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The spirit of the Lord is upon us, yet have we acted on what we were commissioned to do? To share the Good news with others? To bring hope where there is none? To offer the Lord’s peace where there is bitterness and resentment? To heal through the power of Jesus, woundedness, spiritual and physical? To comfort the sick and dying? To aid in the liberation of sins? To help feed the needy? To bring the joy and love of a relationship with a Jesus and share that with others so that they too can experience it?

Will it be easy? No! Will we meet with resentment even rejection? Most likely in some cases! Isn’t it then impossible? Nothing is impossible for God and He will pave the way for us. There will be times when all we need do is plant the seed and God will do the rest. Amen

GOSPEL
Luke 4:16–30

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

We all receive gifts and necessary skills from God so that we might prosper Him by the many souls we lead back to His heavenly Kingdom through the love we receive from Him. And by doing so we give Him proper thanks and Glory for all that He has lavished on us abundantly. The heavenly tasks He assigns us are not separate from our earthly tasks, they are the same if not more and yet well within our capabilities.

Do we heed His call for duty? Or do we drown it out with our own voices and that of the world? Do we mock our loving God by our excuses? Do we give in to inertia, sloth or indifference?

Let us invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts so that He might guide, counsel and strengthen us to do our Father’s Will; so that we may one day hear Him say to us “Well done, my good and faithful servant, come share in your Master’s joy.” Amen.

GOSPEL
Matthew 25:14–30

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off Likewise, the and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”

We are all called to share our faith and our love for God. To share our God experience and to bring His love to all whom we meet. To bring the peace of Christ, His love and healing. So that all may come to experience and lead true and fulfilled lives in God.

What we are unable to share is our internal disposition, the inner secret place where the love of/for God grows. The place where we make preparations daily to receive our Lord. The place within us that grows with each step of our pilgrim journey to holiness, back to our heavenly inheritance. The Holy place where God may dwell within us.

This is where and what we must account for individually, either we stand awake ready and waiting with hearts aglow or we are found wanting, groping to stand afoot. Amen

GOSPEL
Matthew 25:1–13

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

The truth often disturbs us especially when it brings to light our indiscretions and/or our wrong doings. Although it may be painful, our acceptance of it liberates us. The peace and strength of Christ is upon us.

Are we willing to bring the truth to others? To liberate them so that they may live fully in God’s love. To share the truth even if it is hurtful to them or may hurt us? Are we willing to even lay our lives down for the truth? The peace and strength of Christ is upon us.

Do we give in easily and readily to temptations? To our base desires and wants? As a result make foolish promises which may bring about more evil? Do we instead turn away from sin knowing that God’s love fills us like none other. The peace and strength of Christ is upon us.

Let us pray..

O God of hope and Glory, You sent John the Baptist to preach the Good news of salvation to those who received it with joy and to those who rejected its demands. By his example and intercession, grant Your Church courage in proclaiming and living the Gospel. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

(Memorial – Passion of St John The Baptist)

GOSPEL
Mark 6:17–29

Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brothe Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Awake! Arise! “Come out of the darkness of your lives into my light”, the Lord our God is calling us. For despite our many atrocious sins, He still loves us. Otherwise if He did not care for us at all, He will not bother to admonish us.

He knows only too well that if we choose to remain as we are then we are dead in Sin and the effects of Sin is far-reaching. Jesus offers us new life in Him, He longs to embrace us, to cleanse us from within, to pour His life, His love into our hearts, into our very being.  To live a life worthy of God who is calling us to share the glory of His Kingdom.

Let us pray….

O God of wisdom and of love, you inflamed Saint Augustine with the love of Christ, who is wisdom and your power. Through his intercession, pour out into Your Church anew each day the burning fire of the Holy Spirit to inflame all hearts with love for your beauty and your truth.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

(Memorial – Saint Augustine)

GOSPEL
Matthew 23:27–32

Jesus said,
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; now fill up what your ancestors measured out!”

Duplicity

Anyone who has tried living a life of duplicity will tell you that it is no life at all.  True life begins and ends with God, His grace flow abundantly on those who are one in Communion with Him. His love flows through them onto others. 
– Catholicjules

Why do some think they can hide things, feelings or what is truly in their hearts from Him who sees all and knows all?

Yet these would dare call others hypocrites or self righteous and yet have no authentic relationship with our Lord. They boasts of godly accomplishments, praise and thank the Lord for all to hear, for all they have done for His glory but secretly in vainglory seek recognition and respect from their peers and members.

Are we guilty of this too?

Let us pray….

O Lord our God, by the precious blood of Your Son wash us clean; that You may dwell in our hearts always. For we hope to live out our lives seeking only to build Your Kingdom with love; in humility, in holiness, as we make our pilgrim journey back into Your heavenly fold. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

GOSPEL
Matthew 23:23–26

Jesus said:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self–indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”

Are we modern day pharisees and scribes? Is there a disconnect from love in our service to God and His Church? These are hard questions we need to ask ourselves today. All our hearts, minds and direction must be ordered towards the love of God and His people. If there are any questions about Church matters instead of relying on hearsay, we can always look it up in scripture, Catechism of the Catholic Church, General Instruction Of The Roman Missal or even seek clarification from the Parish Priest.

If you think NO like this is not and cannot be happening today in the Church of today as we have evolved…..Think again…here are just a few examples

• Before you can book the funeral parlour in one Church and paying for all expenses and admin fees which is rightfully due, you have to make a separate $300 contribution to the Church building fund.
• Whether I am needed or not, I must be seen serving in Church! I have a right to serve God!
• All parents to note, you are to come with your children for the Church program meeting every thursday for 5 weeks at 8pm sharp. Otherwise you will be marked absent and 90% attendance is required otherwise…. No excuses or reasons will be tolerated.
• Even if you child fusses in church a little it is still not alright, you need to bring him/her outside. Maybe you should consider not bringing him/her to church till he/she is older.
• We have been doing it his way in Church since XXXX Why should the Bishop or Pope start changing traditions, I will not follow!

Let us never lose focus on whom we serve and may we always serve Him well; as we serve others in love and charity with and for one another. Our aim is to leads others towards the kingdom of God and not away from it hence we can do so only in love, in body, mind and deed ordered toward the love of God. Amen

GOSPEL

Matthew 23:13–22

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.”

Having encountered the peace and love of Jesus, how can we not share His love with others? Bringing them to Him so they too can experience life with Him.

Those of us who are called to Him, will we not heed His call? To be in Communion with our Lord, is to be seated under the fig tree in prayer waiting for Him. He knows us, He sees us in prayer even before we encounter Him. And when we have encountered Him, Ah! Praise God! What great and wonderful things lie ahead for us indeed! Amen

(Feast Day of St Bartholomew)
GOSPEL
John 1:45–51

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

How can we not love Him who loved us first?

Who loves when we are unlovable. Who would do everything to find us when we are lost. Who heals us. Who is always present to comfort us and help us through our darkest moments. Who counsels, guides and teaches us to live a full and fruitful life in and with Him. To share that very kind of love with one another.

Who nourishes us of Himself. Who laid down His life for us, so that we may live. Who has won for us eternal life.

How can we not love our one triune God? How can we not do as He Wills of us in, through and for the love of us all? Amen

GOSPEL
Matthew 22:34–40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Growing up most, if not all of us have no clue what it is like to be subjects to a King, or to be ruled by one. We may have even said at one time or another, we bow to no man! Only to God! Really? Because we bow to no man, have we learned to at least respect one another? or to respect our elders? our priests? our teachers? Do we instead Lord ourselves over others? How then can we truly say we bow down to God alone and worship Him as we should?

God our Father invites us to a heavenly feast daily, especially on Sunday. The wedding feast of His Son our groom Jesus Christ, how many have refused to come? How many would yell and scream when a family member insist they attend? How many had far more important things to do? Really more important than God? More important then spending some time with our Creator, the one who loves us more than anyone on earth ever will? Indeed those who have turned their backs on Him deserved their just deserts.

God welcomes us all, sinners and saints alike. So long as we have contrite hearts, it is He and He alone who can make us worthy to attend His feast. For those who cannot afford it, He even provides the wedding garment. How can we then still refuse to put on the garment of Holiness, to reverent our Lord, our God? To stand ready and worthy to greet the groom? To fully participate in the celebration in which we ourselves are nourished with the heavenly meal.

Do we instead insult our Lord our God by our refusal? To come before Him in shabby garbs? Inappropriate for the heavenly feast? To come before Him with unrepentant hearts? With our indifferent or lukewarm attitudes?

Let us pray….

O God, by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary, you have given to the human race the reward of eternal life. Grant we beseech you, that through the intercession of the mother of the Author of life, the Church may become the mother of many children who will take their place before your throne to sing Your praises for all eternity, through Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You, one God for ever and ever. Amen

(Memorial – The Queenship Of The Blessed Virgin Mary)

GOSPEL
Matthew 22:1–14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

We are ONE body in Christ and if we truly love and embrace one another after the fact; will we still compare? Will we play favourites? Will we seek to divide? Will we seek to have more than?

Our loving and generous Father, who knows the number of hair on our head, counts NOT our many sins of having done or failing to do. And as long we are willing and contrite, calls us to service and showers us abundantly with His love and Graces. Let us never lose our God through obstinacy of heart. Amen

GOSPEL
Matthew 20:1–16

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

A reflection on discipleship….

As Catholic Christians, can we follow Christ and yet not be His disciples? I have pondered long and hard on this and the answer I’ve come up with is No.  For by the virtue of our baptism and confirmation we are all called to authentic discipleship.  The unassuming call to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospels is in actual fact a profound call to discipleship, for we can only remain faithful to the Gospels if we are first disciples.

The next question then is, am I currently a disciple of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? The answer to this question can only be answered by deep reflection on the following :-

1. Have I embraced and remain true to the commandments the Lord our God had given us.

2. Do I still hold on, and hold on tightly to worldly possessions, desires, wants. (Matt 19:16-30)

3. Has my capacity to love increased beyond myself and family.  To my community and ever increasing beyond? Do I love with all my heart, thought and deed? To share the love of Christ with all whom I meet . (John 13:34-35)

4. Do I think I’m too young, look at how the Lord chose David or do I think I’m too old, see how the Lord chose Abraham and Moses to do His Will to the end. Do I still ask God, “Father what would You have me do?” or instead ask, “Father what do You need to be done?”

5. Do I carry my cross with and through Christ, knowing His yoke for me is easy and my burden light?
6. Am I ready and willing to lay down my life for a friend?

7. Do I truly love my Lord, my God always and remain focused on His Will for me through His Son Jesus Christ

If everything in your life comes down to gain or loss, what or how do you think you lose or at a loss if you surrender everything to and for God who created you and gave you life?

Many today have left our Church because the teaching and traditions handed down from Jesus Himself through His Apostles and disciples had became incompatible with their personal desires for wealth and recognition. How sad indeed! for they are blind to the surpassing wealth of knowledge, graces and blessings we receive from God our Father through His Son. All of which the World can neither afford nor purchase with all it’s wealth! Still our loving Father is calling all who have turned away, come home to me…..I will make all things possible for you….

The way of a disciple is never always easy and at often times may seem impossible. But with God all things are possible and with Jesus in our heart, what have we to fear? Let us always stay focussed on our Lord Jesus, the one we love with all our heart and of whom we serve.  He is with us for all eternity. Amen

GOSPEL
Matthew 19:23–30

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

How do we view the commandments? Are they rigid laws to weigh us down or hamper us? Or are they stop signs of love? Preventing us from self destruction or otherwise? Keeping us on the path of salvation..

Now that we are on that path, it leads us to a two-fork path. One on the right which is wide and clear but leads to nowhere and another on the left which is narrow, the entrance leading to a thick jungle path for which we need to clear to make headway? Which one shall we choose?

The one on the left is the path of discipleship, the more possessions we have and the more worldly our desires; the thicker the jungle we have to clear, the greater the struggle to make our way through to our eternal reward. When we bear our cross with and through Christ, we find the yoke we take on easy and our burden light. Amen

GOSPEL
Matthew 19:16–22

A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
honor your father and your mother;
and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

I am a child of God, I am happy for my sins have been blotted out. I am made pure and by the blood of my Saviour, I am liberated from the bondage of sin. Through the sacraments provided for by my Lord, let me stand as a child, ready and waiting for the day of the Lord. While I await, let me lead God’s lost children back on to the path of salvation.

Let us pray…

Almighty ever-living God,
whom, taught by the Holy Spirit,
we dare to call our Father,
bring, we pray, to perfection in our hearts
the spirit of adoption as your sons and daughters,
that we may merit to enter into the inheritance
which you have promised.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

GOSPEL
Matthew 19:13–15

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

(In God’s infinite wisdom and love, He instituted the sacrament of holy matrimony so that a man and woman can naturally unite themselves together with Him in love so as to live out their calling to procreate and lead one another to life in holiness. It is when they abandon Him or leave Him out of the equation that Sin takes hold, takes over.

Some are not called to this special sacramental life but to another unique and special calling. They too are never alone for our Lord, our God is with them always. All are called to love and live out chaste, holy lives according to our Father’s Will.

May we all continue to live out are various calling to love and serve Him in all the days of our lives. With Him, through Him and In Him, who lives and reigns with our Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

GOSPEL
Matthew 19:3–12

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.” They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.” His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”

How loving is our Lord that He even teaches how to remedy relationships broken through sin.

Such is sin that it often blinds us to our faults and love. So infectious is it that even the victims are tempted at times to make big what is small or to publicly shame, as to seek justice. The sinner too may attempt to make small what is big or make light of it.

Then there are times we would rather keep quiet so as to avoid confrontation, to keep the ‘peace’, to avoid ‘pain’ for both parties. But such is the nature of sin that it never remains quiet, it festers and it grows, spreading injury and destruction. Not just the victim but the sinner too! For sin is never private!

Lord Jesus, may Your loving presence be with us always. So that as we admonish each other in love, when we go wrong; so too through that same love, we may grow in faith and charity for one another. Always remaining focussed on our loving Father of Whom we serve. Amen

GOSPEL Matthew 18:15–20

Jesus said to his disciples:“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

I am a sinner! Oh how often I have fallen! Yet I always return to my loving Father through the Sacrament of reconciliation; He has established through His Son. Not so I can be cleansed to sin again. But to be made pure so as not to fall into deeper sin, to be renewed and strengthened that I may sin no more or that I may be strengthened that I may overcome addictions resolutely. Knowing His great love for me will prevail.

Let me always possess the heart of a child for my God, my Father. Always in awe of His wonders, His glory, all that He has fashioned with His mighty yet gentle Hands. Let me possess the insatiable hunger and thirst of a child for knowledge of Him, of His way, His truth, His life. Let me possess the tender loving, innocent heart of a child in my love for others. Let me possess the obedience of that loving child, always reverent, respectful and eager to give Him glory in service of Him and others. Amen

GOSPEL Matthew 18:1–5, 10, 12–14

The disciples approached Jesus and said,“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety–nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety–nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

God’s way is never our way unless our way is that of God’s. We grief when we would should rejoice, we rejoice when we should grief.

As we love God with all our heart, we live and work our way according to His Will so that we may enter the heavenly Kingdom. So too, till we reach our heavenly inheritance, we must pay our dues for our society at large, our nation. For to lead others into the way of truth is to do so in love, charity, generosity, in short…by our example. God provides all we need and more. We do not lead others by offending, obstinacy, defiance or thinking we are above others or the law.

May we always Glorify our Lord, our God with our heart, mind and soul by His Word according to His Will. Amen

GOSPEL Matthew 17:22–27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes,” he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?” When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.”

Are we still Sunday Church goers? Are we still self centred individuals? Selfish? Superficial volunteers? Non-participative in the Eucharistic celebration? Lukewarm?

Or are we truly disciples of Jesus? Do we make a daily resolve to always love God in all we do? Do we choose to love first our neighbour? A love that would find us willing to lay down our life for a friend? Where sacrifice is not vocalised, rather a choice to be in the service for love in love.

May our abundant fruits bring honour and Glory to our Lord whom we follow and serve. Amen

GOSPEL John 12:24–26

Jesus said to his disciples:“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

Too long and too hard we have fought to hold on to our wealth, carnal pleasures, our tempers, unforgiveness, selfishness, vainglorious, pride, obstinacy,sloth, greed. To what end? Ten minutes of pleasure? Recognition? Fame? Justification? Risking the loss of our salvation, our one true meaning in life?

Let us always be ready and waiting to take up or cross and follow Jesus our source of all that is true and good,our only way to life eternal. Amen

GOSPEL Matthew 16:24–28

Jesus said to his disciples,“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

Today we remember precious gifts from God our Father of which we may have taken for granted from time to time, received through His Son Jesus Christ.

In Today’s Gospel we first hear the proclamation by the Holy Spirit through Saint Peter about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ sent by our one true and living God, in a region where the people once idolised the mythical God Pan followed by Caesar Augustus.

Jesus establishes our one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church through our first pope Saint Peter and promises that evil will never, ever prevail over it. The Sacrament of reconciliation, one of the many keys which are all handed over to Saint Peter. Soon thereafter He will establish the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist,the gift of Himself to us; His death for us thereby conquering death and winning for us life eternal.

Our ways are not His ways, our thoughts are not His thoughts. May we always strive for holiness so that He may continue to dwell in us and lead us to our heavenly inheritance. Glory be to the Father and the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and forever. Amen

GOSPEL Matthew 16:13–23

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and 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.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.

Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Our Lord always hears our prayers, yet how many of us are patient enough and faithful enough to wait for a response? How many instead grow agitated or despondent? And if the answer to our petition is no, how many will praise the Lord for His wise counsel? Knowing He has our best interest at heart?

Let us always persevere in faith and prayer for holy intentions, resting assured that our Lord our God will answer. And may we always be ready and willing to intercede in prayer for one another in union with Christ. Amen

GOSPEL Matthew 15: 21–28

At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Every time we encounter God through worship, prayer, the Eucharist and the Word; We should be transfigured in Him, transformed through our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Godsent into the world with His laws written upon our hearts ready to prophecy to all and lead them home into the heavenly fold.

May our hearts always be soft, our ears ever listening for His Word and Will for us. Our tongues and hands ever ready and willing to glorify Him through our words and deeds, to love and serve Him by serving others in our daily lives. May our bodies be guarded and our loins girded. And may we always stand ready to greet Him when He returns. Amen

(Feast of The Transfiguration Of Our Lord)
GOSPEL Luke 9:28b–36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up a mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

Upon hearing news of a tragedy or an act of evil, it often can wreak havoc on the peace within. We sometimes need to go to a quiet place to come into the presence of our loving Father who awaits to refresh us.

Tiredness or soreness of body and feet is no excuse to stop loving, to be hospitable or shower others with kindness. We never stop loving or caring because we are disciples of a master who never does.

The Holy Eucharist, the most precious, loving gift of life. A truly magnificent gift and remembrance of God’s abundant love for us. Amen

Matthew 14:13–21

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” He said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over– twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

See how even evil men can philosophize the power of the resurrection though they cannot fully know or understand the absolute truth.  History also shows that the unrepentant can spread their evil across generations for in this instance an unchaste woman brings forth and unchaste daughter that she might entertain men in a dance. And still evil knows no bounds, for it builds on top the other often calling for delusional promises to be made on prompting whispers and kept for it makes no sense to break a promise on the premise of an evil act? What appears to be distress shows indication of a sly willing participation. The ultimate evil act is then concluded. Or has it?

Jesus has come to free us from the bondage of such evil and sin. Let us always turn to Him in our moments of weakness so that He may keep us on the right path to our heavenly inheritance in Holiness.  Through the intercession of St John the Baptist may we decrease of ourselves, so that He may increase in us; so that we may always remain steadfast and rooted in His love. To be a beacon for others….Amen.

GOSPEL
Matthew 14:1–12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

The ways of our Lord and God is not of this world. How many of us transformed by our Lord, especially from a sinful past remain to this day in awe of Him? All we were called to do and have done in His name astonishes us, for we know that we could never had accomplished them on our own.

Yet we too find it most difficult to reach out to those who are close to us. Family, friends all seem to remember and only see us through our history.  However we should always bear in mind, that what may be impossible for us is possible for God. (Matt 19:26) We are not called to convert others, all we need to do is plant the seed and God will do the rest.

Let us always allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us discern who are those who have come to us in the name of the Lord to prophesy to us. Let us not rely on gossip, hearsay or other means to give us the ‘truth’. Let our faith in Jesus always lead us to the light and the way. For through Him and In Him we bear witness to His mighty deeds. Amen

GOSPEL
Matthew 13:54–58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.