So great is Your Love for us Jesus that You hung on a cross for us. By Your death and resurrection, we have life. And yet we often set our futures on death by choosing to sin. Choosing to live in the now! Choosing our addictions, our sinful pleasures, turning our backs on the One who truly loves us; our Lord and our God.

We come before You Lord Jesus, sinful and sorrowful. Have mercy and embrace us with Your love. Transform us so that we may be pleasing to God our Father. Let nothing separate us from the love of God our loving Father. We ask this in Your most precious name. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 8:31b–39

GOSPEL
Luke 13:31–35

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said,
“Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

O Holy Spirit, my counselor, my guide. Thank You for your undying efforts to keep me on the narrow path towards the heavenly Kingdom..

In Your mercy I pray that You continue to be patient with me. Especially in times when I received the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ unworthily.  Without first doing an examination of conscience or making a perfect contrition.

For times when I did not allow His Word to transform me; for not taking up my cross to follow Him. For the many times I was present at the Eucharistic Celebration, but NOT present in heart, mind or spirit. For not participating fully in the celebration. For not sharing the Gospel with others as I am called to do at the end of every celebration.   O Jesus, my Lord have mercy on me a sinner! Holy Spirit be my strength and my guide always so that I will NEVER hear my Lord say to me “I do not know where you are from.” Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 8:26–30

GOSPEL
Luke 13:22–30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Lord let our sufferings and our worries NOT blind us to Your glorious Kingdom here on earth. Let us always remember that You created us in love, to love and be loved by You.

Let both our will and intellect be joined in union with You. And let the seed of Your loving Word take root in our hearts; so that it may grow to such extent that it cannot be contained. As such let the outpouring of Your love spread so that Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 8:18–25

GOSPEL
Luke 13:18–21

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”

Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

Today I am reminded of the importance of leaving the cares of the world behind to have some quiet time in the embrace of my loving God through prayer. This is where is how I draw my strength, my source of Grace, my wisdom, my love. In union with my Lord and my God, I am ready to be sent.

To share and invite everyone into the fullness of life with God our loving Father, His Son our loving Saviour Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit together with His angels and His Saints. Amen

(Saints Simon and Jude – Feast)
1st Reading
Eph 2:19-22

GOSPEL
Lk 6:12-16

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,
and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Why are we afraid of death? Death comes to us all, the righteous and unrighteous. If we should fear death then let us only fear eternal death. For having lived an unrepentant life. A selfish, self serving life of deceit and wanton desires. Of idly watching the world go by, of not standing up for anything or anyone. Of not lifting a finger to help or assist those in need.

Jesus You are my hope for eternal life and even if death befalls me, I shall not fear. Let me always be joined with You, my Lord so that through You I might bear fruit. Let the wellsprings of Your love flow through me into the hearts of whom You send my way. In Your most precious name I pray. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 8:1–11

GOSPEL
Luke 13:1–9

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them— do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

And he told them this parable:
“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”

How did I not hear Your call? Or Your Will for me in the Scriptures Lord? As it is written and proclaimed from the pulpit? Was I deaf and blinded by Sin? How could I not see the many signs of Yours for my direction? How could I be sorry without repentance or restitution? How did I think I could break my neighbour’s window, apologize but do nothing about its restoration?

I recall the day of my sweet surrender to You, my loving Lord, my God. You embraced me with Your love and opened by eyes and ears to Your divine Word. Praise be to You my Lord Jesus Christ.

Throughout the rest of my life Lord, let me spend time with You discerning Your Will for me. Let me never speak or act hastily, in times of distress or anger. Be quick to guide and lead me my dear Jesus. And having learnt from the errors of my ways, let me steer others away from the potholes of sin onto Your narrow path to salvation. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 7:18–25a

GOSPEL
Luke 12:54–59

Jesus said to the crowds,
“When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

Thank You my ever living God, for the most precious life giving gift of Your Son, my Saviour Jesus Christ. For the bonds of my sins are broken and I am free to love and serve You.

Jesus my Lord, the fire of Your Love and the Holy Spirit burns brightly from deep within me. Let this fire never wane inspite of the efforts of those who try as they might to extinguish it directly or indirectly.

Let me bring Your peace and love even amidst opposition from family, friends and others. Soften the hearts of those who resist You because of sin which has blinded them to Your love. And let me be beacon of Your Love, by my reverance, by my thoughts, my words, my actions; so that I may help bring others to the knowledge of You, our hope, our salvation. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 6:19–23

GOSPEL
Luke 12:49–53

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother–in–law against her daughter–in–law and a daughter–in–law against her mother–in–law.”

Oh Lord my God, have mercy on me. For the many times I have fallen to sin and continued to do so. Some sins I clung to because the lure and the distraction from the dreary or mundane was too great to pass up. That led me to greater sins which blinded me to everything and everyone. Selfishness and a general disregard for others was a norm. It became all about me…

In that darkness I groped and sought You out. You were my light at the end of the tunnel and it was You my dear Jesus that took me by the hand and led me out. My strength my hope, my salvation! Embraced in Your love and in the service of others I now live a fulfilled life.

Let me always stand ready and prepared for Your return, my Jesus. Let me always recognise and guard against the wiles of the evil one. Let me always grow in the knowledge of You. Let me always grow in faith, love and charity. Let me always bring Your peace, Your hope, Your love and Your message of salvation to all. I make this prayer through You my Jesus who live and reign with God our Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 6:12–18

GOSPEL
Luke 12:39–48

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the foo allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

We are so quick to extinguish Your light in us Lord Jesus, when we choose to remain angry and spiteful when others hurt us. When we react with unforgiveness or plot out revenge. When we allow temptations and sins of the flesh to overpower us.

But You sweet Jesus are our hope and strength. Help to stay focused on You as we await Your return. Help us remain steadfast in Your love. And most of all, Jesus let Your light shine brightly within us, so that we may beacons for one another. We ask this in Your most precious name. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 5:12, 15b, 17–19, 20b–21

GOSPEL
Luke 12:35–38

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”

Dear Lord, many of us lead fearful lives wondering if we will have enough for tomorrow. And yet others would question what is enough? They want to leave a legacy behind for their children and grand children. In this day and age where almost everything is about numbers and statistics, I would imagine only one in five hundred thousand would leave everything to Your divine providence having walked in faith with You. Would it be easier to take that leap from having nothing to begin with?

My Jesus ever growing in my love for You, I too want to totally leave the cares of the world behind just as Father Abraham did. And though I have a faith strong enough to know that You love me and what’s best for me, I am worried for my family who have not come to the same faith. Guide me as I lead them and others on to an exciting and wonderful adventure in Your love, building Your Kingdom. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 4:20–25

GOSPEL
Luke 12:13–21

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,
“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”

How easy it is for us Lord to lose faith in times of persecution or injustice. To lose it when we are attacked or when we fall victim to a vicious rumour.

Let us not be discouraged or fall into the trap of despair and sin. For You O Lord have given us a powerful advocate to guide us, to teach us how and when to speak Your truth. Let always be faith filled and faithful. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 4:13, 16–18

GOSPEL
Luke 12:8–12

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.

“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

Lord I was afraid to speak about You with anyone other than my immediate family. Even then the conversations about You would have been superficial. Fear of ridicule would have been the main reason more than anything else, because I didn’t truly know You or very much about the faith I embraced as a child. Growing up I’ve loved the idea of my faith and held on to it without further growth or understanding.

I do regret not surrendering to Your love and Will for me much sooner. For I know now could have led a grace filled life full of joy and peace. Suffering would have just been a means to grow closer to You. Thank You Lord once again for Your love and patience with me.

I commit the rest of my life into serving You and others to the very best of my ability, with the gifts and talents You have bestowed upon me. I accept the hardship and suffering to come for You are my rock, my strength. May the Holy Spirit be my guide and my beacon. If I should fall, come swiftly to my aid Lord Jesus. In Your most precious name, Amen.

FIRST READING
2 Timothy 4:10–17b

GOSPEL
Luke 10:1–9

The Lord Jesus appointed seventy–two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”

Why did I bring up the past faults and failures of others including family, friends even priests? By displaying them was I saying I was set apart? That I was without sin? By my self righteousness, how many have I led away from You my Lord Jesus? Did my blindness cause others to be blind? Did I tear down when I should have been building up? Have mercy on me O Lord!

Though we did nothing to merit it, You our loving Lord came to save us all. By Your life, death and resurrection, You have set us free. Let me never forget the price You paid for me; so that I may always recall Your love for me as I serve my brethren with that same love and humility. Let me strive always to build Your Kingdom and lead others to that same vision. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 3:21–30

GOSPEL
Luke 11:47–54

The Lord said:
“Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

Mercy on me, Lord Jesus for I too have been judgemental. Instead of extending the same patience and forbearance I had received from You, I had displayed a misplaced righteous behaviour towards others.

How did I think I could buy my way into Your Kingdom by performing good deeds alone without love? By observing all our Holy Church teaches us without constant self examination, without a contrite heart, without reaching out to others in love and friendship?

As I grew in my faith, I failed to realize that the smallest sin I commit against You as compared to the large ones in others weighed far greater.

Lord Jesus guide me always in Your ways, let me love You and others always in heart, mind, soul and in my deeds. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 2:1–11

GOSPEL
Luke 11:42–46

The Lord said:
“Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”

Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”

Like many Lord Jesus, I often put up a front. Perhaps it started out as a coping mechanism, to avoid being hurt as well as not to expose any vulnerability which someone might later use against me. Trouble is that after a while I lost myself, as I developed and put on different personas. This progressed into living a lie for which You were no longer present in my life. Other people or things became more important. I didn’t know how to love.

Bless You and praise You O Lord my God! For true love comes from. When I turned back to You, I was cleansed and filled with Your divine love. Striving to know all about You and to emulate You, I now have genuine love for my brethren. Let me never lose my focus on You as I serve and lead others to You. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 1:16–25

GOSPEL
Luke 11:37–41

After Jesus had spoken,
a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”

Dear Jesus, how different is one generation to the next? Are we any less wicked then in the past? Ethnic cleansing, abortions, mercy killings, torture, rape, pornography, sadism, indifference to poverty, the old and sick, orphans, the list goes on..

I could have easily gone down that wide and treacherous path, had Your love and patience not touched me. Your call to repentance was also an invitation to have a relationship with You.

Help me bring others to the knowledge of You, to guide, teach and show them Your ways. By Your Grace and through Your love, I may deepen their understanding and foster a loving relationship with You. Amen

FIRST READING
Romans 1:1–7

GOSPEL
Luke 11:29–32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

Today Lord, I reflect deeply on this main points…

There is only One Almighty and powerful God who is merciful and loving to His children. In His infinite Goodness He gives His loving children protection from all evil.

Our blessed Mother Mary leads all her children to her Son and bids us all; listen to Him. The Word made flesh by the incarnation has come to feed, nourish and save us. Amen

FIRST READING
Joel 4:12–21

GOSPEL
Luke 11:27–28

While Jesus was speaking,
a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

How naive was I Lord that being forgiven with guilt removed I didn’t see the need to make restitution; do penance. It all seemed arbitrary!

I now see the wisdom and beauty of Your call to repentance in which penance complements and completes it. If done properly by working towards and through it in love and deep reflection, it helps eradicate the hold of sins and addictions to some. Otherwise the next time we fall, we may never get up or it may prove very much more difficult.

Let me never forget that Sin is never a private affair. It hurts and damages relationships, it breaks Communion with You and with one another. Lord Jesus in Your mercy strengthen me against all temptations to Sin. With You on my side what evil can ever hope to prevail? Let me always remain in Communion with You physically and/or spiritually. Let me always walk in Your light and on the narrow path. And let me lead others to do likewise. Amen.

FIRST READING
Joel 1:13–15; 2:1–2

GOSPEL
Luke 11:15–26

When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said:
“By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”

Yes Lord I recall my arrogance, irreverence and selfishness. If anyone asked me to rank the importance of things or people in my life, I would always be quick to say God, family, friends, others then me. But the way I led my life was contrary to my declaration.

Forgive me my loving Father but You were often missing from my mind in anything and everything I did, lest there was a crisis. Never mind strangers, I was equally selfish if not more so to my family members. And if I did anything for a friend, it was likely that I would be hoping for a favour to be returned some day.

I was indeed lacking in love and charity. “Why can’t you get it yourself?” or “Can’t you ask someone else who has more time?” “Do you think money grows on trees?” I might say from time to time. Still I might give a little reluctantly if they nagged me enough.

With a grateful heart, I give You thanks and praise loving and ever generous Father. For You have shown me such great love and generosity that I cannot do any less for my brethren. You have taught and shown me that in giving generously, wholly of oneself, and with no expectations; there is much spiritual growth and rewards.

Oh what Blessed assurance You give me, that all my prayers will be answered according to Your Will and Your love for me! And so even if the answer to my prayer is No, I will give You thanks and praise. Amen

FIRST READING
Malachi 3:13–20b

GOSPEL
Luke 11:5–13

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

O Lord my God forgive me, for the many times I let pride blind me to Your mercy for others. Instead of reaching out to them in Your love, I secretly judged them as unworthy. Instead of praying for them in love, so that they may be saved; I prayed for blind justice to be served whether or not they were repentant but prideful or that they could not see a way out of their bondage from sin.

I am worthy to be Your child only because You have made me worthy. I who learned to love only because You showed me how by Your love. You who saved me from the devastation and damnation of a sinful life by Your bountiful mercy. How did I not see that You would want the same for all Your creation, my brethren?

Thank You Jesus for teaching us the most perfect and complete prayer. A prayer of perfect love which begins and comes from a relationship with our loving and heavenly Father. A prayer of unity among the children in Communion with our one triune God. On a foundation of everlasting divine love and mercy. Amen.

FIRST READING
Jonah 4:1–11

GOSPEL
Luke 11:1–4

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”

Thank You Jesus for allowing to serve You and my brethren. For allowing me to bear witness to Your glory in so many incidents and ways. Forgive me for the many times I lost focus on You when I compared sufferings and hardships with others. When I craved recognition for the work I had done from my peers and from others. For times I allowed myself to be overwhelmed and became petty, impatient even at times resentful.

My sweet loving Jesus, please allow me to fall deep in Your love. Let me always turn to You when it starts getting a little too difficult to bear, for I am certain You will give me rest. You will refresh and strengthen me. And when I’m ready, You will send me out to participate in Your masterplan for the world. Praise be to You O Lord my God! Amen

GOSPEL
Luke 10:38–42

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

Lord Jesus I come before You today ashamed as I recall my past. “Love your neighbour” was just a lovely concept to me. For I didn’t know how to love. It was all always about me, “if anyone loves me then I will love them. If they are unkind to me, I’ll be equally unkind to them or more.” “I am Christian and I love my faith, and that will never change but even if I don’t go as often to Church I know in my heart God loves me and I love Him.”

You my dear Jesus, have opened my eyes to see the true light and the beauty of love in action. And this can only come with a relationship with You which grows and goes deeper over time. To know You is to spend time with You, in deep reflection of Your Word and learning to live like You. To dwell in Your heart as You dwell in mine as I take up my cross.

To love You is to love others, and to serve You is to serve others. There is no life without You and life with You is to die in Your embrace so that I may truly live!

Bearing all these in mind, let my heart and my eyes be opened always to the needs of others. Let my mouth speak to them of Your love.  Let my hands show them Your love as I gently tend to their wounds, feed, clothe and bathe them in Your love. Let me care for them as I lead them home to You. Amen

GOSPEL
Luke 10:25–37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half–dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

How I look forward my Lord Jesus, to sharing with You many more of my adventures in Your love. For I have witnessed and experienced both Your power and Your love.

If I possess an inclination to boast, let it be only of You my loving and compassionate God.  For there is none like You!

Today our Loving Father, we celebrate and rejoice as we encounter Your great love for us; for as we have responded to Your call,You have opened our hearts and minds to depths of Your heart through Your Word.  We love and thank You Father, for Your Son and the Holy Spirit. One God forever and ever. Amen

GOSPEL
Luke 10:17–24

The seventy–two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’o and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

O Sweet and tender hearted Jesus, I cannot fathom how it is like for You when someone rejects Your love, Your infinite goodness?

I can only offer up my tears as I weep for all who obstinately reject You. For all who listen to Your call but turn their backs as they choose to live their lives according to the World. For all who are bound by their addictions and sins and now feel they are in a bottomless pit. For all who have hardened their hearts, blinded by pride their intellect is obscured by their personal achievements and vainglory. For all who have seen and encountered Your mighty deeds and works in their life and yet easily forget You when things are good and wonderful in their lives.

Lord I plead for mercy on them, soften their hearts so that they may see the error of their ways. Be patient and merciful as You have with me. Let me be an instrument of Your peace and love to bring them back to You.

And in Your mercy hear the prayers of Your children around the globe for the conversion of sinners as together we say….

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. Amen.

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother and St Francis of Assisi, we pray today as one united family for the conversion of sinners. We ask this through Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever amen.

(Memorial Of St Francis Of Assisi)

GOSPEL
Luke 10:13–16

Jesus said to them,
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’ Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

I had often pondered on the urgent, stern and rather frightening message at the end of this Gospel. And foolishly even childishly thought it was a scare tactic. However I realise now that Sin blinds us to the truth and the facts.

The Kingdom of God is at hand for us indeed, by the loving Grace of our heavenly Father. Only if we desire and choose to live our lives worthy of our heavenly inheritance. And even then we are made worthy by Your Son through Communion with Him.

Loving Lord, let me always walk in steadfast faith, love, with the grace of God and the companionship of the Holy Spirit. Let me share Your loving promise of salvation fulfilled, with all who will listen. Soften the hearts of those who are obstinately deaf to Your Word so that they too may have hope when their ears are finally open. Let me bring Your healing, Your Love, Your peace; Let me bring You my Jesus into the hearts of my brethren. Amen

GOSPEL
Luke 10:1–12

Jesus appointed seventy–two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”