Christian Reflection and Prayer

In the movie Gladiator, General Maximus
Decimus Meridius seeks to stir his cavalry
to fight well in the imminent battle against
Germania. Addressing his troops, he
challenges them to give their very best.
He makes this profound statement:
“What we do in life echoes in eternity.”
These words from a fictional military
leader convey a powerful concept that
is of particular significance to believers
in Christ. We are not just taking up time
and space on a rock that’s floating in
the universe. We are here with the
opportunity to make an eternal difference
with our lives. Jesus Himself said, “Lay
up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys
and where thieves do not break in and
steal” (Matt. 6:20).
HAVING THE PERSPECTIVE OF
LIVING FOR ETERNITY CAN MAKE
ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THIS
WORLD
(Bill Crowder; January 3, 2007)

A PRIEST'S RETIREMENT DINNER
 
 
 A Priest was being honored at his retirement
dinner after 25 years in the parish. A leading
local politician and member of the congregation
was chosen to make the presentation and to
give a little speech at the dinner. However, he
was delayed, so the Priest decided to say his
own few words while they waited:
   
 
“I got my first impression of the parish from the
first confession I heard here. I thought I had been
assigned to a terrible place. The very first person
who entered my confessional told me he had stolen
a television set and, when questioned by the police,
was able to lie his way out of it. He had stolen
money from his parents, embezzled from his
employer, had an affair with his boss's wife, he had
taken illegal drugs . I was appalled. But as the days
went on, I learned that my people were not all like
that and I had,indeed, come to a fine parish full of
good and loving people."
  
Just as the Priest finished his talk, the politician
arrived full of apologies at being late. He immediately
began to make the presentation and gave his talk:
“I'll never forget the first day our parish Priest
arrived, said the politician. In fact, I had the honor of
being the first person to go to him for confession."

MORAL: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER BE LATE