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The final day of the liturgical year has come as we enter into a new year through Advent.  Is it simply for us that another year has gone and now it is time again to enter into a somewhat penitential mode in preparing our hearts for the coming of our Lord?

Or do we take this opportunity to reflect on how we have been living out our faith in our lives and are already ready, to greet Him when He comes. Desiring earnestly to grow day by day in our relationship with Him. Hungry and thirsty for His greater presence in our lives!

Lord Jesus if I must then let me be intoxicated only by Your love and presence in my life. Let me not care or worry for the ways of the world, but care only for Your flock whom You send my way. You are my rock, my stronghold my salvation! Let this Advent draw me ever closer to You. Amen

Blessed Virgin Mary pray for us…

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First reading

Apocalypse 22:1-7 ·

The Lord God will shine on them; it will never be night again

The angel showed me, John, the river of life, rising from the throne of God and of the Lamb and flowing crystal-clear down the middle of the city street. On either side of the river were the trees of life, which bear twelve crops of fruit in a year, one in each month, and the leaves of which are the cure for the pagans.

    The ban will be lifted. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in its place in the city; his servants will worship him, they will see him face to face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. It will never be night again and they will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will be shining on them. They will reign for ever and ever.

    The angel said to me, ‘All that you have written is sure and will come true: the Lord God who gives the spirit to the prophets has sent his angel to reveal to his servants what is soon to take place. Very soon now, I shall be with you again.’ Happy are those who treasure the prophetic message of this book.

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Gospel

Luke 21:34-36

That day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap

Jesus said to his disciples:

    ‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’

We children of light who live out lives in the power of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; have hope because the Word of God is everlasting. We hold fast to that hope because come what may we will rise with Him who has conquered death.

Question for us really is are we truly living as children of light? How many have we brought into the light by our love put into action? Are we fully awake and alive in our faith that we stand ready to receive our Lord when He comes again?

Lord Jesus find us all dressed like a bride waiting for You. Amen

Saint Catherine of Alexandria pray for us..

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First reading

Apocalypse 20:1-4,11-21:2

The book of life was opened, and the dead were judged

I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven with the key of the Abyss in his hand and an enormous chain. He overpowered the dragon, that primeval serpent which is the devil and Satan, and chained him up for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and shut the entrance and sealed it over him, to make sure he would not deceive the nations again until the thousand years had passed. At the end of that time he must be released, but only for a short while.

    Then I saw some thrones, and I saw those who are given the power to be judges take their seats on them. I saw the souls of all who had been beheaded for having witnessed for Jesus and for having preached God’s word, and those who refused to worship the beast or his statue and would not have the brand-mark on their foreheads or hands; they came to life, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Then I saw a great white throne and the One who was sitting on it. In his presence, earth and sky vanished, leaving no trace. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of his throne, while the book of life was opened, and other books opened which were the record of what they had done in their lives, by which the dead were judged.

    The sea gave up all the dead who were in it; Death and Hades were emptied of the dead that were in them; and every one was judged according to the way in which he had lived. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the burning lake. This burning lake is the second death; and anybody whose name could not be found written in the book of life was thrown into the burning lake.

    Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband.

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Gospel

Luke 21:29-33

My words will never pass away

Jesus told his disciples a parable: ‘Think of the fig tree and indeed every tree. As soon as you see them bud, you know that summer is now near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.’

Where many of us live, we live safe and sound. And so it may be quite hard for us to imagine the dark days of debauchery, oppression, slavery and idolatry found in today’s readings. Still this rings true today in some nations where Christians are still very much persecuted.

The Lord our God is ever faithful and so we must remain faithful where we are at and at anytime of the day. For the victory has already been won for us by Christ our King who reigns the universe! But He must reign first in our hearts and minds; only then will we be able to stand ready when He comes again.

Happy are those who are invited to the wedding-feast of the Lamb. Amen

Saints Andrew Dũng-Lạc and his Companions pray for us…

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First reading

Apocalypse 18:1-2,21-23,19:1-3,9

Babylon the Great has fallen

I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven, with great authority given to him; the earth was lit up with his glory. At the top of his voice he shouted, ‘Babylon has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen, and has become the haunt of devils and a lodging for every foul spirit and dirty, loathsome bird.’ Then a powerful angel picked up a boulder like a great millstone, and as he hurled it into the sea, he said, ‘That is how the great city of Babylon is going to be hurled down, never to be seen again.

Never again in you, Babylon,

will be heard the song of harpists and minstrels,

the music of flute and trumpet;

never again will craftsmen of every skill be found

or the sound of the mill be heard;

never again will shine the light of the lamp,

never again will be heard

the voices of bridegroom and bride.

Your traders were the princes of the earth,

all the nations were under your spell.

After this I seemed to hear the great sound of a huge crowd in heaven, singing, ‘Alleluia! Victory and glory and power to our God! He judges fairly, he punishes justly, and he has condemned the famous prostitute who corrupted the earth with her fornication; he has avenged his servants that she killed.’ They sang again, ‘Alleluia! The smoke of her will go up for ever and ever.’ The angel said, ‘Write this: Happy are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb’, and he added, ‘All the things you have written are true messages from God.’

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Gospel

Luke 21:20-28

There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you must realise that she will soon be laid desolate. Then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in country districts must not take refuge in it. For this is the time of vengeance when all that scripture says must be fulfilled. Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come!

    ‘For great misery will descend on the land and wrath on this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every pagan country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans until the age of the pagans is completely over.

    ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.’

Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, says the Lord. Mt 28: 20

It is with this promise and hope that we carry in our hearts that we face unafraid the challenges of today and tomorrow! We have all fallen short at one time or another but let always turn to our Lord who is our strength and our rock. It is through Him alone that we are perfected. And so sisters and brothers, let us go forth this day with perseverance and endure all that comes our way. Let us be patient, merciful and kind and strive to show only the face of our Lord whom we carry with us.

Lord Jesus help us become worthy of your love, grant us unfailing obedience to your commands. Amen

Saint Clement I & Saint Columbanus pray for us…

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First reading

Apocalypse 15:1-4 ·

The victors sang the hymn of Moses and of the Lamb

What I, John, saw in heaven was a great and wonderful sign: seven angels were bringing the seven plagues that are the last of all, because they exhaust the anger of God. I seemed to see a glass lake suffused with fire, and standing by the lake of glass, those who had fought against the beast and won, and against his statue and the number which is his name. They all had harps from God, and they were singing the hymn of Moses, the servant of God, and of the Lamb:

‘How great and wonderful are all your works,

Lord God Almighty;

just and true are all your ways,

King of nations.

Who would not revere and praise your name, O Lord?

You alone are holy,

and all the pagans will come and adore you

for the many acts of justice you have shown.’

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Gospel

Luke 21:12-19

Your endurance will win you your lives

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’

As we approach Advent the readings point us once again to the end times, it is stark reminder also of our human frailty. The fact is that we will all have to die, question is whether we will rise again with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who conquered death for us. Have we been fruitful? Have we turned away from sin and are faithful to the Gospel as we were marked at the beginning of Lent?

Or we still drawn to the beauty of this passing world with all our desires, passion and indulgences! Thinking tomorrow will always come for us. We all need to awake from our slumber if we haven’t already and live as children of light here and now.

Come Holy Spirit take reign of my life and lead me. Amen

Saint Cecilia Pray for us… 

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First reading

Apocalypse 14:14-19 ·

The harvest and the vintage of the earth are ripe

In my vision I, John, saw a white cloud and, sitting on it, one like a son of man with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Then another angel came out of the sanctuary, and shouted aloud to the one sitting on the cloud, ‘Put your sickle in and reap: harvest time has come and the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ Then the one sitting on the cloud set his sickle to work on the earth, and the earth’s harvest was reaped.

    Another angel, who also carried a sharp sickle, came out of the temple in heaven, and the angel in charge of the fire left the altar and shouted aloud to the one with the sharp sickle, ‘Put your sickle in and cut all the bunches off the vine of the earth; all its grapes are ripe.’ So the angel set his sickle to work on the earth and harvested the whole vintage of the earth and put it into a huge winepress, the winepress of God’s anger.

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Gospel

Luke 21:5-11

The destruction of the Temple foretold

When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.’ And they put to him this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’

    ‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.’

Are we living as the chosen ones of God our Heavenly Father, so loved by Him that He sanctified us by the blood of His only begotten Son. Always speaking the truth and giving our all for His namesake.

Just as Mary our Blessed mother did by offering her whole life up to God our Heavenly Father and how the widow in today’s Gospel did by not withholding even her livelihood and offering it up! For they knew in their hearts that He will provide for all they will ever need.

Let us therefore live out our identity as sons and daughters of God our Heavenly Father who have been redeemed to live life to the full by His Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. So that all may see we have Christ and His Father’s name written on foreheads, and that we carry His peace, love, mercy and joy with us. Giving our all for His glory. Amen

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First reading

Apocalypse 14:1-5 ·

The redeemed have Christ and his Father’s name written on their foreheads

In my vision I, John, saw Mount Zion, and standing on it a Lamb who had with him a hundred and forty-four thousand people, all with his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. I heard a sound coming out of the sky like the sound of the ocean or the roar of thunder; it seemed to be the sound of harpists playing their harps. There in front of the throne they were singing a new hymn in the presence of the four animals and the elders, a hymn that could only be learnt by the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the world; they follow the Lamb wherever he goes; they have been redeemed from amongst men to be the first-fruits for God and for the Lamb. They never allowed a lie to pass their lips and no fault can be found in them.

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Gospel

Luke 21:1-4

The widow’s mite

As Jesus looked up, he saw rich people putting their offerings into the treasury; then he happened to notice a poverty-stricken widow putting in two small coins, and he said, ‘I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them; for these have all contributed money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in all she had to live on.’

Our transfiguration begins within us when we put our faith into action, for abundance of grace is poured forth into our being; more and more, as we give it away! The more we put love into action, pray for others, testify to the Lord, the stronger and bolder we become for Him. We will open the gates of Heaven for others to see His glory.

Otherwise talk after talk, formation, after formation, retreat after retreat, we will make no headway in our faith; Unless we step out of our comfort zone to love and serve. To form others as we have been formed by Him who so loves us.

What is it that we are afraid of that we do not prophesy? Do not love? Do not share the joy of the Gospel? Are we afraid of losing our lives? Our Lord has spoken to our hearts, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matt 16:25 or again in Mark 8:35 “For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” So we can assured that if must lay down our lives for Him, we will be raised up by Him, resurrected to live in His glory. Amen

Mary Blessed Mother pray for us….

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First reading

Apocalypse 11:4-12 ·

The prophets will die who have been a plague to the world

I, John, heard a voice saying: ‘These, my two witnesses, are the two olive trees and the two lamps that stand before the Lord of the world. Fire can come from their mouths and consume their enemies if anyone tries to harm them; and if anybody does try to harm them he will certainly be killed in this way. They are able to lock up the sky so that it does not rain as long as they are prophesying; they are able to turn water into blood and strike the whole world with any plague as often as they like. When they have completed their witnessing, the beast that comes out of the Abyss is going to make war on them and overcome them and kill them. Their corpses will lie in the main street of the Great City known by the symbolic names Sodom and Egypt, in which their Lord was crucified. Men out of every people, race, language and nation will stare at their corpses, for three-and-a-half days, not letting them be buried, and the people of the world will be glad about it and celebrate the event by giving presents to each other, because these two prophets have been a plague to the people of the world.’

    After the three-and-a-half days, God breathed life into them and they stood up, and everybody who saw it happen was terrified; then they heard a loud voice from heaven say to them, ‘Come up here’, and while their enemies were watching, they went up to heaven in a cloud.

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Gospel

Luke 20:27-40

In God all men are alive

Some Sadducees – those who say that there is no resurrection – approached Jesus and they put this question to him, ‘Master, we have it from Moses in writing, that if a man’s married brother dies childless, the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother. Well then, there were seven brothers. The first, having married a wife, died childless. The second and then the third married the widow. And the same with all seven, they died leaving no children. Finally the woman herself died. Now, at the resurrection, to which of them will she be wife since she had been married to all seven?’

    Jesus replied, ‘The children of this world take wives and husbands, but those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels, and being children of the resurrection they are sons of God. And Moses himself implies that the dead rise again, in the passage about the bush where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive.’

    Some scribes then spoke up. ‘Well put, Master’ they said – because they would not dare to ask him any more questions.

The Word of God is sweet to taste but the message sometimes is meant for correction, to right a wrong. In today’s Gospel we see Jesus driving out those who were selling, for it was a house of prayer and was turned into a robbers’ den. We can easily think that it does not apply to us in this day and age, for we do not ever sell anything in our Church.

So then is it ok to talk and laugh in the church hall, when folks are praying and preparing themselves for mass? Is it okay to look to play games on our mobiles or check our social media messages during the service? Are our minds and hearts far from listening attentively to the word of God in the liturgy? Do we allow our children to talk and play during mass? Do we walk out immediately after receiving communion? Have we ourselves not turned our church into a robbers’ den then? When we do as we please, stealing our brethren’s peace and quiet time with the Lord our God.

Lord Jesus grant me the strength and grace to always speak and live Your truth. To prophesy boldly as I am called to by You. Amen

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First reading

Apocalypse 10:8-11 ·

I was told to swallow the scroll, and to prophesy

I, John, heard the voice I had heard from heaven speaking to me again. ‘Go,’ it said ‘and take that open scroll out of the hand of the angel standing on sea and land.’ I went to the angel and asked him to give me the small scroll, and he said, ‘Take it and eat it; it will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey.’ So I took it out of the angel’s hand, and swallowed it; it was as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, ‘You are to prophesy again, this time about many different nations and countries and languages and emperors.’

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Gospel

Luke 19:45-48

You have turned God’s house into a robbers’ den

Jesus went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling. ‘According to scripture,’ he said ‘my house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.’

    He taught in the Temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, with the support of the leading citizens, tried to do away with him, but they did not see how they could carry this out because the people as a whole hung on his words.

Worthy of all praise and Glory is the loving lamb of God, who took away the sins of the world so that we may live free in His love. All powerful and wise is the Lord our God, He is our strength our rock! By His precious Blood poured out for us, we are baptised to new life in Him, to be His priests, prophets and kings for the world.

Do we still not recognise and seize this opportunity offered by the Lord our God? To be His light bearers! To bring His peace, love, mercy and comfort to the poor, widow, orphan, prisoner and to all nations!

Lord Jesus send me! Amen

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary pray for us…

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First reading

Apocalypse 5:1-10 ·

The blood of the Lamb bought men for God

I, John, saw that in the right hand of the One sitting on the throne there was a scroll that had writing on back and front and was sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a powerful angel who called with a loud voice, ‘Is there anyone worthy to open the scroll and break the seals of it?’ But there was no one, in heaven or on the earth or under the earth, who was able to open the scroll and read it. I wept bitterly because there was nobody fit to open the scroll and read it, but one of the elders said to me, ‘There is no need to cry: the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed, and he will open the scroll and the seven seals of it.’

    Then I saw, standing between the throne with its four animals and the circle of the elders, a Lamb that seemed to have been sacrificed; it had seven horns, and it had seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits God has sent out all over the world. The Lamb came forward to take the scroll from the right hand of the One sitting on the throne, and when he took it, the four animals prostrated themselves before him and with them the twenty-four elders; each one of them was holding a harp and had a golden bowl full of incense made of the prayers of the saints. They sang a new hymn:

‘You are worthy to take the scroll

and break the seals of it,

because you were sacrificed, and with your blood

you bought men for God

of every race, language, people and nation

and made them a line of kings and priests,

to serve our God and to rule the world.’

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Gospel

Luke 19:41-44

Jesus sheds tears over the coming fate of Jerusalem

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you – and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!’

We have one God creator of Heaven and earth and we, are His children through baptism having been inserted into the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  And so, we worship and praise Him for He is worthy of all praise. He is our Lord of lords, King of kings!

If we accept Him as our King, then it is only just that we offer Him our all! For He has endowed and empowered us to go out to build up His Kingdom. We have all that we need! Where is our zeal? Have we united our wills with the Lord our God? Are we living in the Spirit as we should to go out and make disciples of all nations.

For if we are then we can be assured that we will all be reunited in Heaven singing His praises as One Body in Him. Amen Alleluia

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First reading

Apocalypse 4:1-11

He was, he is, and he is to come

In my vision, I, John, saw a door open in heaven and heard the same voice speaking to me, the voice like a trumpet, saying, ‘Come up here: I will show you what is to come in the future.’ With that, the Spirit possessed me and I saw a throne standing in heaven, and the One who was sitting on the throne, and the Person sitting there looked like a diamond and a ruby. There was a rainbow encircling the throne, and this looked like an emerald. Round the throne in a circle were twenty-four thrones, and on them I saw twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white robes with golden crowns on their heads. Flashes of lightning were coming from the throne, and the sound of peals of thunder, and in front of the throne there were seven flaming lamps burning, the seven Spirits of God. Between the throne and myself was a sea that seemed to be made of glass, like crystal. In the centre, grouped round the throne itself, were four animals with many eyes, in front and behind. The first animal was like a lion, the second like a bull, the third animal had a human face, and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle. Each of the four animals had six wings and had eyes all the way round as well as inside; and day and night they never stopped singing:

‘Holy, Holy, Holy

is the Lord God, the Almighty;

he was, he is and he is to come.’

Every time the animals glorified and honoured and gave thanks to the One sitting on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders prostrated themselves before him to worship the One who lives for ever and ever, and threw down their crowns in front of the throne, saying, ‘You are our Lord and our God, you are worthy of glory and honour and power, because you made all the universe and it was only by your will that everything was made and exists.’

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Gospel

Luke 19:11-28

The parable of the talents

While the people were listening, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they imagined that the kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there. Accordingly he said, ‘A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and afterwards return. He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds. “Do business with these” he told them “until I get back.” But his compatriots detested him and sent a delegation to follow him with this message, “We do not want this man to be our king.”

    ‘Now on his return, having received his appointment as king, he sent for those servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made. The first came in and said, “Sir, your one pound has brought in ten.” “Well done, my good servant!” he replied “Since you have proved yourself faithful in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities.” Then came the second and said, “Sir, your one pound has made five.” To this one also he said, “And you shall be in charge of five cities.” Next came the other and said, “Sir, here is your pound. I put it away safely in a piece of linen because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man: you pick up what you have not put down and reap what you have not sown.” “You wicked servant!” he said “Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew I was an exacting man, picking up what I have not put down and reaping what I have not sown? Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest.” And he said to those standing by, “Take the pound from him and give it to the man who has ten pounds.” And they said to him, “But, sir, he has ten pounds…”. “I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

    ‘“But as for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence.”’

    When he had said this he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

Let us stand firm in our faith of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Let turn our backs to sin and repent for all what we have done and what we have failed to do! Let us apologize with heartfelt sorry for the times we have wronged and hurt others. Ask their forgiveness and pray for our Lord’s peace, mercy and love to cover us all.

His healing grace will be upon us and He will set our hearts on fire for love of Him and neighbour.

In humility let us climb the ‘sycamore’ tree to reach high heaven, for then we shall hear our Lord’s call to say, He will dine with us as we with Him. Amen

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First reading

Apocalypse 3:1-6,14-22 ·

If one of you hears me calling, I will come in to share his meal

I, John, heard the Lord saying to me: ‘Write to the angel of the church in Sardis and say, “Here is the message of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know all about you: how you are reputed to be alive and yet are dead. Wake up; revive what little you have left: it is dying fast. So far I have failed to notice anything in the way you live that my God could possibly call perfect, and yet do you remember how eager you were when you first heard the message? Hold on to that. Repent. If you do not wake up, I shall come to you like a thief, without telling you at what hour to expect me. There are a few in Sardis, it is true, who have kept their robes from being dirtied, and they are fit to come with me, dressed in white. Those who prove victorious will be dressed, like these, in white robes; I shall not blot their names out of the book of life, but acknowledge their names in the presence of my Father and his angels. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”

    ‘Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea and say, “Here is the message of the Amen, the faithful, the true witness, the ultimate source of God’s creation: I know all about you: how you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other, but since you are neither, but only lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth. You say to yourself, ‘I am rich, I have made a fortune, and have everything I want’, never realising that you are wretchedly and pitiably poor, and blind and naked too. I warn you, buy from me the gold that has been tested in the fire to make you really rich, and white robes to clothe you and cover your shameful nakedness, and eye ointment to put on your eyes so that you are able to see. I am the one who reproves and disciplines all those he loves: so repent in real earnest. Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share his meal, side by side with him. Those who prove victorious I will allow to share my throne, just as I was victorious myself and took my place with my Father on his throne. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”’

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Gospel

Luke 19:1-10

Salvation comes to the house of Zacchaeus

Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the town when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance: he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.’ And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully. They all complained when they saw what was happening. ‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house’ they said. But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, ‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.’

Just two more weeks to Advent and so the question for us to dwell on this very day is are we still living in darkness? Are our minds still clouded with the ways of the world? Or are we living in the light of our resurrected Lord who has opened our blind eyes to see His glory!

Are we then praising the Lord with all our hearts, minds, strength and soul? Such that our praises draws others to hear our testimony. Then they too after hearing the joy of the Gospel in our lives, joins us in our praise and worship of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! For they too have encountered Him through us.

Lord Jesus sweetheart of ours, we pray that as we lead our sisters and brothers to You; open their eyes to see and know You. Amen

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First reading

Apocalypse 1:1-4,2:1-5

Think what you were before you fell, and repent

This is the revelation given by God to Jesus Christ so that he could tell his servants about the things which are now to take place very soon; he sent his angel to make it known to his servant John, and John has written down everything he saw and swears it is the word of God guaranteed by Jesus Christ. Happy the man who reads this prophecy, and happy those who listen to him, if they treasure all that it says, because the Time is close.

    From John, to the seven churches of Asia: grace and peace to you from him who is, who was, and who is to come, from the seven spirits in his presence before his throne.

    I heard the Lord saying to me: ‘Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus and say, “Here is the message of the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who lives surrounded by the seven golden lamp-stands: I know all about you: how hard you work and how much you put up with. I know you cannot stand wicked men, and how you tested the impostors who called themselves apostles and proved they were liars. Know, too, that you have patience, and have suffered for my name without growing tired. Nevertheless, I have this complaint to make; you have less love now than you used to. Think where you were before you fell; repent, and do as you used to at first.”’

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Gospel

Luke 18:35-43

‘Son of David, have pity on me’

As Jesus drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging. When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about, and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.’ The people in front scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the man to him, and when he came up, asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Sir,’ he replied ‘let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.’ And instantly his sight returned and he followed him praising God, and all the people who saw it gave praise to God for what had happened.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matt 25:40

We are all missionaries by our call to follow Christ, and so how we would like to be received should be the way we receive our fellow sisters and brothers in Christ on their journey share the joy of the Gospel by their lives.

And our prayers to God our Heavenly Father for ourselves and others should reflect our deep loving relationship with Him. We pray we all our might, persistent and unfailing because we know He will answer. For He is loving, merciful, loving and righteous!

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast

    and have no compassion on the child she has borne?

Though she may forget,

    I will not forget you! Isa 49:15

Thank You Papa for loving us the way that You do. Amen

Saint Josaphat…pray for us…

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First reading

3 John 5-8 ·

It is our duty to welcome missionaries and contribute our share to their work

My friend, you have done faithful work in looking after these brothers, even though they were complete strangers to you. They are a proof to the whole Church of your charity and it would be a very good thing if you could help them on their journey in a way that God would approve. It was entirely for the sake of the name that they set out, without depending on the pagans for anything; it is our duty to welcome men of this sort and contribute our share to their work for the truth.

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Gospel

Luke 18:1-8

The parable of the unjust judge

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”’

    And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’

We never really embrace the fact that our days are numbered. We always think that tomorrow will come for us and so we very often put off what we must do today and that is to love!

Never mind that we have started losing our hair, our hair line recedes, body sags, wrinkles appear, and muscle tone is diminishing, do we really want to go on living empty lives without Christ?

If we have stayed awake as we are called to do, then we have absolutely nothing to fear! For we will already been living fully in our Lord’s love. Loving our neighbour as ourselves and living the beatitudes. No longer slaves to fear, for we live as children of God so loved by Him.

If however, you have not yet made the decision to follow Jesus, then I urge you to do so as Advent is drawing near. Take this opportunity to be wowed by Him! To be transfigured so as to lead new lives in Him and to live in His light. Amen

Saint Martin of Tours pray for us…

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First reading

2 John 4-9 ·

The commandment which you have heard since the beginning is to live a life of love

It has given me great joy to find that your children have been living the life of truth as we were commanded by the Father. I am writing now, dear lady, not to give you any new commandment, but the one which we were given at the beginning, and to plead: let us love one another.

    To love is to live according to his commandments: this is the commandment which you have heard since the beginning, to live a life of love.

    There are many deceivers about in the world, refusing to admit that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. They are the Deceiver; they are the Antichrist. Watch yourselves, or all our work will be lost and not get the reward it deserves. If anybody does not keep within the teaching of Christ but goes beyond it, he cannot have God with him: only those who keep to what he taught can have the Father and the Son with them.

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Gospel

Luke 17:26-37

When the day comes for the Son of Man to be revealed

Jesus said to the disciples:

    ‘As it was in Noah’s day, so will it also be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating and drinking, marrying wives and husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It will be the same as it was in Lot’s day: people were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but the day Lot left Sodom, God rained fire and brimstone from heaven and it destroyed them all. It will be the same when the day comes for the Son of Man to be revealed.

    ‘When that day comes, anyone on the housetop, with his possessions in the house, must not come down to collect them, nor must anyone in the fields turn back either. Remember Lot’s wife. Anyone who tries to preserve his life will lose it; and anyone who loses it will keep it safe. I tell you, on that night two will be in one bed: one will be taken, the other left; two women will be grinding corn together: one will be taken, the other left.’ The disciples interrupted. ‘Where, Lord?’ they asked. He said, ‘Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather.’

If we already knew that God our Father’s Kingdom is at hand, will we still act as we do? Or fail to do what we are called to? See the reality is that as children of God our Father we are already living in His domain. (King’s domain aka Kingdom) Can we then pray ‘Your Kingdom come; Your Will be done’ without conviction?

The victory over sin and death has already been won for us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, He who is King over Heaven and earth has given us freedom to live fully in His love. How then are we exercising this freedom? Do we deprive others of this very freedom won for them by our incessant need for control? ‘Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us’ And ‘lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil’ Amen

Saint Leo the Great…pray for us…

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First reading

Philemon 7-20 ·

He is a slave no longer, but a dear brother in the Lord

I am so delighted, and comforted, to know of your love; they tell me, brother, how you have put new heart into the saints.

    Now, although in Christ I can have no diffidence about telling you to do whatever is your duty, I am appealing to your love instead, reminding you that this is Paul writing, an old man now and, what is more, still a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for a child of mine, whose father I became while wearing these chains: I mean Onesimus. He was of no use to you before, but he will be useful to you now, as he has been to me. I am sending him back to you, and with him – I could say – a part of my own self. I should have liked to keep him with me; he could have been a substitute for you, to help me while I am in the chains that the Good News has brought me. However, I did not want to do anything without your consent; it would have been forcing your act of kindness, which should be spontaneous. I know you have been deprived of Onesimus for a time, but it was only so that you could have him back for ever, not as a slave any more, but something much better than a slave, a dear brother; especially dear to me, but how much more to you, as a blood-brother as well as a brother in the Lord. So if all that we have in common means anything to you, welcome him as you would me; but if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, then let me pay for it. I am writing this in my own handwriting: I, Paul, shall pay it back – I will not add any mention of your own debt to me, which is yourself. Well then, brother, I am counting on you, in the Lord; put new heart into me, in Christ.

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Gospel

Luke 17:20-25

The kingdom of God is among you

Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, Jesus gave them this answer, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, “Look here! Look there!” For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.’

    He said to the disciples, ‘A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes. But first he must suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.’

We are the living stones, the foundation of which living waters flows. Life teems and grows exponentially as healing grace is poured out. The gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. For we are Church!

So then sisters and brothers let us dwell on what you and I are doing individually and collectively to build up and strengthen our Church, thereby building the Lord’s Kingdom. How are we giving witness before the world, to witness mother church’s holiness, her loving care, warmth, discipline and fidelity to her wedded spouse Christ Jesus our Lord! How are we sharing the joy of the Gospel in love, through love and by our love? How are we leading the world on the path of salvation?

Jesus my Lord, my God, You are our sanctuary, our salvation. May all come to know that You are their sanctuary their salvation through us Your Church. 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.’

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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.

It is our duty as servants of the Lord to be His light in the world. And we can only do so by our lived example as His disciples. That is to reflect the ‘Light of The Nations’ (Lumen Gentium) Christ Jesus our Lord in all that we say, do, behave and love!

Yes, St Paul starts with the older men and women as living as examples for the younger ones to follow that is to give up everything that does not lead to God, all worldly ambitions; that we must all be self-restrained living good religious lives in the world.

While we all wear different hats and different times of the day, we must always wear the crown of Christ upon on our heads. For we were redeemed, sanctified and made Holy to be His priest, prophet and King in the world. So that we will lead one another into His Kingdom.

Lord Jesus Bless me, for while I am only doing my duty as I am called to. You call me friend! So, I know what is in Your heart for me. Thank You Jesus! Amen

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First reading

Titus 2:1-8,11-14 ·

You must preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine

It is for you to preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine. The older men should be reserved, dignified, moderate, sound in faith and love and constancy. Similarly, the older women should behave as though they were religious, with no scandal-mongering and no habitual wine-drinking – they are to be the teachers of the right behaviour and show the younger women how they should love their husbands and love their children, how they are to be sensible and chaste, and how to work in their homes, and be gentle, and do as their husbands tell them, so that the message of God is never disgraced. In the same way, you have got to persuade the younger men to be moderate and in everything you do make yourself an example to them of working for good: when you are teaching, be an example to them in your sincerity and earnestness and in keeping all that you say so wholesome that nobody can make objections to it; and then any opponent will be at a loss, with no accusation to make against us. You see, God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good.

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Gospel

Luke 17:7-10

You are merely servants

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal immediately”? Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards”? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”’

In today’s we find St Paul’s invaluable lesson on appointing leaders. But how many of our leaders in our Church today are irreproachable? Are they all clear of providing obstacles which lead for example the youth away from the church? Especially by their tyrannical temperament? How perhaps the way they poorly manage their office at work are brought into the church environment! How many bring their very own unforgiveness to the altar!

How many leaders are devout such that at every meeting the Lord is first in their hearts and in their minds? Worshipping, praising and sharing His word, joy and mercy with one another before any agenda is even discussed? Inviting always the Holy Spirit to lead the meeting instead of by their own strength and performance mentality?

We, disciples of the Lord are meant to move mountains by our faith! Instead of asking our Lord to increase it, we should be putting what little we have to action so as to build on it.

Come Holy Spirit, come and remain in me as I remain in You. Amen

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First reading

Titus 1:1-9 ·

Appoint elders of irreproachable character

From Paul, servant of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ to bring those whom God has chosen to faith and to the knowledge of the truth that leads to true religion; and to give them the hope of the eternal life that was promised so long ago by God. He does not lie and so, at the appointed time, he revealed his decision, and, by the command of God our saviour, I have been commissioned to proclaim it. To Titus, true child of mine in the faith that we share, wishing you grace and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our saviour.

    The reason I left you behind in Crete was for you to get everything organised there and appoint elders in every town, in the way that I told you: that is, each of them must be a man of irreproachable character; he must not have been married more than once, and his children must be believers and not uncontrollable or liable to be charged with disorderly conduct. Since, as president, he will be God’s representative, he must be irreproachable: never an arrogant or hot-tempered man, nor a heavy drinker or violent, nor out to make money; but a man who is hospitable and a friend of all that is good; sensible, moral, devout and self-controlled; and he must have a firm grasp of the unchanging message of the tradition, so that he can be counted on for both expounding the sound doctrine and refuting those who argue against it.

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Gospel

Luke 17:1-6

If your brother does wrong, reprove him

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Obstacles are sure to come, but alas for the one who provides them! It would be better for him to be thrown into the Sea with a millstone put round his neck than that he should lead astray a single one of these little ones. Watch yourselves!

    If your brother does something wrong, reprove him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, “I am sorry,” you must forgive him.’

    The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’ The Lord replied, ‘Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.’

We all need money to survive in this world and in itself money is neither good nor evil. It is how we attain it, how we use it and to our end that we may be judged.

A long time ago I made a decision that I would work hard to make a living to provide enough for my family. But will not chase after riches, fame or fortune! Not for lack of ambition but rather I desired to serve the Lord in whatever time I had to do so. He gave me many opportunites to bring His peace, love and joy into the homes and hearts of His flock over the years. Whether it was giving formation talks, home bound communion or home visit programs. I received freely from Him and so gave freely. The fraternal bonds that grew through ministering in His love are the most precious to me. I remember fondly on one occasion as I finished the last session of a Holy Communion program, the group gifted me with a messenger bag. They had noticed the one I had been carrying was a little worn out. I was deeply touched by their love and kindness. In another a family I was received as a son to a mother and a little later God-Father to her daughter. Many of us share a deep heartfelt appreciation of what it means to live as sisters and brothers, God our Father’s children through Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Truly it is Jesus our Lord who gathers us all and makes us One in Him!

As I look back to see the glory of God in my life, I move forward to glorify Him with renewed vigour for truly there is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength! Amen Alleluia!

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First reading

Philippians 4:10-19 ·

With the help of the One who gives me strength, there is nothing I cannot master

It is a great joy to me, in the Lord, that at last you have shown some concern for me again; though of course you were concerned before, and only lacked an opportunity. I am not talking about shortage of money: I have learnt to manage on whatever I have, I know how to be poor and I know how to be rich too. I have been through my initiation and now I am ready for anything anywhere: full stomach or empty stomach, poverty or plenty. There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength. All the same, it was good of you to share with me in my hardships. In the early days of the Good News, as you people of Philippi well know, when I left Macedonia, no other church helped me with gifts of money. You were the only ones; and twice since my stay in Thessalonika you have sent me what I needed. It is not your gift that I value; what is valuable to me is the interest that is mounting up in your account. Now for the time being I have everything that I need and more: I am fully provided now that I have received from Epaphroditus the offering that you sent, a sweet fragrance – the sacrifice that God accepts and finds pleasing. In return my God will fulfil all your needs, in Christ Jesus, as lavishly as only God can.

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Gospel

Luke 16:9-15

Use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity. The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?

    ‘No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.’

    The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and laughed at him. He said to them, ‘You are the very ones who pass yourselves off as virtuous in people’s sight, but God knows your hearts. For what is thought highly of by men is loathsome in the sight of God.’

“They make foods into their god and they are proudest of something they ought to think shameful; the things they think important are earthly things.”

Stark warning from St Paul on how we can become enemies of the cross of Christ!

We need to account for how we are living each day in the light of the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And we must correct the errors of our ways, behaviours, speech and so on. That is why an examination of conscience each day is a must if we want to grow in faithfulness, holiness and to deepen our relationship with Jesus our Lord. For we know we can always turn to Him to transfigure us, so as to live more fully in His love.

Lord You are faithful. You will establish me and guard me against the evil one. Amen (2 Tess 3:3)

Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop pray for us…

First reading

Philippians 3:17-4:1 ·

Our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes Christ to transfigure us

My brothers, be united in following my rule of life. Take as your models everybody who is already doing this and study them as you used to study us. I have told you often, and I repeat it today with tears, there are many who are behaving as the enemies of the cross of Christ. They are destined to be lost. They make foods into their god and they are proudest of something they ought to think shameful; the things they think important are earthly things. For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe.

    So then, my brothers and dear friends, do not give way but remain faithful in the Lord. I miss you very much, dear friends; you are my joy and my crown.

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Gospel

Luke 16:1-8

The master praised the dishonest servant

Jesus said to his disciples:

    ‘There was a rich man and he had a steward denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.” Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.”

    Then he called his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, “How much do you owe my master?” “One hundred measures of oil” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond; sit down straight away and write fifty.” To another he said, “And you, sir, how much do you owe?” “One hundred measures of wheat” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond and write eighty.”

    ‘The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.’

All our qualifications, status in life means nothing if we do not know Christ Jesus and are living a life in the Spirit! More so if we are not helping our fellow sisters and brothers on their journey back to God our Heavenly Father.

I used to think that I when I pass from this life into new life with my Lord, how nice it would be to be remembered by many, like one of the saints who devoted their life to Christ and how many they have touched. But now as I dwell more deeply, I would rather be remembered only by the many lost souls I have led back to Christ and how through their own encounter with Jesus have led others to the same. Then when it is time, we can all stand hand in hand singing the Lord our God’s praises in Heaven. Amen

Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice! Alleluia!

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First reading

Philippians 3:3-8 ·

I was faultless according to the Law; but without knowing Christ I was nothing

We are the real people of the circumcision, we who worship in accordance with the Spirit of God; we have our own glory from Christ Jesus without having to rely on a physical operation. If it came to relying on physical evidence, I should be fully qualified myself. Take any man who thinks he can rely on what is physical: I am even better qualified. I was born of the race of Israel and of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrew parents, and I was circumcised when I was eight days old. As for the Law, I was a Pharisee; as for working for religion, I was a persecutor of the Church; as far as the Law can make you perfect, I was faultless. But because of Christ, I have come to consider all these advantages that I had as disadvantages. Not only that, but I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

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Gospel

Luke 15:1-10

There will be rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:

    ‘What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” he would say “I have found my sheep that was lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.

    ‘Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” she would say “I have found the drachma I lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.’

While we hope and pray that our departed fellow sisters and brothers are already with Jesus in His Heavenly Kingdom; we also know that some might have need of purging, perhaps of unconfessed sins and impurities of soul.

That aside we remember them for the joys they brought in our lives, while no longer within reach for a warm hug we have confidence that they are in our Lord’s loving embrace. And so we set aside this day to pray for all our dearly departed, that through our merciful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are fully united with God our Heavenly Father forever.

Listen kindly to our prayers, O Lord, and, as our faith in your Son, raised from the dead, is deepened, so may our hope of resurrection for your departed servants

also find new strength. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, (one) God, for ever and ever. Amen

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First reading

Wisdom 3:1-9 ·

The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God

The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God,

no torment shall ever touch them.

In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die,

their going looked like a disaster,

their leaving us, like annihilation;

but they are in peace.

If they experienced punishment as men see it,

their hope was rich with immortality;

slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be.

God has put them to the test

and proved them worthy to be with him;

he has tested them like gold in a furnace,

and accepted them as a holocaust.

When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out;

as sparks run through the stubble, so will they.

They shall judge nations, rule over peoples,

and the Lord will be their king for ever.

They who trust in him will understand the truth,

those who are faithful will live with him in love;

for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.

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Second reading

Romans 5:5-11 ·

Now we have been reconciled by the death of his Son, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son

Hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us. We were still helpless when at his appointed moment Christ died for sinful men. It is not easy to die even for a good man – though of course for someone really worthy, a man might be prepared to die – but what proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Having died to make us righteous, is it likely that he would now fail to save us from God’s anger? When we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, we were still enemies; now that we have been reconciled, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son? Not merely because we have been reconciled but because we are filled with joyful trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation.

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Gospel

Luke 7:11-17

The only son of his mother, and she a widow

Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. When he was near the gate of the town it happened that a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople were with her. When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her. ‘Do not cry’ he said. Then he went up and put his hand on the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you to get up.’ And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and praised God saying, ‘A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.’ And this opinion of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.

Sexual immorality, materialism, consumerism these are just some of the more prevalent challenges we face to overcome in the world. Yet many do not even realise they have fallen prey to these, for their standards are that of the world!

Buy! Buy! Buy! Black day Sales! Exclusive limited time period sales! Or Limited TV series ‘See how she gives in to her darkest desires’ ‘He aims to please all women will he find love?’

Who shall then stand in His Holy place?

Men and Women with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things.

Today we celebrate our sisters and brothers in Christ who have chosen Jesus above all in their lives. They had all sacrificed for love of Him and of brethren; and were truly Blessed as they in turn shared their Blessings with others. They give us hope of how we too can live new lives with and in Him, our Resurrected Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Till we are reunited in Heaven, all you Saints pray for us…

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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.’

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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.

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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.’

We must bring the Eucharistic Celebration that we celebrate on Sundays back into our homes. That is to have meals with family, friends and community where there is the breaking of the Word, thanksgiving and sharing testimonies over the meal. And the doors of our homes must be opened to all! For as St Paul reminds us today, that we should always consider the other person to be better than ourselves, so that nobody thinks of his or her own interests first but everybody thinks of other people’s interests instead.

Can you fathom how powerful a message we send as Christians living our faith in such a setting? By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.  Jn 13:35 Amen

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First reading

Philippians 2:1-4 ·

Be united in your love

If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing which would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, so that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other people’s interests instead.

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Gospel

Luke 14:12-14

Do not invite those who might be able to invite you back

Jesus said to his host, one of the leading Pharisees, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

How many wants to live long lives in the service of others? To live out their lives focused on one sole mission and that is to win as many souls as possible for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Hard to fathom? Well, this is how we are when we have fallen deeply in love with our Lord. While we desire with all our hearts to be united with Him in Heaven, we also want to lead as many as we can home to Him.

The only affirmation we seek is His and therefore we die to ourselves so as to rise with Him! This is the pure humility of carrying our cross and following after Him.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.” John 12:24-25

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First reading

Philippians 1:18-26 ·

Life to me is Christ; but death would bring me more

Christ is proclaimed; and that makes me happy; and I shall continue being happy, because I know this will help to save me, thanks to your prayers and to the help which will be given to me by the Spirit of Jesus. My one hope and trust is that I shall never have to admit defeat, but that now as always I shall have the courage for Christ to be glorified in my body, whether by my life or by my death. Life to me, of course, is Christ, but then death would bring me something more; but then again, if living in this body means doing work which is having good results – I do not know what I should choose. I am caught in this dilemma: I want to be gone and be with Christ, which would be very much the better, but for me to stay alive in this body is a more urgent need for your sake. This weighs with me so much that I feel sure I shall survive and stay with you all, and help you to progress in the faith and even increase your joy in it; and so you will have another reason to give praise to Christ Jesus on my account when I am with you again.

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Gospel

Luke 14:1,7-11

Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled

Now on a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

Ever since last week, when I asked the Lord for a Word to share with the participants going through the Pathways Choices series, He has put this on my heart for me as well.  I believe He also wants you His saints to know this. To be encouraged and to be emboldened to share His love with all you meet.

But now thus says the Lord,

    he who created you, he who formed you,

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

    I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

    and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One, your Saviour.

Because you are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you. (Isaiah 43:1-4)

Saints Simon and Jude till we are all reunited in Heaven, pray for us…Amen

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First reading

Ephesians 2:19-22 ·

In Christ you are no longer aliens, but citizens like us

You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit.

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Gospel

Luke 6:12-16

Jesus chooses his twelve apostles

Jesus went out into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them; he called them ‘apostles’: Simon whom he called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor.

You and I may think we are far from Holy, but holiness for us is not an end result but a journey into the loving embrace of our Father in Heaven. Holiness comes from Him and we cannot say that we are not holy because by our baptism we were made holy unto Him. Therefore be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48

This is why every morning we should put on the helmet of salvation remembering always that Jesus has already won the victory over sin and death for us. We then sit in His presence and ponder on His word for us. We pray in the Spirit for ourselves and for our fellow saints. Only then, we are ready and eager to share the good news and love the world into His kingdom!

Blessed be the Lord our God, now and forever. Amen

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First reading

Ephesians 6:10-20 ·

Put on God’s armour and resist the devil

Grow strong in the Lord, with the strength of his power. Put God’s armour on so as to be able to resist the devil’s tactics. For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the Sovereignties and the Powers who originate the darkness in this world, the spiritual army of evil in the heavens. That is why you must rely on God’s armour, or you will not be able to put up any resistance when the worst happens, or have enough resources to hold your ground.

    So stand your ground, with truth buckled round your waist, and integrity for a breastplate, wearing for shoes on your feet the eagerness to spread the gospel of peace and always carrying the shield of faith so that you can use it to put out the burning arrows of the evil one. And then you must accept salvation from God to be your helmet and receive the word of God from the Spirit to use as a sword.

    Pray all the time, asking for what you need, praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion. Never get tired of staying awake to pray for all the saints; and pray for me to be given an opportunity to open my mouth and speak without fear and give out the mystery of the gospel of which I am an ambassador in chains; pray that in proclaiming it I may speak as boldly as I ought to.

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Gospel

Luke 13:31-35

It would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem

Some Pharisees came up to Jesus. ‘Go away’ they said. ‘Leave this place, because Herod means to kill you.’ He replied, ‘You may go and give that fox this message: Learn that today and tomorrow I cast out devils and on the third day attain my end. But for today and tomorrow and the next day I must go on, since it would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem.

    ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! So be it! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me till the time comes when you say:

‘Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!’

There are simply too many volunteers and not enough disciples! Too many in our churches, ministries, communities even families. Let us reflect a little on the latter first. For if we had disciples in the family will we not need to be reminded of our roles in the family? How to be obedient and give honour to our parents? How we need to serve one another with great love, the same love we have found in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?

How about communities and ministries? Do we belong to one and are we there as disciples of Christ Jesus our Lord? Do we serve with and alongside one another in love? Are all doing our bit to build up His Kingdom by praying together, worshipping and praising Him as one? Do we affirm one another and help one another grow within our communities and ministries? Are we obedient to the leaders? And finally, how have we touched and brought all those outside of our communities and ministries closer to Jesus our Lord as His disciples?

What about Church? Do we even know who or what makes up the Church? Is it the building? The people? One or the other? Both? If we think we do know then what is our commitment to Church? How much do we love our Church? How are we showing that love? Do we participate fully with all our hearts and minds in growing the Church community? Or are our individual ministries and communities all that we are concerned about? Are we a ‘communion’ of volunteers or are we One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church? A Holy Communion of saints, disciples after the heart of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face. Amen Cf. Ps 104: 3-4

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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.

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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.’

With renewed minds in Christ Jesus our Lord we will raise up His Kingdom! For we are the yeast in three measures of flour, we are the trees fully grown by our faith which provide shelter for those seeking Jesus!

For we are called to emulate the spousal love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for His Church. And we are His Church, His bride! So just as we husbands and wives aim to lead one another to Heaven by and through His love. We too shall lead everyone to His kingdom by our spousal fidelity and love. Amen

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First reading

Ephesians 5:21-33 ·

Give way to one another in obedience to Christ

Give way to one another in obedience to Christ. Wives should regard their husbands as they regard the Lord, since as Christ is head of the Church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife; and as the Church submits to Christ, so should wives to their husbands, in everything. Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy. He made her clean by washing her in water with a form of words, so that when he took her to himself she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless. In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself. A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church, because it is his body – and we are its living parts. For this reason, a man must leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one body. This mystery has many implications; but I am saying it applies to Christ and the Church. To sum up; you too, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband.

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Gospel

Luke 13:18-21

The kingdom of God is like the yeast that leavened three measures of flour

Jesus said, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? It is like a mustard seed which a man took and threw into his garden: it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches.’

    Another thing he said, ‘What shall I compare the kingdom of God with? It is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through.’

Are we all exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to us all at baptism and rekindled, set ablaze by our confirmation? Or for many sisters and brothers during a baptism of the Holy Spirit after LISS (Life in The Spirit Seminar), a retreat and so on.

If we are, then we know just how powerful and wonderful it is to be instruments of His grace for one another; as we build up His Church, His Kingdom! During a recent zoom meeting we were broken off into small groups of two or three and asked to pray, then discern a message from God for one another. I was grouped with a beautiful couple in the US. The wife said this to me, “I see you searching, and searching, like someone looking hard to find jewels here and there. But here’s the thing, you do not need or lack of anything, you already have it all.” She by exercising the gift she had received from Holy Spirit gave me great hope, strength, courage, even empowerment by that ‘simple’ message. I would go on the next day to step out in faith and pray for a sister who needed physical healing.

So, if Jesus came in person today to see us, will He find fruit?

Jesus my friend, my Lord and Saviour, grant me more of You in my life. So that through and with You I will always bear much fruit for You. Glory and Praise to You O Lord. Amen

Saint John Paul II, Pope pray for us…

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First reading

Ephesians 4:7-16 ·

By grace, we shall not be children any longer

Each one of us has been given his own share of grace, given as Christ allotted it. It was said that he would:

When he ascended to the height, he captured prisoners,

he gave gifts to men.

When it says, ‘he ascended’, what can it mean if not that he descended right down to the lower regions of the earth? The one who rose higher than all the heavens to fill all things is none other than the one who descended. And to some, his gift was that they should be apostles; to some, prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; so that the saints together make a unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ. In this way we are all to come to unity in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God, until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself.

    Then we shall not be children any longer, or tossed one way and another and carried along by every wind of doctrine, at the mercy of all the tricks men play and their cleverness in practising deceit. If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to its function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love.

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Gospel

Luke 13:1-9

‘Leave the fig tree one more year’

Some people arrived and told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them, ‘Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’

    He told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, “Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.”’

How do we read the times with eyes opened afresh through the Holy Spirit? Through the One same spirit that binds us all together through Jesus Christ our Lord. Do we rely simply on tried and tested methods, templates, song choices or do we move where the Lord leads us? For His Way is always better! And He makes all things new!

If Covid has taught us anything, it is that we must all quickly adapt and change or be left behind to die! The question today is how do we bring about a revival in our Church? In our communities, families, nation and the World? How do we share Jesus our Lord with everyone in ways that will open ears, minds and hearts?

Yes Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb 13:8 And yet Jesus said in John 4:13-14 “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” He invites us in Isaiah 55:1-2 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. (John 7:38) Lord Jesus let Your living water well out from within me, that I may bring You anew into this world thirsting for You. Amen

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First reading

Ephesians 4:1-6 ·

One Body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God

I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, over all, through all and within all.

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Gospel

Luke 12:54-59

Do you not know how to interpret these times?

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?

    ‘Why not judge for yourselves what is right? For example: when you go to court with your opponent, try to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the bailiff and the bailiff have you thrown into prison. I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny.’

There are many still living lives with taglines, thinking that these will remind and help them to stay on track. “Let go and let God!”, “What would Jesus do?”, “Jesus is my God, my strength”, “The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” and so on…

But in truth they are far from letting go and letting God. Will Jesus really do the things they have done? And if He is their strength then how come there is no growth or revival in their community, their church? How is it then, that their answers to questions raised by others are administrative, cold and without resolve? How many of God’s children were trampled upon by their harsh words, actions even attitudes?

Instead of what would Jesus do. We should press in on what would Jesus think. What is on the mind and heart of the Lord our God for our lives? He should therefore already be the One above all, everyone and everything in our lives! And so are loving our brethren as we love ourselves; for great is our love of Him.

Lord Jesus set my heart on fire for You. For it You I long for, You I thirst for. Amen

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First reading

Ephesians 3:14-21

A prayer that faithful may know the love of Christ

This is what I pray, kneeling before the Father, from whom every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes its name:

    Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth; until, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fullness of God.

    Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine; glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.

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Gospel

Luke 12:49-53

How I wish it were blazing already!

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!

    ‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’

What does it mean to be entrusted by the Lord our God? Was in only the Apostles? St Paul? No, it is you and me! We are His stewards sent to bring His peace, mercy and love into the world. So that all believers and unbelievers alike will have an opportunity to draw from the wells of salvation.

Why are some reluctant to embrace this fact? Do they see this as a cumbersome burden? Perhaps they believe they are fighting a battle which has already been won by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Perhaps they do not yet realise yet that by carrying our cross and following after Him actually sets us free to scale new and divine heights!

For He did not leave us orphans! We are crowned as priests, prophets and kings! We are God our Father’s beloved children who will share in His eternal glory. So let us be bold enough to approach God in complete confidence, through our faith in him. So that we can open the gates of Heaven for our family, our brethren. Amen

 Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and their Companions, Saint Paul of the Cross pray for us…

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First reading

Ephesians 3:2-12 ·

The pagans now share the same inheritance

You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery, as I have just described it very shortly. If you read my word you will have some idea of the depths that I see in the mystery of Christ. This that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel. I have been made the servant of that gospel by a gift of grace from God who gave it to me by his own power. I, who am less than the least of all the saints have been entrusted with this special grace, not only of proclaiming to the pagans the infinite treasure of Christ but also of explaining how the mystery is to be dispensed. Through all the ages, this has been kept hidden in God, the creator of everything. Why? So that the Sovereignties and Powers should learn only now, through the Church, how comprehensive God’s wisdom really is, exactly according to the plan which he had had from all eternity in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is why we are bold enough to approach God in complete confidence, through our faith in him.

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Gospel

Luke 12:39-48

The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect

Jesus said to his disciples:

    ‘You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’

    Peter said, ‘Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?’ The Lord replied, ‘What sort of steward, then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment. I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns. But as for the servant who says to himself, “My master is taking his time coming,” and sets about beating the menservants and the maids, and eating and drinking and getting drunk, his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.

    The servant who knows what his master wants, but has not even started to carry out those wishes, will receive very many strokes of the lash. The one who did not know, but deserves to be beaten for what he has done, will receive fewer strokes. When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.’

We are now the seventy-two others sent to bring His love, mercy, healing into neighbourhood, our workplaces, our homes, our nation! The peace that we carry with us is the Lord’s peace into our hearts and so we shall speak His peace into the hearts of those we encounter. We shall command a change in the atmosphere from hostility to serenity. We shall open the gate of Heaven and bring Heaven down to earth. Where God our Father’s angels shall descend and help us as we minister to His children.

Let this be our prayer and love put into action for His glory. Amen

Saint Luke pray for us…

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First reading

2 Timothy 4:10-17 ·

Only Luke is with me

Demas has deserted me for love of this life and gone to Thessalonika, Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia; only Luke is with me. Get Mark to come and bring him with you; I find him a useful helper in my work. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, and the scrolls, especially the parchment ones. Alexander the coppersmith has done me a lot of harm; the Lord will repay him for what he has done. Be on your guard against him yourself, because he has been bitterly contesting everything that we say.

    The first time I had to present my defence, there was not a single witness to support me. Every one of them deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

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Gospel

Luke 10:1-9

Your peace will rest on that man

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.”’

Are we still living sensual lives ruled entirely by our own physical desires, our own ideas and strength? The answer may very well be in the pictures and comments we post on our accounts on social media. And it is true that not everyone shares on such platforms, and it is also true that not everything that one post accurately reflects on his or her character. The point is for us to deeply reflect on how we are living lives in the Spirit freely sharing His love with everyone. What better way than to recall what we have done or failed to do through the ‘picture book’ of our very own lives?

God our Father demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rm 5:8 An unconditional gift of grace to claim us as His very own. And so as children of God our Father so loved by Him what fruits do we bear for His glory? What riches have we stored up in our hearts to share with Him and brethren?

Let us be encouraged, that having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Amen Col 2:2-3

Saint Ignatius of Antioch pray for us..

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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.

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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.’

Let today’s reflection be my prayer O Lord, for I declare that You sweet Jesus are my Lord, God and Saviour. I am Yours alone, now and for all eternity.

Jesus You are Lord of lords, King of kings and I declare Your sovereignty over me and my family. Rule Lord always in our heart, mind and spirit.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit let me bring Your love into the world. All for Your Glory. Amen

Saint Teresa of Ávila pray for us…

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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.

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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.’

The endearing love of God our Father for us, has set us free through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ to live in the power of His resurrection. We have sealed with the Holy Spirit the promise of our inheritance. We are His children and shall make His glory known!

Living a life in the Spirit what have we to fear? Evil and sin has no hold over us for the victory belongs to Christ Jesus our Lord. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Rm 14:8

Fear is only for those who choose to remain in sin!

Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Jos 24:15) Amen

Saint Callistus pray for us…

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First reading

Ephesians 1:11-14 ·

You have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit

It is in Christ that we were claimed as God’s own,

chosen from the beginning,

under the predetermined plan of the one who guides all things

as he decides by his own will;

chosen to be, for his greater glory,

the people who would put their hopes in Christ before he came.

Now you too, in him,

have heard the message of the truth and the good news of your salvation,

and have believed it;

and you too have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit of the Promise,

the pledge of our inheritance which brings freedom for those whom God has taken for his own, to make his glory praised.

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Gospel

Luke 12:1-7

Not one sparrow is forgotten in God’s sight

The people had gathered in their thousands so that they were treading on one another. And Jesus began to speak, first of all to his disciples. ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy. Everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. For this reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places will be proclaimed on the housetops.

    ‘To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Can you not buy five sparrows for two pennies? And yet not one is forgotten in God’s sight. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. There is no need to be afraid: you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.’

Even to this day we have prophets amongst us who are moved to speak God’s word into our hearts, so that we may live fully according to His Word and Will for us. Yet how many of them have we received with open hearts?

Often they are met with much scepticism and disdain. Some may even say to others he or she is just pretending to be holy and righteous. Even their utterance of healing taking place is simply a ‘show’. If he or she is true then why am I not blessed? Not healed? And so on….

Yet all these negativity does not change the reality; that if we believe and know that Jesus Christ our Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. Heb 13:8 Then we also know  that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Rm 8:28 Therefore sisters and brothers if we live according to our call as His priest, prophet and king; then we are the ones sent into the world praise the glory of His grace upon us. And we are therefore called to share that grace with all whom we meet. We must recognise this grace in one another, for we are One Body in Him. Amen

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First reading

Ephesians 1:1-10 ·

Before the world was made, God chose us in Christ

From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, to the saints who are faithful to Christ Jesus. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ.

Before the world was made, he chose us, chose us in Christ,

to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence,

determining that we should become his adopted sons, through Jesus Christ

for his own kind purposes,

to make us praise the glory of his grace,

his free gift to us in the Beloved,

in whom, through his blood, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins.

Such is the richness of the grace

which he has showered on us

in all wisdom and insight.

He has let us know the mystery of his purpose,

the hidden plan he so kindly made in Christ from the beginning

to act upon when the times had run their course to the end:

that he would bring everything together under Christ, as head,

everything in the heavens and everything on earth.

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Gospel

Luke 11:47-54

You have not gone in yourselves and have prevented others who wanted to

Jesus said: ‘Alas for you who build the tombs of the prophets, the men your ancestors killed! In this way you both witness what your ancestors did and approve it; they did the killing, you do the building.

    ‘And that is why the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles; some they will slaughter and persecute, so that this generation will have to answer for every prophet’s blood that has been shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was murdered between the altar and the sanctuary.” Yes, I tell you, this generation will have to answer for it all.

    ‘Alas for you lawyers who have taken away the key of knowledge! You have not gone in yourselves, and have prevented others going in who wanted to.’

    When he left the house, the scribes and the Pharisees began a furious attack on him and tried to force answers from him on innumerable questions, setting traps to catch him out in something he might say.

We need to live a life in the Spirit and allow the Lord our God to lead us, for His way is better! How can we pray ‘Let Your thoughts be my thoughts and Your words be my words’ otherwise?

If we live a life in the Spirit then we will bring with us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, truthfulness, gentleness and self -control whereever we go. We will change every toxic environment we step into and bring our Lord’s light to every corner of darkness! For we are His flock we listen follow after Him and we bring Jesus into every situation.

This is a vision I saw on my way to work yesterday. A dove flying with a palm leaf in its beak. And for me it was a call for us to live a life filled with the Holy Spirit so that we shall lay the palm at His feet and glorify Him by our lives!

Instruct me, Lord, in your way; on an even path lead me. Amen (PS 26:11)

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First reading

Galatians 5:18-25 ·

To belong to Christ, crucify all self-indulgence

If you are led by the Spirit, no law can touch you. When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: fornication, gross indecency and sexual irresponsibility; idolatry and sorcery; feuds and wrangling, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels; disagreements, factions, envy; drunkenness, orgies and similar things. I warn you now, as I warned you before: those who behave like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. What the Spirit brings is very different: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control. There can be no law against things like that, of course. You cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless you crucify all self-indulgent passions and desires.

    Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit.

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Gospel

Luke 11:42-46

You overlook justice and the love of God

The Lord said to the Pharisees: ‘Alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without leaving the others undone. Alas for you Pharisees who like taking the seats of honour in the synagogues and being greeted obsequiously in the market squares! Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that men walk on without knowing it!

    A lawyer then spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said ‘when you speak like this you insult us too.’

    ‘Alas for you lawyers also,’ he replied ‘because you load on men burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not move a finger to lift.’

There are many good things that we do out of habit or ritually like praying the rosary or set prayers from a beloved prayer book which is all good; but if it does not change us to be more loving towards others or to be more Christlike, to bring His peace love and joy, then are we truly living life in the Spirit as we are called to?

Are we only concerned about how others see us? That we must be seen to pray most piously when looked upon? Or to offer loud ostentatious greetings in Church or in other similar settings? Nay! For what comes from within through Christ Jesus our Lord is far better than anything we can see with our eyes or hear. Such as the beautiful glow about a sister and brother in Christ so in love with our Lord. Or when we hear him or her speak, it is as though Jesus is speaking to our hearts. This is what we must strive for! This is what we must bring into the world! Then we will indeed see His glory working through us all to bring gather all that have been scattered and living in darkness.

Lord make me a channel of Your peace in the world. Amen

Saint John XXIII, Pope pray for us…

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First reading

Galatians 5:1-6 ·

It is faith, not the Law, that justifies us

When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. It is I, Paul, who tell you this: if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all. With all solemnity I repeat my warning: Everyone who accepts circumcision is obliged to keep the whole Law. But if you do look to the Law to make you justified, then you have separated yourselves from Christ, and have fallen from grace. Christians are told by the Spirit to look to faith for those rewards that righteousness hopes for, since in Christ Jesus whether you are circumcised or not makes no difference – what matters is faith that makes its power felt through love.

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Gospel

Luke 11:37-41

Give thanks for what you have and it will all be clean

Jesus had just finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. He went in and sat down at the table. The Pharisee saw this and was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal. But the Lord said to him, ‘Oh, you Pharisees! You clean the outside of cup and plate, while inside yourselves you are filled with extortion and wickedness. Fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside too? Instead, give alms from what you have and then indeed everything will be clean for you.’

The victory over sin and death has already been won for us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And we have been set free to live free in His love. He nourishes and equips us each day through His Word as we go forth to share His love with everyone we meet.

We dear sisters and brothers are the signs of God our Father’s love in the world! As all will see through our own conversion, how we are conformed to the image of His Son. (RM 8:29) How we love them with His love and how we bring His peace and joy into their hearts.

Lord Jesus let me be Your light in the world, as I live in the light of Your resurrection. Amen

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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.

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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.’

All the nourishment we will ever need is to be found in the Lord our God’s loving Word. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. We receive Him, Body, Blood, soul and divinity in Holy Eucharist and we become One with and through Him!

So let spend the rest of the day reflecting on how are we in Holy Communion with Him and with one another?

Bless me Jesus this Holy and wonderful Saturday, embrace me sweet Jesus I am Yours and You are mine.  Amen

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First reading

Galatians 3:22-29 ·

There are no more distinctions: all are one in Christ Jesus

Scripture makes no exceptions when it says that sin is master everywhere. In this way the promise can only be given through faith in Jesus Christ and can only be given to those who have this faith.

    Before faith came, we were allowed no freedom by the Law; we were being looked after till faith was revealed. The Law was to be our guardian until the Christ came and we could be justified by faith. Now that that time has come we are no longer under that guardian, and you are, all of you, sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. All baptised in Christ, you have all clothed yourselves in Christ, and there are no more distinctions between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, but all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Merely by belonging to Christ you are the posterity of Abraham, the heirs he was promised.

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Gospel

Luke 11:27-28

‘Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!’

As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, ‘Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!’ But he replied, ‘Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!’

Retreat after retreat, formation, after formation, and at every Eucharistic Celebration, the Lord our God heals you, embraces you and sets you free to live fully in His love. Empowered, how do you go living a renewed life in the Spirit? Or do you go back into your daily routines as before thinking it felt good but don’t let it get to your head? Yes, I have received but wasn’t it for me alone? How am I going to share with others? Who will receive? Why would they want to listen to what I have to say? Whose voice is it that you hear that seeks to scatter?

Rely on faith and act in faith! That is just what I did after attending an intensive training under School of Faith. At first I thought, I was going to simply host the first in-person session of a series of basic Christian formation which will lead to an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The first four was done via zoom while this fifth one onwards was live and in person. Then later I was requested to also lead the worship session, while supported by fellow sisters and a brother who would play the guitar and sing. In obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, I agreed and decided to be fully Spirit led. I left the worship songs to them but gave simple directions of how we were going to proceed. The theme of the Session was ‘How we can turn back to God?’ While on the train, I asked the Lord to show me a passage that I might pray or proclaim to His flock and just as I opened my bible the word psalm 32 came to mind. I flipped it to Psalm 32 and was amazed! Next question was when would I share this? When the session started, I began to feel our Lord’s amazing presence as we worshipped Him in prayer and song. It was after the first worship song I shared the Psalm 32 with the group. And after the second worship song I was prompted to start with a simple activation. Jesus was present to love and embrace everyone in the room.

After the sharing of a testimony and the talk we broke of into two groups to share on the topic at hand. The other group seemed very much alive with joy while they shared and laughter could be heard every now and then. Ours was by far different, the sharing was more solemn and heartfelt. Healing and deliverance was taking place. A lady in our group was sharing just how painful it was for her to lose her son to cancer and while the Lord has seen her through it, there is still lingering pain every now and then. Before sharing a vision I got, I sought confirmation from her other son seating beside me. I asked him if his brother liked wearing caps, because I saw a vision of a young man wearing a cap beside Jesus, looking down and smiling at his mother who was pouring her heart out to us. He wanted to assure her that He was with Jesus and has been praying for her and his siblings. Two others then shared similarly painful yet different accounts of what was going on in their lives. Then the daughter of the earlier lady who was also present shared her excruciating journey back to Jesus after her brother had passed on. I saw a word. ‘Love’ in front of her and shared it with her after her sharing. She was not only deeply loved by our Lord but she that she was filled with so much love to share with the world. And that she is going to be a great instrument of His grace and love for others. For she could reach others with similar pains in their lives in a very unique way and loving them into His Kingdom.

What a truly amazing and wonderful, spirit filled session! All praise to Jesus!

Rely on Faith and Act in Faith! Amen

Our Lady of the Rosary pray for us…

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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.

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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.’

In a different light today’s reading is reminding us that every Eucharistic Celebration and community prayer meeting that we attend must change us from within. For we have Jesus, present with and within us! We all should already be living lives in the Spirit prophesying, healing, sharing words of wisdom, knowledge even deliverance. For it is by faith that we step out to do all these according to His Will for us.

Every day is an opportunity to Glorify the Lord by our lives and if we lack anything in doing so, we should simply pray persistently with all our heart. For the Lord our God promises us when He said, “How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’”

Thank You loving Father, thank You Jesus, thank You Holy Spirit. I have received, I am empowered, and I will go! Amen Alleluia!

Saint Bruno pray for us… 

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First reading

Galatians 3:1-5 ·

You received the Spirit because you believed what was preached

Are you people in Galatia mad? Has someone put a spell on you, in spite of the plain explanation you have had of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ? Let me ask you one question: was it because you practised the Law that you received the Spirit, or because you believed what was preached to you? Are you foolish enough to end in outward observances what you began in the Spirit? Have all the favours you received been wasted? And if this were so, they would most certainly have been wasted. Does God give you the Spirit so freely and work miracles among you because you practise Law, or because you believed what was preached to you?

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Gospel

Luke 11:5-13

Ask, and it will be given to you

Jesus said to his disciples:

    ‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.

    ‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

Are we not love everyone into our Lord’s Kingdom? Are we the ones to decide who is worthy or not worthy of our time? Do we sit far away from sinners or those whom we think might influence our ways?

This will never happen if we are truly walking in our Lord’s presence and in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we walk and talk, we shall always bring the joy of the Gospel with us.

When we pray, we pray as Jesus taught us and that first and foremost, we Bless and honour God our Heavenly Father for all that He has done and will do, for love of us. 

Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”  (John 5:19) Likewise we will now only do what we Jesus has done, continues to do and more. Just as Jesus was merciful to us by dying on the cross, so too shall we be merciful to those who have wronged us.

Take me deeper, Deeper in love with You Jesus. Hold me close in Your embrace. Amen

Saint Faustina Kowalska pray for us… 

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First reading

Galatians 2:1-2,7-14

They recognised the grace that God had given me

It was not till fourteen years had passed that I went up to Jerusalem again. I went with Barnabas and took Titus with me. I went there as the result of a revelation, and privately I laid before the leading men the Good News as I proclaim it among the pagans; I did so for fear the course I was adopting or had already adopted would not be allowed. On the contrary, they recognised that I had been commissioned to preach the Good News to the uncircumcised just as Peter had been commissioned to preach it to the circumcised. The same person whose action had made Peter the apostle of the circumcised had given me a similar mission to the pagans. So, James, Cephas and John, these leaders, these pillars, shook hands with Barnabas and me as a sign of partnership: we were to go to the pagans and they to the circumcised. The only thing they insisted on was that we should remember to help the poor, as indeed I was anxious to do.

    When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, since he was manifestly in the wrong. His custom had been to eat with the pagans, but after certain friends of James arrived he stopped doing this and kept away from them altogether for fear of the group that insisted on circumcision. The other Jews joined him in this pretence, and even Barnabas felt himself obliged to copy their behaviour.

    When I saw they were not respecting the true meaning of the Good News, I said to Cephas in front of everyone, ‘In spite of being a Jew, you live like the pagans and not like the Jews, so you have no right to make the pagans copy Jewish ways.’

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Gospel

Luke 11:1-4

How to pray

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’

    He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:

‘“Father, may your name be held holy,

your kingdom come;

give us each day our daily bread,

and forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us.

And do not put us to the test.”’

How many of us have faced criticism for being Catholic, of being religious and ritualistic? Or in turn criticised our sisters and brothers in Christs outside of the Catholic Church for not having the fullness of faith? Who is it that seeks to divide us? Afterall our Lord Jesus prays for us to be One just as He and the Heavenly Father are one.

We have all been sent! (The term apostle is derived from Classical Greek ἀπόστολος (apóstolos), meaning “one who is sent off”, from στέλλειν (“stellein”), “to send” + από (apó), “off, away from”.) Sent to do what? Jesus commands us to e go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matt 28:19-20)

In today’s Gospel we are reminded that in our zeal to go out and do good works which is very much needed, we must first be in the presence of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Before we can minister to others we must first be ministered by Him. Nourished by His Word, grace filled with the Holy Spirit we can then go out bringing His presence with us. Amen

Saint Francis of Assisi pray for us…

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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.

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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.’

If we want to know the mind of Jesus, then we receive His Word through His heart and be led by the Holy Spirit; that is the only way in which we will live the Gospel in our lives. We become eager and willing to share the Good News which will transform lives!

If we look through the eyes of Jesus, we will see our neighbour! We see through His compassionate and loving eyes. The poor, the widowed, the orphan, the downcast, outcast, poor in spirit and so on; regardless of race, language, sexual orientation and religion. We love them first just as He first loved us.

Lord Jesus let me see and love my neighbour as I am called to through Your love and grace Amen.

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First reading

Galatians 1:6-12 ·

The Good News I preached is not a human message but from Jesus Christ

I am astonished at the promptness with which you have turned away from the one who called you and have decided to follow a different version of the Good News. Not that there can be more than one Good News; it is merely that some troublemakers among you want to change the Good News of Christ; and let me warn you that if anyone preaches a version of the Good News different from the one we have already preached to you, whether it be ourselves or an angel from heaven, he is to be condemned. I am only repeating what we told you before: if anyone preaches a version of the Good News different from the one you have already heard, he is to be condemned. So now whom am I trying to please – man, or God? Would you say it is men’s approval I am looking for? If I still wanted that, I should not be what I am – a servant of Christ.

    The fact is, brothers, and I want you to realise this, the Good News I preached is not a human message that I was given by men, it is something I learnt only through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

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Gospel

Luke 10:25-37

The good Samaritan

There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’

    But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’

When we are in right relationship with God our loving Father and living in the presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ then truly our hearts are filled with joy by the Holy Spirit. Our hearts desire is to be One with Him and one another in Holy Communion.

And we will go on to do great things to glory Him by our lives! For we know our names are written in Heaven. We are His Priests, Prophets and Kings! Most of all we are His children so loved by Him. Amen

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus Pray for us…

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First reading

Job 42:1-3,5-6,12-17

In dust and in ashes I repent

This was the answer Job gave to the Lord:

I know that you are all-powerful:

    what you conceive, you can perform.

I am the man who obscured your designs

    with my empty-headed words.

I have been holding forth on matters I cannot understand,

    on marvels beyond me and my knowledge.

I knew you then only by hearsay;

    but now, having seen you with my own eyes,

I retract all I have said,

    and in dust and ashes I repent.

The Lord blessed Job’s new fortune even more than his first one. He came to own fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand she-donkeys. He had seven sons and three daughters; his first daughter he called ‘Turtledove’, the second ‘Cassia’ and the third ‘Mascara.’ Throughout the land there were no women as beautiful as the daughters of Job. And their father gave them inheritance rights like their brothers.

    After his trials, Job lived on until he was a hundred and forty years old, and saw his children and his children’s children up to the fourth generation. Then Job died, an old man and full of days.

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Gospel

Luke 10:17-24

Rejoice that your names are written in heaven

The seventy-two came back rejoicing. ‘Lord,’ they said ‘even the devils submit to us when we use your name.’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you. Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.’

    It was then that, filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, he said:

    ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’

    Then turning to his disciples he spoke to them in private, ‘Happy the eyes that see what you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.’

How Great is our God! Indeed merciful, loving and ever living Lord and God; Father almighty, You have given us Your only begotten Son that we might have life to the full!

Forgive our past stubbornness of heart, we accept Jesus fully into our lives and have been changed from within by the power of His life, death and resurrection. Through Him we have been restored as Sons and Daughters so loved by You. Through Jesus we claim our Heavenly inheritance for we have been anointed Priest, Prophet and King!

Let us therefore go out into the world as beacons of His light, and bring healing and revival to the ends of the earth! Through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

First reading

Job 38:1,12-21,40:3-5 ·

The immeasurable greatness of God

From the heart of the tempest the Lord gave Job his answer. He said:

Have you ever in your life given orders to the morning

    or sent the dawn to its post,

telling it to grasp the earth by its edges

    and shake the wicked out of it,

when it changes the earth to sealing clay

    and dyes it as a man dyes clothes;

stealing the light from wicked men

    and breaking the arm raised to strike?

Have you journeyed all the way to the sources of the sea,

    or walked where the Abyss is deepest?

Have you been shown the gates of Death

    or met the janitors of Shadowland?

Have you an inkling of the extent of the earth?

    Tell me all about it if you have!

Which is the way to the home of the light,

    and where does darkness live?

You could then show them the way to their proper places,

    or put them on the path to where they live!

If you know all this, you must have been born with them,

    you must be very old by now!

Job replied to the Lord:

My words have been frivolous: what can I reply?

    I had better lay my finger on my lips.

I have spoken once… I will not speak again;

    more than once… I will add nothing.

Gospel

Luke 10:13-16

Anyone who rejects me rejects the one who sent me

Jesus said to his disciples:

    ‘Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. And still, it will not go as hard with Tyre and Sidon at the Judgement as with you. And as for you, Capernaum, did you want to be exalted high as heaven? You shall be thrown down to hell.

    ‘Anyone who listens to you listens to me; anyone who rejects you rejects me, and those who reject me reject the one who sent me.’