Luke 8:16-18 Today's Gospel

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It reads: 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.

I understand the part about being given more, but could you explain the last part, why taken away?
 
Hi, Ron!

Consider what has taken place. Jesus tells His Followers that the function of a lamp is to light the way; as such Christians are to illuminate the world:
5:13 ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men. 5:14 ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. 5:15 No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. 5:16 In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven. (St. Matthew)
So what is the purpose of Jesus’ Followers to live in contentment and self-assurance or to produce good fruits for the Kingdom of Heaven?

So if a person, given the Grace of God, cannot abide in Christ, but rather relishes on what he/she thinks she knows or possess even that which they think they own will be taken from them:
7:21 ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord”, who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. 7:22 When the day comes many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?” 7:23 Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!’ (St. Matthew)
These people’s faith did not grow in Christ; they may have started out on the right Path… yet, eventually, it became about themselves:
10:17 The seventy-two came back rejoicing. ‘Lord,’ they said ‘even the devils submit to us when we use your name.’ 10:18 He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 10:19 Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you. 10:20 Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.’ (St. Luke)
It is about the Kingdom of God!

Maran atha!

Angel
 
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It reads: 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.

I understand the part about being given more, but could you explain the last part, why taken away?
As I understand it, those who have faith will be rewarded with heaven.

Those who do not have faith or have very little faith, even that faith that they had will be taken away and they will be punished in hell.
 
What is our greatest treasure? Eucharist. For those with a deep love of Christ in the Eucharist, life becomes more and more devout, vanity falls away, stress becomes less, we trust God more.
For those who SHOULD know and appreciate the Eucharist, those who have indeed been given the richness of faith and the Sacraments, but elect NOT to [artake of their gifts, will love that intimacy with Christ and look under every rock for consolation and joy. Those gifts of grace and appear to have been taken, but really, it is those persons who shut the door and say “I don’t need or want those gifts”. Such folks will be sorely disappointed on the last day. God is merciful, but what person denies the love He alone can offer? The foolish person. Sometimes we abandon that which is most precious, and then the connection is lost. The world takes us away from Him.
So many times people feel like once they receive various Sacraments, they are “done”. They’ve fulfilled some sort of cosmic checklist. One is never done with God. Our relationship continues all through our lives.
Godo questions.
 
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