We cannot buy our way into heaven, neither can we pay our way out for having sinned through love offerings, candles, donations and so on. The only way we are saved is through our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Therefore only a contrite heart desiring to place Jesus above all will allow us full reconciliation and communion with Him.
Because the Lord our God who loves us ever so dearly gives us His all, He likewise demands we give Him our all. It is in this mutual exchange that we truly have life to the full. Being in full union with Him therefore also means we must be in full union with one another. Afterall we are One Body In Him. This is adds a greater dimension for us, when the Lord says, ‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.
‘Lord Jesus You are my all in all. Amen
First reading
Isaiah 1:10-17 ·Take your wrongdoing out of my sightHear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the command of our God,you people of Gomorrah.‘What are your endless sacrifices to me?says the Lord. I am sick of holocausts of rams and the fat of calves.The blood of bulls and of goats revolts me.When you come to present yourselves before me, who asked you to trample over my courts?Bring me your worthless offerings no more,the smoke of them fills me with disgust.New Moons, sabbaths, assemblies – I cannot endure festival and solemnity.Your New Moons and your pilgrimages I hate with all my soul. They lie heavy on me,I am tired of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands I turn my eyes away.You may multiply your prayers, I shall not listen. Your hands are covered with blood,wash, make yourselves clean.‘Take your wrong-doing out of my sight.
Cease to do evil.Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow.’
Gospel
Matthew 10:34-11:1It is not peace I have come to bring, but a swordJesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be those of his own household. ‘Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. ‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me. ‘Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man’s reward. ‘If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’ When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.
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