November 04, 2014
Sacrifice of Body and Mind
A reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans 12, 1 – 8:
I urge you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourself to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I tell everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that God has apportioned. For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does act of mercy with cheerfulness.
What I find is one of the most terrible thing happening in the Catholic Church is the closing of parish churches. This is a sign of death for the people and it causes many members of the church to stop going to church. This should never happen but all must be done to keep those churches going. If there are not enough priests, then get the people to pray for an increase of priests. What the people need is a personal relationship with Jesus. This will build up their faith and they will give a positive answer to the call of the Lord to be priests.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I call you My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters to offer yourselves completely to Me, your Savior. Offer your bodies and spirits to Me so that I can renew you totally and give you the strength you need to follow all I have told you. I want a personal relationship with each one of you and this comes through contemplation and reading of the Bible. Remember that you all have special function in My Church and in the Kingdom of God. I am the one who gives you the graces you need to do all these different things which I call missions. Are you called to be prophets, then accept this calling and be a prophet. If you are called to a special ministry, do not say ‘no’ but go and minister to the people. If you are called to be a teacher, accept this call and go and teach. In all that you do, do with diligence and generosity and be merciful to all the people.
In this way you will be blessed and you will receive special gifts from Me. I will fill you with My love, My peace and My joy. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. We had some wet snow this morning but it is all gone now. I hope we will see the sun tomorrow.