Heaven's Peace Plan, September 13

How beautifully providential that today's Gospel Reading on Sr. Marie's birthday would be what is known as Our Lord's Demands for His Disciples. These demands are particularly applicable and poignant in these times as we pray for peace while living in a world where there are some who believe they are called to rid the world of Christians and we have seen first hand the violence and death that this can spawn. Sr. Marie gives us the perfect gift on her birthday, as I have come to know that the saints often do; Our Lord's Gospel. She is teaching us in a very special way on this day, September 13, when we commemorate her birth into this world.

At this moment a friend of mine is visiting Poland and the Divine Mercy Shrine. She called by phone today to join me in wishing Sr. Marie a Happy Birthday and she told me that the people she is on pilgrimage with suggested that all those working for the cause of Sr. Marie should have Masses said on the 13th of each month for the cause! I am so delighted with this idea that wanted to pass it on. Let us give Sr. Marie many birthday gifts of Masses on the 13th of each month in thanksgiving to her for giving us Mary's House at Ephesus with all it's hope as a beacon of peace in this world. Let us pray and learn from today's Gospel. May this Word of God transform the world.

Gospel
Lk 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples:“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

As the good priest explained in his homily today, of our own volition we can do none of these things...but with Jesus we can do them ALL. Sr. Marie, Pray for us.