Friday, August 23, 2013
The Paradox of the Ministry
Dear Friends,
A reading from Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor 4:7-18):
But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.
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We had a beautiful sunny day for the Feast of the Queenship of Our Blessed Mother. However, today we will have some rain.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord, the Son of God, given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“You are weak, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who believe in Me, but I am strong. You need My strength in order to follow Me. I won for you all the strength you need by My Passion and Death on the cross. My sacrifice won for you many, many graces. Yes, you hold this treasure that comes from Me in earthen vessels, but I am strengthening you every day. It is a fact that all have to suffer at times, but I am there with you so do not despair. I will be there to help you.
“I have called My priests and one of these is Saint Paul and I asked them to live as celibates. In this way they offer themselves totally to Me to do the work I have given them. They have to preserve their celibacy with the graces I give them and in that way they will show their great faith and their love for Me, their Savior. Come, My dear brothers and sisters, and make use of all the graces I give you so that you will walk with Me every day and avoid all evil. I love you and I bless you.”
Father Melvin