September 9, 2021 Reflection – Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!
Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus! September 9, 2021 St. Peter Claver Dear Family of Mary! Over the years Our Lady has given us a lot of good advice. She has taught us the way to live our Christian calling with heart-felt enthusiasm. Here is one such message: June 2, 2014 Message “Dear children, I call you all and accept you as my children. I am praying that you may accept me and love me as a mother. I have united all of you in my heart, I have descended among you and I bless you. I know that you desire consolation and hope from me because I love you and intercede for you. I ask of you to unite with me in my Son and to be my apostles. For you to be able to do so, I am calling you, anew, to love. There is no love without prayer – there is no prayer without forgiveness because love is prayer – forgiveness is love. My children, God created you to love and you love so as to forgive. Every prayer that comes out of love unites you with my Son and the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit illuminates you and makes you my apostles – apostles who will do everything they do in the name of the Lord. They will pray with their works and not just with words, because they love my Son and comprehend the way of truth which leads to eternal life. Pray for your shepherds that they may always lead you with a pure heart on the way of truth and love – the way of my Son. Thank you.” Notice that Our Lady calls us to be: …apostles who will do everything they do in the name of the Lord. This is the way to stay connected to Jesus and Mary. To live in Jesus’ name all the time, not in our own name. We are not free agents. We are members of the Body of Christ, and do everything for Jesus. Today’s first reading at Mass from St. Paul is also a convincing demonstration of how to live as Christians. Colossians 3:12-17: Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one Body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Notice what St. Paul concludes with: And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus… Like Our Lady, St. Paul understood that our lives will only make sense if they are lived for Jesus!!! In these difficult days, there is all the more reason to live in the name of the Lord Jesus! May we strive to do so at all times and in all circumstances!! We will not regret it! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan Mary TV 2021