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Are we ready to be sent into the world to spread the message of God’s love for His children? To share in the joy that the gate to heaven has been opened for us and we can live this very day in the Lord our God’s presence. To heal and restore what was lost in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

How can we be ready if we choose sin over a life of prayer and abstinence? Over worldly pleasures in place of seeking to do the will of God? When our minds are consumed by social media, television, movies, games over the word of God? How then do we change?

While there is still breath in you there is little time left to make a difference. For our life here is fleeting just as the short term happiness some might receive from indulging in the pleasures the world offers. Turn to our Lord Jesus Christ and be set free from all vice and addictions. Make a commitment to live a grace filled life through prayer, constantly seeking to grow in Holiness. Then together with our sisters and brothers in Christ we will lead others to the joy and peace to be found in Him alone. Amen

First reading

Hebrews 12:18-19,21-24 †
You have come to Mount Zion and the city of the living God

What you have come to is nothing known to the senses: not a blazing fire, or a gloom turning to total darkness, or a storm; or trumpeting thunder or the great voice speaking which made everyone that heard it beg that no more should be said to them. The whole scene was so terrible that Moses said: I am afraid, and was trembling with fright. But what you have come to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival, with the whole Church in which everyone is a ‘first-born son’ and a citizen of heaven. You have come to God himself, the supreme Judge, and been placed with spirits of the saints who have been made perfect; and to Jesus, the mediator who brings a new covenant and a blood for purification which pleads more insistently than Abel’s.

Gospel

Mark 6:7-13
‘Take nothing with you’

Jesus made a tour round the villages, teaching. Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, ‘Do not take a spare tunic.’ And he said to them, ‘If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.

Yes we are all called to share the joy of the Gospel with others. But in order to do so there must be joy in our hearts that can only come from the in dwelling of God’s love from within. This only takes place when we have a desire to grow in our love and relationship with the Lord our God through His Word. Through the dedication of having a prayer and sacramental life. Then we are ready to be humbled and taught by our Lord Jesus Christ. He will hold us up when we fall or fail. Through His guidance the seeds we sow will sprout.

Many will see the changes in you and want to have what you have. The inner peace and joy that comes with the presence of the Lord. These will listen to you when you share. Likewise there will be many who are not convinced and will reject what you say or do. Love them nonetheless and over time their hearts may change but even if it does not, you would have done the Lord’s bidding and are at peace.

Teach me Lord to walk always Your way, truth and life. Amen

First reading

Hebrews 12:4-7,11-15
God is training you as his sons

In the fight against sin, you have not yet had to keep fighting to the point of death.
Have you forgotten that encouraging text in which you are addressed as sons? My son, when the Lord corrects you, do not treat it lightly; but do not get discouraged when he reprimands you. For the Lord trains the ones that he loves and he punishes all those that he acknowledges as his sons. Suffering is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him? Of course, any punishment is most painful at the time, and far from pleasant; but later, in those on whom it has been used, it bears fruit in peace and goodness. So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread; then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow strong again.
Always be wanting peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord. Be careful that no one is deprived of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness should begin to grow and make trouble; this can poison a whole community.

Gospel

Mark 6:1-6
‘A prophet is only despised in his own country’

Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Yes it is a struggle day by day to to resist sin, to resist the lures of temptation that leads to sin. To cope with the stress that comes with each passing day many turn to cigarettes, drink even drugs. And so the temple of the Holy Spirit which once resides is slowly destroyed from within! Why not turn to our Lord Jesus Christ instead? He had afterall invited us to come to Him when we were weary and over burdened;and He promised to give us rest.

Jesus can restore the life slowly being drained from us. Or restore life where there was none in us. For He is the fount of life itself. Let us turn to Him in faith and hear His gentle voice saying, “Your faith my son, my daughter has saved you. Arise to new life in me” Amen alleluia!

First reading
Hebrews 12:1-4 †
We should keep running steadily in the race we have started.

With so many witnesses in a great cloud on every side of us, we too, then, should throw off everything that hinders us, especially the sin that clings so easily, and keep running steadily in the race we have started. Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which was still in the future, he endured the cross, disregarding the shamefulness of it, and from now on has taken his place at the right of God’s throne. Think of the way he stood such opposition from sinners and then you will not give up for want of courage. In the fight against sin, you have not yet had to keep fighting to the point of death.

Gospel
Mark 5:21-43
Little girl, I tell you to get up

When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.
Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she spent all she had without being any the better for it, in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his cloak. ‘If I can touch even his clothes,’ she had told herself ‘I shall be well again.’ And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ His disciples said to him, ‘You see how the crowd is pressing round you and yet you say, “Who touched me?”’ But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. ‘My daughter,’ he said ‘your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.’
While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?’ But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith.’ And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the official’s house and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha, kum!’ which means, ‘Little girl, I tell you to get up.’ The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At this they were overcome with astonishment, and he ordered them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.

Many of the saints in the old testament faithfully bore witness to the Lord our God by laying down their lives for Him. They did not share in the same hope as we do in rising with our Lord Jesus Christ, yet they trusted in the promises of God our Father. For they had faith in the living God who will never abandon them. We are called to have such heroic faith.

For even if we walk in the valley of darkness, no evil shall we fear. For we have Jesus our Lord and saviour who has conquered death by our side with us. He who rules heaven and earth. Therefore so we can praise and Glorify Him by sharing His love with others who are still living in darkness and sin. So that He can free them to share in the same peace and love we have through Him.

Praise and glory be to our Lord Jesus Christ now and forever. Amen

First reading

Hebrews 11:32-40

Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets – these were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what is right and earned the promises. They could keep a lion’s mouth shut, put out blazing fires and emerge unscathed from battle. They were weak people who were given strength, to be brave in war and drive back foreign invaders. Some came back to their wives from the dead, by resurrection; and others submitted to torture, refusing release so that they would rise again to a better life. Some had to bear being pilloried and flogged, or even chained up in prison. They were stoned, or sawn in half, or beheaded; they were homeless, and dressed in the skins of sheep and goats; they were penniless and were given nothing but ill-treatment. They were too good for the world and they went out to live in deserts and mountains and in caves and ravines. These are all heroes of faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had made provision for us to have something better, and they were not to reach perfection except with us.

Gospel

Mark 5:1-20
The Gadarene swine

Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me!’ – for Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’ ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘My name is legion,’ he answered ‘for there are many of us.’ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district.
Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs, let us go into them.’ So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake, and there they were drowned. The swineherds ran off and told their story in the town and in the country round about; and the people came to see what had really happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid. And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs. Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him. Jesus would not let him but said to him, ‘Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.’ So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

The fertile soil of our faith was so enriched, and the seeds of sacrifice planted by the precious blood of the Martyrs. They trusted in the Lord and knew that their suffering was only for a moment till they spent eternity in paradise with our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. He who laid down His life for His friends, welcomed His friends into heaven. We can now rest in the enormous shade of the mustard tree. The mustard tree of our faith and in the arms of Him who shelters us.

Are we all called to die a heroic Martyrs death? No, there are many Saints who have gone before us whom sacrificed their lives for Christ and brethren in so many varied ways that did not involve a Martyrs death. Still in a deep sense they died for their faith.

Let us take courage, trust in our ever faithful lord, and sow the seeds of love through the joy of the Gospel. Amen

First reading

Hebrews 10:32-39 †
We are the sort who keep faithful

Remember all the sufferings that you had to meet after you received the light, in earlier days; sometimes by being yourselves publicly exposed to insults and violence, and sometimes as associates of others who were treated in the same way. For you not only shared in the sufferings of those who were in prison, but you happily accepted being stripped of your belongings, knowing that you owned something that was better and lasting. Be as confident now, then, since the reward is so great. You will need endurance to do God’s will and gain what he has promised.

Only a little while now, a very little while,
and the one that is coming will have come; he will not delay.
The righteous man will live by faith,
but if he draws back, my soul will take no pleasure in him.

You and I are not the sort of people who draw back, and are lost by it; we are the sort who keep faithful until our souls are saved.

Gospel

Mark 4:26-34
The kingdom of God is a mustard seed growing into the biggest shrub of all

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’
He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’
Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.

When will you begin to grow deeper in love with the word of God? When will you stop putting off reading and reflecting on the scriptures given to you in love? Are the pleasures of the world, the distractions, the games, the work more important than the word. The Word made flesh, who dwelt among us so that we might enter into a personal relationship with Him. With whom had come to save us from our sins now and forever.

Too hard you say? Perhaps you had begun as though you were reading a magazine, comic, or book. No! the precious Word of God must begin with prayer. It is through a prayerful reading of the word that we enter into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. We enter into the realm of the heavenly Kingdom. How much fruit we bear is dependent on how much we have prepared our hearts to receive Him. Are we leading sacramental lives? Going for regularly the Sacrament of reconciliation, receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Are we striving for Holiness? Are we loving others as we should?

Lord open my heart to receive You according to Your will. Through the Holy Spirit grant be the joy of bearing much fruit for You. Amen

First reading

Hebrews 10:11-18 †
Jesus achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctifying

All the priests stand at their duties every day, offering over and over again the same sacrifices which are quite incapable of taking sins away. He, on the other hand, has offered one single sacrifice for sins, and then taken his place forever, at the right hand of God, where he is now waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for him. By virtue of that one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctifying. The Holy Spirit assures us of this; for he says, first:

This is the covenant I will make with them
when those days arrive;

and the Lord then goes on to say:

I will put my laws into their hearts
and write them on their minds.
I will never call their sins to mind,
or their offences.

When all sins have been forgiven, there can be no more sin offerings.

Gospel

Mark 4:1-20
The parable of the sower

Jesus began to teach by the lakeside, but such a huge crowd gathered round him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there. The people were all along the shore, at the water’s edge. He taught them many things in parables, and in the course of his teaching he said to them, ‘Listen! Imagine a sower going out to sow. Now it happened that, as he sowed, some of the seed fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground where it found little soil and sprang up straightaway, because there was no depth of earth; and when the sun came up it was scorched and, not having any roots, it withered away. Some seed fell into thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no crop. And some seeds fell into rich soil and, growing tall and strong, produced crop; and yielded thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!’
When he was alone, the Twelve, together with the others who formed his company, asked what the parables meant. He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you, but to those who are outside everything comes in parables, so that they may see and see again, but not perceive; may hear and hear again, but not understand; otherwise they might be converted and be forgiven.’
He said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? What the sower is sowing is the word. Those on the edge of the path where the word is sown are people who have no sooner heard it than Satan comes and carries away the word that was sown in them. Similarly, those who receive the seed on patches of rock are people who, when first they hear the word, welcome it at once with joy. But they have no root in them, they do not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, they fall away at once. Then there are others who receive the seed in thorns. These have heard the word, but the worries of this world, the lure of riches and all the other passions come in to choke the word, and so it produces nothing. And there are those who have received the seed in rich soil: they hear the word and accept it and yield a harvest, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’

Have you not met a sister or brother in Christ and just love being in their company. The exude peace and love and they are joyful to be with. The spirit of God is with them for they strive to do His will.

And that is why we must strive to do God our Father’s will for us. It is about saying Yes to the relationship He wants to have with us. Jesus then becomes for us the way, the truth and the life! Someone we can embrace in times of difficulty. We begin to see more clearly and profoundly that the will of God is love.

Here I am Lord, I’ve come to do Your will. Amen

First reading

Hebrews 10:1-10 †
Christ’s self-offering sanctifies us

Since the Law has no more than a reflection of these realities, and no finished picture of them, it is quite incapable of bringing the worshippers to perfection, with the same sacrifices repeatedly offered year after year. Otherwise, the offering of them would have stopped, because the worshippers, when they had been purified once, would have no awareness of sins. Instead of that, the sins are recalled year after year in the sacrifices. Bulls’ blood and goats’ blood are useless for taking away sins, and this is what he said, on coming into the world:

You who wanted no sacrifice or oblation,
prepared a body for me.
You took no pleasure in holocausts or sacrifices for sin;
then I said,
just as I was commanded in the scroll of the book,
‘God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will.’

Notice that he says first: You did not want what the Law lays down as the things to be offered, that is: the sacrifices, the oblations, the holocausts and the sacrifices for sin, and you took no pleasure in them; and then he says: Here I am! I am coming to obey your will. He is abolishing the first sort to replace it with the second. And this will was for us to be made holy by the offering of his body made once and for all by Jesus Christ.

Gospel

Mark 3:31-35
Who are my mother and my brothers? Those that do the will of God

The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’

God our Father who loved us dearly made a promise to save us and draw us all unto Him, we belong to Him the sheep of His flock. This promise was fulfilled through His Son our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

To say our sins are too great for Him to take away, or say anything against the Holy Spirit who is God Himself, His workings through His chosen ones is in itself a grave sin! How different is it from calling God a liar and His works deceitful?

Let us be mindful to walk always in the Spirit to praise and Glorify the one living God by our lives. To share in the joy of the Lord who freed our contrite hearts from all sin. So that we can live fully in His love. Glory and Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ now and forever. Amen

First reading

Hebrews 9:15,24-28 †
Christ offers himself only once to take on the faults of many

Christ brings a new covenant, as the mediator, only so that the people who were called to an eternal inheritance may actually receive what was promised: his death took place to cancel the sins that infringed the earlier covenant. It is not as though Christ had entered a man-made sanctuary which was only modelled on the real one; but it was heaven itself, so that he could appear in the actual presence of God on our behalf. And he does not have to offer himself again and again, like the high priest going into the sanctuary year after year with the blood that is not his own, or else he would have had to suffer over and over again since the world began. Instead of that, he has made his appearance once and for all, now at the end of the last age, to do away with sin by sacrificing himself. Since men only die once, and after that comes judgement, so Christ, too, offers himself only once to take the faults of many on himself, and when he appears a second time, it will not be to deal with sin but to reward with salvation those who are waiting for him.

Gospel

Mark 3:22-30
A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand

The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house.
‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’

Today in this day and age of technological advancement, where there are so many different modes of communication which can reach masses, why have many still not heard the wonders of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ? Why have they not come in droves to be in His presence in our churches? To be touched and healed? To have their lives transformed by Him so that they live new lives in love, peace and joy?

Are our spirits unclean that we have remained silent? That we cannot praise and Glorify His name?

Come now sister and brother in Christ, the love we have for Jesus in our hearts should be bursting to the the point we cannot but share His love both in word and in deed with everyone we meet. We will use whatever means we have to communicate and share our testimonies of His great love and mercy. To share in the joy of the Gospel.

For Jesus had come to redeem us, so that we can be fully reconciled with God our Heavenly Father. By His life, death and resurrection we have hope of eternal life with Him. Can such a joyous and wonderful message be kept contained within your hearts? No! Let us share in the joy of our Risen Lord with one and all. Amen

St Francis De Sales pray for us…

First reading

Hebrews 7:25-8:6
He has offered sacrifice once and for all by offering himself

The power of Jesus to save is utterly certain, since he is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God through him.
To suit us, the ideal high priest would have to be holy, innocent and uncontaminated, beyond the influence of sinners, and raised up above the heavens; one who would not need to offer sacrifices every day, as the other high priests do for their own sins and then for those of the people, because he has done this once and for all by offering himself. The Law appoints high priests who are men subject to weakness; but the promise on oath, which came after the Law, appointed the Son who is made perfect for ever.
The great point of all that we have said is that we have a high priest of exactly this kind. He has his place at the right of the throne of divine Majesty in the heavens, and he is the minister of the sanctuary and of the true Tent of Meeting which the Lord, and not any man, set up. It is the duty of every high priest to offer gifts and sacrifices, and so this one too must have something to offer. In fact, if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are others who make the offerings laid down by the Law and these only maintain the service of a model or a reflection of the heavenly realities. For Moses, when he had the Tent to build, was warned by God who said: See that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
We have seen that he has been given a ministry of a far higher order, and to the same degree it is a better covenant of which he is the mediator, founded on better promises.

Gospel

Mark 3:7-12
He warned them not to make him known as the Son of God

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, and great crowds from Galilee followed him. From Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, Transjordania and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him. And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed. For he had cured so many that all who were afflicted in any way were crowding forward to touch him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, would fall down before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he warned them strongly not to make him known.

Do we take after our Lord Jesus whom we love and serve? By leading all men and women into the peace and joy to be found in Him.

Or do we instead follow blindly the letter of the law and insists that everyone follow likewise else they be ostracised! What then was the Spirit of the law for which they were written? Was it not out of love for humanity that these were written?

Let us bring all our withered parts to our Lord to be restored and made whole. Those withered by our sins and sinful desires, our unforgiveness, our self righteousness, our indifference to the needs of others, our harmful thoughts, words and deeds against another.

O King of peace, Jesus our Lord reign in our hearts. Let us grow to be more and more like You each and everyday. Amen

First reading

Hebrews 7:1-3,15-17
You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek, for ever

You remember that Melchizedek, king of Salem, a priest of God Most High, went to meet Abraham who was on his way back after defeating the kings, and blessed him; and also that it was to him that Abraham gave a tenth of all that he had. By the interpretation of his name, he is, first, ‘king of righteousness’ and also king of Salem, that is, ‘king of peace’; he has no father, mother or ancestry, and his life has no beginning or ending; he is like the Son of God. He remains a priest for ever.
This becomes even more clearly evident when there appears a second Melchizedek, who is a priest not by virtue of a law about physical descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For it was about him that the prophecy was made: You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek, and for ever.

Gospel

Mark 3:1-6
Is it against the law on the sabbath day to save life?

Jesus went into a synagogue, and there was a man there who had a withered hand. And they were watching him to see if he would cure him on the sabbath day, hoping for something to use against him. He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up out in the middle!’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it against the law on the sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?’ But they said nothing. Then, grieved to find them so obstinate, he looked angrily round at them, and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out and his hand was better. The Pharisees went out and at once began to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him.

What faith will our Lord Jesus Christ find in us today? The kind of faith that puts our love for Him, for brethren into action through corporal and spiritual works of mercy? Faith that compels us to share the joy of the Gospel with others? Nothing will please Him more but will He find in us such faith?

Our faith cannot be one of lip service. Nor can it be one solely on endless petitions! Neither can it be one isolated from community. For we were made to love and be loved. For God is love. Therefore our faith must speak to the love of God, for while we were still sinners;our Lord Jesus Christ came to redeem us for His own. To free us from all sin and to restore us as rightful heirs to the Kingdom of God our Father through His only Begotten Son.

Together let us pray…

O Lord look not on our sins but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

First reading

Hebrews 4:1-5,11 †
None of you has come too late for God’s promise

Be careful: the promise of reaching the place of rest that God had for the Israelites still holds good, and none of you must think that he has come too late for it. We received the Good News exactly as they did; but hearing the message did them no good because they did not share the faith of those who listened. We, however, who have faith, shall reach a place of rest, as in the text: And so, in anger, I swore that not one would reach the place of rest I had for them. God’s work was undoubtedly all finished at the beginning of the world; as one text says, referring to the seventh day: After all his work God rested on the seventh day. The text we are considering says: They shall not reach the place of rest I had for them. We must therefore do everything we can to reach this place of rest, or some of you might copy this example of disobedience and be lost.

Gospel

Mark 2:1-12
The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, ‘How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?’ Jesus, inwardly aware that this was what they were thinking, said to them, ‘Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” or to say, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he turned to the paralytic – ‘I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’

The work we do to earn a living should always have the Lord our God in the centre of it all. For by the work of our hands we can glorify Him as we ought. More so the work we do in our Parish communities, ministries, Parish Council and so on. The focus should never be about the work itself. It must always be about building the kingdom of God and leading one another to greater Holiness. Hence are we praying together? Are we sharing the Word? Are we helping to form one another by teaching what we have learned through our shepherds, inspired works or church doctrine?

Our Lord Jesus Christ led by example. He showed us that no matter how busy He was or was going to be, He would always go to a quiet place to be alone with God our Father in prayer. For it is by the Grace of God our Father that we are renewed, nourished and strengthened. While Jesus healed and taught, His primary focus was to build the kingdom of God His Father by preaching the Word.

Lord Jesus Christ, You shared in all things and in all ways our humanity. And again You share Your divinity with us through the Holy Eucharist. Let us be nourished and strengthened to always do Your will for us. May our focus always be about the reign of God in our lives and building Your Kingdom. Amen

First reading

Hebrews 2:14-18 †
He took to himself descent from Abraham

Since all the children share the same blood and flesh, Christ too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil, who had power over death, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself descent from Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers so that he could be a compassionate and trustworthy high priest of God’s religion, able to atone for human sins. That is, because he has himself been through temptation he is able to help others who are tempted.

Gospel

Mark 1:29-39
He cast out devils and cured many who were suffering from disease

On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.

O Miserable wretched soul turn to Jesus and He will Heal you, He will set you free. He is waiting to embrace you in your misery. He wants to restore you and give you hope. For this is the heart of our loving God. That even if a believer in Him dies, he/she will rise again fully restored to live eternally in His love.

We have heard God our Heavenly Father declare…

“This is my beloved Son whom I am well pleased.” and once again, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

The Martyrs, angels and Saints sing of His Glory!
There is no room for doubt.

Lord Jesus I believe, increase my ever growing faith. Amen

First reading

1 John 5:5-13
There are three witnesses: the Spirit and the water and the blood

Who can overcome the world?
Only the man who believes that Jesus is the Son of God:
Jesus Christ who came by water and blood, not with water only, but with water and blood; with the Spirit as another witness – since the Spirit is the truth – so that there are three witnesses,
the Spirit, the water and the blood, and all three of them agree.
We accept the testimony of human witnesses, but God’s testimony is much greater,
and this is God’s testimony,
given as evidence for his Son.
Everybody who believes in the Son of God has this testimony inside him; and anyone who will not believe God is making God out to be a liar,
because he has not trusted
the testimony God has given about his Son.
This is the testimony:
God has given us eternal life
and this life is in his Son;
anyone who has the Son has life,. anyone who does not have the Son does not have life.

I have written all this to you so that you who believe in the name of the Son of God
may be sure that you have eternal life.

Gospel

Luke 5:12-16
‘If you want to, you can cure me’

Jesus was in one of the towns when a man appeared, covered with leprosy. Seeing Jesus he fell on his face and implored him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘if you want to, you can cure me.’ Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, ‘Of course I want to! Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once. He ordered him to tell no one, ‘But go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering for your healing as Moses prescribed it, as evidence for them.’
His reputation continued to grow, and large crowds would gather to hear him and to have their sickness cured, but he would always go off to some place where he could be alone and pray.

If you say that you love God then you must put your love for Him into action. Otherwise it is only lip service. For if the love of God reigns in your heart then your faith in Him is alive and active. You will be moved to love and to serve. And witness the glory of God in all things.

Therefore strive for Holiness in all things. Let no deceit enter your heart. If tempted to sin, ask yourself this question. Do you love the sin more or do you love God more? Is your soul more valuable or the sin?

In all things let us love and give glory to the Lord our God. Amen

First reading

1 John 3:11-21
Our love is to be something real and active

This is the message
as you heard it from the beginning: that we are to love one another; not to be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and cut his brother’s throat;cut his brother’s throat simply for this reason, that his own life was evil and his brother lived a good life.
You must not be surprised, brothers, when the world hates you;we have passed out of death and into life,
and of this we can be sure
because we love our brothers.
If you refuse to love, you must remain dead; to hate your brother is to be a murderer, and murderers, as you know, do not have eternal life in them.
This has taught us love –
that he gave up his life for us; and we, too, ought to give up our lives for our brothers.
If a man who was rich enough in this world’s goods
saw that one of his brothers was in need, but closed his heart to him,
how could the love of God be living in him?
My children, our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real and active; only by this can we be certain that we are children of the truth and be able to quieten our conscience in his presence,
whatever accusations it may raise against us, because God is greater than our conscience and he knows everything.
My dear people, if we cannot be condemned by our own conscience, we need not be afraid in God’s presence.

Gospel

John 1:43-51
You will see heaven laid open, and the Son of Man

After Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, ‘Follow me.’ Philip came from the same town, Bethsaida, as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael. ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’

As I awaken to another quiet morning, I smile and say ‘Good Morning Lord’ and I roll myself out of bed. My knees touch the ground as I kneel down in front of my Lord, to give thanks. To thank Him for another day and another chance to do His Will and to be the best I can be. The cool morning refreshes me, as I bow my head to pray.

Not every morning has been like this though. Not all of my mornings have begun in prayer and thanksgiving. Not all of my mornings have been filled with the peace I feel today. In fact, for at least 20 years of my life, most of my mornings were filled with anger, pain and disappointment. Turn back the clock all those years, and you would have found a man without direction and with an ego and pride the size of this worship hall.

I had a happy childhood, was an altar server when I was younger. I was part of the Boy’s Brigade and excelled in sports while I was in school. Martial arts and soccer were 2 of my loves. However, in secondary school, without proper guidance and a lack of role models in my life, I started hanging out with the wrong crowd. I saw these rebellious kids and the influence they had over others and somehow, that appealed to me. Joining a gang and hanging out with these fellow ‘brothers’ showed me what life could be like. God started to have less and less of a place in my life; that spot was taken up by my new-found ‘friends’.

With these friends came many new experiences. I got sloshed for the first time when I was 16 years old. Being a shy guy who hated speaking in public, alcohol magically melted my fears away and provided me this new-found confidence which was addictive. The more alcohol I drank, the more confident I became. I didn’t care what it was doing to me. Being part of a gang was also about standing by your fellow members and showing others who was boss. The company I mixed around with got me into fights, some of which I started on my own lah. I was in an out-of-control spiral and I didn’t even know it. Education wasn’t something I cared about anymore. My family hardly saw me, as I busied myself with worldly pursuits.

This life that I had chosen for myself had almost got me killed a couple of times. It is honestly by the grace of God that I stand before you today, sharing my story. I had to hit absolute rock bottom; losing my then girlfriend, not doing well at my business, contemplating thoughts of suicide. I could have lost everything then.

But God had other plans for me. At the lowest point of my life, God sent me a sign. A sign that showed me that He knew I was suffering and that He was with me. He gave me a chance that I had not given myself. I just had to surrender to him. For a man who has depended on himself all his life, this was not an easy task. But my way had not worked out for me. What if I gave His way a chance?

It has been about 2 and a half years since I made the decision to lift everything to God. And boy, it hasn’t been easy. There was so much I had to work on. I had to stop depending on myself and learn to depend on Him. And in order to do that, I had to open my heart and be vulnerable. I had to learn the word of God, in order to understand Him better. I surrounded myself with like-minded people, all who were seeking to be better Christians.

What has God done for me in this short time? God has given me a new-found love for my fellow brothers and sisters and has given me a ministry so that I may grow and help others to find God as well. God has given me the mentorship of Father Terence, as I came back to the Church , after so many years of being away. God has given me the love of a woman who is also seeking to be a better Christian, so that we may grow together in holiness. God has given me the opportunity to go back to school and to work on getting my Masters; something I thought I would never get the opportunity to do as I was kicked out from university back in the day. God has given me wonderful gifts to connect with people and the confidence to stand up here and to speak to all of you, guided by His spirit.

So, why, you may ask, do I get down on my knees each and every morning, and give thanks to God?

I give thanks to God as He has given me so much, more than I could have ever imagined for myself. More than I feel I am worthy of receiving.

I give thanks to God for loving me, even before I learnt to love myself. Through my years of not taking care of myself, He was there, taking care of me.

I give thanks to God for entrusting me in a family, who have raised me and loved me and showed me how to be supportive.

I give thanks to God for always being present, for His patience and for sending me people who show me, each and every day, what it means to be a brother-in-Christ.

I give thanks to God for blessing me with communities of love and support, be it my church community and my family with Charmaine.

Most of all, I give thanks to God for giving me an opportunity to be an example. An example of how surrendering to the love of Christ and the Will of God, no matter how late in life, can change your life for the better and enrich you. For allowing me to take my past experiences and making them into a tool for the future.

And for all this, I will continue to praise and thank the Lord, every day.

I urge you my sisters and brothers to start the new year giving thanks every single day to remind us how blessed we are. When we start thanking God for the things we usually take for granted, our perspective changes. We will realize that we would not even exist without the merciful blessings of our Heavenly Father.

Tomorrow marks a brand-new year and incidentally my 41st birthday as well. My wish is for everyone to start each new day of the New Year with prayer. Trust God and everything will be good. He has a plan for all of us. And He loves us.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3:5-6

Please say a prayer for Patrick the author of this testimony.

🙏🏼❤️

The light of the world, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ came to take the darkness of sin away. He forgave us from the cross in which He hung, for the many sins which hurt Him;how then can we withhold forgiveness from those who have hurt us? How can we say we are in union with Him if we do not consecrate our hearts unto Him?

Let us therefore stand before our Lord, with love and mercy in our hearts. So that we can be made Holy unto Him through the forgiveness of our sins. To love and serve Him and our brethren with joy. Amen

Blessed Mother pray for us…

First reading

1 John 2:3-11
Anyone who loves his brother is living in the light

We can be sure that we know God only by keeping his commandments.
Anyone who says, ‘I know him’, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar,
refusing to admit the truth.
But when anyone does obey what he has said, God’s love comes to perfection in him.
We can be sure that we are in God only when the one who claims to be living in him
is living the same kind of life as Christ lived.
My dear people, this is not a new commandment that I am writing to tell you, but an old commandment that you were given from the beginning,
the original commandment which was the message brought to you.
Yet in another way, what I am writing to you, and what is being carried out in your lives as it was in his,
is a new commandment; because the night is over and the real light is already shining.
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the dark.
But anyone who loves his brother is living in the light and need not be afraid of stumbling; unlike the man who hates his brother and is in the darkness, not knowing where he is going, because it is too dark to see.

Gospel

Luke 2:22-35
‘You have prepared a light to enlighten the pagans’

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’

As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’

Having embarked on the solemn journey of staying awake and preparing the way of our Lord Jesus Christ through Advent, we can now fully rejoice that Emmanuel, The Prince of Peace reigns most profoundly in our hearts. We stand ready to greet Him with shouts of joyful praise and Adoration when He comes again.

Merry Christmas everyone, may His light shine on you and your loved ones. Now and forever. Amen

How well have we prepared ourselves and others for the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ this Advent? Is there joy in our hearts?

Nothing is more precious then souls who have turned back to the Lord our God. Conversion taken place from deep within. Such is the desire of our Lord that we are one united in Him. Happy are we who dwell in His presence!

Emmanuel…

First reading

Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4,9-12
The prophet Elijah will come again

The prophet Elijah arose like a fire,his word flaring like a torch.
It was he who brought famine on the people, and who decimated them in his zeal.
By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens, he also, three times, brought down fire.
How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah! Has anyone reason to boast as you have?
Taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses; designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob,
Happy shall they be who see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love.

Gospel

Matthew 17:10-13
Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him

As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.

Many of us live in ivory towers above the smells of poverty and despair. We are blind to the needs of the sick and downtrodden. So unless we belong to a Christian community grounded in Christ Jesus our Lord. We will go on our merry way thinking all is good in the world.

Our faith opens our eyes to see the least of our brethren. We tend to them the best we can. We see to their immediate needs. Most of all we lead them all to Christ by our love. For He alone can set them free from sin and restore them to life in the fullest. For He wills the good in us to shine forth. To be beacons for others.

Lord lead us to be a community of disciples ready to serve the needs of those starved of Your love and mercy. Seeing our faith in action may Your saving grace be upon them. Through Your most Holy name,Jesus. Amen

First reading

Isaiah 35:1-10
The return of the redeemed through the desert

Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom,
let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy.

The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God.

Strengthen all weary hands,
steady all trembling knees
and say to all faint hearts,
‘Courage! Do not be afraid.

‘Look, your God is coming,
vengeance is coming, the retribution of God;
he is coming to save you.’

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer
and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy; for water gushes in the desert, streams in the wasteland, the scorched earth becomes a lake, the parched land springs of water.

The lairs where the jackals used to live become thickets of reed and papyrus…

And through it will run a highway undefiled
which shall be called the Sacred Way; the unclean may not travel by it,
nor fools stray along it.

No lion will be there
nor any fierce beast roam about it, but the redeemed will walk there, for those the Lord has ransomed shall return.

They will come to Zion shouting for joy, everlasting joy on their faces;joy and gladness will go with them
and sorrow and lament be ended.

Gospel

Luke 5:17-26
‘Your sins are forgiven you: get up and walk’

Jesus was teaching one day, and among the audience there were Pharisees and doctors of the Law who had come from every village in Galilee, from Judaea and from Jerusalem. And the Power of the Lord was behind his works of healing. Then some men appeared, carrying on a bed a paralysed man whom they were trying to bring in and lay down in front of him. But as the crowd made it impossible to find a way of getting him in, they went up on to the flat roof and lowered him and his stretcher down through the tiles into the middle of the gathering, in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith he said, ‘My friend, your sins are forgiven you.’ The scribes and the Pharisees began to think this over. ‘Who is this man talking blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ But Jesus, aware of their thoughts, made them this reply, ‘What are these thoughts you have in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say, “Your sins are forgiven you” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralysed man – ‘I order you: get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.’ And immediately before their very eyes he got up, picked up what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
They were all astounded and praised God, and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen strange things today.’

Everyday is a new adventure in His love.

Rushed for morning Eucharist and just as I stepped into the Church Hall Fr Fred led the congregation in the opening hymn as there was trouble with the projector. And almost everyone knew the words to ‘Sing praises to the living God’

Found a seat towards the front and a sweet lady I had just met on Tuesday at the day of recollection, turned and greeted me and I her. She was going to the proclaim the word this morning.

Then after receiving communion and reflecting on the word, I sang to myself, “God is dwelling in my heart…” then lo and behold for the recessional hymn they started singing the same hymn.

Glory to God in the highest!
The day has just stated…..

Are we the Church where living waters flow? Out to the peripheries touching the aged, the poor, the sick, the handicapped, the outcasts. Where renewal and healing in Christ Jesus our Lord takes place. When we gather to worship with one heart, one voice, one body. Where we go forth as disciples bringing about more and greater disciples then ourselves. Are we then a vibrant, missionary and evangelistic church?

Have we removed the clutter from within us? The secular ways and thinking of the world? Have we emptied our hearts and minds of all worldly cares and concerns to prepare room for our Lord Jesus Christ. We must know that though we are many parts, we are one body. And each body of ours is Holy, each one of us carries within our bodies, the Holy Spirit. For in our body, which has been offered as a living sacrifice, God dwells. This is where the life of church begins. Blessed is our Church built upon the rock, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. We are one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

And so together with the, elders, angels and the saints we cry out Holy, Holy, Holy are You Lord! Now and forever. Amen

First reading

Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12
Wherever the water flows, it will bring life and health

The angel brought me to the entrance of the Temple, where a stream came out from under the Temple threshold and flowed eastwards, since the Temple faced east. The water flowed from under the right side of the Temple, south of the altar. He took me out by the north gate and led me right round outside as far as the outer east gate where the water flowed out on the right-hand side. He said, ‘This water flows east down to the Arabah and to the sea; and flowing into the sea it makes its waters wholesome. Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.’

Gospel

John 2:13-22
Destroy this sanctuary and in three days I will raise it up

Just before the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and in the Temple he found people selling cattle and sheep and pigeons, and the money changers sitting at their counters there. Making a whip out of some cord, he drove them all out of the Temple, cattle and sheep as well, scattered the money changers’ coins, knocked their tables over and said to the pigeon-sellers, ‘Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father’s house into a market.’ Then his disciples remembered the words of scripture: Zeal for your house will devour me. The Jews intervened and said, ‘What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?’ Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this sanctuary: are you going to raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body, and when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the words he had said.

Don’t call me a saint! I am a sinner! Why are we so quick to be called a sinner? Instead of recognising that we are called to be saints, given that at present; we are only saints in the making. By our baptism we have been set apart, made Holy and so we are already a step in the right direction. We should therefore affirm one another by recognising the Saint in us. Created in the image and likeness of God our Father.

Holiness or saintliness is not something we grow into by our own achievement. It is first embracing all of our humanity, with its trials, tribulations, human frailty and much more. And striving to elevate the life of another to God’s glory. Knowing full well that all we say or do is perfected only through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let us start living lives worthy of our calling. Turning away from all temptation and sin so that we live in the light of our Risen Lord. Let His face shine upon and through us to all we meet. Making disciples of all nations as we go along glorifying God by our lives. Then one day soon we will be reunited with all our sisters and brothers who had gone before us, to praise and glorify God in His presence.

All the Angels and Saints in heaven pray for us. Amen

First reading

Apocalypse 7:2-4,9-14
I saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language

I, John, saw another angel rising where the sun rises, carrying the seal of the living God; he called in a powerful voice to the four angels whose duty was to devastate land and sea, ‘Wait before you do any damage on land or at sea or to the trees, until we have put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.’ Then I heard how many were sealed: a hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel.
After that I saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; they were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands. They shouted aloud, ‘Victory to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ And all the angels who were standing in a circle round the throne, surrounding the elders and the four animals, prostrated themselves before the throne, and touched the ground with their foreheads, worshipping God with these words, ‘Amen. Praise and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.’
One of the elders then spoke, and asked me, ‘Do you know who these people are, dressed in white robes, and where they have come from?’ I answered him, ‘You can tell me, my lord.’ Then he said, ‘These are the people who have been through the great persecution, and they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb.’

Second reading

1 John 3:1-3
We shall be like God because we shall see him as he really is

Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us,by letting us be called God’s children; and that is what we are.
Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us.
My dear people, we are already the children of God
but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.
Surely everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ.

Gospel

Matthew 5:1-12a
How happy are the poor in spirit

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:

‘How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy the gentle:they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Happy those who mourn:they shall be comforted.
Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merciful:they shall have mercy shown them.
Happy the pure in heart:they shall see God.
Happy the peacemakers:they shall be called sons of God.
Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’

There is no such thing as a perfect parent neither is there a perfect child. Yet we must love each other in spite of our many flaws. For we are all children of God our Father who loves us. We must honour our father and mother because we had been entrusted to them to love and care for. Most sacrifice their lives to put food on the table, clothe and shelter us. They strive to be gentle and patient even though they may be constantly tested. They seek to bring us up in ways which are pleasing to God. As for those parents who choose to abandon their children, we must pray for God’s mercy upon them for their reckoning will be great. So children honour your father and mother in their old age. For you may be chosen by God to be a loving parent yourself one day.

To be First in the Kingdom of God is to do the Will of God. To walk on the narrow path of holiness and righteousness in Christ Jesus our Saviour.

We are last when we put ourselves first above all. When we refuse to turn away from sin and temptation. From pride and self righteousness. From opening our eyes to the needs of others, the poor and the oppressed. When we are not contrite, repentant and refuse the mercy of God through the sacraments He offers us. When we put family and friends ahead of doing His will for us. Most of all we are last when we fail to love;with His love. Amen

First reading

Ephesians 6:1-9
Duties in domestic life

Children, be obedient to your parents in the Lord – that is your duty. The commandment that has a promise attached to it is: Honour your father and mother, and the promise is: and you will prosper and have a long life in the land. And parents, never drive your children to resentment but in bringing them up correct them and guide them as the Lord does.
Slaves, be obedient to the men who are called your masters in this world, with deep respect and sincere loyalty, as you are obedient to Christ: not only when you are under their eye, as if you had only to please men, but because you are slaves of Christ and wholeheartedly do the will of God. Work hard and willingly, but do it for the sake of the Lord and not for the sake of men. You can be sure that everyone, whether a slave or a free man, will be properly rewarded by the Lord for whatever work he has done well. And those of you who are employers, treat your slaves in the same spirit; do without threats, remembering that they and you have the same Master in heaven and he is not impressed by one person more than by another.

Gospel

Luke 13:22-30
The last shall be first and the first last

Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.
‘Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, “Lord, open to us” but he will answer, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will find yourself saying, “We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets” but he will reply, “I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men!”
‘Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside. And men from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
‘Yes, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last.’

How Blessed I am indeed, that a sister in Christ from another denomination would light a candle for me in a Catholic church in Sligo Ireland. Then send me this beautiful message, “One for you…. may your light shine eternally for Christ.”

Praise and glory be to our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

I don’t know if I had said it before but I have always had a great fondness for Pope John Paul II. I had looked upon him as a saint while he was still alive. And teared whenever I saw him in the news where he was to be found bent over and unable to speak in his latter years. Even then you could see the towering strength of His faith and love for Jesus in that frail body of his. I sobbed bitterly when he passed on and rejoiced when he was canonized a Saint.

I took the first half of a day’s leave today only with the intention of sleeping in. But I woke up at 5am and decided to go the Eucharistic Celebration oblivious that today is the feast day of St John Paul II. As the celebration was about to begin someone motioned for me to animate the hymns. I quickly chose the hymns and we began with Holy God We praise Your name.

The parish priest gave a sermon about the life of Karol Jozef Wojtyla and how He had brought the light of Christ into the world. At the end of the celebration he gave us a rare opportunity and invited us to come a up after the recessional hymn to come up and place our hands on the altar to pray for Saint John Paul II’s intercession remembering his opening address as Pope when he began with, “Be not afraid…” The altar in our church is a third class relic of Saint John Paul II who had celebrated Mass on this altar when he first visited Singapore in 1986.

After the meeting with President Wee and Prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, the pope proceeded to the National Stadium, where a special welcoming ceremony began with the playing of the national anthems of Singapore and the Vatican. He was driven round the track of the stadium in a jeep. He approached 400 disabled, aged and sick people seated at the football pitch and said special prayers for them. Standing at an elaborate altar, he then conducted a two-hour mass, including a half-hour sermon in English, with simultaneous translations in Mandarin and Tamil. He also distributed communion to the sick, aged and disabled. With him in the stands were Archbishop Yong, some 40 cardinals, 200 priests and 100 lay ministers.11 Some 80,000 Catholics, including those from Malaysia and Thailand, attended the papal mass. In his sermon to Singapore’s 105,000 Catholics, the pope spoke of love and peace. He also reaffirmed the Church’s stand against artificial forms of birth control, saying it was up to Catholic couples themselves to decide how many children they wanted.12

That elaborate altar is now in our Parish the Church of St Anthony.

St John Paul II pray for us. Amen

The Christian faith is not practical! It is a whole lot of mumbo jumbo which fills the believers with empty hope and fantasy! You need to be prepared for a rainy day and there is no such thing as enough for you need to store up for your children’s children so that your legacy will be intact. These are the voices of many in the world. Who go on searching for happiness, love and peace because it is fleeting for them.

We who call ourselves Christians are so, because we have encountered the living God, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. For while we were still sinners He came to us with His mercy and love. Freed us from the death grip of sin and made us clean and whole. To love and be loved, to live in His Peace, love and with joy in our hearts. We live then not for ourselves but to love and serve our Lord and one another. Everything we need is to be found in the Lord our God.

Our faith is not only practical but very real. For Jesus walks with us as we carry out cross to follow Him. By our faith and love we will change the world through Christ our Lord. Amen

First reading

Ephesians 2:1-10
Sinners are saved in Christ Jesus

You were dead through the crimes and the sins in which you used to live when you were following the way of this world, obeying the ruler who governs the air, the spirit who is at work in the rebellious. We all were among them too in the past, living sensual lives, ruled entirely by our own physical desires and our own ideas; so that by nature we were as much under God’s anger as the rest of the world. But God loved us with so much love that he was generous with his mercy: when we were dead through our sins, he brought us to life with Christ – it is through grace that you have been saved – and raised us up with him and gave us a place with him in heaven, in Christ Jesus.
This was to show for all ages to come, through his goodness towards us in Christ Jesus, how infinitely rich he is in grace. Because it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God; not by anything that you have done, so that nobody can claim the credit. We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning he had meant us to live it.

Gospel

Luke 12:13-21
Fool! This very night your soul will be demanded of you

A man in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance.’ ‘My friend,’ he replied, ‘who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.’
Then he told them a parable: ‘There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his land, thought to himself, “What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them, and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time.” But God said to him, “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?” So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.’

What is missing in many of our many Church communities today is true communion. Many come for meetings as individuals hoping to be in the company of someone familiar. Perhaps it is the warm feeling of belonging to a church group trying to do good that keeps them coming back. How long will this last?

In order for communities such as these to grow in love and communion there must be the coming together to share in the Word. Praying together not as individuals. Getting to know one another personally, families, friends, joys even sorrows. We must be ready to affirm one another, encourage and support one another on our journey together. To be inclusive and never exclusive. Only then are we in communion with Christ Jesus our Lord and with one another. Exponential growth in faith and love is to be expected. We become alive in the spirit and emboldened to share Jesus’s love with everyone. Amen

First reading

Ephesians 1:15-23
Paul’s prayer for the enlightenment of the faithful

I, having once heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus, and the love that you show towards all the saints, have never failed to remember you in my prayers and to thank God for you. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named not only in this age but also in the age to come. He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.

Gospel

Luke 12:8-12
If you declare yourselves for me, I will declare myself for you

Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you, if anyone openly declares himself for me in the presence of men, the Son of Man will declare himself for him in the presence of the angels. But the man who disowns me in the presence of men will be disowned in the presence of God’s angels.
‘Everyone who says a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
‘When they take you before synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say, because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say.’

After the lunchtime Eucharistic Celebration I rushed off to Tampines to have a quick lunch before going for a medical appointment back in Woodlands.

The hawker centre was crowded, so I asked a gentleman seated alone if the opposite seat was taken? He motioned for me to take the seat. I placed my small shoulder bag on the table and went to get my food. I was about to finish when I noticed he was still seated even though he had finished and his tray was cleared.

Then just as I finished he spoke asking me which Church I was from? What a curious question since my crucifix was in my shirt. I answered that my Parish was Church of St Anthony and asked him which Church he was from. Initially I thought he was going to mention some protestant church but instead he shared that he was from OLPS Our Lady of Perpetual Succor. I then asked how he knew I was a fellow Catholic? He replied that he saw me making the sign of the cross and praying before I ate just as he had done.

When I learned he was a Filipino and serving as an Extraordinary Eucharistic minister of Holy Communion, we both dropped a few names and found out that we had some friends in common. JJ Aldaba, Gerry Falsado etc. As I had to rush off for my appointment we became Facebook friends to keep in touch.

Praise the Lord for a wonderful encounter with a brother in Christ.

Are we living free in the joy and love of our Risen Lord? Or are we still mourning and weeping for our sins? Or have we instead allowed our hearts to harden that we have become oblivious to sin and guilt. Thinking all is OK and peachy unaware that we are slowly dying first spiritually. The day of reckoning is coming whether or not we are ready, like a thief in the night.

Turn back to the Lord always. For He stands ready and waiting to embrace you. We are meant to live out our lives to the full in His love, peace and joy. To love and be loved. To live out our mission of discipleship to bring others the to the knowledge and joy of the Gospel where they will find Jesus our Lord and saviour.

O sign of God our Father’s great love for us, Jesus our Lord be with us now always. Amen

First reading

Galatians 4:22-24,26-27,31-5:1
Christ freed us: do not submit again to slavery

The Law says, if you remember, that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave-girl, and one by his free-born wife. The child of the slave-girl was born in the ordinary way; the child of the free woman was born as the result of a promise. This can be regarded as an allegory: the women stand for the two covenants. The first who comes from Mount Sinai, and whose children are slaves, is Hagar – The Jerusalem above, however, is free and is our mother, since scripture says: Shout for joy, you barren women who bore no children! Break into shouts of joy and gladness, you who were never in labour. For there are more sons of the forsaken one than sons of the wedded wife. So, my brothers, we are the children, not of the slave-girl, but of the free-born wife.
When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

Gospel

Luke 11:29-32
As Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be a sign

The crowds got even bigger, and Jesus addressed them:
‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.’

Take heed that our bodies, mind and spirit must be constantly renewed through our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. By the ascent of our prayers, the indwelling of His precious word and the frequent reception of the sacraments given to us by His love. The Sacrament of reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.

Evil and its curses will have no hold over us. We live as free men and women in God’s precious love. Indeed even if we were to walk through the darkest valley, no evil shall we fear! For the Lord walks with us. Yes our bodies may be frail but we have been given a most powerful advocate to accompany us on our journey. Who fortifies and guides us through the many challenges and obstacles we may face.

Come Holy Spirit come. Come dwell in my heart, now and forever. Amen

First reading

Galatians 3:7-14
The sons of Abraham are those who rely on faith

Don’t you see that it is those who rely on faith who are the sons of Abraham? Scripture foresaw that God was going to use faith to justify the pagans, and proclaimed the Good News long ago when Abraham was told: In you all the pagans will be blessed. Those therefore who rely on faith receive the same blessing as Abraham, the man of faith.
On the other hand, those who rely on the keeping of the Law are under a curse, since scripture says: Cursed be everyone who does not persevere in observing everything prescribed in the book of the Law. The Law will not justify anyone in the sight of God, because we are told: the righteous man finds life through faith. The Law is not even based on faith, since we are told: The man who practises these precepts finds life through practising them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by being cursed for our sake, since scripture says: Cursed be everyone who is hanged on a tree. This was done so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might include the pagans, and so that through faith we might receive the promised Spirit.

Gospel

Luke 11:15-26
The finger of God has overtaken you

When Jesus had cast out a devil, some of the people said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.’ Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? – since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils. Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges then. But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.
‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.
‘When an unclean spirit goes out of a man it wanders through waterless country looking for a place to rest, and not finding one it says, “I will go back to the home I came from.” But on arrival, finding it swept and tidied, it then goes off and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and set up house there, so that the man ends up by being worse than he was before.’

2018-10-10
Peace Be With You
Welcoming community of CPS Changi

Peace be with you somehow does not come easy for me

Julian repeating it so much since I started meeting him at the reflection sessions started making it easy for me to repeat the greeting in return …

Standing at the entrance to our EC room – this weekly tabernacle of our Lord – greeting Peace Be With You to the community felt strangely comforting – the welcome we gave was returned warmly by most, who smiled brightly too – communion of saints

And many you could see, who wanted to dive straight into the tabernacle of the Lord for solace comfort strength – snapped out momentarily of the “stupor”, perchance feeling welcomed.

I would do it again because we are building the community here and over time we would start recognising faces, going beyond pleasantries, greeting each other by name and God willing, have a deeper relationship with each other in this CPS Changi Community and Ephraim SCC.

Jude-Maria (Meng)

In an effort to encourage growth within our small Christian community including a spiritual one I invited our members to welcome the congregation of Changi business park before the lunch time Eucharistic Celebration. Two ladies joined me. I then requested they share their experience.

Rose shared that it was a warm feeling to welcome them. Especially those she recognised as regulars but never had a chance to even say hi.

This is Tiffany’s sharing in her own words…

In an effort to encourage growth within our small Christian community including a spiritual one I invited our members to welcome the congregation of before the lunch time Eucharistic Celebration. Two ladies joined me. I then requested they share their experience.

Rose shared that it was a warm feeling to welcome them. Especially those she recognised as regulars but never had a chance to even say hi.

This is Tiffany’s sharing in her own words…

Sharing my thoughts as i stood at the door last Wed before Eucharistic Celebration welcoming the congregation….

when standing at the door that day, i am reminded of my visit to my granny’s Christian Church when we were asked to visit (for the first time) as they were having a ‘memorial service’ for all those departed in that month. the moment my aunt, brother & myself stepped out of the lift, the ushers at the door recognized that we were there for the first time. it was as if they knew every single person in that hall of about close to 100! they immediately asked us to write down our contact details put at a table nearby. they were warm; friendly immediately felt like home. i wondered then how many of us Catholics actually know if anyone in our congregation were there for the 1st time (be it at CPS or at our parish)? for me, i wouldn’t know!

how then can we build bonds in the community instead of just coming to Church every Sun just fulfilling our Sunday duties? this set me thinking …

When Jesus touches you in a profound way there is no room for doubt. His love embraces you, His precious blood covers you and takes away all your blemishes. You are made pure to love and to serve. His mission for you is clear and concise. There is no need to fear, worry or even discern. For you hear His voice, you know Him and you follow.

Our human bodies are frail and that is the only reason why we need to come into our Lord’s presence from time to time. To allow Him to minister to us. So that we can be nourished and revitalised to continue our journey. Never allow your mobile phones, tight busy schedules, worldly cares distract you from Your precious quiet time with Him. For without Him we run on empty!

Jesus my love, embrace and protect me from all evil. That I may always be able to dwell deeply in Your love, to be nourished so as to serve. Amen

First reading

Galatians 1:13-24
God called me through his grace and chose to reveal his Son in me

You must have heard of my career as a practising Jew, how merciless I was in persecuting the Church of God, how much damage I did to it, how I stood out among other Jews of my generation, and how enthusiastic I was for the traditions of my ancestors.
Then God, who had specially chosen me while I was still in my mother’s womb, called me through his grace and chose to reveal his Son in me, so that I might preach the Good News about him to the pagans. I did not stop to discuss this with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were already apostles before me, but I went off to Arabia at once and later went straight back from there to Damascus. Even when after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him for fifteen days, I did not see any of the other apostles; I only saw James, the brother of the Lord, and I swear before God that what I have just written is the literal truth. After that I went to Syria and Cilicia, and was still not known by sight to the churches of Christ in Judaea, who had heard nothing except that their one-time persecutor was now preaching the faith he had previously tried to destroy; and they gave glory to God for me.

Gospel

Luke 10:38-42
Martha works; Mary listens

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

God is good all the time! Praise the Lord!

This morning I went to a unisex toilet, priority for the handicapped just outside my office area. I totally forgot I left my mobile phone on top of the toilet roll dispenser.

I then went about my morning routine getting my hot drink and topping up my thermos Flask with hot water. Went back to my seat in the office and before I knew it it was even missing, a female colleague from another department calls out to me and says “I believe this is yours.”

How did she know I asked her? She smiled and said “what picture do you see when you open the cover?” Surely it must be Julian’s I thought to myself said my colleague.

Praise the Lord!