Crown Wealth

  Nothing Is Greater Than Christ: The Cost of Following Jesus When We Truly Know Christ, We Learn to Trust Him, Let Go, and Follow Without Looking Back Readings: First Reading - Job 9:1–12, 14–16 Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 88:10–15 Alleluia - Philippians 3:8–9 Gospel Reading - Luke 9:57–62 God Is Greater Than Our Understanding Job is going through tremendous suffering, and he struggles to understand God's ways. He recognizes the greatness and wisdom of God and realizes that human beings cannot fully comprehend everything God does. This is an important lesson for our own lives. There are times when we ask: “Why is this happening?” “Why has God allowed this?” “When will things change?” Sometimes we may not receive an immediate answer. Faith does not mean that we understand everything God is doing. Faith means that even when we cannot understand God's plan, we continue to trust God Himself. God sees what we cannot see. A Prayer from the Darkness Psalm 88 is one of the Bible's ...

  Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church A Heart Consumed by the Word of God Saint Jerome is one of the greatest biblical scholars in the history of the Church. He was a priest, monk, translator, Scripture scholar, and Doctor of the Church whose life was deeply marked by his love for the Word of God. He is especially remembered for translating much of the Bible into Latin, producing what became known as the Vulgate , which profoundly influenced the life and worship of the Western Church. His famous words capture the heart of his spirituality: “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” For Jerome, Scripture was not merely a book to study. It was a place where the believer encounters Christ. A Young Man Searching for God Jerome was born around 347 in Stridon, in the region of Dalmatia and Pannonia. He received an excellent education and became deeply interested in literature, philosophy, and the classical world. Yet his intellectual gifts eventually became instruments f...

  Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels Messengers and Protectors of God's People The Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels on September 29. These three archangels are named in Sacred Scripture and are presented to us as powerful servants of God who carry out His divine purposes. Their lives and missions remind us that heaven is not distant from God's people. God sends His angels to serve His plan, strengthen His children, deliver His messages, and protect His people. The three archangels reveal different aspects of God's work: Michael — the defender and protector of God's people. Gabriel — the messenger who announces God's saving plan. Raphael — the companion and healer who guides and helps God's servants. Together, they remind us that we are called to stand faithfully, listen attentively, and walk trustfully with God. Saint Michael: Defender of God's People The name Michael means, “Who is like God?” ...

  St. Wenceslaus: A Faithful Leader Who Chose Christ Saint Wenceslaus, Duke and Martyr, is remembered as a Christian ruler who sought to place his leadership under the authority of God. He lived in Bohemia, in present-day Czechia, during the tenth century and became a powerful witness to the Christian faith. Born into a ruling family, Wenceslaus inherited responsibilities that could easily have led him toward power, wealth, and worldly ambition. Instead, he sought to use his position to serve God and his people. His life reminds us that leadership is not primarily about power; it is about responsibility, service, and faithfulness. A Young Man Formed by Faith Wenceslaus was raised during a period when Christianity was still becoming firmly established in Bohemia. His grandmother, Saint Ludmila, played an important role in forming him in the Christian faith. Through her influence, Wenceslaus developed a deep love for Christ and a desire to live according to the Gospel. This reminds u...

  Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions: Faithful Witnesses to Christ Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and his companions are remembered as courageous witnesses to Christ who remained faithful to their faith even in the face of imprisonment, torture, and death. Their martyrdom took place in Japan in the seventeenth century during a period of severe persecution of Christians. Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was born in Manila in the Philippines to a Chinese father and a Filipino mother. He married and had children, and he lived an ordinary family life before circumstances unexpectedly led him to leave his homeland. His story reminds us that God can call ordinary people to extraordinary faithfulness. An Ordinary Man Called to Extraordinary Courage Lorenzo was not originally a priest or religious. He was a husband, father, and member of a Christian community. This makes his story especially encouraging. Holiness is not reserved for priests and religious. Parents, workers, students, business owners, teachers, and or...

  Faith That Stands: Trusting God When Life Is Tested When Everything Changes, God Remains Our Refuge Readings: First Reading -  Job 1:6–22 Responsorial Psalm-  Psalm 17:1–3, 6–7 Alleluia -  Mark 10:45 Gospel Reading -  Luke 9:46–50 Life can change suddenly. One moment everything seems peaceful, and the next moment we may find ourselves facing disappointment, loss, rejection, uncertainty, or circumstances we never expected. The story of Job reminds us that faith is not proven only when everything is going well. Sometimes faith is revealed most clearly when we have lost what we thought we could depend upon. Job loses his possessions, his servants, and his children. Yet, despite his devastating grief, he falls to the ground and worships God. His response is remarkable: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job does not pretend that his suffering does not hurt. He grieves deeply. But his relationship with God is not based m...

  From Saying “Yes” to Living “Yes” Readings First Reading - Ezekiel 18:25-28 Responsorial Psalm- Psalm 25:4-9 Second Reading - Philippians 2:1-11 Alleluia - John 10:27 Gospel Reading  - Matthew 21:28-32 Today's readings invite us to examine the difference between what we say and how we live . God is not looking merely for beautiful promises or religious words; He desires a heart that listens, repents, obeys, and faithfully carries out His will. God Looks at the Choice We Make In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel reminds us that our past does not have to determine our future. A person who has lived wrongly can turn away from sin and choose what is right, while someone who has done good can still turn away from God. This is a message of hope: God gives us the opportunity to change. What matters is not simply where we have been, but the direction in which we are going now. Genuine repentance means turning away from what is wrong and choosing God's ways. “Teach Me Your...