Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

In today’s Gospel, Jesus relates two parables which speak about the superior value of being part of the Kingdom of heaven. In the two parable; there is an invitation to rejoice, there is a discovery of that which has high value and there is great rejoicing in heaven over a sinner repentance. Indeed how glad will that scenario for one to gladden the heart of the Father!
Commenting on repentance St. John Chrysostom once said,

Be ashamed when you sin, don’t be ashamed when you repent [To repent means to have a change of heart and mind. It is not simply a feeling of sorrow ,but a psycho/spiritual growth away from evil/death and a turning to God/life]. Sin is the wound, repentance is the medicine. Sin is followed by shame; repentance is followed by boldness [ Boldness means to beg God for undeserved mercy]. Satan has overturned this order and given boldness to sin and shame to repentance.”

Keeping God”s commands demands that we must avoid sin; for sin divides us from God and ruptures our relationship with neighbor. Keeping Jesus’ commandment of love requires; obedience and love, total commitment and sacrifice, detachment and repentance, perseverance and faithfulness and much more. Can we truly offer ourselves to Jesus and surrender all to him? Can we truly love God by also loving our neighbor? Do I love others as Christ wants me to? Can we truly please the Father like Christ did?

Let us strive tirelessly towards overcoming any obstacle to God’s love and may He continue to grant us his salvation and through us may his salvation reaches to the ends of the earth. Amen.

Saint Charles Borromeo, Pray for us

Osho