For our first reading today we begin a journey through the Book of Ezra. King Cyrus, a gentile king, paved the way for the building of the temple in Jerusalem.
In our Gospel reading from Luke 8, Jesus says something that may seem confusing. "To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." So what is it that someone has or has not? Faith? But Jesus once said if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains. So why would that tiny seed of faith be taken away?
Here's what the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible says: "Jesus attaches great responsibility to his message. The blessings of God's truth must be treasured and shared, since whoever neglects or ignores them will lose them." To me, this sounds like gratitude. If we are grateful for our blessings, we will receive even more. But if we have no gratitude to God, even what we seem to have will be taken away. So be grateful.
Father, we are grateful for your many gifts and blessings. May we always remain filled with gratitude. Amen.
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