Do not lose hope or be discouraged for the Lord our God is always with us. When you have discovered the greatest treasure of encountering our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and are moved to start a deep personal relationship, then know that the Spirit of God is dwelling within you.
Things which may have been a norm in your life will become distasteful. Excessive partying, drinking, smoking, pornography, vulgarities, sexual banters and innuendos and much, much more! You may feel ostracized by family and friends as you grow in holiness. Again do not lose hope or be discouraged for the Lord who is with you will lead you to like minded Christians on the same journey as you are. Being part of a community in Christ is what leads all of us to greater Communion with and in Him. Giving up your previous lifestyle for the Lord brings you into a more fulfilling one filled with His joy and peace. Will there still be trials and challenges? Yes of course, but we will face them unafraid for they will not overcome us; because the Lord is with us. Amen
First reading
Jeremiah 15:10,16-21 ·
They will not overcome you, because I am with you
‘Woe is me, my mother, for you have borne me
to be a man of strife and of dissension for all the land.
I neither lend nor borrow,
yet all of them curse me.
‘When your words came, I devoured them:
your word was my delight
and the joy of my heart;
for I was called by your name,
Lord, God of Hosts.
I never took pleasure in sitting in scoffers’ company;
with your hand on me I held myself aloof,
since you had filled me with indignation.
Why is my suffering continual,
my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?
Do you mean to be for me a deceptive stream
with inconstant waters?’
To which the Lord replied,
‘If you come back,
I will take you back into my service;
and if you utter noble, not despicable, thoughts,
you shall be as my own mouth.
They will come back to you,
but you must not go back to them.
I will make you
a bronze wall fortified against this people.
They will fight against you
but they will not overcome you,
because I am with you
to save you and to deliver you
– it is the Lord who speaks.
I mean to deliver you from the hands of the wicked
and redeem you from the clutches of the violent.’
Gospel
Matthew 13:44-46
He sells everything he owns and buys the field
Jesus said to the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.’
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