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.’
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