Mt 11:28-30 Come to Me

In today's gospel Jesus says: Come to me, especially if you are weary or carry a heavy burden - I will give you rest. My yoke is easy; my burden is light.

3 Invitations from Jesus: 3 C's

1. Center of our life: Jesus invites us to make him the center of our life. That he becomes the ultimate authority; we voluntarily yield to his will. He takes control. He becomes the manager of our life.

2. Companion for life: Jesus also invites us to accept him as our lifelong partner. We make him our Shepherd who will always be there for us. He will never leave us for he will walk with us through life faithfully. With him by our side, we shall not fear.

3. Comfort and Strength: Jesus proposes that we come to him for comfort and strength. Though we have our own struggles and difficulties in life, we can count on him. "For those who trust in the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall fly with eagles' wings; they shall run and not be weary" says Prophet Isaiah.

Mt 9:35-10:1-8 God of Compassion

Jesus went around to all towns and villages bringing God's love and compassion. His presence brought comfort, joy and healing.

3 Lessons from today's Gospel: 3 R's

1. Rich Harvest: pastoral ministry has a lot of challenges. There is so much to be done; work can be endlessly overwhelming. Jesus showed himself as Shepherd to the sick, outcast and troubled. Until now the harvest is plenty.

2. Readiness of the Laborers: the vineyard of the Lord needs workers. He sent initially only Twelve. We need to pray for more. The harvest will never be reaped unless there are reapers. Jesus will need every hand, every heart, every feet. Our willingness will matter.

3. Reach Out: there is a world waiting for the good news. A Christian should be someone in whom Christ lives again. We need a Christ-like heart to become bearers of faith; bearers of hope and bearers of love today.

Mt 7:21-27 Criteria for Heaven

In one of Jesus' parables in Mt 25, he speaks about himself returning as future king. He will separate everyone like a shepherd: lambs on his right and goats on his left. The criteria will be based on how much one has loved. For this reason not all who call on him as Lord will enter heaven. Only the doers of his will.

3 Criteria for Heaven: 3 G's

1. Grounded: the sign of being wise is being rooted; having deep and solid foundation. Faith in Christ makes us deep and strong. Whatever crisis or calamity, he bends but not broken.

2. Good Intentions are not Enough: the road to perdition is paved with good intentions. Faith must bear fruit in charity; lest faith remains fruitless. St. Francis Xavier gives an inspiring witness. He travelled tirelessly to bring Christ to Asia. He is our model missionary.

3. Give Glory to God: the purpose of our work of charity is to give glory to God; not to show off or become famous. We have to check the purity of our intentions. Our effort to conform to God's will daily brings out the best in us.

Mt 15:29-37 Following Jesus

Today's gospel gives us a visual image of Jesus. He is a great crowd drawer. Matthew tells us he walked by the Sea of Galilee to visit the marginalized and inspects their plight. Then he goes to the mountain to grasp the wider meaning of people's circumstances and show them a greater vision.

3 Kinds of People Follow Him: 3 H's

1. Hurting: the sick and handicap-blind, mute, lame or deformed; those who are incomplete and wanted healing and wholeness. Jesus amazingly cured them all.

2. Hopeless: those who are desperate and lost. These are the helpless who come for re-fill. Jesus is their only option; their last resort. He is their refuge.

3. Hungry: those who need food and bread. Jesus multiplies seven loaves and fish for them. This gesture is symbolic of greater things Jesus can do. He can also fill up other hungers such as belongingness, meaning, forgiveness or redemption.

Are you hurting? Hopeless or hungry? Come to Jesus. Follow him. He can fill you up. He can supply whatever you need. He can give you greater light.