Sunday, August 5, 2012
Progress of the Gospel
Dear Friends,
A reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (1:12-26):
I want you to know, brothers, that my situation has turned out rather to advance the gospel, so that my imprisonment has become well known in Christ throughout the whole praetorium and to all the rest, and so that the majority of the brothers, having taken encouragement in the Lord from my imprisonment dare more than ever to proclaim the word fearlessly.
Of course, some preach Christ from envy and rivalry, others from good will. The latter act out of love, aware that I am here for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not from pure motives, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. What difference does it make, as long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed? And in that I rejoice.
Indeed I shall continue to rejoice, for I know that this will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. And this I know with confidence, that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound in account of me when I come to you again.
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I thank you all for your prayers and please continue to pray in the coming days.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Redeemer given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words.
“I have given you a mission My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters living in the world. This mission is for the advancement of My church in the world. Some are called to preach the Word of God such as the Pope, the bishops and the priests and some of the laity. Others are called to read at Holy Mass or to be altar servers. Some are to teach the doctrine to the children preparing for their First Holy Communion and others are to teach the youth that are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. There are some who have a mission to teach the adults who wish to enter My church. Some are to lead groups in the parish and that too is a special mission. Others are called to be administrators to take care of the money of the church. Others are called to visit the sick, the elderly and the poor. The Apostle Paul was one of the greatest preachers of all times. That was the mission he was given after he enter My church. Some have a mission to clean the church and to arrange everything in the church. Does one mission gain more merits than another? No, what helps you to receive more graces is to perform your mission with great love.. All you do, do it with great love. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin