CatholicJules.net

There is a country western song whose lyrics goes like this “Looking for love in all the wrong places….,” This unfortunately is quite true for most of us, we seek love, happiness and follow our passions and desires more often down the wrong paths. Some may even pine and pray for it. We end up in places or situations we didn’t really want to be in. Simply because the promises they offered did not last.

Like many I too was tired of asking the wrong questions, for the wrong things and searching in the wrong places. Burdened by having to make the many decisions in life often the wrong ones. Going around in circles some vicious ones. Then like Esther in the first reading I too prostrated myself before the Lord and sought His love and Will for me. His promises are true and I was transformed. In union with Him and His Will for me, I ask and I receive, I seek and I find, I knock and it will be opened for me.

Lord Jesus have mercy on us, help us always to seek holiness as our heavenly Father is holy. Above all guide us as we seek first and always the Kingdom of God our Father. Amen

FIRST READING
Esther C:12, 14–16, 23–25

GOSPEL
Matthew 7:7–12

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you; 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. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

Our merciful and loving God calls us all on numerous occasions to come back to Him by turning our backs on sin. For His great love for us does not want to see us perish. And perish we will if our obstinate hearts will not heed His call for repentance.

Jesus the truth, the light and the way is the greatest sign of God’s love for us. Bring your chains of sin, your addictions, your temptations, bringing all that separates you from God before Him. And He will set you free! Free to love and be loved by God. In the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

FIRST READING
JONAH 3:1-10

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.”