Jesus tells us that we should forgive others 70 times 7 times, which signifies infinity. Thus, we should join with others to create a society of mercy and forgiveness.
Commenting on the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP asks us to think about what we would be willing to give up everything else for to build a life based on love?
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus became such close friends of Jesus that their home was a refuge for him and set a context for one of his greatest miracles, the raising of Lazarus. Pointing to this reality, Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP encourages us to try to create such a close friendship with Jesus so that we might be able to be witnesses to the resurrection to a society that is so easily marred by death.
Jesus sent the apostles out "heal every illness". Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP reminds us that we too are sent, like them, to heal every illness, not only individual sicknesses but social ills as well.
In today's Gospel, we see Jesus caring for those who are suffering, because they are like sheep without a shepherd. Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP points out that Jesus wants to do something new to help them, and asks us if we are open to God working in new ways to heal the brokenhearted today?
Jesus said that he came to abolish, but to fulfil the law. Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP teases apart that Jesus was not being a legalist, but getting to the heart of the law, which, as St. Augustine said, is "Love God and then do what you want."
As did Jesus, Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP asks us to be salt for the earth so that we can be of service to society and people might be enlightened through our good deeds.
Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP takes to heart Jesus' parting words to his disciples, and applies them to us as well—we need to be open to the gifts of the Spirit to invigorate our hearts to live the mission he has given us.
Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP recalls the disciples doubting right up to the Ascension of Jesus, and challenges us to use the occasion to strengthen our own faith in the full message of Jesus so that we can challenge our own fear and proclaim his message to the whole world.
Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP asks us to think about why we go to mass: just to be fed, or to enter more deeply into communion with God and all of God's people?
Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP says that sometimes, like the disciples of Jesus on the road to Emmaus, we don't recognize that Jesus is walking with us as we lament our troubles—but we can recognize his presence in our lives if we come to the Eucharist with our whole heart.
