We have all been given many varied gifts from the Lord, our God, to build His church. Many have already put these gifts into action. However, the most precious and greatest gift from God, our Heavenly Father, is His son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through Him alone, we receive mercy, love, and salvation.
Today, with all our blessings and the graces we have received, we look out into our mission field, to all those He has sent our way. We have received freely, and so we shall give freely. Our goal is to always glorify the Lord by our lives, now and forever more. Amen.
Saint Martin de Porres, pray for us…
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First reading
Romans 11:29-36
God never takes back his gifts
God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.
Just as you changed from being disobedient to God, and now enjoy mercy because of their disobedience, so those who are disobedient now – and only because of the mercy shown to you – will also enjoy mercy eventually. God has imprisoned all men in their own disobedience only to show mercy to all mankind.
How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything?
All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.
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Gospel
Luke 14:12-14
Do not invite those who might be able to invite you back
Jesus said to his host, one of the leading Pharisees, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’
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