Formation, after formation, retreat after retreat, Eucharistic celebration after Eucharistic Celebration. How much have we grown in our love for our Lord? Importantly how much have we grown in our love for His children our brethren? How many hearts have we led to conversion to Him? Are our children, our spouse, father, mother, relatives following after our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Are we ministering to the poor, the outcast in society? The sick and suffering?
Lord let fire of Your love burn bright and hot within me, that I may kindle the fire within those You sent me to. That we may all as One take up our cross and follow after You, to Your glory. Amen
Saint Bonaventure, pray for us…
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First reading
Isaiah 1:10-17 ·
Take your wrongdoing out of my sight
Hear 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.’
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Gospel
Matthew 10:34-11:1
It is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword
Jesus 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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