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Today on the solemnity of St Peter and St Paul we call to mind, two powerful evangelisers who helped shape and build our Church on the foundation of Rock, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. All simply through their great insatiable love of and for Him.

Both were flawed and very much less than perfect men yet it is the Lord our God that chose and qualified them. As we peer into their conversion stories we see our very own, of how Jesus set all our hearts aflame with the fire of His love. We see the parallels hardships and challenges both Apostles faced, both were jailed and set free by the angel of the Lord for it was not yet time to receive their crowns of righteousness, to live in His presence for all eternity. And so they persevered in their journey to the very end, proclaiming and sharing the love of their Lord with all.

We are called to do likewise, that is to be powerful witnesses of His love. And we can do so because it is our Lord Jesus Christ who will qualify and sanctify us; if we simply open our hearts to Him. His grace is sufficient for us. Amen

First reading

Acts 12:1-11 ·
‘Now I know the Lord really did save me from Herod’

King Herod started persecuting certain members of the Church. He beheaded James the brother of John, and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he decided to arrest Peter as well. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread, and he put Peter in prison, assigning four squads of four soldiers each to guard him in turns. Herod meant to try Peter in public after the end of Passover week. All the time Peter was under guard the Church prayed to God for him unremittingly.
On the night before Herod was to try him, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with double chains, while guards kept watch at the main entrance to the prison. Then suddenly the angel of the Lord stood there, and the cell was filled with light. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him. ‘Get up!’ he said ‘Hurry!’ – and the chains fell from his hands. The angel then said, ‘Put on your belt and sandals.’ After he had done this, the angel next said, ‘Wrap your cloak round you and follow me.’ Peter followed him, but had no idea that what the angel did was all happening in reality; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed through two guard posts one after the other, and reached the iron gate leading to the city. This opened of its own accord; they went through it and had walked the whole length of one street when suddenly the angel left him. It was only then that Peter came to himself. ‘Now I know it is all true’ he said. ‘The Lord really did send his angel and has saved me from Herod and from all that the Jewish people were so certain would happen to me.’

Second reading

2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18 ·
All there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me

My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.
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. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel

Matthew 16:13-19
You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’

O Sacred of Jesus mould my heart after Yours. Your great love for me has set me free to live in Your peace, love and joy. Let me never wander from You and if I do so a little too far, bring me back safely into Your loving arms. You are my Lord and my Shepherd what else will I ever want or need?

O Sacred of Jesus mould my heart after Yours. That I may love my brethren as You do. Even if they mock me, question my integrity or question my faith and love for You my Lord, I will stand firmly grounded in Your love for me. For I know without any doubt that You are with me through it all. Help me to love and care for them as You have loved and cared for me. Let my eyes always be opened to search out and tend to the poor, sick and the downtrodden.

O Sacred of Jesus mould my heart after Yours. May those who look to see into my heart find Yours beating next to mine. Sacred heart of Jesus pray for me. Amen

First reading

Ezekiel 34:11-16 ·
I will look after my flock myself and keep all of it in view

The Lord God says this: I am going to look after my flock myself and keep all of it in view. As a shepherd keeps all his flock in view when he stands up in the middle of his scattered sheep, so shall I keep my sheep in view. I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered during the mist and darkness. I shall bring them out of the countries where they are; I shall gather them together from foreign countries and bring them back to their own land. I shall pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in every inhabited place in the land. I shall feed them in good pasturage; the high mountains of Israel will be their grazing ground. There they will rest in good grazing ground; they will browse in rich pastures on the mountains of Israel. I myself will pasture my sheep, I myself will show them where to rest – it is the Lord who speaks. I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them.

Second reading

Romans 5:5-11 ·
Now we have been reconciled by the death of his Son, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son

The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us. We were still helpless when at his appointed moment Christ died for sinful men. It is not easy to die even for a good man – though of course for someone really worthy, a man might be prepared to die – but what proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Having died to make us righteous, is it likely that he would now fail to save us from God’s anger? When we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, we were still enemies; now that we have been reconciled, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son? Not merely because we have been reconciled but because we are filled with joyful trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation.

Gospel

Luke 15:3-7
There will be rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner

Jesus spoke this parable to the scribes and Pharisees:
‘What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” he would say “I have found my sheep that was lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.’

The Lord sees into our hearts and He knows what we have done and what we have failed to do. Still His mercy and love abounds and He will judge us fairly, often giving us opportunities to live and grow otherwise forfeited by our own actions for having sinned against Him. And we must resist the anxious voices of even those closest to us to take immediate action on matters which goes against trust and obedience to the Lord our God.

For unless we have complete faith and trust in our Lord and choose the narrow road which He sets before us; we might find ourselves still able to perform many wonderful things in His name simply because we are doing them for His children’s sake but we ourselves might not enter His Kingdom. Our hearts must be changed inwardly that we desire always to hear His Word and Will for us. For there will always be the temptation to conform to the standards of the World, which demands we do NOT waste precious time on things which we cannot see or touch! Like time for prayer, quiet time to contemplate scripture, adoration, sharing of the Word and so on. Whose Will be done then?

Lord I hear You call my name, I have come to do Your Will. Amen

First reading

Genesis 16:1-12,15-16 ·
Hagar bears Abram a son

Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no child, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, ‘Listen, now! Since the Lord has kept me from having children, go to my slave-girl. Perhaps I shall get children through her.’ Abram agreed to what Sarai had said.
Thus after Abram had lived in the land of Canaan for ten years Sarai took Hagar her Egyptian slave-girl and gave her to Abram as his wife. He went to Hagar and she conceived. And once she knew she had conceived, her mistress counted for nothing in her eyes. Then Sarai said to Abram, ‘May this insult to me come home to you! It was I who put my slave-girl into your arms but now she knows that she has conceived, I count for nothing in her eyes. Let the Lord judge between me and you.’ ‘Very well,’ Abram said to Sarai ‘your slave-girl is at your disposal. Treat her as you think fit.’ Sarai accordingly treated her so badly that she ran away from her.
The angel of the Lord met her near a spring in the wilderness, the spring that is on the road to Shur. He said, ‘Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?’ ‘I am running away from my mistress Sarai’ she replied. The angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Go back to your mistress and submit to her.’ The angel of the Lord said to her, ‘I will make your descendants too numerous to be counted.’ Then the angel of the Lord said to her:

‘Now you have conceived, and you will bear a son and you shall name him Ishmael,
for the Lord has heard your cries of distress.
A wild-ass of a man he will be,
against every man, and every man against him, setting himself to defy all his brothers.’

Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave to the son that Hagar bore the name Ishmael. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

Gospel

Matthew 7:21-29
The wise man built his house on a rock

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?” Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!
‘Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’
Jesus had now finished what he wanted to say, and his teaching made a deep impression on the people because he taught them with authority, and not like their own scribes.

Whether we like it or not many are watching our every move, how we dress, how we speak and what we do. Why do you think Social media is so popular? Because the world can glimpse into our own personal lives and either ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ what they see. Yes unless of course we have certain privacy settings on. Regardless whether on or offline the fact remains that people are watching and it is simply a fact not some conspiracy theory. More so if you are a leader of sorts, because they hang on your every word. So then what fruits will they see? Yes they and not what we see in ourselves. For many boasts about their accomplishments though very little is actually done for the Lord and there are those who do not boast at all yet have done much in the eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ. We might think of ourselves as fruitful, though that counts for nothing unless everyone else are witnesses to the fruits we bear for our Lord.

Will they see in us our faithfulness and constant drive to be Holy as our Heavenly Father is Holy;such that it inspires them to do likewise? Or when they see the joy and peace on our faces because the joy of the Gospel is at the very centre of our lives; will they not be moved to do the same? By our loving care for the those in need spiritually or physically challenged we bring the hope and peace of Christ into their lives; are these not the fruits we bear for the Lord profess we love?

Merciful Lord and saviour You have been faithful in fulfilling all Your Promises. Let my love for You shown in the fruits I bear speak of my own faithfulness to You. Amen

First reading

Genesis 15:1-12,17-18 ·
Count the stars: such shall be your descendants

It happened that the word of the Lord was spoken to Abram in a vision, ‘Have no fear, Abram, I am your shield; your reward will be very great.’
‘My Lord,’ Abram replied ‘what do you intend to give me? I go childless…’ Then Abram said, ‘See, you have given me no descendants; some man of my household will be my heir.’ And then this word of the Lord was spoken to him, ‘He shall not be your heir; your heir shall be of your own flesh and blood.’ Then taking him outside he said, ‘Look up to heaven and count the stars if you can. Such will be your descendants’ he told him. Abram put his faith in the Lord, who counted this as making him justified.
‘I am the Lord’ he said to him ‘who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldaeans to make you heir to this land.’ ‘My Lord,’ Abram replied ‘how am I to know that I shall inherit it?’ He said to him, ‘Get me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove and a young pigeon.’ He brought him all these, cut them in half and put half on one side and half facing it on the other; but the birds he did not cut in half. Birds of prey came down on the carcases but Abram drove them off.
Now as the sun was setting Abram fell into a deep sleep, and terror seized him. When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, there appeared a smoking furnace and a firebrand that went between the halves. That day the Lord made a Covenant with Abram in these terms:

‘To your descendants I give this land, from the wadi of Egypt to the Great River, the river Euphrates.’

Gospel

Matthew 7:15-20
You will be able to tell them by their fruits

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves. You will be able to tell them by their fruits. Can people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, a sound tree produces good fruit but a rotten tree bad fruit. A sound tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a rotten tree bear good fruit. Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown on the fire. I repeat, you will be able to tell them by their fruits.’

God is faithful to those who are faithful and obedient unto Him. He provides for and in abundance according to the choices we make to follow His will for us. But the greatest reward of all, is simply to have a deep and meaningful relationship with Him. For in that deep and loving relationship our life is complete and lived to the full. We shall not need neither shall we want.

To enter into that relationship however takes sacrifice, discipline and committment. It requires that we sometimes have to make difficult choices not to follow the status quo in order to follow Him and His way. For instance it may seem like a good idea to have a couple of drinks to loosen inhibitions so as to have a more open discussion at our church meetings, really? Can the Holy Spirit not illumine minds to have such open discussions if you call upon Him? (Eph 5:8) All we need is the Lord our God! There are many other paths we might choose, to cut corners, to shorten prayer time, shorten or even take away time for reflection, Adoration and so on. All in the ‘spirit’ of efficiency and moving things along. Is the Lord in charge then of our lives or have we decided that we know better? The road to perdition is indeed wide and many take it! Let us instead choose the narrow the gate in which the Holy Spirit directs us to take, even if it is hard rocky road ahead. For the end destination is what matters. How wonderful that we will find the Lord at the very end of it.

Lord Jesus guide my steps always. Amen

First reading

Genesis 13:2,5-18 ·
Abram settles in the land of Canaan and builds an altar to the Lord

Abram was a very rich man, with livestock, silver and gold. Lot, who was travelling with Abram, had flocks and cattle of his own, and tents too. The land was not sufficient to accommodate them both at once, for they had too many possessions to be able to live together. Dispute broke out between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and those of Lot’s. (The Canaanites and the Perizzites were then living in the land.) Accordingly Abram said to Lot, ‘Let there be no dispute between me and you, nor between my herdsmen and yours, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land open before you? Part company with me: if you take the left, I will go right; if you take the right, I will go left.’
Looking round, Lot saw all the Jordan plain, irrigated everywhere – this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah – like the garden of the Lord or the land of Egypt, as far as Zoar. So Lot chose all the Jordan plain for himself and moved off eastwards. Thus they parted company: Abram settled in the land of Canaan; Lot settled among the towns of the plain, pitching his tents on the outskirts of Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were vicious men, great sinners against the Lord.
The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted company with him, ‘Look all round from where you are towards the north and the south, towards the east and the west. All the land within sight I will give to you and your descendants for ever. I will make your descendants like the dust on the ground: when men succeed in counting the specks of dust on the ground, then they will be able to count your descendants! Come, travel through the length and breadth of the land, for I mean to give it to you.’
So Abram went with his tents to settle at the Oak of Mamre, at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.

Gospel

Matthew 7:6,12-14
Treat others as you would like them to treat you

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls in front of pigs, or they may trample them and then turn on you and tear you to pieces.
‘So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.
‘Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to perdition is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’

Today on the feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist we should call to mind our own birth, our birthright as children of God our Father. Our call to Holiness and the unique calling for each of one of us to share the message of salvation to all; that Christ Jesus our Lord is the light for all nations and He alone will lead us all into the Kingdom of Heaven.

St John the Baptist greatest of all prophets laid down his life for the Glory of the Lord our God. He prepared the way for our Lord Jesus Christ by turning the hearts of men back to the Lord our God, as he preached repentance and initiated such a baptism as an outward sign and declaration of the willingness of those who desired to make straight their paths. A response to the call of our God put into action.

And so today we reflect on our similar calling to that of St John the Baptist. To be courageous beacons of light for Christ our Lord and Saviour. While not all of us will be called to share in His martyrdom for Christ, we are all called to die to ourselves, our wants, our concupiscence, to be Holy as our Heavenly Father is Holy. And to lead the many children who have strayed back to Him. Amen

First reading

Isaiah 49:1-6
I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth

Islands, listen to me, pay attention, remotest peoples. The Lord called me before I was born, from my mother’s womb he pronounced my name.

He made my mouth a sharp sword, and hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me into a sharpened arrow, and concealed me in his quiver.

He said to me, ‘You are my servant (Israel) in whom I shall be glorified’; while I was thinking, ‘I have toiled in vain, I have exhausted myself for nothing’; and all the while my cause was with the Lord, my reward with my God. I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord, my God was my strength.

And now the Lord has spoken,

he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him:

‘It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel; I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’

Second reading

Acts 13:22-26
Jesus, whose coming was heralded by John

Paul said: ‘God deposed Saul and made David their king, of whom he approved in these words, “I have selected David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will carry out my whole purpose.” To keep his promise, God has raised up for Israel one of David’s descendants, Jesus, as Saviour, whose coming was heralded by John when he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole people of Israel. Before John ended his career he said, “I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undo his sandal.”
‘My brothers, sons of Abraham’s race, and all you who fear God, this message of salvation is meant for you.’

Gospel

Luke 1:57-66,80
‘His name is John’

The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.

Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said ‘he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit matured. And he lived out in the wilderness until the day he appeared openly to Israel.

The higher we rise up in leadership in our church the humbler we must be. For men and women chosen by the Lord our God know in their hearts that all they have comes from Him alone. We must acknowledge our limitations, be aware of our shortfalls and allow Jesus our Lord to fill in the gaps. We embrace our sufferings and pains for Christ as a necessary means to grow in Holiness and offer them up for His flock and for His glory.

Everything we will ever need for our misson to share the joy of the Gospel, His mercy and love will be provided for by our Heavenly Father. All necessary graces we will receive from our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. The Lord indeed is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want. Amen

First reading

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 †
‘My power is at its best in weakness’

Must I go on boasting, though there is nothing to be gained by it? But I will move on to the visions and revelations I have had from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago, was caught up – whether still in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows – right into the third heaven. I do know, however, that this same person – whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows – was caught up into paradise and heard things which must not and cannot be put into human language. I will boast about a man like that, but not about anything of my own except my weaknesses. If I should decide to boast, I should not be made to look foolish, because I should only be speaking the truth; but I am not going to, in case anyone should begin to think I am better than he can actually see and hear me to be.
In view of the extraordinary nature of these revelations, to stop me from getting too proud I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and stop me from getting too proud! About this thing, I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me, but he has said, ‘My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness.’ So I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me, and that is why I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.

Gospel

Matthew 6:24-34
Do not worry about tomorrow: your holy Father knows your needs

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘No one can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.
‘That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and how you are to clothe it. Surely life means more than food, and the body more than clothing! Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they are? Can any of you, for all his worrying, add one single cubit to his span of life? And why worry about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you men of little faith? So do not worry; do not say, “What are we to eat? What are we to drink? How are we to be clothed?” It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’

Too often we complain about the hardships we face at work and at home. About the stubbornness and laziness of everyone else. Even about the many tasks we have to get done if we are serving in Church and the challenges we face in getting help to accomplish them. How much of all these bring glory to God? How much of it brings the love and joy of the Gospel to the folks around us? How does the light of Christ shine through us in all of it?

If we truly love our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we know that His abounding love for us never ends;and so there will be no obstacles or challenges too great to overcome. No pain or suffering too heavy for us to bear for His glory. How many sanely folks will boast about their afflictions, the pain and sufferings they endured for a God that others cannot grasp or comprehend let alone see with their own eyes? Yet the sanely wants have been the Saints that have gone before us. They bore their crosses and followed Jesus to the very end. Their treasure is to be found in the Kingdom of God and they have received their Heavenly inheritance.

My treasure is to be found in You Lord Jesus and so I offer you my heart, mind and soul. Amen

First reading

2 Corinthians 11:18,21-30
If I am to boast, let me boast of my own feebleness

So many others have been boasting of their worldly achievements, that I will boast myself. But if anyone wants some brazen speaking – I am still talking as a fool – then I can be as brazen as any of them, and about the same things. Hebrews, are they? So am I. Israelites? So am I. Descendants of Abraham? So am I. The servants of Christ? I must be mad to say this, but so am I, and more than they: more, because I have worked harder, I have been sent to prison more often, and whipped many times more, often almost to death. Five times I had the thirty-nine lashes from the Jews; three times I have been beaten with sticks; once I was stoned; three times I have been shipwrecked and once adrift in the open sea for a night and a day. Constantly travelling, I have been in danger from rivers and in danger from brigands, in danger from my own people and in danger from pagans; in danger in the towns, in danger in the open country, danger at sea and danger from so-called brothers. I have worked and laboured, often without sleep; I have been hungry and thirsty and often starving; I have been in the cold without clothes. And, to leave out much more, there is my daily preoccupation: my anxiety for all the churches. When any man has had scruples, I have had scruples with him; when any man is made to fall, I am tortured.
If I am to boast, then let me boast of my own feebleness.

Gospel

Matthew 6:19-23
Store up treasure for yourselves in heaven

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and woodworms destroy them and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor woodworms destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
‘The lamp of the body is the eye. It follows that if your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light. But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be all darkness. If then, the light inside you is darkness, what darkness that will be!’

Yesterday I was present at a youth conference as part of a prayer team. What struck me is that the challenges, difficulties many of them face such as fidelity to Christ, Holiness, having a prayer life and not having a deep meaningful our Lord; echoes that of their parents.

The Lord prompted me to tell one youth, “I know that you love me, but do you realise just how much I truly love you?” “If you did will you not naturally want to spend more time with me?” “Would you still feel inadequate and lost?” And to another do not look to perfection in others. Instead strive to grow in your own Holiness by deepening your relationship with Jesus who loves you dearly. Your constant anger and swearing comes about because you do not know Jesus intimately, desire to know Him and be changed by His love. Many needed to be reminded of Christ’s love for them, to encounter Him more profoundly through His Word and to pray as children of God Father who loves them ever so dearly.

Just like our Youths we adults need to truly contemplate on the great love of God our Father has for all of us. Jesus His Son is the light, the truth and the way for us into His loving embrace. We are reminded today through the Lord’s prayer of how the Holy Spirit we received is the spirit of sons and daughters for which makes us cry out ‘Abba Father! Amen

First reading

2 Corinthians 11:1-11
I was careful not to be a burden to you in any way

I only wish you were able to tolerate a little foolishness from me. But of course: you are tolerant towards me. You see, the jealousy that I feel for you is God’s own jealousy: I arranged for you to marry Christ so that I might give you away as a chaste virgin to this one husband. But the serpent, with his cunning, seduced Eve, and I am afraid that in the same way your ideas may get corrupted and turned away from simple devotion to Christ. Because any new-comer has only to proclaim a new Jesus, different from the one that we preached, or you have only to receive a new spirit, different from the one you have already received, or a new gospel, different from the one you have already accepted – and you welcome it with open arms. As far as I can tell, these arch-apostles have nothing more than I have. I may not be a polished speechmaker, but as for knowledge, that is a different matter; surely we have made this plain, speaking on every subject in front of all of you.
Or was I wrong, lowering myself so as to lift you high, by preaching the gospel of God to you and taking no fee for it? I was robbing other churches, living on them so that I could serve you. When I was with you and ran out of money, I was no burden to anyone; the brothers who came from Macedonia provided me with everything I wanted. I was very careful, and I always shall be, not to be a burden to you in any way, and by Christ’s truth in me, this cause of boasting will never be taken from me in the regions of Achaia. Would I do that if I did not love you? God knows I do.

Gospel

Matthew 6:7-15
How to pray

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this:

‘Our Father in heaven,
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test,
but save us from the evil one.

‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’

Foundational practices of our faith enshrined in our love for the Lord our God are prayer, fasting and almsgiving all in humble servitude.

What good are all our acts of faith, love and charity if done for want of love from men, women and children? If all are done yet there is no growth in depth of love for God and of brethren? Giving even that little bit begrudgingly when there is more than one collection at Mass. Think of it why would the Parish do this if there was not indeed a real need? Sharing only with very ‘close’ friends what you have been doing for others yet citing discreetly why you do not share this fact with everyone;simply because we must not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing!

God our Father sees and knows everything, He sees into our hearts. He Blesses abundantly those who give with all of their hearts for love of Him and of brethren. For He knows that disciples of His Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus love and serve Him for His greater Glory. Amen

First reading

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 †
There is no limit to the blessings which God can send you

Do not forget: thin sowing means thin reaping; the more you sow, the more you reap. Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver. And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – he will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance, and still have something to spare for all sorts of good works. As scripture says: He was free in almsgiving, and gave to the poor: his good deeds will never be forgotten.
The one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide you with all the seed you want and make the harvest of your good deeds a larger one, and, made richer in every way, you will be able to do all the generous things which, through us, are the cause of thanksgiving to God.

Gospel

Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
Your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
‘And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them; I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
‘When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they pull long faces to let men know they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’

Our Church has never mandated how much each should contribute even though we are a non profit organisation and rely solely on the generosity of its Church members. Yet it is always thought of as rich with rich benefactors and so even though many can afford to give more will give their token amounts either in very small notes or coin. We should ask ourselves whom is it we are offering our token amounts to? Is is not the Lord our God Himself and His Holy Church? For its welfare; especially the poorest of the poor who depend on our Church to survive? If we are rich it is only because of our Lord Jesus Christ who has made us rich by giving us all of Himself. This is the generosity of our God! Those who are generous with Him and for Him will know of His generosity in their very own lives.

So it is with the mercy of the Lord our God. The more merciful we are, the more mercy we ourselves will receive from Him. Why curse those who hurt us or see them as enemies? Isn’t that what the devil wants? To separate, scatter and eventually destroy? Why allow ourselves to be his henchmen by hating and cursing our enemies to their doom and eventually following suit? Would it not be better to pray for our enemies so that the Lord might bless them, have their hearts of stone removed and replaced with hearts of flesh so that they too might learn to love as He loves us?

Sweet Saviour of mine, I am far from perfect. But I know that through Your mercy and love Lord I have hope of perfection in You. Amen

First reading

2 Corinthians 8:1-9 †
The Lord Jesus was rich but became poor for your sake

Now here, brothers, is the news of the grace of God which was given in the churches in Macedonia; and of how, throughout great trials by suffering, their constant cheerfulness and their intense poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity. I can swear that they gave not only as much as they could afford, but far more, and quite spontaneously, begging and begging us for the favour of sharing in this service to the saints and, what was quite unexpected, they offered their own selves first to God and, under God, to us.
Because of this, we have asked Titus, since he has already made a beginning, to bring this work of mercy to the same point of success among you. You always have the most of everything – of faith, of eloquence, of understanding, of keenness for any cause, and the biggest share of our affection – so we expect you to put the most into this work of mercy too. It is not an order that I am giving you; I am just testing the genuineness of your love against the keenness of others. Remember how generous the Lord Jesus was: he was rich, but he became poor for your sake, to make you rich out of his poverty.

Gospel

Matthew 5:43-48
Pray for those who persecute you

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’

We want justice for the injustice brought upon us. For the hurt and pains caused, we want those who have done this to have either a taste or full measure of what they did to us. Why did they put us in this uncomfortable position to begin with? Revenge is sweet!

Not so says the Lord, mercy and forgiveness is far sweeter. For through mercy and forgiveness we find love. We disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ must mirror the love and mercy of our master. For He pleaded for us on the cross that we knew not what we are doing. Can we still claim ignorance after having been reborn in Him through our baptism? Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit we are indeed a new creation. Able to withstand hardship, trials and challenges for love of our Lord and for one another.

People who look upon us see us for whom we truly are, for we do not hide behind masks. Our greatest and only desire is that they see the face of Christ when they gaze upon us. So that through all the sacrifices we make, all that we say and and do we bring glory to Lord our God. Amen

First reading

2 Corinthians 6:1-10 †
How we prove that we are God’s servants

As his fellow workers, we beg you once again not to neglect the grace of God that you have received. For he says: At the favourable time, I have listened to you; on the day of salvation I came to your help. Well, now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation.
We do nothing that people might object to, so as not to bring discredit on our function as God’s servants. Instead, we prove we are servants of God by great fortitude in times of suffering: in times of hardship and distress; when we are flogged, or sent to prison, or mobbed; labouring, sleepless, starving. We prove we are God’s servants by our purity, knowledge, patience and kindness; by a spirit of holiness, by a love free from affectation; by the word of truth and by the power of God; by being armed with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left, prepared for honour or disgrace, for blame or praise; taken for impostors while we are genuine; obscure yet famous; said to be dying and here are we alive; rumoured to be executed before we are sentenced; thought most miserable and yet we are always rejoicing; taken for paupers though we make others rich, for people having nothing though we have everything.

Gospel

Matthew 5:38-42
Offer the wicked man no resistance

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.’

Anyone who has lived with sin knows the heavy burden we carry riddled with guilt. Sometimes it feels as though the gravity of it disqualifies us from mercy of any sort. Know that all of us are so loved, that Christ Jesus our Lord was sent by God our Father to liberate us from all our sins. By His life, death and Resurrection we have been set free to live in His love.

The great gift of the Sacrament of reconciliation had been handed down over the generations so that we may know that we are forgiven. The love and sanctifying grace of the Lord our God is conferred upon us through the hands of His priests.

The love of Christ overwhelms us, such that we desire to live as disciples obedient unto Him. His love convicts us to remain true to our word such that all will know our yes means yes and our no means no. We are ambassadors of our Lord Jesus Christ to lead all who have strayed back to Him, that all may live fully in His love. Amen

First reading

2 Corinthians 5:14-21 †
From now onwards we do not judge anyone by the standards of the flesh

The love of Christ overwhelms us when we reflect that if one man has died for all, then all men should be dead; and the reason he died for all was so that living men should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life for them.
From now onwards, therefore, we do not judge anyone by the standards of the flesh. Even if we did once know Christ in the flesh, that is not how we know him now. And for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here. It is all God’s work. It was God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the work of handing on this reconciliation. In other words, God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, not holding men’s faults against them, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled. So we are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ’s name is: be reconciled to God. For our sake God made the sinless one into sin, so that in him we might become the goodness of God.

Gospel

Matthew 5:33-37
Do not swear: say ‘Yes’ if you mean Yes, ‘No’ if you mean No

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you: do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne; or by the earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great king. Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black. All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’

Don’t make excuses or justify your actions for sinning. Claiming to be only human for committing sin robs us of our identity as child of God our Father so loved by Him.

For through His great and abundant love for us He bestows overflowing graces through our Lord Jesus Christ. So that we can withstand all trials and tribulations that come our way and rise stronger above them. Indeed as St Paul says in the first reading of today, we may be knocked down but never killed. For even if we die we have hope that we will rise in Jesus our Saviour.

So let us cut off all forms of sin in our lives so that we may be filled with the Lord’s graces and spirit to live fully in His love. We embrace the crosses we carry knowing that through them, we become fully alive in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen

First reading

2 Corinthians 4:7-15 †
Such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us

We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down, but never killed; always, wherever we may be, we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus, too, may always be seen in our body. Indeed, while we are still alive, we are consigned to our death every day, for the sake of Jesus, so that in our mortal flesh the life of Jesus, too, may be openly shown. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
But as we have the same spirit of faith that is mentioned in scripture – I believed, and therefore I spoke – we too believe and therefore we too speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life will raise us with Jesus in our turn, and put us by his side and you with us. You see, all this is for your benefit, so that the more grace is multiplied among people, the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God.

Gospel

Matthew 5:27-32
If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body go to hell.
‘It has also been said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal. But I say this to you: everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.’

When people look upon you, do they see the light of Christ shining through you? Do they see the deep virtues you posses after the master whom you serve? Do you bring the peace, comfort and mercy of our Lord with you? If the answer is yes then like our beloved Saint Anthony whose feast day we celebrate today; you have found and live in the realm of the Kingdom of God.

For all of us are called to share in the love and Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not to engage in petty quarrels, unforgiveness, jealousy and so on, which is already rampant in the world. We are called to bring His light into the darkness of many who still live in sin, in unforgiveness, in sickness, in desolation. To bring hope, peace and comfort where there is none. Let us be remembered for carrying Christ just as our beloved St Anthony is for carrying the child Jesus whereever He went.

O Beloved Saint Anthony eloquent preacher of the Gospel, guide my tongue that I too may bring the love of our Lord Jesus Christ to many and lead them home to Him, who lives and reigns with our Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen

First reading

2 Corinthians 3:15-4:1,3-6 †
The veil over their eyes will not be removed until they turn to the Lord

Even today, whenever Moses is read, the veil is over their minds. It will not be removed until they turn to the Lord. Now this Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, with our unveiled faces reflecting like mirrors the brightness of the Lord, all grow brighter and brighter as we are turned into the image that we reflect; this is the work of the Lord who is Spirit.
Since we have by an act of mercy been entrusted with this work of administration, there is no weakening on our part. If our gospel does not penetrate the veil, then the veil is on those who are not on the way to salvation; the unbelievers whose minds the god of this world has blinded, to stop them seeing the light shed by the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For it is not ourselves that we are preaching, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. It is the same God that said, ‘Let there be light shining out of darkness’, who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, the glory on the face of Christ.

Gospel

Matthew 5:20-26
Anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.’

How can we teach and pass on the truth of our faith if we do not know or understand it ourselves? If we do not take the time to learn it. To live out the Word of God in our lives? To deepen our relationship with the Lord our God who sent us His advocate to guide us.

What will we pass on then to our children? To our family and friends interested to know more about our Lord Jesus Christ? A watered down faith with misconceptions passed on? How will we effectively communicate the fact that by keeping our Lord’s Word and commands we are simply living out our call as daughters and sons of God our Heavenly Father;if we only pick and choose what to follow and have not the discipline nor the fortitude to remain obedient and faithful!

Breathe Your spirit upon me Lord,that all who know me will say that Your laws Lord are written on my heart and Your spirit dwells within me. Glory and Praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

First reading

2 Corinthians 3:4-11
The new covenant is a covenant of the Spirit

Before God, we are confident of this through Christ: not that we are qualified in ourselves to claim anything as our own work: all our qualifications come from God. He is the one who has given us the qualifications to be the administrators of this new covenant, which is not a covenant of written letters but of the Spirit: the written letters bring death, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the administering of death, in the written letters engraved on stones, was accompanied by such a brightness that the Israelites could not bear looking at the face of Moses, though it was a brightness that faded, then how much greater will be the brightness that surrounds the administering of the Spirit! For if there was any splendour in administering condemnation, there must be very much greater splendour in administering justification. In fact, compared with this greater splendour, the thing that used to have such splendour now seems to have none; and if what was so temporary had any splendour, there must be much more in what is going to last for ever.

Gospel

Matthew 5:17-19
I have not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to complete them

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’

Can we not be counted as one amongst many of our dear sisters and brothers who are filled with the Holy Spirit and on fire for our Lord? To be recognised as a disciple with a zeal to share the love of our master with all whom we meet.

St Barnabas is indeed such a great role model who brought many into the faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. He even guided St Paul in such a way, not allowing the fact that St Paul was highly knowledgeable and well read to intimidate him in any way. He was a humble servant of our Lord Jesus Christ and truly a light for the world after Christ.

Jesus my Lord may your light shine through me such that all who see my deeds and hear my words will give praise to God my Heavenly Father. Amen

St Barnabas pray for us…

First reading

Acts 11:21-26,13:1-3

A great number believed and were converted to the Lord.
The church in Jerusalem heard about this and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. There he could see for himself that God had given grace, and this pleased him, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord.
Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. As things turned out they were to live together in that church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’
In the church at Antioch the following were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. One day while they were offering worship to the Lord and keeping a fast, the Holy Spirit said, ‘I want Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work to which I have called them.’ So it was that after fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Gospel

Matthew 5:13-16
Your light must shine in the sight of men

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’

In John 14:18 Jesus told us that he will not leave us as orphans. He will come to us. And the most tangible way He has come to us is through the Holy Eucharist. He promised and sent us an Advocate the Holy Spirit to journey with us and still His love for us did not end with all these; He gave us another precious gift of His mother to be mother of us all. Just yesterday we celebrated the birth of our One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and today we celebrate the The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and appropriately so. For she continues to intercede for all of us and her maternal love for us protects us from all evil as she leads us to an ever deeper relationship with her Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

She is the new Eve pure, and obedient to God our Father for love of Him. She is the model of holiness for all of us to emulate. She who is a creature just like each and everyone of us, formed by our loving creator shows us the way to His bosom. In her lifetime she endured hardships, sorrows, challenges and so is no stranger to our very own painful sufferings. And so we can be assured that loving mother that she is, she will be there to comfort and pray for us. She who is spouse will send the Holy Spirit to us as needed.

O loving Mother Mary, Mother of the Church an mother of mine be with and pray for me. Glory and Praise be to your Son Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen

First reading

Genesis 3:9-15,20 †
‘The offspring of the woman will crush your head’

After Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ he replied ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’ ‘Who told you that you were naked?’ he asked ‘Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?’ The man replied, ‘It was the woman you put with me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’ Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman replied, ‘The serpent tempted me and I ate.’
Then the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this,

‘Be accursed beyond all cattle, all wild beasts. You shall crawl on your belly and eat dust every day of your life.
I will make you enemies of each other: you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring.
It will crush your head and you will strike its heel.’

The man named his wife ‘Eve’ because she was the mother of all those who live.

Gospel

John 19:25-34
‘Behold your son. Behold your mother.’

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.
After this, Jesus knew that everything had now been completed, and to fulfil the scripture perfectly he said, ‘I am thirsty.’
A jar full of vinegar stood there, so putting a sponge soaked in the vinegar on a hyssop stick they held it up to his mouth. After Jesus had taken the vinegar he said, ‘It is accomplished’; and bowing his head he gave up his spirit.
It was Preparation Day, and to prevent the bodies remaining on the cross during the sabbath – since that sabbath was a day of special solemnity – the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away. Consequently the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with him and then of the other. When they came to Jesus, they found he was already dead, and so instead of breaking his legs one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water.

In our own faith journey we might look for a spiritual buddy to accompany us. This is indeed wonderful because there is someone to pray with, encourage us in moments of difficulty and even during spells of spiritual dryness. There is also the ‘ra ra’ effect in which we rally one another to attend formation talks and retreats. However as we progress, individually we might have different calls to mission by our Lord. And so we cannot stick to a motto of “I’ll go if you go with me.” We need to pray and discern and respond to His call for us. Which means we might have go our separate ways if necessary for as long as our mission requires us to.

We are then free to proclaim the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord to anyone who will listen. The most effective way according to our gifts and talents. The Holy Spirit dwells within us who have emptied themselves to receive our Lord most fully so as to glorify Him by our lives. Hence even in solitude we are never alone.

Lord lead me and I will follow. Amen

First reading

Acts 28:16-20,30-31 †
In Rome, Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God without hindrance from anyone

On our arrival in Rome Paul was allowed to stay in lodgings of his own with the soldier who guarded him.
After three days he called together the leading Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, ‘Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and would have set me free, since they found me guilty of nothing involving the death penalty; but the Jews lodged an objection, and I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation to make against my own nation. That is why I have asked to see you and talk to you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear this chain.’
Paul spent the whole of the two years in his own rented lodging. He welcomed all who came to visit him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete freedom and without hindrance from anyone.

Gospel

John 21:20-25
This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and we know that his testimony is true

Peter turned and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them – the one who had leaned on his breast at the supper and had said to him, ‘Lord, who is it that will betray you?’ Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.’ The rumour then went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus had not said to Peter, ‘He will not die’, but, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come.’
This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and has written them down, and we know that his testimony is true.
There were many other things that Jesus did; if all were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not hold all the books that would have to be written.

Shortcuts are always way easier, many would even say practical. Why travel a more dangerous road when there is a safer alternate route? These may be true in general life situations but not so in the matters of faith.

When we surrender fully to the Lord our God and allow ourselves to be docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit we find ourselves led to a deeper loving relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ such that we are willing to endure hardship and great personal challenges to bring Him glory and praise. For we know that come what may, He will always be with us and eventually when the time comes He will lead us home to Him.

Some real life examples are, at a prayer meeting we will not rush through it trying to keep to a timeline. We will not cutout a hymn to safe time or be annoyed when someone leading a prayer takes too long. We will not use battery operated candles unless it is a public function room we booked which has rules against the use of firelit candles. When asked to organise say a feast day celebration we will not stick to tried and tested methods but discern and pray how the Holy Spirit wants us to take it to the next level to lead the parishioners to a greater sense of Communion and by and large greater worship of the Lord our God. Then there are times we would rather be quiet and at peace rather than to speak up for truth or an injustice against someone who cannot defend themselves. This is the time we need to pray and allow the Holy Spirit to use us if He wills, to be an instrument of His grace.

O God Almighty Father let Your Will be done always not my own. May I be led always by the Holy Spirit. Amen

First reading

Acts 25:13-21 †
‘I ordered Paul to be remanded until I could send him to Caesar’

King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus. Their visit lasted several days, and Festus put Paul’s case before the king. ‘There is a man here’ he said ‘whom Felix left behind in custody, and while I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and elders of the Jews laid information against him, demanding his condemnation. But I told them that Romans are not in the habit of surrendering any man, until the accused confronts his accusers and is given an opportunity to defend himself against the charge. So they came here with me, and I wasted no time but took my seat on the tribunal the very next day and had the man brought in. When confronted with him, his accusers did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected; but they had some argument or other with him about their own religion and about a dead man called Jesus whom Paul alleged to be alive. Not feeling qualified to deal with questions of this sort, I asked him if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried there on this issue. But Paul put in an appeal for his case to be reserved for the judgement of the august emperor, so I ordered him to be remanded until I could send him to Caesar.’

Gospel

John 21:15-19
Feed my lambs, feed my sheep

Jesus showed himself to his disciples, and after they had eaten he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.

‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.’

In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’

What does it mean to be completely one? Are we one when husband and wife do not come together to pray as one? Are we one when parents and children do not pray together as one? Are we one when ministry members do not come together to pray as one? Are we one when different church ministries or church members do not come together to pray as one outside of the Eucharist? Are we one when we don’t know each other by name or know anything about our individual famililes? How then are we completely one in our Lord Jesus Christ?

We see from the first reading and in our own personal experiences how fragile unity is? Oftentimes it only takes well positioned words to evoke strong feelings which can lead to disunity. Another is gossip which is the number one most poisonous instrument for the death of communities. But why is gossip even allowed to begin? How does it start? Does it not stem from one who is highly insecure about him or herself? It might even be a means to an end, a malicious intent. How will it perpetuate if no one listens? Or is not passed on?

All communities focused and centred on our Lord Jesus Christ, who come regularly together to be nourished by His Word, to pray and to adore Him are those built on rock. These are communities which are completely one for Christ is one with them.

Jesus our Lord and our God, may we truly be one in You as You are One with our Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

First reading

Acts 22:30,23:6-11 †
‘You have borne witness in Jerusalem: now you must do the same in Rome’

Since the tribune wanted to know what precise charge the Jews were bringing, he freed Paul and gave orders for a meeting of the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin; then he brought Paul down and stood him in front of them. Now Paul was well aware that one section was made up of Sadducees and the other of Pharisees, so he called out in the Sanhedrin, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.’ As soon as he said this a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was split between the two parties. For the Sadducees say there is neither resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, while the Pharisees accept all three. The shouting grew louder, and some of the scribes from the Pharisees’ party stood up and protested strongly, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?’ Feeling was running high, and the tribune, afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered his troops to go down and haul him out and bring him into the fortress.
Next night, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome.’

Gospel

John 17:20-26
Father, may they be completely one

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

‘Holy Father,
I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me
to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.’

O Holy Spirit come! Open our hearts and minds so that we may know the sanctity of our faith in our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

There is much evil in the world that seeks disunity amongst Christians, race and religion. And it wants to rob us of our human dignity and our heavenly inheritance as children of God our Father. There are so many varied ways that it tries to do so, by, lies, propaganda, pornography, promises of honour, riches and so on. That is why both Jesus and St Paul reminds us to be on guard that while we live in the world, we are not of the world. Through our baptism we have been made Holy, set apart for the glory of God. And while we will face many difficulties and challenges in holding on to the truth and sharing it with others, we will have the Holy Spirit with us to guide us through. Love of God in our hearts, coupled by our love for brethren put into action by our humble servitude; illuminates His sanctifying grace upon us.

Lord Jesus I consecrate myself to Your sacred heart. Amen

First reading

Acts 20:28-38 †
I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, and its power

Paul addressed these words to the elders of the church of Ephesus:
‘Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. So be on your guard, remembering how night and day for three years I never failed to keep you right, shedding tears over each one of you. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace that has power to build you up and to give you your inheritance among all the sanctified.
‘I have never asked anyone for money or clothes; you know for yourselves that the work I did earned enough to meet my needs and those of my companions. I did this to show you that this is how we must exert ourselves to support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said, “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”’
When he had finished speaking he knelt down with them all and prayed. By now they were all in tears; they put their arms round Paul’s neck and kissed him; what saddened them most was his saying they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

Gospel

John 17:11-19
Father, keep those you have given me true to your name

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

‘Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us.
While I was with them,I kept those you had given me true to your name.
I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost, and this was to fulfil the scriptures.
But now I am coming to you and while still in the world I say these things to share my joy with them to the full.
I passed your word on to them, and the world hated them, because they belong to the world no more than I belong to the world.
I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one.
They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.’

To know the Holy Trinity on a deep personal basis, is what convicts us to share the Glory of the one living God with others. That eternal life, through the gates of heaven has indeed been opened for all of us who believe in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And if we truly believe and live in the power and love of our resurrected Lord why then should we ever fear death?

For it is only through death that we can walk into the heavenly light of Christ. Through death we partake in the Heavenly Banquet with the Lamb of God at His table. We are one with Him as He is one with us for all eternity. We are once again reunited with all the Saints who have gone before us and we stand together in divine praise and worship of the Lord our God who rules both Heaven and earth. So as St Paul rightfully declared “O Death where is your victory, O where is you sting?” 1 Cor 1:55

If we fear death it is because we have not fully embraced the reality that we are created in the image and likeness of God our Father, and because He loves us with an everlasting love He sent His only Begotten to save us from all sin. And through Him we have eternal life. Christ has already conquered death once for all. He reigns victorious!

Lord Jesus Christ my Lord and my God, grant that I may always live in the light of Your resurrection now and forever. Amen

First reading

Acts 20:17-27 †
I have without faltering put before you the whole of God’s purpose

From Miletus Paul sent for the elders of the church of Ephesus. When they arrived he addressed these words to them:
‘You know what my way of life has been ever since the first day I set foot among you in Asia, how I have served the Lord in all humility, with all the sorrows and trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. I have not hesitated to do anything that would be helpful to you; I have preached to you, and instructed you both in public and in your homes, urging both Jews and Greeks to turn to God and to believe in our Lord Jesus.
‘And now you see me a prisoner already in spirit; I am on my way to Jerusalem, but have no idea what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit, in town after town, has made it clear enough that imprisonment and persecution await me. But life to me is not a thing to waste words on, provided that when I finish my race I have carried out the mission the Lord Jesus gave me – and that was to bear witness to the Good News of God’s grace.
‘I now feel sure that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will ever see my face again. And so here and now I swear that my conscience is clear as far as all of you are concerned, for I have without faltering put before you the whole of God’s purpose.’

Gospel

John 17:1-11
Father, it is time for you to glorify me

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

‘Father, the hour has come: glorify your Son
so that your Son may glorify you; and, through the power over all mankind that you have given him, let him give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him.
And eternal life is this:to know you,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
I have glorified you on earth and finished the work that you gave me to do.
Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me with that glory I had with you
before ever the world was.
I have made your name known to the men you took from the world to give me.
They were yours and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now at last they know that all you have given me comes indeed from you; for I have given them the teaching you gave to me,
and they have truly accepted this, that I came from you, and have believed that it was you who sent me.
I pray for them;
I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they belong to you: all I have is yours and all you have is mine, and in them I am glorified.
I am not in the world any longer, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you.’

How different are we from the Apostles before Pentecost? We say we believe but when faced with a crisis we shut down. Become disillusioned even despondent. How have we held on to the promises of Christ? That is why it is important to live in the Spirit. To allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and to remind us in moments of great difficulty that our Lord Jesus Christ is with us through it all and He will never abandon us.

Sadly there are many who have not encountered the Holy Spirit in a real and tangible way. And even if they had, they do not have the faith and believe to hold on to that encounter. They allow their pessimistic skepticism to take over and convince themselves that it was all in their head to begin with. All of us had received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at our baptism and then again at confirmation unless of course both was done together at the same time. However unless we continue to live out our Baptismal promises and mission post confirmation all that we had received can be lost! Same applies to those who have had a renewal in the Spirit through LISS,CER or some other Spirit filled retreat. Hence it is important to continue to strive and live in the Spirit. To pray, fast, embrace the Word daily and live out grace filled Sacramental lives through the frequent reception of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.

Lord Jesus You have indeed conquered the world and because of this reality I have nothing to fear. Bless me Lord so that I may live according to Your will and in the Spirit. Amen

First reading

Acts 19:1-8 †
The moment Paul laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul made his way overland as far as Ephesus, where he found a number of disciples. When he asked, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ they answered, ‘No, we were never even told there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.’ ‘Then how were you baptised?’ he asked. ‘With John’s baptism’ they replied. ‘John’s baptism’ said Paul ‘was a baptism of repentance; but he insisted that the people should believe in the one who was to come after him – in other words, Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the moment Paul had laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak with tongues and to prophesy. There were about twelve of these men.
He began by going to the synagogue, where he spoke out boldly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. He did this for three months.

Gospel

John 16:29-33
Be brave, for I have conquered the world

His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them:

‘Do you believe at last?
Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already – when you will be scattered, each going his own way and leaving me alone.
And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but be brave: I have conquered the world.’

Instead of praying for personal wealth, health, position and so on. Why not instead pray to overcome the inertia of growing in faith and love? Pray for the heart of a disciple to follow after Christ. To be a powerful instrument of His grace for others. To live His Word and to share it with others. Pray to be given the opportunity to serve the poor and downtrodden. No one who have prayed these, have had their prayers gone unanswered!

Prayers such as these come from having entered into a deep personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ; through His Word by keeping it close to our hearts. And our response to His Word will be one of love shown by the depths of our very own words and actions. Having prayed in the presence of the Lord our God, will we ever have need of an answer? Something to ponder more deeply on…

Lord Jesus I am a child of God so loved by my Heavenly Father. Let your Will be done for me. Amen

First reading

Acts 18:23-28 †
Apollos demonstrated from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ

Paul came down to Antioch, where he spent a short time before continuing his journey through the Galatian country and then through Phrygia, encouraging all the followers.
An Alexandrian Jew named Apollos now arrived in Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, with a sound knowledge of the scriptures, and yet, though he had been given instruction in the Way of the Lord and preached with great spiritual earnestness and was accurate in all the details he taught about Jesus, he had only experienced the baptism of John. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak boldly in the synagogue, they took an interest in him and gave him further instruction about the Way.
When Apollos thought of crossing over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote asking the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived there he was able by God’s grace to help the believers considerably by the energetic way he refuted the Jews in public and demonstrated from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Gospel

John 16:23-28
The Father loves you for loving me and believing that I came from God

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I tell you most solemnly, anything you ask for from the Father he will grant in my name.
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.
Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete.
I have been telling you all this in metaphors, the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in metaphors; but tell you about the Father in plain words.
When that day comes you will ask in my name; and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you, because the Father himself loves you for loving me and believing that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world and now I leave the world to go to the Father.’