Thy Will Be Done
 | Gerald T King on From a homily on Ezekiel by Sa… |
 | Toncie on Statue Of Mary Stepping On A… |
 | AA1C on 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time w… |
 | CatholicJules on Saturday morning testimony |
 | Vincent P on Saturday morning testimony |
LISTEN LIVE
Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn
Taking the Call
Readings:
1 Kings 19:16-21
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
Galatians 5:1,13-18
Luke 9:51-62
In this week’s First Reading, Elijah’s disciple is allowed to kiss his parents goodbye before setting out to follow the prophet’s call.
But we are called to follow a greater than Elijah, this week’s Liturgy wants us to know.
In Baptism, we have put on the cloak of Christ, been called to the house of a new Father, been given a new family in the kingdom of God. We have been called to leave behind our past lives and never look back – to follow wherever He leads.
Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind and his disciple was given a double portion of his spirit (see 2 Kings 2:9-15).
Jesus too, the Gospel reminds us, was “taken up” (see Acts 1:2,11,22), and He gave us His Spirit to live by, to guide us in our journey in His kingdom.
As this week’s Epistle tells us, the call of Jesus shatters the yoke of every servitude, sets us free from the rituals of the old Law, shows us the Law’s fulfillment in the following of Jesus, in serving one another through love.
His call sets our hands to a new plow, a new task – to be His messengers, sent ahead to prepare all peoples to meet Him and enter into His Kingdom.
Elijah called down fire to consume those who wouldn’t accept God (see 2 Kings 1:1-16). But we have a different Spirit with us.
To live by His Spirit is to face opposition and rejection, as the Apostles do in this week’s Gospel. It is to feel like an exile, with no lasting city (see Hebrews 13:14), no place in this world to lay our head or call home.
But we hear the voice of the One we follow in this week’s Psalm (see Acts 2:25-32; 13:35-37). He calls us to make His faith our own – to abide in confidence that He will not abandon us, that He will show us “the path to life,” leading us to the fullness of joy in His presence forever.
Today is the Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul and we remember them for their great faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Like us they too were sinners, in his weakness St Peter denied Jesus; in his blind zeal for the law, St Paul persecuted and killed Christians. But the love of Christ embraced them and empowered them to break free from the bondage of sin and the slavery of the law. They lived their new lives in Christ In peace, love and charity for others. They used all the gifts and Graces they received from God to give glory to Him, by preaching His love, enriching the lives of all they met through the proclamation of the Word, healing of the sick and the conversion of sinners.
Through the intercession of St Peter and St Paul let us fight the good fight and run the race to end as we serve and glorify God through the Church He established and build up His Kingdom by bringing all we meet to faith. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
GOSPEL Matthew 16:13–19
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
For our salvation, our Lord came down to us. He desires to heal us spiritually from within and physically. All we need do is cry out to Him in true faith. Do we do Him homage by seeking Him out with a contrite heart and reverence?Do we worship Him as the leper did? For the leper did not come to Him seeking out a physician but for the Son of God to heal Him.
By Jesus example we give all Glory and Praise to God our Father seeking none for ourselves. And are obedient to the laws of the Church He established. Amen
GOSPEL Matthew 8:1–4
When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
Are we truly following Jesus and all His teachings? Are we truly His disciples? Or have we abandoned some of His doctrines? Have we lacked faith and conviction to seek out the truth?
Is performing miracles in Jesus name by the grace of God important or following God’s Will? To worship only Him and to love and serve our neighbour, our brethren?
The love of our Lord Jesus Christ is calling out to us today. Not to be fooled and led astray by worldly values but for us to build our foundation on Him, His love. A commitment to embrace Him wholly. He is our rock and through the foundation we build through the depth of His love from within; cannot be contained but poured out for all. We are perfected in Him; holy in communion. Amen
GOSPEL Matthew 7:21–29
Jesus said to his disciples:“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Who are the false prophets amongst us? Are they those who preach their own interpretations of scripture which lead others away from the Church? Away from the Church that Christ Himself established? To start their very own Church? Do they cause strife instead of unity? Are they those that lead others away from Christianity all together?
Or are the false prophets amongst us those who are give outward appearances of piety? outward show of reverence? Who fast outwardly and give alms? But lead others away from their faith by their actions and their words? By their hypocrisy? Do they gossip? Do they snap at others in irritation or anger? Are they secretly plotting against another? Are they vengeful? Spiteful? What are their fruits?
By virtue of our baptism we too are called to be prophets? Are we false prophets ourselves? By our very own behaviour? By the way we lead our lives?
Are we fruitful? Do we lead fruitful lives? Or do we give excuses for not being fruitful? Do we just say we don’t know our faith enough? Or that we are not good at talking or sharing? We are introverts by nature? We say we will act one day but that day never seems to come? What happens then to those who are in our midst and who were hungry to know God? Those who needed Jesus desperately in their lives? Those who needed hope? Those who needed help?
What would you do if you love apples and decided to plant an apple tree in your garden, you care for it, nurture it and it grows into a crooked tree without any apples whatsoever. What would you do with the tree?
Let us pray…
God our Father, you feed Your people with the finest wheat and give us water to drink from the rock, who is Christ. Sustain all those who hunger and thirst for You. By Your grace, may all of us by our virtue of our baptism grow in our love and in our faith; that we may be fruitful in every word and deed so as to glorify You and build Your heavenly Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
GOSPEL Matthew 7:15–20
Jesus said to his disciples:“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.”
Many will never accept the truth in fact they are likely to distort and change it to suit their needs. They will even try to destroy your belief system and your faith. Then there are those who choose to trample on the truth and defile it. Do we think we can change their minds with the truth? Will the seed ever take root? When they proclaim things like Jesus and the Church are man made ideologies to fulfill self serving interests. Or no one has the right to oppose same sex marriages as they go against the individual’s right to happiness. It’s a woman’s own body and so she has the right to choose whatever she wants to do with it and no one has even the right to voice alternatives if she so decides to go with an abortion. Gender change is every individual’s right and it goes against human dignity to force them to live out a particular gender. Condoms save lives! especially against sexually transmitted diseases. How can you sit there like a doormat and allow them to walk all over you? You must show them what you are made of! You must sue! You must teach them a lesson they will never forget!
It is by far easier to choose the wider and broad road of the world where the invitation to join the masses are always appealing. It doesn’t even seem to matter that this very road ahead is cloaked in hazy darkness and eventually will lead us to destruction.
Jesus reminds us today that the road to peace, love, happiness and life is by way of Him; the Truth and the light. Let us choose the narrow path and lead others towards it. Amen
GOSPEL Matthew 7:6, 12–14
Jesus said to his disciples:“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”
How many times have God spoken to us through His priests, His angels, His prophets, by way of the Holy Spirit and still we would not listen? On the occasions when we did listen an acted according to His Word did we not witness His power and Glory? Did others too who knew not look on in awe?
Today we celebrate the birth of the great and last prophet of the old testament our beloved St John the Baptist. He who was filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. He who encountered the fullness of Jesus by proximity and was yet unborn. He who overcame all obstacles to pave the way for our Lord. He who embraced his vocation to bring God’s people back to Him even if it meant martyrdom. To bring others to the feet of Jesus.
By way of our baptism, we too are prophets called to prepare the way, so that Jesus may enter the hearts of our fellowmen. To preach repentance and to guide them towards Jesus, those who have lapsed through the Sacrament of reconciliation. And in doing so, we must decrease while Jesus increases both in our lives and in the lives of our brethren. Amen.
24 June 2013The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist – Solemnity
GOSPEL Luke 1:57–66, 80
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn
Children of the Promise
Readings:
Zech 12:10-11; 13:1
Ps 62:2-6. 8-9 r. 2
Gal 3:26-29
Luke 9:18-24
In this Sunday’s readings we hear the voice of the Prophet Zechariah as he delivers difficult oracles from God. The people have returned from exile. Now back in Jerusalem, they face the arduous work of rebuilding the Temple. Zechariah acknowledges their hardships and foresees more obstacles.
But their grief has a purpose. It is a remedy, a penance to heal them—“a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness.”
Thus purified, the people will be ready to receive the Messiah and usher in a new creation. God promises to “pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and petition.” So that no one should mistake the identity of the Messiah when He comes, God says through Zechariah: “they shall look on him whom they have thrust through, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son … a first-born.” That prophecy could be fulfilled in no other than Jesus, the Word made Flesh, the Only-Begotten Son of God, the Crucified.
The day of the Messiah indeed came, with an outpouring of the Spirit. Yet it was a saving event not only for Jerusalem, but for all people. Both Jews and Gentiles could become “children of God,” in St. Paul’s stunning phrase. Now, “There is neither Jew nor Greek … slave nor free … male and female … if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.”
In light of these readings, Sunday’s Gospel is poignant. Jesus asks his closest friends, ” who do you say that I am?” Peter replies, “The Messiah of God.” Jesus then reveals to them, as Zechariah had foretold, that the Messiah must be “thrust through” and killed and mourned before the Spirit would come forth on Pentecost.
The day has indeed come. Yet still we long for its fullness, and so we pray to God in the Psalm: “for you I long! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, Like a land parched, lifeless, and without water.”
Do we look back on our successes and think to ourselves all our hardwork has paid off. Now let’s look forward to the next challenge. How do I make more money? What is the next latest toy to own? What is the next property to have?
While we once attributed our little successes to God and His grace, how is it with so much more we tend to forget Him? If we say we have not, how much deeper has our faith grown? How much more have we served Him today? How much more have we loved our neighbor? How much time have we spent with our community and not just with whom we know?
Our loving Father will provide all that we will ever need, can we be content to live with what Is given? Can we be content to remain faithful in His love for us? To do only what He wills for and of us?
Lord Jesus help me remain steadfast in my love and service to You and my brethren. Amen
GOSPEL Matthew 6:24–34
Jesus said to his disciples:“No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life–span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”
What is it that we cherish here on earth that we can take along with us for all eternity? Do we then say we will leave all we have to our loved ones? Can we guarantee that what we leave behind will not be plundered? squandered? lost? destroyed? Do we still stubbornly hold on to our worldly goods and desires?
Why not leave behind instead a lasting memory of how we had lived our lives according to the Word of God? How we had such faith that we did both little and great works for the glory of God our loving Father? How we shared our faith and hope with others who had none? How we gave of our hearts to the poor? How we made time to comfort and tend to the sick? How we inspired both the very young and the youths to carry on the torch of love for God and for our neighbours? How we persevered in faith and love against all adversity? How we tried our very best to emulate the Saints that had gone before us? How we brought the light in us wherever we went? And turn darkness into light? How we brought the joy and peace within us to everyone?
Let us be remembered for how we brought Jesus into peoples lives…. Amen.
GOSPEL Matthew 6:19–23
Jesus said to his disciples:“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”
How often do we spend time waiting patiently and listening out for our God who will speak to us? Yearning for Him to counsel us and for Him to give us His living Word for/to us? For Him to refresh and strengthen us? Our loving Father knows all our wants and desires before we ever need ask, and while we can lift all of it to Him in prayer, are we also prepared that in His infinite wisdom He alone decides what is best for us?
Jesus taught us a perfect prayer consisting of seven petitions, let us pray and reflect on each petition today, opening our hearts to our Heavenly Father. A loving Father who loves us so much that through His loving Son, forgives us our most heinous sins just by listening to our contrite heart crying out to Him. All he ask is we do likewise for our brethren who have sinned against us. Amen
GOSPEL Matthew 6:7–15
Jesus said to his disciples:“In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
We know that God knows our heart and our intentions yet are there times we lose sight? Lose our way and forget? Do we seek approval, recognition even praise from our fellowmen instead of God? Are instant rewards and gratification more important to us then our eternal reward?
Then also do we not see that we cannot hide what is in our hearts or our intentions from all our fellowmen? Some if not most will be able to see through our hypocrisy if we have chosen to walk the wider road. Then what happens? Do we lead them away from God by our actions? Do they turn away both from us and God?
All we will ever need in life is God! And to walk with and towards Him on the narrow path is to strip ourselves bare before Him. Otherwise heavy laden with ourselves and the cares of the world we easily fall off the narrow path to our loving God. Rooted in private, personal prayer, faith and love we will journey on in service of Our Lord, our God who awaits us at the end of the road home. Amen.
GOSPEL Matthew 6:1–6, 16–18
Jesus said to his disciples:“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Dear Lord our God, you are our refuge in good and in bad times. In your infinite mercy, bring peace and comfort to all those of us who face these hazy days often filled with breathlessness, pain and depression. Help us to realize that through you there is joy and the promise of lasting peace. Help us through the rough times. Walk before and beside us so that we may walk in your footsteps and reach out to you in our journey on this earth. Help us to focus on our blessings rather than our misfortunes, dear Lord and guide all those in power that they may work swiftly together in finding a solution to this ongoing problem. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Is it not easier to hate? To despise? To be enraged with? To lash out!? To be bitter? Why do such feelings, emotions, actions come so readily and easily? Why do we choose these over love? If all things good come from God then where does the source of evil come? Is it not a separation from all that is Good? Is it not a separation from God? The absence of God?
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (Jn 3:17) Hence does this not mean that His love, His righteousness and Grace needed for reconciliation is open to each and everyone of us? His outstretched arms waiting to embrace all sinners who would come back to Him, just and unjust? God’s gifts and graces may fall on us all but only those whose hearts are open to receive them can and shall receive them. Does this not mean then, that we should be praying for one another especially those of us steeped in sin? So that we may receive the graces necessary for salvation? To receive Christ into our lives?
We are called today to love with the love of Christ our saviour? To reach out to what good, no matter how little there may be left in our enemies or those who persecute; so that they too might be saved. Therefore we pray for them in love. To be perfected in such love is to love inspite of…., to love despite of…., a radical love that rejoices at the return of the prodigal son, a radical love that would leave the ninety nine behind in search of the one lost one, a radical love that forgave us all from the cross!
Therefore till evil is given free reign by those who choose evil, to consume them wholly and where prayers for them would come to naught. Until such time we should remain hopeful and love nonetheless.
May the love of Christ reign in our hearts always. Amen
GOSPEL Matthew 5:43–48
Jesus said to his disciples:“You have heard that it was said,You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Yesterday I took part in the Pocari Sweat 10 km run and the route while quite scenic was rather quite gruelling in parts. I persevered and what really helped me up the steep parts was the worship songs I was listening to.
Praise the Lord that while I was jogging uphill, the lyric of the song went something like this “.. Up the mountain of my Lord” needless to say I was in awe and inspired.
Then at the 7 km mark as my legs grew heavy and my heels began to ache, a prayer/reflection played over and over in my mind….
If I am last in the heavenly race by Your Grace Lord, thank You for counting me worthy.
If I come in the middle position, thank you Lord that I may be counted as one among my brethren.
If however I count myself first at your displeasure then have mercy on me Lord, for I was not listening and living according to Your Word. Amen
I completed the run in just over an hour, grace filled. Alleluia!
Are we called to be doormats? To be stepped on? To be abused? Does the Lord our God not love us? Why then are we made in His image? Why then give us dignity?
In reality we Christians have a higher calling, that is to avoid evil and any occasion of it. We do not answer evil with evil for evil begets evil. Hence revenge and retaliation only brings us more pain and grief, for we open the floodgates of sin. Justify our actions often enough and we fall into a deeper trap, even the slightest of provocation brings about wrath! Our Lord Jesus does not want to suffer let alone in vain. If we are constantly being abused then we need to seek help and find all means to avoid contact with those that assail us.
We should offer up our suffering and the indignities done against us to God our loving Father and He will give us the grace to forgive and the strength and peace to overcome our hurts and pains. In His great love for us Jesus suffered indignities, torture and unimaginable pain. By bearing our cross for Him, we are able to drink from His chalice, and taste the sweet nectar of true love.
By relinquishing our hold on worldly desires and goods, we are free to be true disciples of Christ. To set the downtrodden free, to share the good news of salvation, to tend to the poor and the sick and to answer His call.
GOSPEL Matthew 5:38–42
Jesus said to his disciples:“You have heard that it was said,An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”
Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn
Many Sins, Great Love
Readings:
2 Samuel 12: 7–10, 13
Psalm 32: 1–2, 5,7,11
Galatians 2:16, 19–21
Luke 7:36–50
In this Sunday’s readings we are like the fallen king, David, and the woman who weeps at Jesus’ feet.
Like David, the Lord has rescued us from sin and death, anointed us with His Spirit in baptism and in confirmation. He has made us heirs of His promise to the children of Israel.
And like David, and like the woman in the Gospel, we fall into sin. Our crimes may not be as grave as David’s (see 2 Samuel 11:1–26) or as “many” as that woman’s (see Luke 7:47).
But we often squander the great gift of salvation we’ve been given. Often we fail to live up to the great calling of being sons and daughters of God.
The good news of today’s readings, the good news of Jesus Christ, is that we can return to God in the sacrament of confession. Each of us can repeat Paul’s wondrous words in this week’s Epistle: “The Son of God has loved me and given himself up for me.”
Our faith will save us, as Jesus tells the woman today. Our faith that no matter how many our sins, or how serious, if we come to him in true sorrow and repentance we will hear his words of forgiveness. Like David. Like the woman in the Gospel this Sunday.
We hear David’s heartfelt confession in the First Reading. The Psalmist, too, confesses his sins to God. And we hear our Lord’s tender words of mercy and pardon in the Gospel.
By His word of healing and his promise of peace, He makes it possible for us to join Him at the banquet table of the Eucharist.
We can’t be like the Pharisee in the Gospel. We should never disdain the sinner or doubt the Lord’s power to convert even the worst of sinners.
Instead, we should pledge today to better imitate that sinful woman. In gratitude for the debt we’ve been forgiven, let us promise to live by faith and for God alone. Like her, let us devote our lives to serving Him with great love.
If God is dwelling in our hearts and Jesus is in our lives, our every interaction, will we ever need to swear? Or take oaths?
We are simply called to live authentic lives which reflect the Gospels.
Let us revere, honour, worship and praise our God in all we say, in all we do, in all our hearts. Amen.
GOSPEL Matthew 5:33–37
Jesus said to his disciples:“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One.”
The truth is simple and clear, is it not we who often distort and complicate it? Do we not try to justify the means or our actions? Using terms like ‘but then’ ‘because’ ‘it’s understandable’ ‘we are only human”everyone is doing it’ ??
To truly be a disciple of Christ is to turn away from sin. To Not allow curiosity to lead us to sin. To Not allow the voices of the world to tell us it is okay. To remove all temptations in our lives that would lead us to sin. To say NO to a sinful past and present and move forwards to reconciliation so that we may look ahead to a sin free and holy future.
Let us pray….
O God of mercy and of love, hear us in our sin and grant us your forgiveness through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
GOSPEL Matthew 5:27–32
Jesus said to his disciples:“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna
. “It was also said,Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
Lessons in true love by our Lord Jesus often seem extremely difficult especially when we hold on to our prideful ways, woundedness, anger, our own sense of righteousness. How can we forgive those who hurt us so deeply? Who infuriates us? Who may have even caused us physical pain? Who betrayed our trust?
Have we withheld forgiveness? Have we exacted our own brand of justice on those who have hurt us? Have we lashed out at them? Have we spewed vulgarities at them in anger? Have we screamed and shouted at them? Have we allowed our hands to cause hurt? Have we killed their spirit? Do we think or say to ourselves, ” I am justified by my actions..” “Any human being would have reacted in the same way..”
Jesus is calling us to a higher standard, He does not want us to be ordinary or normal. He is calling us to holiness, to be extraordinary, to be in essence Christ for others. He wants us to experience His love and share His love with our sisters and brothers. We can only do so when we learn to forgive, so that we can be liberated to love. He forgave us from the cross, can we do any less?
Gospel Matthew 5:20–26
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 21 “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; 26 truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.
Why do we turn away from laws of God? Why are we fearful of the laws? Why are we fearful of God? Is it because His laws are just too hard to follow? Is it because we do not like to live by rules or regulations? Is it because we do not like to hear the truth when we go wrong? Are we afraid of the wrath of God that we cower in fear and in the darkness as to hide from Him? Do we lead others away so that we have company?
Are all these not a result of our imperfect love? An imperfect understanding of the love of God? Do we still not see that the commandments were given to us in and out of love for us? Have we ever given thought to what the world would be like without God’s laws? Without His love? Have we taken the time to contemplate and reflect on how Jesus fulfills the law? How He perfects the law and the understanding of it?
Until such time we embrace Jesus and hold Him dear in our hearts and in our lives, only then will we understand. Understand that the law once written in stone is now written unto our hearts by Jesus. Through Him we are able to love with a perfect love, to understand and to live that love in our lives. We begin to see that God’s law is love too….
GOSPEL Matthew 5:17–19
Jesus said to his disciples:“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
We are ALL called to be the salt of the earth, but what does this mean for us individually? Do we share our faith, our reason for hope, our reason for peace and joy in our lives with others? Do we do what we can to preserve souls from decay and decadence? Do we give glory and praise to God our Father by the way we live our lives? Where His goodness shines through us that all may see and believe?
What good are we, if we keep and hide all the gifts and talents entrusted to us by our loving Father? We too are sent to give the good news to the poor, to heal, to liberate and change lives, to be Jesus for others…How can we not love with the love of Jesus who poured His great abundant love upon us all?
Let us pray…..
Lord, we want to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
We want to make life more tasteful and bright for everyone. And we want our
lives to be an example for others so that they too will know the right way to live.
Help us to keep having holy and Christlike attitudes so that others will know that we are Christians and will want to know You better. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen
Gospel Reading Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
We often seek out the secrets for true happiness, everlasting youth, true love, peace of mind and in our search have we yet found them in the world? Are they to be found in the world we live?
Our loving saviour Jesus Christ, the author of life teaches some profound lessons that would unravel all that we seek. For all that we seek comes from God and it is through God that we will not only find them but live in and with them. Are we prepared to make that choice? The choice of living out the values taught therein? For in choosing to live the beatitudes is choosing to accept the cross of our Lord. Are we ready? To plunge into the depths of our faith and be filled with the graces contained therein?
Let us pray….
O God, the giver of all good gifts, our desire to praise You is itself a blessing you have bestowed upon us. We can offer you nothing that You do not already have except our love, which we render to you in worship and in service to all those whom you redeem in Jesus Christ. Grant us glad gratitude in Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen
GOSPEL Matthew 5:1–12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.Rejoice and be glad,for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn
Restored to Life
Readings:
1 Kings 17:17-24
Psalms 30: 2,4-6,11-13
Gal 1:11-19
Luke 7:11-17
Jesus in today’s Gospel meets a funeral procession coming out of the gates of the town of Nain. Unlike when he raised Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5) or Lazarus (John 11), no one requests his assistance. Moved by compassion for the widow who had lost her only son, Jesus steps forward and, laying his hand on the bier, commands him to arise.
The onlookers were reminded of the story of Elijah in the first reading who raised the dead child of the widow of Zarephath and “gave him [back] to his mother.” They proclaimed that “a great prophet has arisen in our midst.”
Jesus of course is more than a prophet; he is the ruler over life and death. In the Mosaic law, contact with a dead body renders an Israelite unclean for a week (Numbers 19:11-19). Jesus’ touch and word reverses that; instead of being defiled by contact with death, he gave life.
Like the physical healings that he performed, Jesus’ raising people from the dead is a sign of the Messiah’s arrival (Luke 7:22). But it is more than that; these healings are visible signs of the awakening and liberating of men from the spiritual death caused by sin (see Mark 2:1-12).
The Church Fathers return to this theme again and again. St. Ambrose writes, “the widow signifies Mother Church, weeping for those who are dead in sin and carried beyond the safety of her gates. The multitudes looking on will praise the Lord when sinners rise again from death and are restored to their mother.”
When we are dead in sin, it is the outstretched hand and the words of Christ spoken by his priest, that raise us from spiritual death and restore us to the arms of our mother, the Church. With the Psalmist, then, we can sing “I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. You brought me up from the nether world; you preserved me from those going down into the pit.
Our fallen nature often seeks recognition and affirmation from others. We either secretly or are openly delighted when we are treated with high regard or importance. Even so in the house of God? Does it not matter that this life is ending? Does it not matter that this form of happiness is short lived? Do we not know that our hearts are laid bare before God always?
Should we not rather be seeking God instead? To do what is pleasing to and for Him? To serve our brethren in need?
To give all of ourselves and all that we can; not what we can spare, is to declare our faith and our love for God.
This is what God assures us, ” For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer 29:11
GOSPEL Mark 12:38–44
In the course of his teaching Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
No one will ever love us or care for us the way God our Father does. In spite of our tantrums, disobedience, pride, obstinacy, sheer sinfulness, He waits patiently and lovingly for our return to Him so that He may shower us with His love and in abundance.
No sin……..NO SIN is too great that He will not forgive if we turn to Him with a truly contrite heart. Like a loving parent who lost His/Her child would leave ALL behind, to go in search of the child; Our loving Shepherd Who loves us most, will come for us when we are lost. All we ever need to do is to cry out to Him with our own free will. All our fears we can lay to rest and as we lay in pitch darkness waiting, His light will fill our hearts. He hears us and He is there to carry us home….
O most holy sacred heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with lively sorrow for my sins I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, Good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.
GOSPEL Luke 15:3–7
Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes: “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety–nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety–nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.”
How can we love God if we don’t have an on going relationship with Him? To most, God is like an exquisite painting of perhaps a gentle breeze blowing over a garden of ruby red roses. Until such time, we find ourselves in that very garden; with that very breeze blowing over us, as we sway in the right direction.
To experience God, is to love Him, to love Him is to experience and encounter Him in all things visible and invisible. How can we experience and love God if we have other ‘gods’ in our lives. Things or persons we have elevated on a pedestal? More important to us? When we refuse to give up all that leads us away from Him? Pride, lust, envy, greed, selfishness, rage, laziness etc.? When we refuse to set aside time for God our Father? To reverence Him? To worship him? To love and be loved by Him?
All we need to do is to cry out to Him, surrender to Him not as in give up but in accepting willingly His love for us. And Jesus will come and lead us home. As we leave all our sins behind us and journey forwards, we will grow in love and our relationship with our loving God and with one another.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
GOSPEL Mark 12:28–34
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this:Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.The second is this:You shall love your neighbor as yourself.There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying,He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
How can we love God if we don’t have an on going relationship with Him? To most, God is like an exquisite painting of perhaps a gentle breeze blowing over a garden of ruby red roses. Until such time, we find ourselves in that very garden; with that very breeze blowing over us, as we sway in the right direction.
To experience God, is to love Him, to love Him is to experience and encounter Him in all things visible and invisible. How can we experience and love God if we have other ‘gods’ in our lives. Things or persons we have elevated on a pedestal? More important to us? When we refuse to give up all that leads us away from Him? Pride, lust, envy, greed, selfishness, rage, laziness etc.? When we refuse to set aside time for God our Father? To reverence Him? To worship him? To love and be loved by Him?
All we need to do is to cry out to Him, surrender to Him not as in give up but in accepting willingly His love for us. And Jesus will come and lead us home. As we leave all our sins behind us and journey forwards, we will grow in love and our relationship with our loving God and with one another.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
GOSPEL Mark 12:28–34
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this:Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.The second is this:You shall love your neighbor as yourself.There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying,He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Have we already forgotten our Easter Joy? The promise of new life won for us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? We have such hope because we already have new life with Christ. And as we journey through our fleeting life here, turning away from sin and living the Word we know we will rise again with Him at the end. Let us share the hope and joy we have with others….
What about our marriage views and vows? Are we living according to God’s plan? Or do we see marriage with tinted lenses of the world? Does our marriage lasts only the length of our physical beauty and strength? For only what we can get out of the marriage? In only the good times and in health? Do we not realise that we should cherish our spouses with what little time we have and lead them closer to God’s Kingdom by our example and love? We should be faithful to our marriage vows. Our union is a sacrament, a special communion, a unique experience of being the bride of Christ.
We adore You O Lord and we bless you, because by Your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Amen
GOSPEL Mark 12:18–27
Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants. So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants, and the third likewise. And the seven left no descendants. Last of all the woman also died. At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him,I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled.”
Do we think we can outsmart or hide behind our lies and deceit before God? Why do we not choose to walk with Him in the garden? Why do we choose to hide in sin?
Who or what is Caesar in our lives? Do we idolise movie stars? Sports stars? Singers etc? Do we choose to emulate them? Or is it our work at the office or money and success ? Do we spend all our time and all our energy focus on the pursuit of them? Is it pornography? Is it games or TV and computer? Forgetting everything and everyone around us? What is your Caesar?
Once again let us ask ourselves, have we reverence God our loving Father? By our dress? Our thoughts? Our actions? By the way we lead our lives? Do we spend quiet and quality time with Him in prayer? Do we listen and reflect on His Word? Daily? Do we love others as we are called to do? Do we serve Him by serving others?
All we will ever need or want, we have in You our Lord, our God. Amen
GOSPEL Mark 12:13–17
Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.” They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.” So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him.
Are we truly children of God? Fruitful for Him, always striving to give Him honour, glory and praise by the way we lead our lives?
Or are we like or have we become like the disobedient, evil tenant farmers? Rejecting His Word, His will for us? Living self centred lives bearing no fruits of our own? Finding fault and abusing all those who try to speak to us of repentance or about Jesus? Thinking we know all there is to know about God? Thinking that we can choose however way we want to worship God, in which ever faith we so choose? That we have a right to our inheritance and can do as we please?
There is only one way, truth and life…. Jesus! Amen
GOSPEL Mark 12:1–12
Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty–handed. Again he sent them another servant. And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed. He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, put the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture passage: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?” They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.
Praise the Lord, I rushed to Church after the afternoon shift and was able to join in the last 10mins of the Holy hour of adoration and was filled with His love.
I also got this message, “There is no greater love than to love and embrace my body, your brethren”
This is the full sequence that is usually said during the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Unfortunately due to time constrains the shorter form is usually said beginning at “Behold the bread of angels, sent….” I encourage everyone however to read the whole sequence slowly and allow the glorious words of our faith embody you. This I believe is an ancient piece which was magnificently composed and meticulous in every way! Praise the Lord!
Sing forth, O Zion, sweetly sing
The praises of thy Shepherd-King,
In hymns and canticles divine;
Dare all thou canst, thou hast no song
Worthy his praise to prolong,
So far surpassing power like thine.
Today no theme of common praise
Forms the sweet burden of thy lays –
The living, life-dispensing food –
That food which at the sacred board
Unto the brethren twelve our Lord
His parting legacy bestowed.
Then be the anthem clear and strong,
Thy fullest note, thy sweetest song,
The very music of the breast:
For now shines forth the day sublime
That brings remembrance of the time
When Jesus first his table blessed.
Within our new King’s banquet-hall
They meet to keep the festival
That closed the ancient paschal rite:
The old is by the new replaced;
The substance hath the shadow chased;
And rising day dispels the night.
Christ willed what he himself had done
Should be renewed while time should run,
In memory of his parting hour:
Thus, tutored in his school divine,
We consecrate the bread and wine;
And lo – a Host of saving power.
This faith to Christian men is given –
Bread is made flesh by words from heaven:
Into his blood the wine is turned:
What though it baffles nature’s powers
Of sense and sight? This faith of ours
Proves more than nature e’er discerned.
Concealed beneath the two-fold sign,
Meet symbols of the gifts divine,
There lie the mysteries adored:
The living body is our food;
Our drink the ever-precious blood;
In each, one undivided Lord.
Not he that eateth it divides
The sacred food, which whole abides
Unbroken still, nor knows decay;
Be one, or be a thousand fed,
They eat alike that living bread
Which, still received, ne’er wastes away.
The good, the guilty share therein,
With sure increase of grace or sin;
The ghostly life, or ghostly death:
Death to the guilty: to the good
Immortal life. See how one food
Man’s joy or woe accomplisheth.
We break the Sacrament; but bold
And firm thy faith shall keep its hold;
Deem not the whole doth more enfold
Than in the fractured part resides:
Deem but that Christ doth broken lie;
‘Tis but the sign that meets the eye;
The hidden deep reality
In all its fullness still abides.
Behold the bread of angels, sent
For pilgrims in their banishment,
The bread for God’s true children meant,
That may not unto dogs be given:
Oft in the olden types foreshadowed;
In Isaac on the altar bowed,
And in the ancient paschal food
And in the manna sent from heaven.
Come then, good shepherd, bread divine,
Still show to us thy mercy sign;
Oh, feed us still, still keep us thine;
So may we see thy glories shine
In fields of immortality.
O thou, the wisest, mightiest, best,
Our present food, our future rest,
Come, make us each thy chosen guest,
Co-heirs of thine, and comrades blest
With saints whose dwelling is with thee.
Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn
Blessed and Given
Readings:
Genesis 14:18-20
Psalm 110:1-4
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Luke 9:11-17
At the dawn of salvation history, God revealed our future in figures. That’s what’s going on in today’s First Reading: A king and high priest comes from Jerusalem (see Psalm 76:3), offering bread and wine to celebrate the victory of God’s beloved servant, Abram, over his foes.
By his offering, Melchizedek bestows God’s blessings on Abram. He is showing us, too, how one day we will receive God’s blessings and in turn “bless God” – how we will give thanks to Him for delivering us from our enemies, sin and death.
As Paul recalls in today’s Epistle, Jesus transformed the sign of bread and wine, making it a sign of His body and blood, through which God bestows upon us the blessings of His “new covenant.”
Jesus is “the priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek,” that God, in today’s Psalm, swears will rule from Zion, the new Jerusalem (see Hebrews 6:20-7:3).
By the miracle of loaves and fishes, Jesus in today’s Gospel, again prefigures the blessings of the Eucharist.
Notice that He takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to the Twelve. You find the precise order and words in the Last Supper (see Luke 22:19) and in His celebration of the Eucharist on the first Easter night (see Luke 24:30).
The Eucharist fulfills the offering of Melchizedek. It is the daily miracle of the heavenly high priesthood of Jesus
It is a priesthood He conferred upon the Apostles in ordering them to feed the crowd, in filling exactly twelve baskets with leftover bread – in commanding them on the night He was handed over: “Do this in remembrance of Me.”
Through His priests He still feeds us in “the deserted place” of our earthly exile.
And by this sign He pledges to us a glory yet to come. For as often as we share in His body and blood. we proclaim His victory over death, until He comes again to make His victory our own.
Do we question to seek truth? To grow and increase our faith? Or do we question for self serving needs or gains? Obstinacy and rebelliousness? Close mindedness?
The Holy Spirit leads us to wisdom and knowledge in the capacity to which we are able to receive and to the openness of our hearts. That is why we often find in our journey to a deeper faith and relationship with Jesus, that what once was difficult is now easily understood. What we were once blind to, we now see with clarity.
Lord Jesus, let me be always open to Your Word and to Your call, I pray. Amen
GOSPEL Mark 11:27–33
Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”– they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
CatholicJules.net 