CatholicJules.net

I don’t have time right now. I don’t know enough about my faith or scripture. If I get involved in Church activities my spouse will be left behind as he/she is not of the same faith level or same faith. Need to settle my affairs first so when I retire I will have more time. I really want to but I got this, this, this and that.  Many reasons and excuses for not responding to the call to build God our Father’s Kingdom.

All it actually takes is a deep wanting desire to serve the Lord and our brethren. To recognize and see that there is much to be done for many are broken, thirsty and hungry for God.  They want to experience His love, to know His Word and way.  All it takes is for us to use the little gifts and talents that we have; knowing that our Lord and God will provide the rest.  He will even multiply what we have been given to build His and our share in the Kingdom.

Jesus lead me and I will follow. Amen

First reading
Nehemiah 2:1-8

In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, the wine being my concern, I took up the wine and offered it to the king. Now I had never been downcast before. So the king said, ‘Why is your face so sad? You are not sick, surely? This must be a sadness of the heart.’ A great fear came over me and I said to the king, ‘May the king live for ever! How could my face be other than sad when the city where the tombs of my ancestors are lies in ruins, and its gates have been burnt down?’ ‘What’ the king asked ‘is your request?’ I called on the God of heaven and made this reply to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, and if you are satisfied with your servant, give me leave to go to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ tombs, and rebuild it.’ The king, with the queen sitting there beside him, said, ‘How long will your journey take, and when will you return?’ So I named a date that seemed acceptable to the king and he gave me leave to go. I spoke to the king once more, ‘If it please the king, could letters be given me for the governors of Transeuphrates to allow me to pass through to Judah? And also a letter for Asaph, keeper of the king’s park, to supply me with timber for the gates of the citadel of the Temple, for the city walls and for the house I am to occupy?’ This the king granted me, for the kindly favour of my God was with me.

Gospel
Luke 9:57-62

As Jesus and his disciples travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus answered, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’
  Another to whom he said, ‘Follow me’, replied, ‘Let me go and bury my father first.’ But he answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.’
  Another said, ‘I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’

Glory to God in the highest! 

We have powerful allies in our fight against evil. Yet we hardly call upon them for help nor do we seek counsel from our guardian angels.  Still they are present to aid us when our will is in union with God our Father.  So that together we may sing God’s praises.

Jesus my Lord, King of heaven and on earth! I praise You and pray to to glorify You in all I say and do. Grant that I may one day be united with You, the Angels and the Saints. Forever, Amen.

Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels – Feast

First reading
Apocalypse 12:7-12

Now war broke out in heaven, when Michael with his angels attacked the dragon. The dragon fought back with his angels, but they were defeated and driven out of heaven. The great dragon, the primeval serpent, known as the devil or Satan, who had deceived all the world, was hurled down to the earth and his angels were hurled down with him. Then I heard a voice shout from heaven, ‘Victory and power and empire for ever have been won by our God, and all authority for his Christ, now that the persecutor, who accused our brothers day and night before our God, has been brought down. They have triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the witness of their martyrdom, because even in the face of death they would not cling to life. Let the heavens rejoice and all who live there.’

Gospel
John 1:47-51

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’

In His great mercy and love, the Lord our God gathers His people unto Himself.  Our Heavenly Father loves all His children equally with no favourites.

Those who seek to do His Will more, unlocks within themselves the ability to experience His love more. In the same way those who are forgiven more, will respond to His forgiving love more. The more we give of His love to others in willing their good, the more we receive.

Let our love for our Lord not be one of wanting more for ourselves. Not one for seeking recognition and power. But one of humble service, recognizing the good and the unique gifts of one another. To lovingly encourage one another to use the gifts received for the good of those whom we serve.

Let us be children pleasing to God our Father who loves us ever so dearly. Amen

First reading
Zechariah 8:1-8

The word of the Lord of Hosts was addressed to me as follows:
‘The Lord of Hosts says this.
I am burning with jealousy for Zion,
with great anger for her sake.
‘The Lord of Hosts says this.
I am coming back to Zion
and shall dwell in the middle of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem will be called Faithful City
and the mountain of the Lord of Hosts, the Holy Mountain.
‘The Lord of Hosts says this.
Old men and old women will again sit down
in the squares of Jerusalem;
every one of them staff in hand
because of their great age.
And the squares of the city will be full
of boys and girls
playing in the squares.
‘The Lord of Hosts says this.
If this seems a miracle
to the remnant of this people (in those days),
will it seem one to me?
It is the Lord of Hosts who speaks.
‘The Lord of Hosts says this.
Now I am going to save my people
from the countries of the East
and from the countries of the West.
I will bring them back
to live inside Jerusalem.
They shall be my people
and I will be their God
in faithfulness and integrity.’

Gospel
Luke 9:46-50

An argument started between the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus knew what thoughts were going through their minds, and he took a little child and set him by his side and then said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the least among you all, that is the one who is great.’
  John spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said ‘we saw a man casting out devils in your name, and because he is not with us we tried to stop him.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘You must not stop him: anyone who is not against you is for you.’

Did God our Father promise that life would be easy and smooth sailing for all His faithful? No! But He assured us that He would be with us every step of the way. And He has…

Jesus our Lord shows us by example that the road to eternal life is by way of the cross. Does that mean we all have to die horrific, painful deaths? No! It simply means that we take up our own cross to follow Him, and to do Father’s Will to the end. He is with us always and had gone ahead to prepare rooms for us.

Thank You Jesus, we praise You Jesus, we love You Jesus. Amen

First reading
Zechariah 2:5-9,14-15

Raising my eyes, I saw a vision. It was this: there was a man with a measuring line in his hand. I asked him, ‘Where are you going?’ He said, ‘To measure Jerusalem, to find out her breadth and her length.’ And then, while the angel who was talking to me stood still, another angel came forward to meet him. He said to him, ‘Run, and tell that young man this, “Jerusalem is to remain unwalled, because of the great number of men and cattle there will be in her. But I – it is the Lord who speaks – I will be a wall of fire for her all round her, and I will be her glory in the midst of her.”’
Sing, rejoice,
daughter of Zion;
for I am coming
to dwell in the middle of you
– it is the Lord who speaks.
Many nations will join the Lord,
on that day;
they will become his people.

Gospel
Luke 9:43-45

At a time when everyone was full of admiration for all he did, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘For your part, you must have these words constantly in your mind: The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men.’ But they did not understand him when he said this; it was hidden from them so that they should not see the meaning of it, and they were afraid to ask him about what he had just said.

What we have is greater than the temple here,  the most valuable treasure in the world and yet not of the world.  Our Lord and God who came to pay off a debt we could not pay with a once and for all sacrifice.  Himself!

How can we not honour and love our Lord Jesus Christ with grateful hearts? He who in His great mercy has forgiven us our great debt, our sins. He who set us free to live and love in His peace. Am I one who was forgiven little and therefore love little? Or do I reflect the great love of our Lord I have received?

Jesus You are mine as I am Yours. Now and forever. Amen

First reading
Haggai 1:15-2:9

In the second year of King Darius, on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord was addressed through the prophet Haggai, as follows, ‘You are to speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the high commissioner of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people. Say this, “Who is there left among you that saw this Temple in its former glory? And how does it look to you now? Does it seem nothing to you? But take courage now, Zerubbabel – it is the Lord who speaks. Courage, High Priest Joshua son of Jehozadak! Courage, all you people of the country! – it is the Lord who speaks. To work! I am with you – it is the Lord of Hosts who speaks– and my spirit remains among you. Do not be afraid! For the Lord of Hosts says this: A little while now, and I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all the nations and the treasures of all the nations shall flow in, and I will fill this Temple with glory, says the Lord of Hosts. Mine is the silver, mine the gold! – it is the Lord of Hosts who speaks. The new glory of this Temple is going to surpass the old, says the Lord of Hosts, and in this place I will give peace – it is the Lord of Hosts who speaks.”’

Gospel
Luke 9:18-22

One day when Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ It was Peter who spoke up. ‘The Christ of God’ he said. But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this.
  ‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’

Let us be bold in our fervor to proclaim the Gospel, for the kingdom of God has come indeed. 

We have been set free from the bondages of sin, let us do likewise for our brethren by bringing them back to the Lord our God. Let us bring the love, mercy and healing of Jesus to all we meet. For we have been given the grace to do so.

Jesus I am Your disciple. Let it be done according to Your Will. Amen

St Pio pray for us…..

( Feast – Saint Pius of Pietrelcina aka St (Padre) Pio)

First reading
Ezra 9:5-9

At the evening sacrifice I, Ezra, came out of my stupor and falling on my knees, with my garment and cloak torn, I stretched out my hands to the Lord my God, and said:
  ‘My God, I am ashamed, I blush to lift my face to you, my God. For our crimes have increased, until they are higher than our heads, and our sin has piled up to heaven. From the days of our ancestors until now our guilt has been great; on account of our crimes we, our kings and our priests, were given into the power of the kings of other countries, given to the sword, to captivity, to pillage and to shame, as is the case today. But now, suddenly, the Lord our God by his favour has left us a remnant and granted us a refuge in his holy place; this is how our God has cheered our eyes and given us a little respite in our slavery. For we are slaves; but God has not forgotten us in our slavery; he has shown us kindness in the eyes of the kings of Persia, obtaining permission for us to rebuild the Temple of our God and restore its ruins, and he has found us safety and shelter in Judah and in Jerusalem.’

Gospel
Luke 9:1-6

Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there. As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.

It is truly sad that in our very own families there are members who do not attend the Eucharist Celebration or are living very secular lives. What are we doing to lead them home to God? How can we adopt ‘a live and let live’ attitude when we have encountered Jesus in a deep personal way? How can we not share the wonderful truth of God’s love and His Word? Do we not want for them what we have, hope for eternal life? To give them an opportunity here and now to experience His peace, love and joy.  To live in the fullness of life?

Sisters and brothers, we are all Children of God. And as one body in Christ, let us lead one another to live the Word of God deeply in our lives. To worship, love and live as one family in Him.

And may almighty God bless us, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

First reading
Ezra 6:7-8,12,14-20

King Darius wrote to the satrap of Transeuphrates and his colleagues: ‘Leave the high commissioner of Judah and the elders of the Jews to work on this Temple of God; they are to rebuild this Temple of God on its ancient site. This, I decree, is how you must assist the elders of the Jews in the reconstruction of this Temple of God: the expenses of these people are to be paid, promptly and without fail, from the royal revenue – that is, from the tribute of Transeuphrates. May the God who causes his name to live there overthrow any king or people who dares to defy this and destroy the Temple of God in Jerusalem! I, Darius, have issued this decree. Let it be obeyed to the letter!’
  The elders of the Jews prospered with their building, inspired by Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished the building in accordance with the order of the God of Israel and the order of Cyrus and of Darius. This Temple was finished on the twenty-third day of the month of Adar; it was the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The Israelites – the priests, the Levites and the remainder of the exiles – joyfully dedicated this Temple of God; for the dedication of this Temple of God they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs and, as a sacrifice for sin for the whole of Israel, twelve he-goats, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel. Then they installed the priests according to their orders in the service of the Temple of God in Jerusalem, as is written in the Book of Moses.
  The exiles celebrated the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Levites, as one man, had purified themselves; all were pure, so they sacrificed the passover for all the exiles, for their brothers the priests and for themselves.

Gospel
Luke 8:19-21

The mother and the brothers of Jesus came looking for him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd. He was told, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see you’ But he said in answer, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.’

We are all very good indeed for we are created in the image and likeness of God.  Evil however seeks to distort that view of ourselves and of others through sin.  It seeks to scatter us through unholy thoughts, even trickery.  Some might be led to feel useless and alone in this world. While others may be led to think they are without sin and above all others.

Jesus had come to unite us all and so while we are many parts we are all one body in Him. We recognise that we are all sinners striving for holiness and we can achieve it through our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. We are constantly renewed, strengthened through His mercy and grace.

Our Christian unity lies in the gifts and love we share with one another through Him, with Him and in Him. Amen

First reading
Ephesians 4:1-7,11-13

I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, over all, through all and within all.
  Each one of us, however, has been given his own share of grace, given as Christ allotted it. To some, his gift was that they should be apostles; to some, prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; so that the saints together make a unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ. In this way we are all to come to unity in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God, until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself.

Gospel
Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus was walking on he saw a man named Matthew sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
  While he was at dinner in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When he heard this he replied, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’

Who is Jesus to You? How have you received Him into your lives, if at all? How deep is your relationship with Jesus? Do you have ties and relationships with others in the community as a result of that relationship with Jesus?

For truly receiving the Word of God into our lives is a constant renewal of dying to ourselves so as to give birth to a life giving harvest. It is through this labour of love we unite and attach ourselves to the vine, the source of all life.  We experience the joy of a fulfilled and abundant life through the love and service of others.

Lord Jesus help me to till the soil of my heart so as to be able to receive Your seed to grow. To remove the weeds and to mix in the necessary nutrients required for a fruitful harvest. Use me Lord according to Your Will. Amen

First reading
1 Timothy 6:13-16

Before God the source of all life and before Christ, who spoke up as a witness for the truth in front of Pontius Pilate, I put to you the duty of doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures, until the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who at the due time will be revealed
by God, the blessed and only Ruler of all,
the King of kings and the Lord of lords,
who alone is immortal,
whose home is in inaccessible light,
whom no man has seen and no man is able to see:
to him be honour and everlasting power. Amen.

Gospel
Luke 8:4-15

With a large crowd gathering and people from every town finding their way to him, Jesus used this parable:
  ‘A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell on the edge of the path and was trampled on; and the birds of the air ate it up. Some seed fell on rock, and when it came up it withered away, having no moisture. Some seed fell amongst thorns and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell into rich soil and grew and produced its crop a hundredfold.’ Saying this he cried, ‘Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!’
  His disciples asked him what this parable might mean, and he said, ‘The mysteries of the kingdom of God are revealed to you; for the rest there are only parables, so that
they may see but not perceive,
listen but not understand.
‘This, then, is what the parable means: the seed is the word of God. Those on the edge of the path are people who have heard it, and then the devil comes and carries away the word from their hearts in case they should believe and be saved. Those on the rock are people who, when they first hear it, welcome the word with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of trial they give up. As for the part that fell into thorns, this is people who have heard, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life and do not reach maturity. As for the part in the rich soil, this is people with a noble and generous heart who have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.’

Christianity is not centred on doctrine or traditions but in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord. He freed us from the wiles and sins of the world so that we may freely live in His love. 

Yet many are drawn to wealth, power, greed and wanton sex which never fulfils. Others prefer to choose their own knowledge and wisdom in the understanding of scripture and their own interpretations. Choosing to lead others away from the definitive teachings of Jesus and His Church. Some even making a luxurious living out of it.

Eternal life cannot be bought with the currency of this world. It is given freely to those who seek to do the Will of God. Who lives by example in Holiness and are counted among the saints. Who provides for themselves and for their brethren through their labour and resources. Witnesses to the love and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, willing to lay down their lives for another.

Lord let me be a witness to Your love. Amen

First reading
1 Timothy 6:2-12

This is what you are to teach the brothers to believe and persuade them to do. Anyone who teaches anything different, and does not keep to the sound teaching which is that of our Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine which is in accordance with true religion, is simply ignorant and must be full of self-conceit – with a craze for questioning everything and arguing about words. All that can come of this is jealousy, contention, abuse and wicked mistrust of one another; and unending disputes by people who are neither rational nor informed and imagine that religion is a way of making a profit. Religion, of course, does bring large profits, but only to those who are content with what they have. We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it; but as long as we have food and clothing, let us be content with that. People who long to be rich are a prey to temptation; they get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions which eventually plunge them into ruin and destruction. ‘The love of money is the root of all evils’ and there are some who, pursuing it, have wandered away from the faith, and so given their souls any number of fatal wounds.
  But, as a man dedicated to God, you must avoid all that. You must aim to be saintly and religious, filled with faith and love, patient and gentle. Fight the good fight of the faith and win for yourself the eternal life to which you were called when you made your profession and spoke up for the truth in front of many witnesses.

Gospel
Luke 8:1-3

Jesus made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.

Do you not hear the call of our Lord speaking to your hearts? Come to me, do not be afraid child. I am seeking to embrace you and forgive you, your sins. To set you free to love as you are meant to love.

We who have responded to His call can testify to the great mercy and love of our Lord and God. For we were lost but now am found. Were hungry and thirsty and now nourished with His Word. Were clothed in filth but are now restored with the garment of righteousness. Eyes, ears and mouth are opened to see, hear His Word and proclaim the Glory of His love through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Let us pray…..

I welcome You into my heart Lord by serving You and my brethren with tears of joy. I kiss You through my adoration, worship and unceasing prayers in communion with You my Jesus. I annoint You Lord with the oil of my faith put into action. Amen

First reading
1 Timothy 4:12-16

Do not let people disregard you because you are young, but be an example to the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity. Make use of the time until I arrive by reading to the people, preaching and teaching. You have in you a spiritual gift which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the body of elders laid their hands on you; do not let it lie unused. Think hard about all this, and put it into practice, and everyone will be able to see how you are advancing. Take great care about what you do and what you teach; always do this, and in this way you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Gospel
Luke 7:36-50

One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table, a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.
  When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has.’ Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Speak, Master’ was the reply. ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he pardoned them both. Which of them will love him more?’ ‘The one who was pardoned more, I suppose’ answered Simon. Jesus said, ‘You are right.’
  Then he turned to the woman. ‘Simon,’ he said ‘you see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’ But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

Are we Catholic and Convinced? We have the fullness of faith through the Church our Lord established and the Sacraments He entrusted to it.  Yet we only seem satisfied to celebrate milestones in our lives in the 50s and 100s? What about the fact that for two thousand over years our Church has stood tall and the gates of hell has no power to overcome it!  We should be proclaiming the victory won with all our might and vigor. Jesus is Lord! He is Risen and reigns supreme.

For unless we love the Lord with all our hearts, minds and soul.
For unless we honour, praise and thank Him.
For unless we spend time with Him through prayer and His Word.
For unless we forgive and love one another.
We have no part with Him.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all that is, seen and unseen……………and the life of the world to come. Amen

First reading
1 Timothy 3:14-16

At the moment of writing to you, I am hoping that I may be with you soon; but in case I should be delayed, I wanted you to know how people ought to behave in God’s family – that is, in the Church of the living God, which upholds the truth and keeps it safe. Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is very deep indeed:
He was made visible in the flesh,
attested by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed to the pagans,
believed in by the world,
taken up in glory.

Gospel
Luke 7:31-35

Jesus said to the people: ‘What description can I find for the men of this generation? What are they like? They are like children shouting to one another while they sit in the market-place:
‘“We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang dirges,
and you wouldn’t cry.”
‘For John the Baptist comes, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet Wisdom has been proved right by all her children.’

The cross once an emblem of shame and suffering, for all the world to see as punishment for going against the roman empire. Has been transformed by God to be His sign of love for us all. Jesus lifted on high, who died on the cross took away with Him the sins of the world.  Our Lord conquered death so that we may live in Him.

And now around the world as we lift the crucifix up or wear it proudly around our necks. We are reminded of the greatest act of love that ever will be.  One that brings about transformation when gazed upon. O Cross Reign Victorious, O Cross thou wilt redeem us!

Jesus my Lord, as I take up my cross to follow You. I gladly bear it’s burden for You are with me every step of the way. Helping, guiding and leading me on to the victory of the cross. Your heavenly Kingdom. Amen

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross – Feast

First reading
Numbers 21:4-9

On the way through the wilderness the people lost patience. They spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in this wilderness? For there is neither bread nor water here; we are sick of this unsatisfying food.’
  At this God sent fiery serpents among the people; their bite brought death to many in Israel. The people came and said to Moses, ‘We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Intercede for us with the Lord to save us from these serpents.’ Moses interceded for the people, and the Lord answered him, ‘Make a fiery serpent and put it on a standard. If anyone is bitten and looks at it, he shall live.’ So Moses fashioned a bronze serpent which he put on a standard, and if anyone was bitten by a serpent, he looked at the bronze serpent and lived.

Second reading
Philippians 2:6-11

His state was divine,
yet Christ Jesus did not cling
to his equality with God
but emptied himself
to assume the condition of a slave
and became as men are;
and being as all men are,
he was humbler yet,
even to accepting death,
death on a cross.
But God raised him high
and gave him the name
which is above all other names
so that all beings
in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld,
should bend the knee at the name of Jesus
and that every tongue should acclaim
Jesus Christ as Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel
John 3:13-17

Jesus said to Nicodemus:
‘No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who came down from heaven,
the Son of Man who is in heaven;
and the Son of Man must be lifted up
as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost
but may have eternal life.
For God sent his Son into the world
not to condemn the world,
but so that through him the world might be saved.’

Just like many of my sisters and brothers in Christ,  I too can testify to the mercy and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. For when I went my own way, did my own thing refusing to listen,  He the Lord waited patiently.  I wanted to and thought I was living life to the fullest! Wine, women, song and travel…. Nothing came close, nothing was enough, there had to be more.  How? Where?

Our blessed Mother would time to time whisper in my ear, “As you have prayed, I will never let you lose Your God.”  She brought me to Lourdes where I experienced God’s amazing love through the Sacrament of reconciliation.  Then further experiencing the loving unity of our universal church community and the gentle embrace of our blessed Mother Mary.

After a relatively short time the ways of the world caught up with me for I was not grounded in prayer or the Word.  Still our Lord loved me and called out to me.  But I was not ready to listen till I had kids of my own.  I decided to surrender to His grace for I was getting no where on my own. I was tired of going around in circles.

Through His mercy and love I was transformed.  I have now finally experienced what it means to live life to the full.  Not through selfish means and ways but through giving fully of oneself. To Him who loves us and to my sisters and brothers.  His peace, joy and love is upon me. I share it now with you……

Glory be to the Father and the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever… Amen

First reading
1 Timothy 1:15-17

Here is a saying that you can rely on and nobody should doubt: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I myself am the greatest of them; and if mercy has been shown to me, it is because Jesus Christ meant to make me the greatest evidence of his inexhaustible patience for all the other people who would later have to trust in him to come to eternal life. To the eternal King, the undying, invisible and only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel
Luke 6:43-49

Jesus said to his disciples:
  ‘There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles. A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.
  ‘Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord” and not do what I say?
  ‘Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and acts on them – I will show you what he is like. He is like the man who when he built his house dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man who built his house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!’

Often what we see is the glaring faults of others. Some are harsh in their critique while others are harsh in their punishment. Then there are some who do nothing upfront but in their hearts have written the offenders off.  We demand perfection in others while we ourselves are imperfect.

What if we looked at ourselves through the eyes of Jesus? What would we see? The heinous repulsive sinner! That we rightly are? Or the lost sheep that He loves and wants to save? What if we looked at our brethren through that same loving eyes of our Lord?

Jesus, You did not come into the world to condemn it but that through You we might be saved.  Fill us with Your love and by Your grace we that may be loving, gentle shepherds for Your sheep. And lead them back to You. Amen

First reading
1 Timothy 1:1-2,12-14

From Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus appointed by the command of God our saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope, to Timothy, true child of mine in the faith; wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.
  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, and who judged me faithful enough to call me into his service even though I used to be a blasphemer and did all I could to injure and discredit the faith. Mercy, however, was shown me, because until I became a believer I had been acting in ignorance; and the grace of our Lord filled me with faith and with the love that is in Christ Jesus.

Gospel
Luke 6:39-42

Jesus told a parable to the disciples, ‘Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit? The disciple is not superior to his teacher; the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,” when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye.’

Love is not an emotion a warm fuzzy feeling you get once in a while. Love is truly willing another to be at peace, safe from harm, protected from evil and joyful. Without making any demands whatsoever nor expecting any returns. There is no love without service and forgiveness. This is how God loved us and continues to do so. And so we must love likewise.

To begin we need to allow ourselves to be loved by God. To come before Him with all our sins and with a contrite heart. He will cleanse, purify and transform us. We need to empty ourselves of ourselves and worldly attachments. And He will fill us with His Grace and love.  Through His love we can love others the way He loves us.

We praise and thank You Lord for loving us from the very beginning and to the very end. Amen

First reading
Colossians 3:12-17

You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.
  Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Gospel
Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you. Treat others as you would like them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
  ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’

It is by far easier to give in to temptation then to resist it, to hate rather than to love. To give in to rage, destroy rather than restraint anger and build. To scatter rather than to gather.  And so it is far easier to lose our souls if we so choose.

Jesus is truly the way, truth, life and light that shines through all darkness! He seeks out the sinner to offer His loving embrace. He cleanses, purifies and makes whole. He transforms and strengthens and we become the best version of ourselves. We become what God our Father intended from the very beginning when He made us in His image. Holy, Holy Holy Children of His.

Let us always choose to remain steadfast in faith and love. Jesus my Lord, live in me as I live in You. Amen

First reading
Colossians 3:1-11

Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed – and he is your life – you too will be revealed in all your glory with him.
  That is why you must kill everything in you that belongs only to earthly life: fornication, impurity, guilty passion, evil desires and especially greed, which is the same thing as worshipping a false god; all this is the sort of behaviour that makes God angry. And it is the way in which you used to live when you were surrounded by people doing the same thing, but now you, of all people, must give all these things up: getting angry, being bad-tempered, spitefulness, abusive language and dirty talk; and never tell each other lies. You have stripped off your old behaviour with your old self, and you have put on a new self which will progress towards true knowledge the more it is renewed in the image of its creator; and in that image there is no room for distinction between Greek and Jew, between the circumcised or the uncircumcised, or between barbarian and Scythian, slave and free man. There is only Christ: he is everything and he is in everything.

Gospel
Luke 6:20-26

Fixing his eyes on his disciples Jesus said:
‘How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
‘But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
‘Alas for you when the world speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophe

What an honour it is to call you Mother,  O Blessed Mother.  From the moment of your birth you were made holy.  And for the rest of your life chose to remain stedfast in faith and love.  Was life easy for you, surely not for your character and cheerful disposition was born out of love for God and sacrifice.

O model of faith and love, you answered a resounding YES trusting fully in God our Father. Even though you knew what could happen to you.  Accepting the full consequence of whatever came your way. And by your faith you bore Good News, the Word made flesh; You brought forth joy and peace into the World.

O dearest Mother of God, our mother pray for us; let your Son Jesus our Lord dwell in our hearts and minds always and forever. Amen

(The Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Feast)

First reading
Micah 5:1-4

The Lord says this:
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
the least of the clans of Judah,
out of you will be born for me
the one who is to rule over Israel;
his origin goes back to the distant past,
to the days of old.
The Lord is therefore going to abandon them
till the time when she who is to give birth gives birth.
Then the remnant of his brothers will come back
to the sons of Israel.
He will stand and feed his flock
with the power of the Lord,
with the majesty of the name of his God.
They will live secure, for from then on he will extend his power
to the ends of the land.
He himself will be peace.

Gospel
Matthew 1:18-23

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son
and they will call him Emmanuel,
a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’

How does our Lord and God love us as shown in scripture and in our own lives? Did He not love us first? Regardless? In spite of? Not with an emotion but a Will.  To Will the good of us!  So that we may live life to the full in communion with Him. 

Communion requires sacrifice and so Jesus came. Through Him we can participate in the sacrifice required for communion as we love one another with the gift of His divine love. To patiently journey with and bring others to the knowledge of Christ so that they too may encounter Him and share in the deep personal relationship with have with Him.

Glory and Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen

First reading
Colossians 1:24-2:3

It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church. I became the servant of the Church when God made me responsible for delivering God’s message to you, the message which was a mystery hidden for generations and centuries and has now been revealed to his saints. It was God’s purpose to reveal it to them and to show all the rich glory of this mystery to pagans. The mystery is Christ among you, your hope of glory: this is the Christ we proclaim, this is the wisdom in which we thoroughly train everyone and instruct everyone, to make them all perfect in Christ. It is for this I struggle wearily on, helped only by his power driving me irresistibly.
  Yes, I want you to know that I do have to struggle hard for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for so many others who have never seen me face to face. It is all to bind you together in love and to stir your minds, so that your understanding may come to full development, until you really know God’s secret in which all the jewels of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.

Gospel
Luke 6:6-11

On the sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him to see if he would cure a man on the sabbath, hoping to find something to use against him. But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up! Come out into the middle.’ And he came out and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I put it to you: is it against the law on the sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?’ Then he looked round at them all and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was better. But they were furious, and began to discuss the best way of dealing with Jesus.

We should look in the mirror from time to time to see if are living in the joy and presence of the Lord. Or are we instead pouting? Or do we have an angry or unapproachable look on our faces? Glum or downtrodden? What had happened? What changed?

Did we fall back into sin? Did we become judgemental? Did we demand perfection in others? Our children? Our colleagues? Our family and friends? When we ourselves are far from perfect.

For if we live in communion and joy in the Lord. Then we live in His love and it fills our hearts. Just as His mercy is upon us, we too are merciful toward our brethren. We are able and ever so willing to share the joy of the Gospel with everyone.

Lord Jesus reign in my heart now and forever. Amen

First reading
Colossians 1:21-23

Not long ago, you were foreigners and enemies, in the way that you used to think and the evil things that you did; but now he has reconciled you, by his death and in that mortal body. Now you are able to appear before him holy, pure and blameless – as long as you persevere and stand firm on the solid base of the faith, never letting yourselves drift away from the hope promised by the Good News, which you have heard, which has been preached to the whole human race, and of which I, Paul, have become the servant.

Gospel
Luke 6:1-5

One sabbath Jesus happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples were picking ears of corn, rubbing them in their hands and eating them. Some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath day?’ Jesus answered them, ‘So you have not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry how he went into the house of God, took the loaves of offering and ate them and gave them to his followers, loaves which only the priests are allowed to eat?’ And he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is master of the sabbath.’

Why O Lord do You love us so? Over and over again we have been selfish, self absorbed and self centred. Often choosing to give in to our base desires.  Turning our backs on You and choosing modern day idols to worship. Still You came to seek out Your lost sheep, to lead them home into Your fold.

Ever patient, every merciful, ever loving are You O Lord. You gave us all and held nothing back.  You suffered great indignity, humiliation, torture and a horrendous death.  You paid a heavy debt You did not owe for us who incurred a heavy debt we could not pay. For love of us that we might live.

Lord God of all creation, You created us in Your own image.  And even at the start of our downfall,  when we unleashed sin into the world and the our image became distorted.  You set Your loving plan of salvation in motion. The old was fulfilled in the new and the new revealed in the old.

Jesus my Lord and my God, I adore You!  I will fast when You want me to fast and pray always as to remain in communion with You. And just as You came to seek me out a black sheep, to lead me home; Let me be a shepherd of Yours for others, so as to lead them home to You. Amen

First reading
Colossians 1:15-20

Christ Jesus is the image of the unseen God
and the first-born of all creation,
for in him were created
all things in heaven and on earth:
everything visible and everything invisible,
Thrones, Dominations, Sovereignties, Powers –
all things were created through him and for him.
Before anything was created, he existed,
and he holds all things in unity.
Now the Church is his body,
he is its head.
As he is the Beginning,
he was first to be born from the dead,
so that he should be first in every way;
because God wanted all perfection
to be found in him
and all things to be reconciled through him and for him,
everything in heaven and everything on earth,
when he made peace
by his death on the cross.

Gospel
Luke 5:33-39

The Pharisees and scribes said to Jesus, ‘John’s disciples are always fasting and saying prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees too, but yours go on eating and drinking.’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely you cannot make the bridegroom’s attendants fast while the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come, the time for the bridegroom to be taken away from them; that will be the time when they will fast.’
  He also told them this parable, ‘No one tears a piece from a new cloak to put it on an old cloak; if he does, not only will he have torn the new one, but the piece taken from the new will not match the old.
  ‘And nobody puts new wine into old skins; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and then run out, and the skins will be lost. No; new wine must be put into fresh skins. And nobody who has been drinking old wine wants new. “The old is good” he says.’

When the Lord calls me to a role in His Church do I accept or do I say let me discern first as to whether it truly is You Lord Who called me? When asked to pray for someone who is ill or has passed on, do I need to ask if I even know the person? Do we offer prayers regularly for other ministries and their members? Parishioners? Other churches in our homeland? Other countries?

We often have a myopic view of what it means to one body in Christ. Unless we take a step back to see through the Lord’s eyes. To look upon the faces of His Children gathered all around hungry and thirsty for His Word.  And to engage and lead them into His Kingdom. We need to pray for and encourage one another, for our faith is never a private affair.

Lord Jesus I am not afraid for I have You with me. May I be a pleasing Fisher of men for You. Amen

First reading
Colossians 1:9-14

Ever since the day we heard about you, we have never failed to pray for you, and what we ask God is that through perfect wisdom and spiritual understanding you should reach the fullest knowledge of his will. So you will be able to lead the kind of life which the Lord expects of you, a life acceptable to him in all its aspects; showing the results in all the good actions you do and increasing your knowledge of God. You will have in you the strength, based on his own glorious power, never to give in, but to bear anything joyfully, thanking the Father who has made it possible for you to join the saints and with them to inherit the light.
  Because that is what he has done: he has taken us out of the power of darkness and created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves, and in him, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness

Gospel
Luke 5:1-11

Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
  When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.
  When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.

Faithful is our Lord from age to age. Great is His mercy and love!

He has saved us from the darkness and bondage of our many sins against Him. He has taken out our hearts of stone and given us hearts of flesh. Freed us to live and love to the full.

Faithful is our Lord from age to age. Great is His mercy and love!

He intercededs on our behalf to His Father and He prays we do likewise for our brethren. So that we might all remain one and steadfast in His love.

Faithful is our Lord from age to age. Great is His mercy and love!

He did not come to be served but to serve. He healed the sick, tended to the poor, set prisoners free. He proclaimed the Good news of the Kingdom of God to all.  We must strive to do the same with the many gifts and talents He has given us.

Faithful is our Lord from age to age. Great is His mercy and love!

Through Him, with Him and in Him. In the unity of the Holy Spirit, let us live our lives for Him and for others. Amen

First reading
Colossians 1:1-8

From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy to the saints in Colossae, our faithful brothers in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
  We have never failed to remember you in our prayers and to give thanks for you to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you show towards all the saints because of the hope which is stored up for you in heaven. It is only recently that you heard of this, when it was announced in the message of the truth. The Good News which has reached you is spreading all over the world and producing the same results as it has among you ever since the day when you heard about God’s grace and understood what this really is. Epaphras, who taught you, is one of our closest fellow workers and a faithful deputy for us as Christ’s servant, and it was he who told us all about your love in the Spirit.

Gospel
Luke 4:38-44

Leaving the synagogue Jesus went to Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them.
  At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them. Devils too came out of many people, howling, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
  When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, but he answered, ‘I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.’ And he continued his preaching in the synagogues of Judaea.

Am I among the many scattered and living in darkness? Am I oblivious to the storms and high seas about to envelope all aboard just as as Jonah was on his way to tarshish? Do I live for myself turning my back on God and His will for me?

Or am I among the few who responds to the call of my Lord and God? Who gathers His people unto Himself and purifies them with His mercy and love. So that we might be the light for one another and for others. Encouraging one another always to remain steadfast in faith and love.

Jesus my Lord it is You whom I love and serve. Now and forever. Amen

First reading
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6,9-11

You will not be expecting us to write anything to you, brothers, about ‘times and seasons’, since you know very well that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night. It is when people are saying, ‘How quiet and peaceful it is’ that the worst suddenly happens, as suddenly as labour pains come on a pregnant woman; and there will be no way for anybody to evade it.
  But it is not as if you live in the dark, my brothers, for that Day to overtake you like a thief. No, you are all sons of light and sons of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober. God never meant us to experience the Retribution, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that, alive or dead, we should still live united to him. So give encouragement to each other, and keep strengthening one another, as you do already.

Gospel
Luke 4:31-37

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because he spoke with authority.
  In the synagogue there was a man who was possessed by the spirit of an unclean devil, and it shouted at the top of its voice, ‘Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the devil, throwing the man down in front of everyone, went out of him without hurting him at all. Astonishment seized them and they were all saying to one another, ‘What teaching! He gives orders to unclean spirits with authority and power and they come out.’ And reports of him went all through the surrounding countryside.