whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me” (cf. Matt 25:40).

At the celebration of the Memorial of Ss. Cornelius and Cyprian, we are called to stand up against such falsehoods that initiate divisions. St. Cornelius was elected Pope at the time of the Novatian error, when St. Cyprian, a convert, was the Bishop of Carthage, to which Novatus belong. Both united to fight that error and many other heresies that confronted the Church at that time. They laid down their lives for their faith. They did all with love.

May God grant us a strong faith in him and a corresponding love for our brothers and sisters which will enable us to deal with them in fraternal charity. Amen.

I wish you a grace-filled day with the resurrected Christ. It is well with you.