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Some Lord Jesus, will go through great lengths to prepare themselves for Holy Eucharist. And like many others I too would question why? Why so ritualistic? Does it really matter to God? Isn’t it some form of misaligned piety?

But I was asking the wrong questions… I instead should have been asking these….

How do I act or behave in worship before our Lord and King? Does not the outward reflect what’s inward? How do I dress in honour of someone I love at a wedding banquet? What kind of spirit and heart must I have within to reflect my love for my God? Is my body a worthy vessel to receive a love so pure? Have I come longing and attentively to hear His loving Word for me or to be easily distracted because I had not come prepared? Have I come like a thief to take what is not mine or have I come worthily and prepared to receive my heavenly inheritance?

Harden not my heart, my Lord, my God! Let me always come before You with a contrite heart and spirit. Let me always praise, honour, love and glorify You in all that I say and do. Amen

Thank You dear Jesus for giving us our one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Amen

FIRST READING
1 Maccabees 4:36–37, 52–59

GOSPEL
Luke 19:45–48

Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

Oh how I wish I had such zeal for Your Word O Lord! That I may always turn away from sin and never take shortcuts, cut corners or hide my faith from others for fear of offending them. Oh Lord have mercy on me for my weaknesses.

Lord Jesus, You alone can give us strength! Your love for us is so great that You weep for us when we stray. Help and guide us back when we lose our way. And keep us faithful with a burning desire to always follow our Father’s Will for us. Amen

FIRST READING
1 Maccabees 2:15–29

GOSPEL
Luke 19:41–44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace– but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”