14th Sunday after Pentecost

'Behold, O God, our protector, and look on the face of thy Christ.' These are the first words of the Introit for tomorrow, the 14th Sunday after Pentecost.

We hear about the two masters of the world, the spiritual and the sensual. I'd like to think that it is 2 worlds, the spiritual one and the sensual. It seems to me, at least, that we have those who have the True Faith and are really trying; and those who think they have a safe afterlife, pretty much by saying that Jesus is their Lord and that is all that is needed; and those who don't care for anything but themselves, thus not thinking one iota about an afterlife or afterdeath. As our beloved Abbot Gueranger says: "Two cities now divide the world between them; and the holy city, made up of vanquishers over the devil, the world, and the flesh, is full of admiration and joy at seeing that the noblest of the nations flock to her. The law which reigns supreme within her walls is love, for the Holy Spirit, who rules her happy citizens, takes them far beyond the injunctions or prohibitions of any law. Together with charity, there spring up joy, peace, and those other fruits, here enumerated by the apostle (Paul); they grow spontaneously from a soil which is saturated with the glad waters of a stream, which is no other than the sanctifying Spirit, who inundates the city of God..."

This is to be compared with those who have all the sensual luxuries of the world, but, being without God, what good will it do them?

St. Alphonsus Liguori, when speaking about people before they die, and what to do with their goods which they obtained in their journey of life. He says: "I say: If you dissipate the goods which you possess, and leave your children in poverty, you do wrong, and are guilty of sin. But will you lose your soul in order to leave your children comfortable? If you fall into Hell, perhaps they will come and release you from it? O folly! Listen to what David said: "I have not seen the just man forsaken, nor his seed seeking bread" Jesus Himself said: "What does it profit man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul?" St. Alphonsus goes on to say that we don't take these riches with us in our death, but if we gain the Faith, it will serve us well when we get judged and in eternity.

Lord, that we may learn the Faith and serve you faithfully.