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Are our hearts hardened that we do not see, touch, feel God’s presence or grace upon us?

Jesus walks past us to let us know He is near and waits for us to cry out to Him in our hour of need should we choose to…. Do we acknowledge His presence?

Jesus speaks to all of us, “Take courage, do not be afraid, I am with you”  If we fear, we need to ask ourselves, have we experienced perfect love in Christ? Are we experiencing it now? 

If we are not and have fear then it is a surety that our fear is a result of sin. For as St John reminds us in the first reading… There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.

Today’s Gospel

Mark 6:45–52

After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.

Are we genuinely concerned about the welfare of others?
Do we love unconditionally as we are loved by our Father?
Are willing to give without reservation, trusting in our Father’s Providence?
Do we love and serve inspite of our weariness?
Do we recognise this miracle of the feeding of five thousand in the Eucharist of today?

Let us pray…

Heavenly Father, we know and experience true love only because You love us first. There is no greater sign of Your love than Your love made flesh, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, help us learn to always love others the way you love us. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Today’s Gospel
Mark 6:34–44

When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.

We have been given the Good News, Jesus has come in the flesh to redeem us but do we truly know what it means?

What is the Good News of the Kingdom?

Jesus repeats and it fact proclaims what John the Baptist preached “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand!” Do we acknowledge that we need to repent of our sinful ways before can truly experience the kingdom of God?

If we truly understand the Good News then why has the overwhelming joy of knowing and experiencing it not moved us to share it with others?

The Good News is here to heal us! Give glory to God by sharing the message with His children, knowing that His children will listen for the spirit of Truth is within us.

First Reading 1 John 3:22-4:6 ( Read )

Gospel
Matthew 4:12-17,23-25

Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled:

‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,
Galilee of the nations!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death
a light has dawned.’

From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’
He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralysed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea and Transjordania.

Everyday we struggle with choices and have to battle temptations to remain as children of God.  What we have as a result is peace of mind, love and life with God. But why do we choose the easy path the wider gate to our own destruction? Why do we not persevere when we do not even have to rely on our own strength? Jesus is our strength, our light and way….

He is telling us to “Come and See…” to walk with Him as His disciples.

Here is something I wrote recently, because like you I struggle everyday too….

Why do I struggle everyday to remain in the light? Do I have an affinity with darkness? In my conviction I am strong, I am tall then once again I fall!

Still I must battle for what is right and remain fearless! Pick myself up, I choose life! Else submit to the theft and face death..

Let us pray….

O Lord my God, give me the courage, strength and wisdom to always choose the narrow path which leads to you. And in my weakness hear my prayer as I cry out with all my heart to you “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” Through Christ our Lord.  Amen

First reading
1 John 3:7-10

My children, do not let anyone lead you astray: to live a holy life is to be holy just as he is holy; to lead a sinful life is to belong to the devil, since the devil was a sinner from the beginning. It was to undo all that  the devil has done that the Son of God appeared. No one who has been begotten by God sins; because God’s seed remains inside him, he cannot sin when he has been begotten by God.

In this way we distinguish the children of God from the children of the devil: anybody not living a holy life and not loving his brother is no child of God’s.

Gospel
John 1:35-42

As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher –’where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour.

One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Early next morning, Andrew met his brother and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ – which means the Christ – and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked hard at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas’ – meaning Rock.

Are we prepared to bear witness to the truth? Are we determined to share the Good News of true love and salvation, Jesus!? Have we deceased so that He can increase in our lives and in the lives of others?

Let us pray….

Father, we thank you for setting your love upon us, we want to be clear witnesses to You. Give us what we need to carry this out, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Today’s Gospel
John 1:19–28

This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Let us pray….

O God, whom the Holy innocents confessed and proclaimed on this day, not by speaking but by dying, grant we pray, that the faith in you which we confess with our lips may also speak through our manner of life. 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

If we live our lives in the light, as he is in the light, we are in union with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

Today’s Gospel
Matthew 2:13-18

13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 Then Joseph[a] got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

The Massacre of the Infants

16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men,[b] he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.[c] 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

From the cradle to the cross,
Bearing our sins, to redeem the sheep lost,
From blessed womb to the tomb,
Our redeemer lives to save us from doom

How great is our God!

GOSPEL
John 20:1a and 2–8

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.

Let us pray…

St Stephen you were filled with Grace and The Holy Spirit that no one could withstand the wisdom and spirit with which you spoke, pray for us that we may do likewise to Herald the Good News of salvation to all God’s people. Through Chris our Lord. Amen.

Why do we worry about what we are to say to others or to whom we speak in sharing our faith?  Our Lord assures us that the Holy Spirit will guide us and give us the courage and strength so fear not! Have faith! Remain focussed on Him at all times and we will not falter. See how focussed St Stephen was….Let us all cry out to our Father, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit!”

First Reading Acts 6:8–10; 7:54–59

Today’s Gospel

Matthew 10:17–22

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour!

The magnificat… an awesome prayer which we treasure and hold dear. But how many of us simply marvel that our Blessed Mother uttered it and recognising that she must have been learned, filled with the Holy Spirit even both! But how many of us are following Mary our Mother’s example of living out our lives so that we too can one day say “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour!”

Today’s Gospel
Luke 1:46-56

Mary said:

‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Let us pray…

Mary our Mother sets the perfect example of how we should live our lives according to your Will. She was not spared the fatigue of life nor the anguish of the cross but rejoices now with You in Your Glory. Through her loving intercession and the perfect gift of Your Son, may we, through our suffering and sacrifices of love be led into your heavenly fold. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today’s Gospel
Luke 1:26–38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

When God speaks to me in so many ways, spoken and unspoken; telling me that He loves me, He heals me, His mercy is upon me? He will grant my prayer…..

How can I be sure? or How can I know it is so?

Even when we struggle to lead good, honest even holy lives and live according to the commandments of God our Father, why do we still have these doubts from time to time? Are we too busy in the struggle to see, touch and experience the fruits of our labour? To know that God’s love, peace,joy,healing and the numerous gifts He bestows are upon us?

Let us pray….Lord, as I contemplate the example of Mary’s simplicity and generosity, my heart burns within me. If only I could be as docile as she was. In my desire to improve, I trust in your help and mercy. As I begin this prayer, I humbly place myself in your presence. I come, Lord, to do your will. Let it be done to me according to Your Word. Amen

Today’s Gospel – Luke 1:5-25

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10 Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” 19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”

21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. 23 When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, 25 “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

Today’s Gospel : – Luke 1:5-25

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10 Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” 19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”

21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. 23 When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, 25 “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

God speaks to us all the time, often times subtly. Through dreams, His Word, through prophets even through our family and friends. His ways in reaching out to us is not limited. How many of us are in tune to hear Him? How many of us have prepared ourselves to receive the many gifts and blessings He wants to bestow upon us?

Today’s Gospel
Matthew 1:18–25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn 

What Do We Do?
Readings:
Zephaniah 3:14-18
Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18
________________________________________

The people in today’s Gospel are “filled with expectation.” They believe John the Baptist might be the Messiah they’ve been waiting for. Three times we hear their question: “What then should we do?”
The Messiah’s coming requires every man and woman to choose – to “repent” or not. That’s John’s message and it will be Jesus’ too (see Luke 3:3; 5:32; 24:47).
“Repentance” translates a Greek word, metanoia (literally, “change of mind”). In the Scriptures, repentance is presented as a two-fold “turning” – away from sin (see Ezekiel 3:19; 18:30) and toward God (see Sirach 17:20-21; Hosea 6:1).
This “turning” is more than attitude adjustment. It means a radical life-change. It requires “good fruits as evidence of your repentance” (see Luke 3:8). That’s why John tells the crowds, soldiers and tax collectors they must prove their faith through works of charity, honesty and social justice.
In today’s Liturgy, each of us is being called to stand in that crowd and hear the “good news” of John’s call to repentance. We should examine our lives, ask from our hearts as they did: “What should we do?” Our repentance should spring, not from our fear of coming wrath (see Luke 3:7-9), but from a joyful sense of the nearness of our saving God.
This theme resounds through today’s readings: “Rejoice!…The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all,” we hear in today’s Epistle. In today’s Responsorial, we hear again the call to be joyful, unafraid at the Lord’s coming among us.
In today’s First Reading, we hear echoes of the angel’s Annunciation to Mary. The prophet’s words are very close to the angel’s greeting (compare Luke 1:28-31). Mary is the Daughter Zion – the favored one of God, told not to fear but to rejoice that the Lord is with her, “a mighty Savior.”
She is the cause of our joy. For in her draws near the Messiah, as John had promised: “One mightier than I is coming.”

He gives strength to the wearied, He strengthens the powerless. Young men may grow tired and weary, youths may stumble, but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength, they put out wings like eagles. They run and do not grow weary,walk and never tire. Isaiah 40:29-31

Why do we go through life feeling all alone amidst a crowd? Why do we struggle everyday feeling overloaded and exhausted? Why are we angry or moody all the time? Why do feel like no one understands us? Why do we allow the world to weigh us down? How can we overcome all this?

The truth and answer is simple…..when we are able to cry out, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want!”

Today Gospel
Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus exclaimed, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

There is nothing that we can do, that our Father will not forgive us for, do we realise just how much He loves us?
Do we want to be found?

Let us pray….

Heavenly Father we pray for mercy and forgiveness for ourselves and our loved ones. We pray also for the conversion of sinners, especially for the lost sheep among our friends and family. Soften all our hearts to Your great and wonderful love and by your Grace, our advent journey will be a fruitful and joyous one at the end, through Christ our Lord. Amen
Today’s Gospel – Matthew 18:12-14

12 Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? 13 And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. 14 In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

On this mountain he will remove
the mourning veil covering all peoples,
and the shroud enwrapping all nations,
he will destroy Death for ever. Isaiah 25:7-8

• How many of us can see Jesus in the Eucharist through the eyes of our hearts?
• How many attend the Eucharistic celebration not uttering a word of praise or thanksgiving, ‘dumb’ ?
• How many drag their way to the celebration, mentally preoccupied , ‘crippled’?

Still He loves us and wants to feed us with His bread of Life, His very self!

Lord Jesus tear down the veil of sin and death in our lives, so that we may see what You want us to see, and live how You want us to live; in righteousness, liberated and in Our Father’s love. AMEN!

Today’s Gospel
Matthew 15:29-37

Jesus reached the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and he went up into the hills. He sat there, and large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others; these they put down at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were astonished to see the dumb speaking, the cripples whole again, the lame walking and the blind with their sight, and they praised the God of Israel.
But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, they might collapse on the way.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Where could we get enough bread in this deserted place to feed such a crowd?’ Jesus said to them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ ‘Seven’ they said ‘and a few small fish.’ Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and he gave thanks and broke them and handed them to the disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected what was left of the scraps, seven baskets full.

“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. ”

Are we thankful for our Catholic faith?
Do we cherish the Word spoken to us through scriptures?
Do we have a yearning to learn and grow in our faith? Or do we take for granted that we know all we need to know?

Today’s Gospel – Luke 10:21–24

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

Today, rarely will we ever face bloody persecutions for the sake of Christ, but un-bloody persecutions do exist for those who love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Such persecutions can from the media, atheist intellectuals who denounce God’s existence, those who want us to tolerate issues against the sanctity of marriage such as gay marriages and contraception, friends and family who insists that all religions are one and the same instead of truly embracing their faith and the Church established by Christ, and many other such persecutions.

Let us remain faithful and pray for endurance that will win us favour with the Lord our God. Amen

Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said: 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.’

Luke 17:11–19   (Today’s Gospel)

Can you imagine in today’s context, 9 Catholics and one non Christian attend a healing mass together. All pray for healing and are healed but only the non Christian makes his way to the tabernacle and thanks Jesus and praises God!?

Is this happening today? Sadly yes….. 

Do we thank Jesus who cleanses us from the leprosies of our life? Sin, false doctrines, temptations!
                                             
Do we revere Him in the Eucharistic celebration by our thoughts, words and deeds?

Like the lone leper, let us have both faith and gratitude.  Amen
                        

Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27

Doing what Jesus tells us individually to do and bearing the burden and suffering of it, is our cross. It unites us with His cross of love.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Philippians 2:14-15

Today’s Gospel Luke 12:49:53

“I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division”

[Personal Reflection]

Do I embrace my Faith in the Gospels abandoning earthly feelings and natural affections? Clinging dearly to my Lord in spite of persecutions, trials and sufferings?

Do I embrace my baptism?

Do I accept that the divine love and charity of our Lord Jesus Christ who came to suffer for us, will often cause division between believers and unbelievers?

If I choose to remain steadfast in my love for Him, in spite of pain, trials and suffering. He, my Lord, my God, my saviour will lead me to the room He has prepared for me in my Father’s house. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Well done, good and faithful servant!

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matt 25:21

Today’s Gospel Luke 12:39-48

• Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds him taking care of the rest of his charges.

Are we taking care of those who have physical and spiritual needs?

Providing for them….?

Feeding them the Word both in word, action and deed?

• For those that much is given, much is expected.

Are we doing our part in sharing the love and graces we have received with others? Are we giving our all? Or are we merely doing the little we feel we can spare?

Like St Paul in his letter to the Ephesians 3:2-12, we too have been made servants of the Gospel by a gift of grace from God so that through the Church, we can show how comprehensive God’s wisdom really is, exactly according to the plan which He had had from all eternity in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let us be bold in proclaiming the Good News, so that we will one day hear the words we long to hear……

Luke 11:15–26 (Today’s Gospel)

Extract : “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.”

•  Jesus unites all of us through His Body, blood, soul and divinity. When we break away through sin, our prideful ways, self centeredness and unwillingness to forgive and love, we stand alone! For a house divided upon itself falls….
• The finger of God protects and guides us. It dispels the evil forces at work to scatter us away from God’s Kingdom. Let the Holy Spirit work within us to gather others too into the Kingdom of God our Father.
• If God is with us, who can be against us? Satan has no hold over us. Let us always walk in the light, for if we look and turn back to darkness far greater will our fall be.

A prayer above all prayers….any time we are at a loss of words or experience spiritual dryness, you can rest assured that this prayer will bring us back looking to heaven….Seven petitions three ‘your’ petitions and four ‘our’ petitions to be said slowly and reverently, reflecting on each and every petition.