Short Daily Reflection - By Fr Kyle - From Mass Readings

Jan 14 - As he (Jesus) passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed Jesus. Mark 2:13-17 - Levi, better known as Matthew, was a tax collector, collecting a "goods" tax just outside of Capernaum as people came in from the countryside to sell their goods. Like all tax collectors at these posts he was considered a trader against the Jews and thief and sinner who extorted illegal amounts over and above the standard rate for livelihood and personal self gain. 
In short, Matthew was seated, static, stagnate, not going anywhere with his life until he met Jesus who called him to follow and to serve rather than climbing the latter to success which required taking all he could from others, which in turn left him terrible dissatisfied and unhappy. We can only succeed in life by living a godly life, imitating Christ and following Him, and serving others as he has served us, calling others toward Christ as he has called us. Personally, following Christ has been been the best decision I could ever make. I love Him and I love the life, the graces, the mercy, the joys, the communion, the Bread of Life, the destruction of barriers, the freedom from sin, and the salvation that only comes by living in His Most Holy Name.

Devoted To Evangelizing The Next Generation

1Sam 1:9 "Hannah ... presented herself before the LORD ..she prayed to the LORD, weeping copiously .. promising: "O LORD of hosts ... if you give your handmaid a male child, I will give him to the LORD for as long as he lives" - Although Hannah was barren and suffered for lack of children, she still drew close to God and God to her. She valiantly demonstrates what true motherhood and parenting is all about; to raise their children to know the Lord and live for the Lord! God gave her a son, Samuel. For Christian parents it's all the more important to raise their children to know and live for Christ who alone redeems mankind and to prepare them to be evangelizers of such incomparable Life in Christ. How many Catholic parents, then, are encouraging their children to consider the religious life as brothers, sisters, or priests who freely choose to dedicate their entire being to Christ alone so that Christianity may expand? We can not afford to be selfish any longer! Help children, teenagers, and young adults know the amazing life of priest saints, sister saints, and brother saints, who  were consumed in the love of Christ and made His love known by their undying love for others.