Matthew 19,23-30

August 22, 2023 (Tuesday)
Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel: Matthew 19,23-30
Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Reflection:
Our gospel today gives us a paradox of losing and gaining i.e. we lose what we keep and we gain what we give away. As He said, “everyone who has given up houses or brothers… for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life”. Hence, generosity will be adequately repaid, both in this life and in eternity (Proverbs 3:9-10, Luke 6:38). From here, Jesus offers us an incomparable treasure which no money can buy and no thief can steal. These are the good things that we set in our hearts, the values that we uphold, and the principle of ‘being more not having more’. Accumulating much material wealth, on the other hand, is not dreadful unless we guard our hearts and set our treasures on God and His everlasting kingdom. As Lasallians, let us be guided by this paradox of losing and gaining for this was exemplified as well by our dear founder SJBDLS. (VLADIMHER F. GORDE)

Lasallian Guiding Principle:
LGP states that, the spirit of faith is a “spirit that allows one to judge and evaluate things in the light of the gospel.” the gospel spirit serves as a guide for evaluating truth. It encourages us to judge the authenticity of information, ideas, and beliefs by comparing them to the timeless wisdom and moral truths imparted by the gospel. (My Catholic Life)

Prayer:
Synod on Synodality Prayer

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, Make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.

St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.

St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources:
C. (n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Retrieved June 22, 2020, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/lasallian-guiding-principles/default.asp

Prepared by Pratik, Sati D., College of Humanities and Sciences- BS Biochemistry Student, through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages and Advancement, Campus Ministry, and Chaplaincy

Our Daily Lasallian Gospel, Prayer and Reflection is a DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration of the Year of Vocation and the Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.

https://www.dlshsi.edu.ph/daily-lasallian-reflection-prayer #300LaSalle