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.’
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