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We read today’s first reading and many would probably not like the term St Paul uses which says that we have been made slaves to God! As though somehow we become puppets and lose our free will. Nothing is further from the truth!

We live free from the burden of sin, free from guilt, free from addiction. Free to live life to the full in Him, we peace, love and joy in our hearts.

Think about it, many are slaves to television, workaholicsm, drink, games, pornography, Gambling and so on. Things of the world which the evil one uses to distract us from what is good and Holy unto the Lord our God.

So let all of us who choose to be a slave of God, unite as One in Him, making every effort to meet for prayer, healing and deliverance. We praise, worship and minister to one another as we make our pilgrim journey home to Him. Setting hearts ablaze for love of Him as we go. Amen

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First reading
Romans 6:19-23 ·

Now you are set free from sin, and slaves to God

If I may use human terms to help your natural weakness: as once you put your bodies at the service of vice and immorality, so now you must put them at the service of righteousness for your sanctification.
    When you were slaves of sin, you felt no obligation to righteousness, and what did you get from this? Nothing but experiences that now make you blush, since that sort of behaviour ends in death. Now, however, you have been set free from sin, you have been made slaves of God, and you get a reward leading to your sanctification and ending in eternal life. For the wage paid by sin is death; the present given by God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Gospel
Luke 12:49-53

How I wish it were blazing already!

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