Religion and Politics, two taboo topics you should avoid if you want peace. It can sometimes get you killed, sound advice given to me when I was young; though at that time I never truly understood why? I have a strong believe that the devil makes use of them on the unlearned to sow dissension, discord thereby creating anarchy.
For unless I have the peace of Christ in my heart, passions can run wild. Wanting always to prove that I am right about a topic and that the others are wrong. Seeking first to be understood rather than to understand. Neither being constructive nor positive in any way. Unless I have the love of Christ in me, I cannot give glory, praise and thanks to God by my actions or my words.
Lord Jesus You are the source of life, with a grateful heart let me give You praise and thanks by the way I live my life in You. Amen
First reading
Titus 3:1-7
Remind your people that it is their duty to be obedient to the officials and representatives of the government; to be ready to do good at every opportunity; not to go slandering other people or picking quarrels, but to be courteous and always polite to all kinds of people. Remember, there was a time when we too were ignorant, disobedient and misled and enslaved by different passions and luxuries; we lived then in wickedness and ill-will, hating each other and hateful ourselves.
But when the kindness and love of God our saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because he was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our saviour. He did this so that we should be justified by his grace, to become heirs looking forward to inheriting eternal life.
Gospel
Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’
CatholicJules.net 