![]() The obedient son becomes jealous of the warm welcome his wayward brother has received, and he angrily says to his father: “Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders, but when your son returns who swallowed up your property, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.” His father replies, “My son, you are here with me always everything I have is yours. When the wayward son returns, the father embraces him and welcomes him back with open arms. Meanwhile, the other son remains loyal to his father, working hard day after day. Hungry and destitute, he finally returns home, seeking his father’s mercy. ![]() One of the sons sets off into the world, squandering his inheritance on a life of sin. In Gospel of Luke, Jesus presents the parable of the man who had two sons. We should never fear that the Lord will not be enough. ![]() As much as our money, possessions, relationships, or status seem be ours, everything we have is ultimately a gift from God. She holds nothing back from God, placing all her trust that he will be enough and will take care of needs. In this case, this woman offers all she has, small though it may be, as a gift to the Lord. For they all contributed out of their abundance but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living” (Mark 12:43-44).Īs with the story of the centurion, here we see how one individual is living in accordance with holiness. Jesus said to his disciple, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those contributing to the treasury. He noticed that rich people put in large sums, while a poor widow came and put in two small coins. In Mark, we read how Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and observed the crowd depositing in their money. In return, he is humble and grateful for the blessing of Jesus’ presence in his life. Rather, he asks the Lord and then allows him to work in ways that he could never accomplish on his own. He does not rely on his own power or authority to get what he desires-namely, the healing of his servant. The centurion has great authority, especially over the Jewish subjects of the Roman Empire, yet he recognizes that the authority of Jesus far surpasses his own. The humility of the centurion, an officer of the Roman army, amazes Jesus. Upon hearing this, Jesus turns to those who are following him and says, “Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith” (Matthew 8:10). ![]() When Jesus replies that he will, the centurion says, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof but only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). In the Gospel of Matthew, as Jesus enters Capernaum, a centurion approaches him and asks that he come and heal his servant, who is ill. Let’s take a look at Jesus’ words on how we can turn away from the seven deadly sins toward a virtuous life filled with truth, love, and peace. This peace allows us, with God’s grace, to advance in the holiness we so long to have. More important than “not sinning,” however, is for us to keep “the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) in our hearts. Sin wounds-or, in the case of mortal sin, break-our relationship with God and others. It is only in this way that we can pursue the other goal, which is the elimination of our failures, our faults, our imperfections and sins. Rather, it is to learn to maintain our peace of heart under all circumstances, even in the case of defeat. The first goal of spiritual combat toward which our efforts must above all else be directed is not to always obtain a victory over our temptations and weaknesses. I was profoundly moved by his words regarding spiritual perfection and peace. Recently, my mother recommended a small book entitled Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart by Father Jacques Philippe. Like so many, I work toward that ever-elusive vision of minimizing sin and growing in holiness but never can quite fully attain perfection. My emotions ride the waves as days of “missing the mark” result in feelings of frustration and self-pity and days of “rising above” result in joy and confidence in my closeness to the Lord. Despite my countless efforts, the result is always the same: a tiresome mix of both success and failure, of either conquering or succumbing to temptation depending on the situation. Like everyone else, I have struggled with my shortcomings, failings, and sins. I have lived my life chasing after perfection. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Peace I leave with you my peace I give to you not as the world gives do I give to you.
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