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I am no better than anyone else, I am just as good. My joy, my reward comes from serving our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is an attitude we should adopt and live,in servitude of our Lord and our brethren. For only then can we call ourselves disciples. Only then can love as we should and put that love into action.

Jesus paid a debt He did not owe. For us who could not repay. So that liberated from the bonds of death through sin, we might live life to the full in Him.

Let us emulate His love for us in servitude of the least of our brethren. Amen

First reading
Philippians 2:1-4

If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing which would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, So that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other people’s interests instead.

Gospel
Luke 14:12-14

Jesus said to his host, one of the leading Pharisees, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ!

There can be no further growth in our faith or love for Jesus if we do not see others as equal or better than ourselves. If we are not humble in our learning and practice of our faith found in Him.

If He is truly our master then we must be His humble slaves. Seeking only to love and serve Him. And nothing would please Him more than that we love and serve the least of our brethren and to do the will of our Heavenly Father. For this while we call ourselves slaves, He calls us friends. There is no greater joy than to have Jesus as a friend.

Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ. Now and forever. Amen

First reading
Philippians 1:18-26

Christ is proclaimed; and that makes me happy; and I shall continue being happy, because I know this will help to save me, thanks to your prayers and to the help which will be given to me by the Spirit of Jesus. My one hope and trust is that I shall never have to admit defeat, but that now as always I shall have the courage for Christ to be glorified in my body, whether by my life or by my death. Life to me, of course, is Christ, but then death would bring me something more; but then again, if living in this body means doing work which is having good results – I do not know what I should choose. I am caught in this dilemma: I want to be gone and be with Christ, which would be very much the better, but for me to stay alive in this body is a more urgent need for your sake. This weighs with me so much that I feel sure I shall survive and stay with you all, and help you to progress in the faith and even increase your joy in it; and so you will have another reason to give praise to Christ Jesus on my account when I am with you again.

Gospel
Luke 14:1,7-11

On a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

You and I are saints. 

For by virtue of our baptism, we were born into new life of Holiness in Christ Jesus our Lord. Even our bodies become Holy temples for the Lord God to dwell. What delight and joy it is for such truth to be revealed to us sons and daughters of God our heavenly Father . 

In deep prayer and in communion with our Lord it is our duty to ponder deeply and reflect on the glorious mysteries He has revealed so that we may live our lives more fully according to His Will . 

One day soon we will all be reunited with the Holy Saints in Heaven And so just like the Saints before us, we will strive each day to do His will for us with a sense of inquiry and passion. Amen 

St Simon and St Jude pray for us. 

First reading
Ephesians 2:19-22

You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit.

Gospel
Luke 6:12-16

Jesus went out into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them; he called them ‘apostles’: Simon whom he called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor.

It is true that having a conversion of heart and by the powerful grace of Jesus through the Sacrament of reconciliation; evil and sin are cast out from us . We are set free to live our lives to the full through, with and in Him.

We must then strive for Holiness, remaining steadfast in faith through prayer, listening to His Word for us through scripture, frequent reception of His graces through the sacraments of reconciliation and Holy Eucharist; and perform good works in His name.

Be aware that evil lurks to rob us of our relationship with the Lord our God. But fear not, the abominations can do nothing when we are fortified by the blood of Jesus. The heavy price paid for our redemption.

Let us as one body in Christ, love, care for and walk together hand in hand on our pilgrim journey back home to our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

First reading
Ephesians 6:10-20

Grow strong in the Lord, with the strength of his power. Put God’s armour on so as to be able to resist the devil’s tactics. For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the Sovereignties and the Powers who originate the darkness in this world, the spiritual army of evil in the heavens. That is why you must rely on God’s armour, or you will not be able to put up any resistance when the worst happens, or have enough resources to hold your ground.
So stand your ground, with truth buckled round your waist, and integrity for a breastplate, wearing for shoes on your feet the eagerness to spread the gospel of peace and always carrying the shield of faith so that you can use it to put out the burning arrows of the evil one. And then you must accept salvation from God to be your helmet and receive the word of God from the Spirit to use as a sword.
Pray all the time, asking for what you need, praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion. Never get tired of staying awake to pray for all the saints; and pray for me to be given an opportunity to open my mouth and speak without fear and give out the mystery of the gospel of which I am an ambassador in chains; pray that in proclaiming it I may speak as boldly as I ought to.

Gospel
Luke 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came up. ‘Go away’ they said. ‘Leave this place, because Herod means to kill you.’ He replied, ‘You may go and give that fox this message: Learn that today and tomorrow I cast out devils and on the third day attain my end. But for today and tomorrow and the next day I must go on, since it would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem. ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! So be it! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me till the time comes when you say:

‘Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!’

What we often see with our eyes are strangers in the world. And so we go about our business in that very manner. Recognizing only those whom we know intimately and acknowledging them as friend or family. But what if we looked at everyone through the eyes of Christ? What will we see? Would it not be that everyone belonged to God our Heavenly Father, and we are His children?

We are hence called to love and treat one another as a beloved child of God. And we can only do so with the love of Jesus Christ our Lord which flows through us. For He dwells in us who live according to His Word, who seek first the Kingdom of the Lord our God.

I honour You O Heavenly Father by honouring my parents. I honour You O Heavenly Father as I love and bring my children up according to Your Will. I honour You O Heavenly by loving, caring for my sisters and brothers in Christ; especially for the least of my brethren. I honour You O Heavenly as I honour and obey the Holy Spirit sent to lead and guide me. I honour You O Heavenly as I honour Your Son my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ whom I love deeply. Now and forever. Amen

What we often see with our eyes are strangers in the world. And so we go about our business in that very manner. Recognizing only those whom we know intimately and acknowledging them as friend or family. But what if we looked at everyone through the eyes of Christ? What will we see? Would it not be that everyone belonged to God our Heavenly Father, and we are His children?
We are hence called to love and treat one another as a beloved child of God. And we can only do so with the love of Jesus Christ our Lord which flows through us. For He dwells in us who live according to His Word, who seek first the Kingdom of the Lord our God.
I honour You O Heavenly Father by honouring my parents. I honour You O Heavenly Father as I love and bring my children up according to Your Will. I honour You O Heavenly by loving, caring for my sisters and brothers in Christ; especially for the least of my brethren.  I honour You O Heavenly as I honour and obey the Holy Spirit sent to lead and guide me. I honour You O Heavenly as I honour Your Son my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ whom I love deeply. Now and forever. Amen
First reading

Ephesians 6:1-9
Children, be obedient to your parents in the Lord – that is your duty. The commandment that has a promise attached to it is: Honour your father and mother, and the promise is: and you will prosper and have a long life in the land. And parents, never drive your children to resentment but in bringing them up correct them and guide them as the Lord does.

Slaves, be obedient to the men who are called your masters in this world, with deep respect and sincere loyalty, as you are obedient to Christ: not only when you are under their eye, as if you had only to please men, but because you are slaves of Christ and wholeheartedly do the will of God. Work hard and willingly, but do it for the sake of the Lord and not for the sake of men. You can be sure that everyone, whether a slave or a free man, will be properly rewarded by the Lord for whatever work he has done well. And those of you who are employers, treat your slaves in the same spirit; do without threats, remembering that they and you have the same Master in heaven and he is not impressed by one person more than by another.
Gospel

Luke 13:22-30
Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.

‘Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, “Lord, open to us” but he will answer, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will find yourself saying, “We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets” but he will reply, “I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men!”

‘Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside. And men from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

‘Yes, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last.’

First reading
Ephesians 6:1-9

Children, be obedient to your parents in the Lord – that is your duty. The commandment that has a promise attached to it is: Honour your father and mother, and the promise is: and you will prosper and have a long life in the land. And parents, never drive your children to resentment but in bringing them up correct them and guide them as the Lord does.
Slaves, be obedient to the men who are called your masters in this world, with deep respect and sincere loyalty, as you are obedient to Christ: not only when you are under their eye, as if you had only to please men, but because you are slaves of Christ and wholeheartedly do the will of God. Work hard and willingly, but do it for the sake of the Lord and not for the sake of men. You can be sure that everyone, whether a slave or a free man, will be properly rewarded by the Lord for whatever work he has done well. And those of you who are employers, treat your slaves in the same spirit; do without threats, remembering that they and you have the same Master in heaven and he is not impressed by one person more than by another.

Gospel
Luke 13:22-30

Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.
‘Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, “Lord, open to us” but he will answer, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will find yourself saying, “We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets” but he will reply, “I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men!”
‘Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside. And men from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
‘Yes, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last.’

Just as a man and a woman give themselves in Holy matrimony and in that loving union produce offspring. They thus become a family. So are all of us called to live out holy family values one in communion with Christ Jesus. We thus make up His one body, One family under God our Heavenly Father. 

Just as the primary responsibility of a married couple is to lead one another into greater Holiness through love, mercy  and sacrifice. So are we called to lead one another and into a deeper relationship with the Holy Trinity. We do so through Kingdom values taught, lived and guided by the Holy Spirit. And this we must readily share with all we meet so that they too can experience the joy of life in Jesus. This is what it means to be fruitful, this is what it means to be leaven for the kingdom of God. 

Thank You Jesus for the gift of family. Guide my thoughts, words and actions as I lead them closer to You. Amen 

First reading
Ephesians 5:21-33

Give way to one another in obedience to Christ. Wives should regard their husbands as they regard the Lord, since as Christ is head of the Church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife; and as the Church submits to Christ, so should wives to their husbands, in everything. Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy. He made her clean by washing her in water with a form of words, so that when he took her to himself she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless. In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself. A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church, because it is his body – and we are its living parts. For this reason, a man must leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one body. This mystery has many implications; but I am saying it applies to Christ and the Church. To sum up; you too, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband.

Gospel
Luke 13:18-21

Jesus said, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? It is like a mustard seed which a man took and threw into his garden: it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches.’
Another thing he said, ‘What shall I compare the kingdom of God with? It is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through.’

If what we say and do reflects on whom we love and serve that is our Lord Jesus Christ, will we not be more disciplined? Will we not bridle our tongue?

No more shall we live in the past, where sin prevailed. No more sexual jokes, indecent wanton talks or chatter. No more shall we give in to being bent over and crippled by he who seeks our ruin.

For Jesus has healed us by His stripes and given us new life in Him through His Resurrection. Let us strive each day for Holiness. Let us encourage one another to remain steadfast. So that we who are children of the light can be beacons for the world. Amen

First reading
Ephesians 4:32-5:8

Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ. Try, then, to imitate God as children of his that he loves and follow Christ loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God. Among you there must be not even a mention of fornication or impurity in any of its forms, or promiscuity: this would hardly become the saints! There must be no coarseness, or salacious talk and jokes – all this is wrong for you; raise your voices in thanksgiving instead. For you can be quite certain that nobody who actually indulges in fornication or impurity or promiscuity – which is worshipping a false god – can inherit anything of the kingdom of God. Do not let anyone deceive you with empty arguments: it is for this loose living that God’s anger comes down on those who rebel against him. Make sure that you are not included with them. You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord; be like children of light.

Gospel
Luke 13:10-17

One sabbath day Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit that left her enfeebled; she was bent double and quite unable to stand upright. When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are rid of your infirmity’ and he laid his hands on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God.
But the synagogue official was indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, and he addressed the people present. ‘There are six days’ he said ‘when work is to be done. Come and be healed on one of those days and not on the sabbath.’ But the Lord answered him. ‘Hypocrites!’ he said ‘Is there one of you who does not untie his ox or his donkey from the manger on the sabbath and take it out for watering? And this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has held bound these eighteen years – was it not right to untie her bonds on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his adversaries were covered with confusion, and all the people were overjoyed at all the wonders he worked.

The Sacrament of reconciliation is a divine gift of love from God our Father through His beloved Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ conferred upon His Holy Church. The guilt and stain of sin is removed completely. His divine grace heals the contrite heart from within. And Holiness is once again restored. We walk once again in the light of Christ abs and are beacons of His mercy and love. Glory and Praise be to God!

No more procrastination, no more excuses. If you live and believe in our Lord Jesus Christ then you must belong to a community, one that is centred on Him. For a Catholic living in communion with Jesus, there is no such thing as a private faith where you can utter words such as, “It is between me and God alone. 

Belonging to community in Jesus is to help one another grow in faith and holiness. Everyone has their part to play as all have been given different gifts, talents and strengths. No contribution is too small or for that matter big. All that is done for one another is for the glory of the Lord our God. We provide for one another the necessary ingredients and nourishment to be fruitful. And together we build up His Kingdom. 

Thank You Jesus for our Church. For the communities of which we being. May we continue to grow as One in full communion with You. Now and forever. Amen 

First reading
Ephesians 4:7-16

Each one of us has been given his own share of grace, given as Christ allotted it. It was said that he would:

When he ascended to the height, he captured prisoners,
he gave gifts to men.

When it says, ‘he ascended’, what can it mean if not that he descended right down to the lower regions of the earth? The one who rose higher than all the heavens to fill all things is none other than the one who descended. And 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.
Then we shall not be children any longer, or tossed one way and another and carried along by every wind of doctrine, at the mercy of all the tricks men play and their cleverness in practising deceit. If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to its function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love.

Gospel
Luke 13:1-9

Some people arrived and told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them, ‘Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’
He told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, “Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.”’

The landscape of the world is ever changing and not always for the better. More and more are being influenced to think that abortion, same sex marriages are ok. Even killing is a necessary evil for the greater good. Where is our voice in all of these? Is offering our prayers enough?

No! The voice of Jesus must be heard around the World, and He must be able to speak through us. We must stand united as one body in Christ. And when we speak up for the truth we must do so with charity and gentleness. But stand firm and bold in proclaiming the word of God so that all might be filled with the light of Christ. Amen

Let us sing this hymn together…

They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
***********************

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love Yeah they’ll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side. We will work with each other, we will work side by side.And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love Yeah, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

First reading
Ephesians 4:1-6

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.

Gospel
Luke 12:54-59

Jesus said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?
‘Why not judge for yourselves what is right? For example: when you go to court with your opponent, try to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the bailiff and the bailiff have you thrown into prison. I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny.’

To grow in Holiness and allow the Holy Spirit to manifest Himself in us is to be docile to His promptings. Soon enough you will experience many wonderful changes in your thought, word and deed.  

The uninitiated will experience a growing distaste for anything vile and vulgar. There will a moving away, a natural separation from things or persons that will lead us to sin. A growing love for the word of our Lord will lead us to a far deeper and meaningful relationship with the Lord our God. 

Persevere in prayer, receive the Sacraments often and you will find your hearts inflamed with the love of Christ Jesus. Through your love for Him put into action by the service of others, the fire of His passion and love is passed on. 

Lord Jesus, my heart belongs to you. Amen 

First reading
Ephesians 3:14-21

This is what I pray, kneeling before the Father, from whom every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes its name:
Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth; until, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fullness of God.
Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine; glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel
Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!
‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’

Who can see and understand the wisdom of God if He had not first revealed it to us? Opened our hearts, minds and eyes to witness His glory and infinite wisdom. The history of our salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ on the surface may look rather simple, but in reality we may never fully arrive at the depths in which it lies. Herein too is the depths of God our Father’s love for us.

To live in the embrace of His love for us. We must strive for Holiness all the time. Not just when it suits us or when we have the time. Our call and duty is to love our brethren as Jesus first loved us. We must be willing to lay down our lives for our friends. Some of which may not even know Christ yet.

Lord forgive me for my many shortcomings, grant me your grace to persevere in humble servitude. So that I may always give you Glory in everything I do. Amen 

First reading
Ephesians 3:2-12

You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery, as I have just described it very shortly. If you read my word you will have some idea of the depths that I see in the mystery of Christ. This that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel. I have been made the servant of that gospel by a gift of grace from God who gave it to me by his own power. I, who am less than the least of all the saints have been entrusted with this special grace, not only of proclaiming to the pagans the infinite treasure of Christ but also of explaining how the mystery is to be dispensed. Through all the ages, this has been kept hidden in God, the creator of everything. Why? So that the Sovereignties and Powers should learn only now, through the Church, how comprehensive God’s wisdom really is, exactly according to the plan which he had had from all eternity in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is why we are bold enough to approach God in complete confidence, through our faith in him.

Gospel
Luke 12:39-48

Jesus said to his disciples:
‘You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’
Peter said, ‘Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?’ The Lord replied, ‘What sort of steward, then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment. I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns. But as for the servant who says to himself, “My master is taking his time coming,” and sets about beating the menservants and the maids, and eating and drinking and getting drunk, his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.
The servant who knows what his master wants, but has not even started to carry out those wishes, will receive very many strokes of the lash. The one who did not know, but deserves to be beaten for what he has done, will receive fewer strokes. When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.’

To proclaim the message, good news, the joy of the Gospel is everyone’s mission and responsibility. Not a select few held in high esteem, not just bishops, priests, clergy or religious. All of us that means you and me. 

Many say they do not know how to begin or what to say, even how to say it. Ask yourselves, who is Jesus to you? Who is He in your life? How deep is your relationship with Him?  If He is the centre of your life and of which has been transformed by Him. To one filled with His joy and with His peace. How easy then it is to speak of that, to speak about the wonders of Him in your life. The way you would share about the stories of a dear and loved one who brings joy to your heart. 

Going forth to share the Lord with others will not always be easy. There will be some challenges, sacrifices to be made. Patience, fortitude to go the distance and at times we will have to face rejection. Yet the Holy Spirit will be with us every step of the way. The fruit of our labour will be to witness the glory of the Lord our God working in the lives of those we minister to. Truly it is something to marvel and behold! And together we all experience the abounding love of Christ which embraces and unites us.  

Let us put our love for Jesus into action. Amen 

St Luke pray for us…. 

First reading
2 Timothy 4:10-17

Demas has deserted me for love of this life and gone to Thessalonika, Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia; only Luke is with me. Get Mark to come and bring him with you; I find him a useful helper in my work. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, and the scrolls, especially the parchment ones. Alexander the coppersmith has done me a lot of harm; the Lord will repay him for what he has done. Be on your guard against him yourself, because he has been bitterly contesting everything that we say.
The first time I had to present my defence, there was not a single witness to support me. Every one of them deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

Gospel
Luke 10:1-9

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.”’

There is nothing wrong in having financial security and putting aside some savings for leaner times. But when is it enough? Even when we have more than enough, do we still want more for ourselves? 

Do we care? And put our care into action by helping the needy and the poor? Or do we entertain self righteous thoughts like, ‘they brought it upon themselves’, ‘they are responsible for themselves, ‘they are someone else’s responsibility.’ 

We did nothing on our own to merit being saved from the clutches of death. It is by the mercy, grace and love of God our Father that sent Jesus His Son to save us. It is by this precious gift alone that we have hope of eternal life with Him. 

Though His abounding love for us, our Heavenly Father has blessed us and showered us with many gifts. Not to hoard them for ourselves but to share and give away. Even the most precious gift of His Son Jesus is to be shared with others, especially with those who do not yet know Him. This is what it means to live in the light of Christ, to be a light for others. Amen 

First reading
Ephesians 2:1-10

You were dead through the crimes and the sins in which you used to live when you were following the way of this world, obeying the ruler who governs the air, the spirit who is at work in the rebellious. We all were among them too in the past, living sensual lives, ruled entirely by our own physical desires and our own ideas; so that by nature we were as much under God’s anger as the rest of the world. But God loved us with so much love that he was generous with his mercy: when we were dead through our sins, he brought us to life with Christ – it is through grace that you have been saved – and raised us up with him and gave us a place with him in heaven, in Christ Jesus.
This was to show for all ages to come, through his goodness towards us in Christ Jesus, how infinitely rich he is in grace. Because it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God; not by anything that you have done, so that nobody can claim the credit. We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning he had meant us to live it.

Gospel
Luke 12:13-21

A man in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance.’ ‘My friend,’ he replied, ‘who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.’
Then he told them a parable: ‘There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his land, thought to himself, “What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them, and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time.” But God said to him, “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?.” So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.’

If I am Holy, I am Holy for You and for my brethren.

If I am worthy, it is because You have made me so.

If I am strong, it is Your strength I draw from.

If I am capable, it is You who have gifted me.

If I am eloquent, it is your words that I speak.

If I am truthful, it is Your truth alone that I utter.

If I am a beacon, it is Your light that I shine.

If I am prayerful, it is to be in communion with you.

If I am joyful, it is because I live the joy of the Risen Lord.

If I am loving, it is because You loved me first.

I am who I am because of You, my Lord and my God. Amen

Do we affirm one another especially members of our faith community who have grown in faith and love? Do we recognize and give glory to the Lord our God for His hand who touched the lives of His people? Do we say to them, I see Jesus in you? Or to another, I thank the Lord for you, you have been a great blessing in our lives? 

Or do we only know how to criticize? Tear one another down? See only the failures, faults and shortcomings? Where is our humility, mercy, compassion and love? 

Let us be great witnesses to the love and mercy of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ in our lives. Let us testify to the workings of the Holy Spirit by our Words, our deeds, our love put into action for our Lord and His flock. 

Praise and glory be to the Holy Trinity. Now and forever. Amen 

First reading
Ephesians 1:15-23

I, having once heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus, and the love that you show towards all the saints, have never failed to remember you in my prayers and to thank God for you. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named not only in this age but also in the age to come. He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.
Gospel
Luke 12:8-12

Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you, if anyone openly declares himself for me in the presence of men, the Son of Man will declare himself for him in the presence of the angels. But the man who disowns me in the presence of men will be disowned in the presence of God’s angels.
‘Everyone who says a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
‘When they take you before synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say, because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say.’

The three times I’ve encountered the most powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit would be during my own Life in the Spirit Seminar adventure, the Four Steps Retreat and the Holy Spirit Retreat. I have heard and know it to be true from people’s testimonies, that the Conversion Experience Retreat is yet another one.

All of them will lead the you into a deeper and closer relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord. And all you have to do is.

* Come into the presence of Jesus as they are.

* Be open of heart and mind

* Be committed no matter what happens

* Surrender everything to the Lord with open hands

* Go for the Sacrament of reconciliation because you know the Lord loves you and you do want to love Him with all your heart.

* Make time for the reading and reflection of the Word of God daily.

* Pray daily and as many times in a day as possible.

This is a promise; you Will encounter the Lord Jesus in a unique and special way. Your hearts will be set ablaze by the Holy Spirit.

And even after all the sessions, you continue to do all that is listed above together with two added steps, you will find that the fire will never die. It will only burn hotter and brighter. The two added steps are:

* Be docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit

* Put love into action

The Paraclete will dwell in you as you will dwell in Him always.

Glory and Praise to the Holy Trinity! Amen

💖💖💖

Many are starved for attention.

 Some looking to be regarded in high esteem, others to be known as powerful, some craving love and attention even from spiritual leaders. And so these go about way with words and deeds contrary and in the guise of doing the will of the Lord our God.  These are the ones that bring about and spread disillusionment, disenchantment even loss of faith. 

The constant emptiness and void that they seek to fill cannot be found in things or persons of the world. Even those in the world but not of the world can only lead us to the One who is above all and is all. The source of life itself, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. He alone can make us whole and in Him we shall not want. 

Thank You Heavenly Father for the gift of Your Jesus our Lord. Through Him we know we are precious in Your eyes and your love for us abounds. 

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end.  Amen

First reading
Ephesians 1:11-14

It is in Christ that we were claimed as God’s own,
chosen from the beginning,
under the predetermined plan of the one who guides all things as he decides by his own will; chosen to be, for his greater glory, the people who would put their hopes in Christ before he came. Now you too, in him, have heard the message of the truth and the good news of your salvation,
and have believed it; and you too have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit of the Promise, the pledge of our inheritance which brings freedom for those whom God has taken for his own, to make his glory praised.

Gospel
Luke 12:1-7

The people had gathered in their thousands so that they were treading on one another. And Jesus began to speak, first of all to his disciples. ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy. Everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. For this reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places will be proclaimed on the housetops.

    ‘To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Can you not buy five sparrows for two pennies? And yet not one is forgotten in God’s sight. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. There is no need to be afraid: you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.’

There will always be those who will reject the truth. And persecute us for holding on to the truth of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. But the truth is as perennial as the grass, and yet far more. For the blood of Christ and His Martyrs has paved the way for us to eternal life with Him. They have shared the truth of God’s love and salvation with us, His children.

And now we must do likewise, for through His blood outpoured for us we have been set free from our many sins to love and serve one another in His precious name. To gather the children of God our Heavenly Father into His Kingdom; where through the mercy and love of our Lord Jesus Christ we will all have eternal life.

To live in the Spirit is to announce the joy of the Gospel lived in our own lives. Praise God’s Holy name forever. Amen

First reading
Ephesians 1:1-10

From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, to the saints who are faithful to Christ Jesus. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ.
Before the world was made, he chose us, chose us in Christ,
to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence,determining that we should become his adopted sons, through Jesus Christ
for his own kind purposes,
to make us praise the glory of his grace, his free gift to us in the Beloved, in whom, through his blood, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins.

Such is the richness of the grace which he has showered on us in all wisdom and insight. He has let us know the mystery of his purpose,
the hidden plan he so kindly made in Christ from the beginning to act upon when the times had run their course to the end: that he would bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in the heavens and everything on earth.

Gospel
Luke 11:47-54

Jesus said:
‘Alas for you who build the tombs of the prophets, the men your ancestors killed! In this way you both witness what your ancestors did and approve it; they did the killing, you do the building.
‘And that is why the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles; some they will slaughter and persecute, so that this generation will have to answer for every prophet’s blood that has been shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was murdered between the altar and the sanctuary.” Yes, I tell you, this generation will have to answer for it all.
‘Alas for you lawyers who have taken away the key of knowledge! You have not gone in yourselves, and have prevented others going in who wanted to.’
When he left the house, the scribes and the Pharisees began a furious attack on him and tried to force answers from him on innumerable questions, setting traps to catch him out in something he might say.

What are we doing for the poor, the less fortunate in society? What have we done for the lonely, the poor of spirit? In other words what corporal acts of mercy have we performed? What spiritual acts of mercy are we doing, have we reached out to those in need?

If not can we lay claim that we are led by the Holy Spirit? Or that the Lord dwell within us? For while we are freely given the gifts of the Holy Spirit it is not for us to keep for ourselves. We must give it to all in need. No one can call himself Christian unless he serves the Lord by serving others in thought, word and deed.

Lord Jesus, grant me the courage, strength and wisdom to best serve the least of my brethren. Amen

First reading
Galatians 5:18-25

If you are led by the Spirit, no law can touch you. When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: fornication, gross indecency and sexual irresponsibility; idolatry and sorcery; feuds and wrangling, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels; disagreements, factions, envy; drunkenness, orgies and similar things. I warn you now, as I warned you before: those who behave like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. What the Spirit brings is very different: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control. There can be no law against things like that, of course. You cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless you crucify all self-indulgent passions and desires.

Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit.
Gospel
Luke 11:42-46

The Lord said to the Pharisees:
‘Alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without leaving the others undone. Alas for you Pharisees who like taking the seats of honour in the synagogues and being greeted obsequiously in the market squares! Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that men walk on without knowing it!
A lawyer then spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said ‘when you speak like this you insult us too.’
‘Alas for you lawyers also,’ he replied ‘because you load on men burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not move a finger to lift.’

Why put your faith in religious disciplines but not your faith in Christ Jesus into action?

Many attend retreat after retreat, workshop after workshop, formation talk after formation talk, even daily Eucharist. How has it changed you to become a better disciple? How have you put into action what you have learnt? Because no one who has had their hearts and mind engaged can ever say that Jesus had not touched or transformed them. If they continue to say they are not ready or not able then they are not worthy of the gifts that Christ Jesus has bestowed upon them. For it is He who makes us ready and able! All we must do is say Yes Lord, let it be according to Your Will.

Lord Jesus cleanse me from within, fill me with Your grace. That I may serve You and my brethren faithfully always. Amen

First reading
Galatians 5:1-6

When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. It is I, Paul, who tell you this: if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all. With all solemnity I repeat my warning: Everyone who accepts circumcision is obliged to keep the whole Law. But if you do look to the Law to make you justified, then you have separated yourselves from Christ, and have fallen from grace. Christians are told by the Spirit to look to faith for those rewards that righteousness hopes for, since in Christ Jesus whether you are circumcised or not makes no difference– what matters is faith that makes its power felt through love.

Gospel
Luke 11:37-41

Jesus had just finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. He went in and sat down at the table. The Pharisee saw this and was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal. But the Lord said to him, ‘Oh, you Pharisees! You clean the outside of cup and plate, while inside yourselves you are filled with extortion and wickedness. Fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside too? Instead, give alms from what you have and then indeed everything will be clean for you.’

The inclination to fall into sin especially repeated ones is very real and may seem inviting. Don’t! Don’t let the devil entrap you.

Live instead in the presence, love and power of our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. He conquered death so that we may be free and have new life in Him.

Let us strive for holiness in our daily lives. And let us ask ourselves each time we are faced with the prospect of falling into sin. Are our sins worth the price of our souls? Amen

First reading
Galatians 4:22-24,26-27,31-5:1

The Law says, if you remember, that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave-girl, and one by his free-born wife. The child of the slave-girl was born in the ordinary way; the child of the free woman was born as the result of a promise. This can be regarded as an allegory: the women stand for the two covenants. The first who comes from Mount Sinai, and whose children are slaves, is Hagar– The Jerusalem above, however, is free and is our mother, since scripture says: Shout for joy, you barren women who bore no children! Break into shouts of joy and gladness, you who were never in labour. For there are more sons of the forsaken one than sons of the wedded wife. So, my brothers, we are the children, not of the slave-girl, but of the free-born wife.
When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

Gospel
Luke 11:29-32

The crowds got even bigger and Jesus addressed them, ‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and 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. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.’

Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is what unites us all. And it is through this faith that our capacity to love increases exponentially. It will not matter what language we speak, what race we belong to, our financial background, size, shape, disabilities or even idiosyncrasies we have. For we are all one in Christ Jesus. 

Sin and evil on the other hand seeks to divide and scatter. And so to remain steadfast in our faith and love for our Lord and God we need to nourish ourselves daily with the living Word of God. Ponder over and reflect on His love and will for us. Keeping His Word close to our hearts always. 

Lord Jesus I rejoice in hearing Your Word! Now and forever. Amen 

First reading
Galatians 3:22-29

Scripture makes no exceptions when it says that sin is master everywhere. In this way the promise can only be given through faith in Jesus Christ and can only be given to those who have this faith.
Before faith came, we were allowed no freedom by the Law; we were being looked after till faith was revealed. The Law was to be our guardian until the Christ came and we could be justified by faith. Now that that time has come we are no longer under that guardian, and you are, all of you, sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. All baptised in Christ, you have all clothed yourselves in Christ, and there are no more distinctions between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, but all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Merely by belonging to Christ you are the posterity of Abraham, the heirs he was promised.

Gospel
Luke 11:27-28

As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, ‘Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!’ But he replied, ‘Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!’

It was God our Father’s  love for us, that He did not want to see us destroyed by our own hands due to greed, self centred news,  lust, want of power and our wicked, evil ways. Hence He gave us many laws to abide by. 

But that was not His plan from the very beginning. He wanted us to live freely in His love with His laws written in our hearts. And we shall abide by them through our love and deep relationship with Him. Jesus Christ our Lord was sent to fulfill this plan for us. And so through Him we have hope of eternal life with Him. 

The power of evil and darkness has no hold over us. Unless we willingly choose to go back to our old ways of life and thought;only then are we truly doomed.  For through Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour,  we have become children of the light. We have the hand of God our Father upon us, protecting us from all evil. The Holy Spirit is with us to guide us into the way of truth. Now and forever. Amen 

First reading
Galatians 3:7-14

Don’t you see that it is those who rely on faith who are the sons of Abraham? Scripture foresaw that God was going to use faith to justify the pagans, and proclaimed the Good News long ago when Abraham was told: In you all the pagans will be blessed. Those therefore who rely on faith receive the same blessing as Abraham, the man of faith. On the other hand, those who rely on the keeping of the Law are under a curse, since scripture says: Cursed be everyone who does not persevere in observing everything prescribed in the book of the Law. The Law will not justify anyone in the sight of God, because we are told: the righteous man finds life through faith. The Law is not even based on faith, since we are told: The man who practises these precepts finds life through practising them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by being cursed for our sake, since scripture says: Cursed be everyone who is hanged on a tree. This was done so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might include the pagans, and so that through faith we might receive the promised Spirit.

Our Lady of the Rosary pray for us…. 
Gospel
Luke 11:15-26

When Jesus had cast out a devil, some of the people said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.’ Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? – Since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils. Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges then. But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.
‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.
‘When an unclean spirit goes out of a man it wanders through waterless country looking for a place to rest, and not finding one it says, “I will go back to the home I came from.” But on arrival, finding it swept and tidied, it then goes off and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and set up house there, so that the man ends up by being worse than he was before.’

Many of us are stubborn for the wrong reasons. Why not instead be stubborn about the truth of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ? And be humbled by the fact that the Holy Spirit has and is still working wonders in our lives and in the lives of those we love. We are merely servants called to witness to the power and glory of God our Father.

By and through our efforts to witness to His love, we are indeed given all that we need. All our prayers are answered all the time. Though we have to accept that some of the time, the answer is no. For He knows what is best for us and in His time. Every now and then we are called to persist and preserve in prayer. And in due time, we will witness again to the wisdom and splendent glory of God’s hand in the lives of His children.

O Heavenly Father thy will be done in our lives. Amen

First reading
Galatians 3:1-5

Are you people in Galatia mad? Has someone put a spell on you, in spite of the plain explanation you have had of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ? Let me ask you one question: was it because you practised the Law that you received the Spirit, or because you believed what was preached to you? Are you foolish enough to end in outward observances what you began in the Spirit? Have all the favours you received been wasted? And if this were so, they would most certainly have been wasted. Does God give you the Spirit so freely and work miracles among you because you practise Law, or because you believed what was preached to you?

Gospel
Luke 11:5-13

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

By now you must have heard either through, scripture, preaching or teaching of the Church the importance of belonging to a community. Not just any community but a praying one centred on Christ Jesus our Lord.

While the Holy Spirit is definitely with us to teach and guide us to the truth, there are times however that due to our flawed human nature we either do not hear Him or think we do but do things which is contrary to His Will. Hence it is important to belong to a loving community living in Christ so that fraternal correction is possible. An elder from within the community may give spiritual direction or refer us to a priest when necessary. Belonging to a such a wonderful community gives a deeper sense of accountability not just to God alone but to one another. And when we come together and pray as one, we proclaim our unity with the Holy Trinity.

Lord bless our community and all communities centred on You. Help us to remain steadfast in prayer in Your love and mercy. Amen

Our Father…..

First reading
Galatians 2:1-2,7-14

It was not till fourteen years had passed that I went up to Jerusalem again. I went with Barnabas and took Titus with me. I went there as the result of a revelation, and privately I laid before the leading men the Good News as I proclaim it among the pagans; I did so for fear the course I was adopting or had already adopted would not be allowed. On the contrary, they recognised that I had been commissioned to preach the Good News to the uncircumcised just as Peter had been commissioned to preach it to the circumcised. The same person whose action had made Peter the apostle of the circumcised had given me a similar mission to the pagans. So, James, Cephas and John, these leaders, these pillars, shook hands with Barnabas and me as a sign of partnership: we were to go to the pagans and they to the circumcised. The only thing they insisted on was that we should remember to help the poor, as indeed I was anxious to do.
When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, since he was manifestly in the wrong. His custom had been to eat with the pagans, but after certain friends of James arrived he stopped doing this and kept away from them altogether for fear of the group that insisted on circumcision. The other Jews joined him in this pretence, and even Barnabas felt himself obliged to copy their behaviour.
When I saw they were not respecting the true meaning of the Good News, I said to Cephas in front of everyone, ‘In spite of being a Jew, you live like the pagans and not like the Jews, so you have no right to make the pagans copy Jewish ways.’

Gospel
Luke 11:1-4

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:

“Father, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come;
give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us. And do not put us to the test.”’

Indeed few are needed….

A quiet surrender to the love of the Lord our God.

Prayer.

Fasting.

Desire and Will to serve through the carrying of our cross for and in Him.

Indeed only one….

To be one in Communion with the Lord our God.

Lord Jesus I want to sit at your feet daily to listen to You and Your will for me. Grant that I may never forget Your love for me. Amen

St Francis pray for us….

First reading
Galatians 1:13-24

You must have heard of my career as a practising Jew, how merciless I was in persecuting the Church of God, how much damage I did to it, how I stood out among other Jews of my generation, and how enthusiastic I was for the traditions of my ancestors.

Then God, who had specially chosen me while I was still in my mother’s womb, called me through his grace and chose to reveal his Son in me, so that I might preach the Good News about him to the pagans. I did not stop to discuss this with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were already apostles before me, but I went off to Arabia at once and later went straight back from there to Damascus. Even when after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him for fifteen days, I did not see any of the other apostles; I only saw James, the brother of the Lord, and I swear before God that what I have just written is the literal truth. After that I went to Syria and Cilicia, and was still not known by sight to the churches of Christ in Judaea, who had heard nothing except that their one-time persecutor was now preaching the faith he had previously tried to destroy; and they gave glory to God for me.

Gospel
Luke 10:38-42

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

Truly today many Christians are confused as they want to grow deeper in their faith. It was not so for the first 1500 years or so where we were all united through one baptism, one faith, one holy communion. The prayer of Jesus, the Church and the sacraments He established to keep us united in Him were ignored. Man decided that the mysteries of God our Father revealed through Jesus His Son could easily be simplified and explained and everything else does not matter.

However the crux of the matter lies at the heart of the commandments. You must love the Lord Your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself. That is to accept in humility His great love and Will for us. Including the Church established through Christ His Son who promised that the gates of hell will not overcome it. And to this very day keeps the remembrance of the new and everlasting covenant made for us, as integral to the daily life of the Church.

Only then can we truly love our neighbour as we are called to do, with the very same love for which Christ our Lord laid down for us. Amen

First reading
Galatians 1:6-12

I am astonished at the promptness with which you have turned away from the one who called you and have decided to follow a different version of the Good News. Not that there can be more than one Good News; it is merely that some troublemakers among you want to change the Good News of Christ; and let me warn you that if anyone preaches a version of the Good News different from the one we have already preached to you, whether it be ourselves or an angel from heaven, he is to be condemned. I am only repeating what we told you before: if anyone preaches a version of the Good News different from the one you have already heard, he is to be condemned. So now whom am I trying to please– man, or God? Would you say it is men’s approval I am looking for? If I still wanted that, I should not be what I am– a servant of Christ.

The fact is, brothers, and I want you to realise this, the Good News I preached is not a human message that I was given by men, it is something I learnt only through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Gospel
Luke 10:25-37

There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’

But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’

The Lord our God abhors the proud hearted. The conceited who think themselves wiser than the their creator. Who believe that their positions in life were gained solely by their own hard work. And their time is best spent preserving that legacy. When will they ever learn?

There is nothing greater in life than being a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. To experience the depths of His wisdom and love. To be a powerful witness to His great mercy and love for His flock. To heal and bring His peace to those most in need. To build His Kingdom as one in Him, the Holy Trinity.

Lord Jesus let me see everything through Your eyes. Amen

First reading
Job 42:1-3,5-6,12-17

This was the answer Job gave to the Lord:

I know that you are all-powerful: what you conceive, you can perform. I am the man who obscured your designs
with my empty-headed words.
I have been holding forth on matters I cannot understand,
on marvels beyond me and my knowledge.

I knew you then only by hearsay; but now, having seen you with my own eyes, I retract all I have said, and in dust and ashes I repent.

The Lord blessed Job’s new fortune even more than his first one. He came to own fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand she-donkeys. He had seven sons and three daughters; his first daughter he called ‘Turtledove’, the second ‘Cassia’ and the third ‘Mascara.’ Throughout the land there were no women as beautiful as the daughters of Job. And their father gave them inheritance rights like their brothers. After his trials, Job lived on until he was a hundred and forty years old, and saw his children and his children’s children up to the fourth generation. Then Job died, an old man and full of days.

Gospel
Luke 10:17-24

The seventy-two came back rejoicing. ‘Lord,’ they said ‘even the devils submit to us when we use your name.’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you. Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.’
It was then that, filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, he said, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’
Then turning to his disciples he spoke to them in private, ‘Happy the eyes that see what you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.’