CatholicJules.net

While our bodies age and wither there is sometimes a disconnect; for our minds remain young, childlike at times, childish in others.

Without growing in the faith and love of knowing You Lord, we fight, bite, claw, plead, do anything to hold on to this life; the only life we know. We have no knowledge or understanding of eternal life with our Father.

What we possess is a superficial and shallow love and understanding of all that is You. We do not strive to learn or do more thereby losing our rightful claim as children of God.

Praise be our ever loving God! So long as we have a longing, a desire to seek You Lord Jesus. You will come and call on us out from among the crowd. And our Yes is the start of our transformation, a wonderful adventure in Your love begins.

We are given the opportunity to right what was wrong in our lives. To grow in holiness and love. To be beacons for our families, for our friends, for our community, for the world.

You indeed make all things new Lord Jesus, You are our salvation! Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

FIRST READING
2 Maccabees 6:18–31

GOSPEL
Luke 19:1–10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

The lure of the world rages on! Bright lights, colourful advertisements, shapely barely covered bodies call out to lead glamorous carefree lives! Out with the old! In with the new! More bright blinding colourful lights! Loud music and crowds chanting drink! Drink! Drink! Drink in life!

But I O Lord want to remain steadfast in Your love! Hear me cry out to You O Lord! I will not allow the crowds to silence me, for all I’ll ever want or need is You. Keep my eyes open and affixed on Your glorious face my Lord, my God. Let me always walk in Your light and lead others unto the same path. That we may sing praise and glory to You O Lord! Forever and ever. Amen

FIRST READING
1 Maccabees 1:10–15, 41–43, 54–57, 62–63

GOSPEL
Luke 18:35–43

As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.