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When will we realize that the Lord our God only wants us to live life to the full in Him? While sin,  giving into temptations, thereby falling into greater sin separates us from Him and His love. How are we going to withstand the evil that comes as a result of our sinful ways?

In today’s first reading, the people realize how sinful they had become and how they had refused to listen to the Word of God. They saw the effects of their sinful life take a toll on them. But they repented, and as always, the Lord our God welcomed them back, ready with open arms.

In today’s Gospel, although a bit harsh, we hear Jesus shouting out the woes of how the cities refused to listen to Him, and the the call of God their Father. It was with great sadness He saw how the people suffered for their sins.

Let us always choose to be faithful and obedient to the Lord our God. Asking Him for the grace to overcome all sin and temptation, so that we may be free to love and live life to the full. Amen


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First reading
Baruch 1:15-22 ·

We have been disobedient to the Lord our God

Integrity belongs to the Lord our God; to us the look of shame we wear today, to us, the people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem, to our kings and princes, our priests, our prophets, as to our ancestors, because we have sinned in the sight of the Lord, have disobeyed him, and have not listened to the voice of the Lord our God telling us to follow the commandments which the Lord had ordained for us. From the day when the Lord brought our ancestors out of the land of Egypt until today we have been disobedient to the Lord our God, we have been disloyal, refusing to listen to his voice. And so the disasters, and the curse which the Lord pronounced through his servant Moses the day he brought our fathers out of Egypt to give us a land where milk and honey flow, have seized on us, disasters we experience today. Despite all the words of those prophets whom he sent us, we have not listened to the voice of the Lord our God, but, each following the dictates of his evil heart, we have taken to serving alien gods, and doing what is displeasing to the Lord our God.



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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.’

In today’s first reading, we see that it is, in a sense, a prefiguring of the liturgy of the Word that we have today. What impressed me about the first reading was how the people were reverent and attentive to the Word of God. They let the Word transform them completely, acknowledging their sinfulness and repentance.

They listened attentively to the teachings, and while they may not have understood fully, the priests were on hand to teach, guide, and give instruction. Are we then reverent and attentive during the Holy Eucharist, from the beginning to the end? Do we sit there with minds and hearts open to His Word, like children sitting at His feet?

Afterall we are children of God, our Heavenly Father, so loved by Him are we not? And His love changes us, so that we not only love one another as fellow children of His, but we will go out of our way to seek His other children who are lost and bring them home. This is what it means to be a child of God, of our Heavenly Father, His child of light. Amen.

O Holy Guardian Angels pray for us…


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First reading
Nehemiah 8:1-12

All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law

When the seventh month came, all the people gathered as one man on the square before the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses which the Lord had prescribed for Israel. Accordingly Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, consisting of men, women, and children old enough to understand. This was the first day of the seventh month. On the square before the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women, and children old enough to understand, he read from the book from early morning till noon; all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
    Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose. In full view of all the people – since he stood higher than all the people – Ezra opened the book; and when he opened it all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and answered, ‘Amen! Amen!’ Then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before the Lord. And Ezra read from the Law of God, translating and giving the sense, so that the people understood what was read.
    Then Nehemiah – His Excellency – and Ezra, priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people, said to all the people, ‘This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.’ For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law.
    He then said, ‘Go, eat the fat, drink the sweet wine, and send a portion to the man who has nothing prepared ready. For this day is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of the Lord is your stronghold.’ And the Levites calmed all the people, saying, ‘Be at ease; this is a sacred day. Do not be sad.’ And all the people went off to eat and drink and give shares away and begin to enjoy themselves since they had understood the meaning of what had been proclaimed to them.

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Gospel
Matthew 18:1-5,10

Anyone who welcomes a little child in my name welcomes me

The disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
    ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.’

I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back.

This must be the resolve of every Christian, every disciple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we go forth to build His kingdom and to spread the joy of His gospel, whatever leadership we come under, they will give us leave to do as we must for the favor, grace, mercy and love of our Lord is upon us.

He will empower us and provide for all that we need, so that whatever we say and do, we shall glorify the Lord. Amen.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin, Doctor pray for us…

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First reading
Nehemiah 2:1-8

‘Give me leave to go to the city of my ancestors and rebuild it’

In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, the wine being my concern, I took up the wine and offered it to the king. Now I had never been downcast before. So the king said, ‘Why is your face so sad? You are not sick, surely? This must be a sadness of the heart.’ A great fear came over me and I said to the king, ‘May the king live for ever! How could my face be other than sad when the city where the tombs of my ancestors are lies in ruins, and its gates have been burnt down?’ ‘What’ the king asked ‘is your request?’ I called on the God of heaven and made this reply to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, and if you are satisfied with your servant, give me leave to go to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ tombs, and rebuild it.’ The king, with the queen sitting there beside him, said, ‘How long will your journey take, and when will you return?’ So I named a date that seemed acceptable to the king and he gave me leave to go. I spoke to the king once more, ‘If it please the king, could letters be given me for the governors of Transeuphrates to allow me to pass through to Judah? And also a letter for Asaph, keeper of the king’s park, to supply me with timber for the gates of the citadel of the Temple, for the city walls and for the house I am to occupy?’ This the king granted me, for the kindly favour of my God was with me.



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Gospel
Luke 9:57-62

‘I will follow you wherever you go’

As Jesus and his disciples travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus answered, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’
    Another to whom he said, ‘Follow me’, replied, ‘Let me go and bury my father first.’ But he answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.’
    Another said, ‘I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’

Today we celebrate the feast day of the Archangels, St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael. Let us dwell a little bit on the named Archangels. Gabriel, a man of God, “God is my strength”. He is a messenger of God . Raphael, God heals or “He who heals” He is a guardian. St Michael “who is like God” is a warrior.  These His angels are here to bring the awareness of the Lord’s presence, His peace, healing, love and joy. They have been with us from the beginning of time.

In today’s first reading, we hear how the heavens were emptied of all the evil that was brought about by Satan, his minions, his fellow ‘dark’ angels. They were cast out from heaven. And today we have an opportunity to experience heaven here on earth. In today’s Gospel the Lord promises Nathanael that he will be able to see the angels from heaven descending and ascending. This promise too has been opened for all of us who are one with the Lord, who are following after Him.

For by His life, death, and resurrection, the heavens have been opened for all of us. Our Lord Jesus Christ has conquered death and has empowered us to do great things as He has done: to bring about His healing, messages of His love, to fight and cast out all evil. So in essence, we are called to be like the Archangels, to bring about His justice here on earth.

And so as we embark on this mission, we ask for the Holy intercession of the Archangels, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and Raphael. Amen.

Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels – Pray for us…


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First reading
Daniel 7:9-10,13-14

His robe was white as snow

As I watched:

Thrones were set in place
and one of great age took his seat.
His robe was white as snow,
the hair of his head as pure as wool.
His throne was a blaze of flames,
its wheels were a burning fire.
A stream of fire poured out,
issuing from his presence.
A thousand thousand waited on him,
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
A court was held
and the books were opened.

I gazed into the visions of the night.

And I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven,
one like a son of man.
He came to the one of great age
and was led into his presence.
On him was conferred sovereignty,
glory and kingship,
and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants.
His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty
which shall never pass away,
nor will his empire ever be destroyed.


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Gospel
John 1:47-51

You will see heaven laid open, and the Son of Man

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael. ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’


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We who belong to our Lord Jesus Christ are meant to be unwalled, meaning to be free to live fully in His love. The fire of His love will surround us and protect us like a shepherd guards his flock.

This is the hope we have. This is the glory of our Lord who came to lay His life down for us so that by His life, death, and resurrection, we are set free. Amen.

Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest 
Pray for us…

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First reading
Zechariah 2:5-9,14-15

‘I will be the glory of Jerusalem’

Raising my eyes, I saw a vision. It was this: there was a man with a measuring line in his hand. I asked him, ‘Where are you going?’ He said, ‘To measure Jerusalem, to find out her breadth and her length.’ And then, while the angel who was talking to me stood still, another angel came forward to meet him. He said to him, ‘Run, and tell that young man this, “Jerusalem is to remain unwalled, because of the great number of men and cattle there will be in her. But I – it is the Lord who speaks – I will be a wall of fire for her all round her, and I will be her glory in the midst of her.”’

Sing, rejoice,
daughter of Zion;
for I am coming
to dwell in the middle of you
– it is the Lord who speaks.

Many nations will join the Lord,
on that day;
they will become his people.



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Gospel
Luke 9:43-45

They were afraid to ask him what he meant

At a time when everyone was full of admiration for all he did, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘For your part, you must have these words constantly in your mind: “The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men.”’ But they did not understand him when he said this; it was hidden from them so that they should not see the meaning of it, and they were afraid to ask him about what he had just said.

Today, the glory of the Lord is in every tabernacle, every church, and at every Holy Eucharist. How fortunate are we to have the Lord so present to us. And yet, we easily take this for granted.

We seldom make the effort to adore Him in the Blessed Sacrament, or even make the effort to attend Holy mass to receive Him in Holy Eucharist!

Are our declarations then that He is Lord of lords, king of kings, the Christ of God most High only lip service? Should we not carry our cross and follow after Him, to make Him known to all nations, so that everyone who might come to know Him and believe will have eternal life. How are we demonstrating His love for all by our words and deeds?

Let us all put our faith into action, for the love of Him. Amen

Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs pray for us…


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First reading
Haggai 1:15-2:9 

‘The new glory of this Temple is to surpass the old’

In the second year of King Darius, on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord was addressed through the prophet Haggai, as follows, ‘You are to speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the high commissioner of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people. Say this, “Who is there left among you that saw this Temple in its former glory? And how does it look to you now? Does it seem nothing to you? But take courage now, Zerubbabel – it is the Lord who speaks. Courage, High Priest Joshua son of Jehozadak! Courage, all you people of the country! – it is the Lord who speaks. To work! I am with you – it is the Lord of Hosts who speaks – and my spirit remains among you. Do not be afraid! For the Lord of Hosts says this: A little while now, and I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all the nations and the treasures of all the nations shall flow in, and I will fill this Temple with glory, says the Lord of Hosts. Mine is the silver, mine the gold! – it is the Lord of Hosts who speaks. The new glory of this Temple is going to surpass the old, says the Lord of Hosts, and in this place I will give peace – it is the Lord of Hosts who speaks.”’



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Gospel
Luke 9:18-22

‘You are the Christ of God’

One day when Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ It was Peter who spoke up. ‘The Christ of God’ he said. But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this.
    ‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’

Throughout the centuries and even today, the Lord our God still speaks to us through His Prophets. He speaks to us in current times, not always about the future, but for current times where we need to change or fix, to come back fully to the Lord and do what He wills us to do. He sends us Prophets to tell us and to show us the way so that we might thrive in living life to the full in Him.

Jesus our Lord and the only Son of God our Heavenly Father was also a Prophet among Prophets. He spoke the will of God our Heavenly Father to us. Are we then, His disciples, also so in tune with His heart that we prophesy to our fellow sisters and brothers. And all those He asks us to reach out to, so that they too may know His heart, His word and His will for them?

Let us not look elsewhere but know in our own very hearts, that we have been empowered by our Lord Jesus to prophesy and light the way for others. Amen.

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First reading
Haggai 1:1-8 ·

‘Rebuild the House’

In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord was addressed through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, high commissioner of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as follows, ‘The Lord of Hosts says this, “This people says: The time has not yet come to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. (And the word of the Lord was addressed through the prophet Haggai, as follows:) Is this a time for you to live in your panelled houses, when this House lies in ruins? So now, the Lord of Hosts says this: Reflect carefully how things have gone for you. You have sown much and harvested little; you eat but never have enough, drink but never have your fill, put on clothes but do not feel warm. The wage earner gets his wages only to put them in a purse riddled with holes. So go to the hill country, fetch wood, and rebuild the House: I shall then take pleasure in it, and be glorified there, says the Lord.”’



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Gospel
Luke 9:7-9

‘John? I beheaded him; so who is this?’

Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.

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Let us never take the Lord our God for granted, even though His mercy and love will endure forever. We must constantly dwell on the goodness of the Lord and what He has done in our lives.

Yes, sinners, we were living in darkness. But the Lord has shone His light upon us and has set us free. And so, we who are His disciples must go out into the world to testify to His mercy and love and to bring about healing.

In today’s Gospel, we see how the disciples were chosen, not just to preach the good news, but to demonstrate the goodness and healing grace of our Lord, which is the good news in itself. Let us be confident that the Lord has empowered us to bring about His healing and the joy of the Gospel to all that we meet. Amen.


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First reading
Ezra 9:5-9

‘God has not forgotten us in our slavery’

At the evening sacrifice I, Ezra, came out of my stupor and falling on my knees, with my garment and cloak torn, I stretched out my hands to the Lord my God, and said:
    ‘My God, I am ashamed, I blush to lift my face to you, my God. For our crimes have increased, until they are higher than our heads, and our sin has piled up to heaven. From the days of our ancestors until now our guilt has been great; on account of our crimes we, our kings and our priests, were given into the power of the kings of other countries, given to the sword, to captivity, to pillage and to shame, as is the case today. But now, suddenly, the Lord our God by his favour has left us a remnant and granted us a refuge in his holy place; this is how our God has cheered our eyes and given us a little respite in our slavery. For we are slaves; but God has not forgotten us in our slavery; he has shown us kindness in the eyes of the kings of Persia, obtaining permission for us to rebuild the Temple of our God and restore its ruins, and he has found us safety and shelter in Judah and in Jerusalem.’



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Gospel
Luke 9:1-6

‘Take nothing for the journey’

Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there. As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.


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I am awestruck that it is the Persian king who pays for the rebuilding of the temple and declares by his own lips the Lord God Almighty, King of Kings, Lord of Lords.

Do we have that form of reverence for the Lord our God, such that at every Eucharist we rejoice, as we say, we are going to the Lord’s house to worship Him, to adore Him? And sanctified my Him, we shall glorify Him by the way we live our lives. Only then shall we be truly one in Holy Communion with Him.

We acknowledge that God our Heavenly Father is Father to us all. And through His Son and the Holy Spirit, we are one body in Him. We are His family, because we are obedient to His Word and Will for us, and it is evident in our words and deeds for His Glory. Amen.

Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Priest 
Pray for us…



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First reading
Ezra 6:7-8,12,14-20

Darius king of Persia pays for the rebuilding of the Temple of God

King Darius wrote to the satrap of Transeuphrates and his colleagues: ‘Leave the high commissioner of Judah and the elders of the Jews to work on this Temple of God; they are to rebuild this Temple of God on its ancient site. This, I decree, is how you must assist the elders of the Jews in the reconstruction of this Temple of God: the expenses of these people are to be paid, promptly and without fail, from the royal revenue – that is, from the tribute of Transeuphrates. May the God who causes his name to live there overthrow any king or people who dares to defy this and destroy the Temple of God in Jerusalem! I, Darius, have issued this decree. Let it be obeyed to the letter!’
    The elders of the Jews prospered with their building, inspired by Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished the building in accordance with the order of the God of Israel and the order of Cyrus and of Darius. This Temple was finished on the twenty-third day of the month of Adar; it was the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The Israelites – the priests, the Levites and the remainder of the exiles – joyfully dedicated this Temple of God; for the dedication of this Temple of God they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs and, as a sacrifice for sin for the whole of Israel, twelve he-goats, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel. Then they installed the priests according to their orders in the service of the Temple of God in Jerusalem, as is written in the Book of Moses.
    The exiles celebrated the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Levites, as one man, had purified themselves; all were pure, so they sacrificed the passover for all the exiles, for their brothers the priests and for themselves.

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Gospel
Luke 8:19-21

‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God’

The mother and the brothers of Jesus came looking for him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd. He was told, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see you.’ But he said in answer, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.’

In Today’s responsorial Psalm we declare with all our hearts, “What marvels the Lord worked for us!” Indeed, if we reflect on our very own lives, we will see the Lord’s hand in everything. How He has brought us out from slavery to idols in the world, and how He has freed us through His grace to live a life to the full in Him. Indeed, the Lord has worked marvels in our lives.

It is a wonder to see in today’s First Reading how a pagan king was moved by the word and will of our Lord, who commanded that he should help build the temple that has been destroyed. To allow the people who were scattered during the Babylonian exile to return home to have a place of worship once again; since they have turned their hearts back to the Lord and were now loving righteous lives following after the heart of the Lord their God.

Therefore, in our own lives, we should be a light for the world to see, how Christ our Lord and King has freed us from all anxiety, from all sin, from the temptation and wiles of the world. He has given us gifts and talents to be fruitful and to build His Kingdom. And the more we surrenderd and sacrificed to build His Kingdom, the more we shall receive. All for His Glory. Amen.

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First reading
Ezra 1:1-6

Cyrus king of Persia frees the Jews to return to Jerusalem

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfil the word of the Lord that was spoken through Jeremiah, the Lord roused the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to issue a proclamation and to have it publicly displayed throughout his kingdom: ‘Thus speaks Cyrus king of Persia, “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth; he has ordered me to build him a Temple in Jerusalem, in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all his people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah to build the Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel – he is the God who is in Jerusalem. And let each survivor, wherever he lives, be helped by the people of that place with silver and gold, with goods and cattle, as well as voluntary offerings for the Temple of God which is in Jerusalem.”’
    Then the heads of families of Judah and of Benjamin, the priests and the Levites, in fact all whose spirit had been roused by God, prepared to go and rebuild the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem; and all their neighbours gave them every assistance with silver, gold, goods, cattle, quantities of costly gifts and with voluntary offerings of every kind.



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Gospel
Luke 8:16-18

Anyone who has will be given more

Jesus said to the crowds:
    ‘No one lights a lamp to cover it with a bowl or to put it under a bed. No, he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in. For nothing is hidden but it will be made clear, nothing secret but it will be known and brought to light. So take care how you hear; for anyone who has will be given more; from anyone who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.’

We have come into this world with nothing, and so we shall return with nothing. The only difference is that we believers will return to our Lord. We who have been steadfast and obedient, listening to His word and will for us.

The first reading encourages us to remain focused on our Lord, and not to hold on to the attachments of the world, to bicker and fight with one another, either for personal glory, wealth, honor, or status. Our call is to always be steadfast to the Holy Spirit and be faithful to the Gospel.

Today in the Gospel of day, we learn how godly women of that time had been faithful in following after the Lord, to serve Him and to serve the community. It is encouraging because the women of those days were confined with only domestic concerns. Today, we live in a world where both men and women are equally fruitful and contribute greatly as one body in Christ. Amen.

Saint Januarius, Bishop, Martyr pray for us…

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First reading
1 Timothy 6:2-12

We brought nothing into the world and can take nothing out of it

This is what you are to teach the brothers to believe and persuade them to do. Anyone who teaches anything different, and does not keep to the sound teaching which is that of our Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine which is in accordance with true religion, is simply ignorant and must be full of self-conceit – with a craze for questioning everything and arguing about words. All that can come of this is jealousy, contention, abuse and wicked mistrust of one another; and unending disputes by people who are neither rational nor informed and imagine that religion is a way of making a profit. Religion, of course, does bring large profits, but only to those who are content with what they have. We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it; but as long as we have food and clothing, let us be content with that. People who long to be rich are a prey to temptation; they get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions which eventually plunge them into ruin and destruction. ‘The love of money is the root of all evils’ and there are some who, pursuing it, have wandered away from the faith, and so given their souls any number of fatal wounds.
    But, as a man dedicated to God, you must avoid all that. You must aim to be saintly and religious, filled with faith and love, patient and gentle. Fight the good fight of the faith and win for yourself the eternal life to which you were called when you made your profession and spoke up for the truth in front of many witnesses.



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Gospel
Luke 8:1-3

The women who accompanied Jesus

Jesus made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.

When we remember just how loving the Lord has been in our lives, we will embrace today’s gospel more deeply and profoundly, for we can relate to how we once got down on our knees and cried our hearts out to the Lord for forgiveness, because we realize how much or how far we have strayed from Him.

In His mercy and love, He had forgiven us, and we decided to go forth by our penance to perfume the air where He walks , to be living testimonies of His love by our love and our actions for Him. Just as today’s first reading suggests, we will go in the Holy Spirit and walk with integrity in the new life found in the Lord, so that all who look upon us will be amazed to see that His light is within us as we carry His love to all that we meet.

And so let us glorify the Lord by our lives in all that we say and do. Amen.

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First reading
1 Timothy 4:12-16 ·

Be an example to all the believers

Do not let people disregard you because you are young, but be an example to the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity. Make use of the time until I arrive by reading to the people, preaching and teaching. You have in you a spiritual gift which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the body of elders laid their hands on you; do not let it lie unused. Think hard about all this, and put it into practice, and everyone will be able to see how you are advancing. Take great care about what you do and what you teach; always do this, and in this way you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.



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Gospel
Luke 7:36-50

Her many sins have been forgiven, or she would not have shown such great love

One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table, a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.
    When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has.’ Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Speak, Master’ was the reply. ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he pardoned them both. Which of them will love him more?’ ‘The one who was pardoned more, I suppose’ answered Simon. Jesus said, ‘You are right.’
    Then he turned to the woman. ‘Simon,’ he said ‘you see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’ But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

In His mercy and love, He had forgiven us, and we decided to go forth by our penance to perfume the air where He walks , to be living testimonies of His love by our love and our actions for Him. Just as today’s first reading suggests, we will go in the Holy Spirit and walk with integrity in the new life found in the Lord, so that all who look upon us will be amazed to see that His light is within us as we carry His love to all that we meet.

And so let us glorify the Lord by our lives in all that we say and do. Amen.

Jesus is for everyone. He is the Lord, our Lord, king of kings. And the joy of the Gospel is that He has come to free us from our sin, for us to be fully alive in Him. He is the Word made flesh who dwelled amongst us. Seen by angels, proclaimed to pagans alike . And through His life, death, and resurrection, He has conquered death and brought us all hope of life eternal with God our Heavenly Father.

But this message of good news, while preached to everybody, is not received in the same light. Some refuse to listen, have no joy in their heart, for they do not have the joy of the Lord upon them. Others refuse to mourn for their sins, repent, and make their way back to the Lord our God.

But does that mean we tire and give up hope of sharing this Good News? Nay. For all of us who live in the joy of the Lord must continue to bring the good news to everyone who would listen. So that joy of the Lord can rest upon them too. Amen.

Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop, Doctor , Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin, Doctor pray for us…


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First reading
1 Timothy 3:14-16 ·

The mystery of our religion is very deep

At the moment of writing to you, I am hoping that I may be with you soon; but in case I should be delayed, I wanted you to know how people ought to behave in God’s family – that is, in the Church of the living God, which upholds the truth and keeps it safe. Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is very deep indeed:

He was made visible in the flesh,
attested by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the pagans,
believed in by the world, taken up in glory.


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Gospel
Luke 7:31-35

‘We played the pipes, and you wouldn’t dance’

Jesus said to the people:
    ‘What description can I find for the men of this generation? What are they like? They are like children shouting to one another while they sit in the market-place:

‘“We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang dirges,
and you wouldn’t cry.”

‘For John the Baptist comes, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet Wisdom has been proved right by all her children.’

In today’s first reading, we are reminded that church leaders must be of noble moral standing. After all, they must be Godly men and women after the heart of Christ. I would go so far as to say they should be sanctified, holy, and full of integrity. For they represent Christ, body, mind, and spirit. Believers and unbelievers alike will see them as the light of Christ.

How would it be then if, by their immoral behaviors or hidden agendas, they lead people astray? The scandal of it all! That’s why Saint Paul emphasizes the need for church leaders who must rise above it all to be true men and women after the heart of Christ.

In today’s Gospel, we not only see the compassion of Christ Jesus, our Lord, but perhaps a prefiguring of his own death and resurrection. For by His death, Mother Church was left in pain and sorrow. But God, our Father, raises Him from the dead to new life, reconciling Mother Church with the Son of the living God

For me, the greatest takeaway is that, in all things, through Christ our Lord, we must be life-giving. Amen.

Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Pray for us…

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First reading
1 Timothy 3:1-13

The president must be of impeccable character

Here is a saying that you can rely on: To want to be a presiding elder is to want to do a noble work. That is why the president must have an impeccable character. He must not have been married more than once, and he must be temperate, discreet and courteous, hospitable and a good teacher; not a heavy drinker, nor hot-tempered, but kind and peaceable. He must not be a lover of money. He must be a man who manages his own family well and brings his children up to obey him and be well-behaved: how can any man who does not understand how to manage his own family have responsibility for the church of God? He should not be a new convert, in case pride might turn his head and then he might be condemned as the devil was condemned. It is also necessary that people outside the Church should speak well of him, so that he never gets a bad reputation and falls into the devil’s trap.
    In the same way, deacons must be respectable men whose word can be trusted, moderate in the amount of wine they drink and with no squalid greed for money. They must be conscientious believers in the mystery of the faith. They are to be examined first, and only admitted to serve as deacons if there is nothing against them. In the same way, the women must be respectable, not gossips but sober and quite reliable. Deacons must not have been married more than once, and must be men who manage their children and families well. Those of them who carry out their duties well as deacons will earn a high standing for themselves and be rewarded with great assurance in their work for the faith in Christ Jesus.


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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.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, our Lord, we are called to pray for one another. We should pray for everyone in the world to our one mediator, who came to die for us so that we might live fully in Him for all eternity. We are particularly called to pray for our leaders, so they may make wise decisions for their people and be empowered by the Holy Spirit.

In the Gospel, we witness Jesus’ final and loving act: ensuring His mother would be cared for by entrusting her to His beloved disciple. This act has many layers for us to process, embrace, and move forward with. Mary, our mother, was entrusted with the care of the church when He placed her in the care of His beloved disciple. Symbolizing that all of us are equally loved by Jesus and entrusted to the care of our Blessed mother. Interestingly, the disciple Jesus loved is not named in this gospel, signifying that we are all Jesus’ beloved disciples.

It is out of love for Him that we follow after Hs heart and minister to our brethren. Amen.



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First reading
1 Timothy 2:1-8

Pray for everyone to God, who wants everyone to be saved

My advice is that, first of all, there should be prayers offered for everyone – petitions, intercessions and thanksgiving – and especially for kings and others in authority, so that we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet. To do this is right, and will please God our saviour: he wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. For there is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus, who sacrificed himself as a ransom for them all. He is the evidence of this, sent at the appointed time, and I have been named a herald and apostle of it and – I am telling the truth and no lie – a teacher of the faith and the truth to the pagans.
    In every place, then, I want the men to lift their hands up reverently in prayer, with no anger or argument.

Gospel
John 19:25-27

‘Woman, this is your son’

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.

Our own personal testimonies are powerful witnesses to the love of Christ. After all, many of us have led very sinful lives. But after knowing Christ, we realize how much He loved us, and that He was patiently waiting for us. And when we had chosen to surrender ourselves to Him, we were transformed from within by Him. We were no longer the same. We became a new creation in Him. That is why we bear powerful witness to the love of Christ by our own personal testimonies.

Then as we move forward to glorify the Lord by our lives, we must remain steadfast and build our faith upon our rock, Christ Jesus our Lord. Only then can we bear much fruit for Him, and people can see from our demeanor, our actions, whether or not we reflect the face of Christ in all that we say and do. While nothing is hidden from the Lord God. Yet we want others to see Him in us, for who we are.  We are all children of God, our Heavenly Father, so loved by Him bearing His likeness and image. Amen.

Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop, Doctor pray for us…


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First reading
1 Timothy 1:15-17 ·

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

Here is a saying that you can rely on and nobody should doubt: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I myself am the greatest of them; and if mercy has been shown to me, it is because Jesus Christ meant to make me the greatest evidence of his inexhaustible patience for all the other people who would later have to trust in him to come to eternal life. To the eternal King, the undying, invisible and only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.






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Gospel
Luke 6:43-49

Whoever hears me builds his house on a rock

Jesus said to his disciples:
    ‘There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles. A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.
    ‘Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord” and not do what I say?
    ‘Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and acts on them – I will show you what he is like. He is like the man who when he built his house dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man who built his house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!’

It takes humility to see that Christ alone is the one that makes us blameless in His sight. For through sin, we were all blind. We were all blasphemers. We did not know the right path to tread upon. And so in our blindness, how could we lead anyone else anywhere except down the path of destruction?

But in His mercy and love, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has opened our eyes to see him, to experience His love, and His grace is upon us. And so when we look at others, we see past their sins. We look at others with the same eyes that Jesus has looked upon us. We look to see the hope, to see the child of God that is meant to live fully in His love.

And so, as we continue this journey home to Him, let us not lose focus. Let’s not be blinded once again through temptation and sin. Let us remain steadfast so as to lead everyone to him.

I thank you, Jesus, for your mercy. I thank you for your love. Help me to always see you in others. Amen.



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First reading
1 Timothy 1:1-2,12-14 ·

I used to be a blasphemer, but the mercy of God was shown me

From Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus appointed by the command of God our saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope, to Timothy, true child of mine in the faith; wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.
    I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, and who judged me faithful enough to call me into his service even though I used to be a blasphemer and did all I could to injure and discredit the faith. Mercy, however, was shown me, because until I became a believer I had been acting in ignorance; and the grace of our Lord filled me with faith and with the love that is in Christ Jesus.



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Gospel
Luke 6:39-42

Can the blind lead the blind?

Jesus told a parable to the disciples: ‘Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit? The disciple is not superior to his teacher; the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,” when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye.’

In today’s readings, I’m reminded of the parable that Jesus gave us where the king invited His guests to a wedding banquet. At the very end, a man was found without wearing a wedding garment and was thrown out. For God himself has clothed us with righteousness, He had chosen us and anointed us. We are his chosen race, his saints. He loves us. And through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we have been clothed in sincere compassion, kindness, humility, goodness, and patience. We are advised to quickly forgive, just as we have been forgiven.

Let us always bear this message of Christ within our hearts, so that we can teach each other, affirm, and help one another. Then we shall grow and become more and more compassionate, just as our heavenly Father is compassionate, quick to seek out those who are wounded, to heal them, to restore them through the love of Christ.

Then we shall all, with gratitude in our hearts, sing psalms and hymns and praise to God. Amen.


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First reading
Colossians 3:12-17

Be clothed in love

You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.
    Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


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Gospel
Luke 6:27-38

Love your enemies

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you. Treat others as you would like them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
    ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’

Today, we are reminded that we must all look to heaven. We are, after all, a new creation in Christ by our baptism and have been changed from within. No more shall we hold on to our old way of living, turning to guilty pleasures, things that will corrupt our minds and bodies. No more shall we be impatient, unloving. Instead, we should focus on Christ Jesus our Lord

Being a new creation in Christ, we seek out those who cannot fend for themselves. We seek out to minister to those who are lonely, who live on the peripheries, who are without means of caring or providing for themselves. In other words, we look out for the needs of the least of our brethren.

To reinforce what the Lord wants us to do, we are reminded of the beatitudes found in today’s Gospel, And we should also follow the beatitudes to be found in Matthew. For regardless of race, we are all Christians and we are one in him. Let us remain steadfast in our love for him. Amen.



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First reading
Colossians 3:1-11

You must look for the things that are in heaven

Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed – and he is your life – you too will be revealed in all your glory with him.
    That is why you must kill everything in you that belongs only to earthly life: fornication, impurity, guilty passion, evil desires and especially greed, which is the same thing as worshipping a false god; all this is the sort of behaviour that makes God angry. And it is the way in which you used to live when you were surrounded by people doing the same thing, but now you, of all people, must give all these things up: getting angry, being bad-tempered, spitefulness, abusive language and dirty talk; and never tell each other lies. You have stripped off your old behaviour with your old self, and you have put on a new self which will progress towards true knowledge the more it is renewed in the image of its creator; and in that image there is no room for distinction between Greek and Jew, between the circumcised or the uncircumcised, or between barbarian and Scythian, slave and free man. There is only Christ: he is everything and he is in everything.




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Gospel
Luke 6:20-26

Happy are you who are poor, who are hungry, who weep

Fixing his eyes on his disciples Jesus said:

‘How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.

Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.

‘But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.

‘Alas for you when the world speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.’

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I wonder why it is we do not dwell on the risen Lord as often as we should, not just at Easter, but throughout the year. After all, do we not celebrate His resurrection at every Sunday Eucharist?

St. Paul reminds us that by our baptism, we have been inserted into the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. And He now dwells in us to dispel all sin and darkness. We have been saved and are sanctified through Him.

It is important that we dwell on the risen Lord, and live our lives fully committed in Him. Because by the power of His resurrection, the Lord himself dwells within us, so that we can likewise go out into the world to bring His light, and His resurrection power by healing, dispelling darkness, casting out demons.

Jesus, I live for you as I live in you. Amen.

Saint Peter Claver Pray for us…


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First reading
Colossians 2:6-15

The Lord has brought you to life with him

You must live your whole life according to the Christ you have received – Jesus the Lord; you must be rooted in him and built on him and held firm by the faith you have been taught, and full of thanksgiving.
    Make sure that no one traps you and deprives you of your freedom by some second-hand, empty, rational philosophy based on the principles of this world instead of on Christ.
    In his body lives the fullness of divinity, and in him you too find your own fulfilment, in the one who is the head of every Sovereignty and Power.
    In him you have been circumcised, with a circumcision not performed by human hand, but by the complete stripping of your body of flesh. This is circumcision according to Christ. You have been buried with him, when you were baptised; and by baptism, too, you have been raised up with him through your belief in the power of God who raised him from the dead. You were dead, because you were sinners and had not been circumcised: he has brought you to life with him, he has forgiven us all our sins.
    He has overridden the Law, and cancelled every record of the debt that we had to pay; he has done away with it by nailing it to the cross; and so he got rid of the Sovereignties and the Powers, and paraded them in public, behind him in his triumphal procession.


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Gospel
Luke 6:12-19

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.
    He then came down with them and stopped at a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and from Jerusalem and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon who had come to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. People tormented by unclean spirits were also cured, and everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him because power came out of him that cured them all.

Everyone who desires to follow after the Lord knows that it is all too easy to drift away, to lose our focus, instead of remaining steadfast and rooted to our faith in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who has already redeemed us. He has washed us clean so that we are blameless, holy, and pure.

And yet, oftentimes, we fall back into sin, into the old deluge and murkiness. But does that mean we give up all hope? Do we fall back to our old ways, finding comfort in things that do not satisfy? Instead, let us turn back to the Lord, who is the Lord of the sabbath, the Lord of lords, and King of kings. He is the only one, the Almighty, who can give us the grace to overcome our weaknesses and overcome the sins that we have committed against Him. It is through His grace alone that we are restored.

Let us then not be fearful and approach the throne of grace so that we may be once again sanctified to be one in holy communion with Him. Amen.


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First reading
Colossians 1:21-23

God has reconciled you by Christ’s death in his mortal body

Not long ago, you were foreigners and enemies, in the way that you used to think and the evil things that you did; but now he has reconciled you, by his death and in that mortal body. Now you are able to appear before him holy, pure and blameless – as long as you persevere and stand firm on the solid base of the faith, never letting yourselves drift away from the hope promised by the Good News, which you have heard, which has been preached to the whole human race, and of which I, Paul, have become the servant.

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Gospel
Luke 6:1-5

The Son of Man is master of the sabbath

One sabbath Jesus happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples were picking ears of corn, rubbing them in their hands and eating them. Some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath day?’ Jesus answered them, ‘So you have not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God, took the loaves of offering and ate them and gave them to his followers, loaves which only the priests are allowed to eat?’ And he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is master of the sabbath.’

Today’s first reading is a beautiful hymn, which in summary states that all things were created through Christ and for Christ. He is the firstborn of all creation. He is the firstborn from the dead. He is the Son of God, our Heavenly Father, our Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Master of the Universe.

And through him, we have life, and life to the full in him. For in Revelation, he has said, “I make all things new.” And while we remember and honor our past, for it has led us to this new life in Christ. We must never go back to our Old way of life without Him. We must remain in this new and everlasting life with him. And we must lead everyone to Him, for we are all one body in Christ. Amen.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) Pray for us…



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First reading
Colossians 1:15-20

All things were created through Christ and for Christ


Christ Jesus is the image of the unseen God and the first-born of all creation,
for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth:
everything visible and everything invisible,
Thrones, Dominations, Sovereignties, Powers –
all things were created through him and for him.
Before anything was created, he existed,
and he holds all things in unity.
Now the Church is his body,
he is its head.

As he is the Beginning,
he was first to be born from the dead,
so that he should be first in every way;
because God wanted all perfection to be found in him and all things to be reconciled through him and for him,
everything in heaven and everything on earth,
when he made peace
by his death on the cross.



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Gospel
Luke 5:33-39

When the bridegroom is taken from them, then they will fast

The Pharisees and the scribes said to Jesus, ‘John’s disciples are always fasting and saying prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees too, but yours go on eating and drinking.’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely you cannot make the bridegroom’s attendants fast while the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come, the time for the bridegroom to be taken away from them; that will be the time when they will fast.’
    He also told them this parable, ‘No one tears a piece from a new cloak to put it on an old cloak; if he does, not only will he have torn the new one, but the piece taken from the new will not match the old.
    ‘And nobody puts new wine into old skins; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and then run out, and the skins will be lost. No; new wine must be put into fresh skins. And nobody who has been drinking old wine wants new. “The old is good” he says.’

There is no greater love than to love one another in the Spirit of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For when we love in the Spirit, the living Gospel is spread, not just by words, but in actions. We too are then empowered by Christ Jesus, as he says, to do greater things than He.

In today’s Gospel, we see examples of what great things He has done so that we can emulate Him my our lives. He rebukes fevers, heals, and casts out demons. Nothing and no one is above our Lord, our Lord, King of Kings, Jesus, the Son of God. No profane lips shall utter His Holy name.

Let us always move forward in Holiness as we journey to care for the needs of our brethren and to bring His light into the world. Amen.

Saint Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor Pray for us…



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First reading
Colossians 1:1-8

The message of the truth has reached you and is spreading all over the world

From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy to the saints in Colossae, our faithful brothers in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
    We have never failed to remember you in our prayers and to give thanks for you to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you show towards all the saints because of the hope which is stored up for you in heaven. It is only recently that you heard of this, when it was announced in the message of the truth. The Good News which has reached you is spreading all over the world and producing the same results as it has among you ever since the day when you heard about God’s grace and understood what this really is. Epaphras, who taught you, is one of our closest fellow workers and a faithful deputy for us as Christ’s servant, and it was he who told us all about your love in the Spirit.


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Gospel
Luke 4:38-44

He would not allow them to speak because they knew he was the Christ

Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them.
    At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them. Devils too came out of many people, howling, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
    When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, but he answered, ‘I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.’ And he continued his preaching in the synagogues of Judaea.

We live in a world of constant trials and tribulations, and many challenges. But we are reminded today that we are sons of light. The Son of God lives within us to bring His light into the world.

If we have that deep and personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, then we know that He is the Anointed One of God. He will cast out all evil from within us. He will guide us and lead us every step of the way. Nothing will befall us. Nothing will overcome us.

We carry Jesus within us to bring His light into the world, to bring His healing touch, so that all men and women can live in His light. And together we shall declare, “I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.” Amen.

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First reading
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6,9-11

Keep strengthening one another

You will not be expecting us to write anything to you, brothers, about ‘times and seasons’, since you know very well that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night. It is when people are saying, ‘How quiet and peaceful it is’ that the worst suddenly happens, as suddenly as labour pains come on a pregnant woman; and there will be no way for anybody to evade it.
    But it is not as if you live in the dark, my brothers, for that Day to overtake you like a thief. No, you are all sons of light and sons of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober. God never meant us to experience the Retribution, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that, alive or dead, we should still live united to him. So give encouragement to each other, and keep strengthening one another, as you do already.



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Gospel
Luke 4:31-37

‘I know who you are: the Holy One of God’

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because he spoke with authority.
    In the synagogue there was a man who was possessed by the spirit of an unclean devil, and it shouted at the top of its voice, ‘Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the devil, throwing the man down in front of everyone, went out of him without hurting him at all. Astonishment seized them and they were all saying to one another, ‘What teaching! He gives orders to unclean spirits with authority and power and they come out.’ And reports of him went all through the surrounding countryside.

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Death is terrifying for those who do not have faith in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He has conquered death, and it is hope for all those who die, they will be raised by Him to new life. Is there better news than to know that we have hope for eternal life in Him?

But this is only true for those who truly believe, who want to follow after Him. Who is merciful to others, who walks humbly, and who gives life to the needs of the least of our brethren. When Jesus spoke up in the temple and said, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and He has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He goes on to talk about healing, liberty, signs and wonders.

The thing is, if we have faith, as little as a mustard seed, we can do greater things than He. For He has promised and has empowered us to do so. Yet are we living lives of little faith, doing nothing to help our brethren? Perhaps it is time for us to wake up from our slumber, and to demonstrate that our God is alive. Bringing hope by healing, signs and wonders demonstrating the joy of the Gospel to be found in Jesus our Lord. Amen
.


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First reading
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Do not grieve about those who have died in Jesus

We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus: God will bring them with him. We can tell you this from the Lord’s own teaching, that any of us who are left alive until the Lord’s coming will not have any advantage over those who have died. At the trumpet of God, the voice of the archangel will call out the command and the Lord himself will come down from heaven; those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise, and then those of us who are still alive will be taken up in the clouds, together with them; to meet the Lord in the air. So we shall stay with the Lord for ever. With such thoughts as these you should comfort one another.





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Gospel
Luke 4:16-30

‘This text is being fulfilled today, even as you listen’

Jesus came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:

The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives
and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.

He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. They said, ‘This is Joseph’s son, surely?’
    But he replied, ‘No doubt you will quote me the saying, “Physician, heal yourself” and tell me, “We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own countryside.”’
    And he went on, ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.
    ‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’
    When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.

We have been baptized into the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and have become children of God, our Heavenly Father. His laws are written in our hearts and His love dwells within us. This is what it means to be Christian. We cannot be Christians if we do not love, if we do not know how to love, because the source of love and life itself dwells within us and we are children of light, His light into the world.

While we are not of this world, we live in this world to make a difference. All of us have been given unique gifts and talents to further the Lord our God’s kingdom. Because of our deep relationship we have with Him, we carry that service and joy in our hearts to build His kingdom and to lead His other children in the world back andr to be with Him.

It is also our joy and pride to share the joy of the Gospel, that all who do not yet know Him will come to know the Living God, and we bear witness and testimony to Him. So that one day we will hear Him say to us, My good and faithful servant, you have been faithful in little things and I have more to entrust you with. Come share in your Master’s joy. Amen.


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First reading
1 Thessalonians 4:9-11

You have learnt from God how to love one another

As for loving our brothers, there is no need for anyone to write to you about that, since you have learnt from God yourselves to love one another, and in fact this is what you are doing with all the brothers throughout the whole of Macedonia. However, we do urge you, brothers, to go on making even greater progress and to make a point of living quietly, attending to your own business and earning your living, just as we told you to.



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Gospel
Matthew 25:14-30

You have been faithful in small things: come and join in your master’s happiness

Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of Heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out.
    ‘The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
    ‘Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. “Sir,” he said “you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.”
    ‘His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.”
    ‘Next the man with the two talents came forward. “Sir,” he said “you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.”
    ‘Last came forward the man who had the one talent. “Sir,” said he “I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back.” But his master answered him, “You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have recovered my capital with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the five talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away. As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.”’

Today, our Lord is reminding us to be holy as our Heavenly Father is holy, to lead sanctified lives, to avoid immoral behaviour, so as to enter deeper into His love, love for Him and love for one another.

It ties in very well with today’s Gospel, where we find Herod is living an immoral life. He has chosen to be with his brother’s wife. And because of the darkness that has filled his life, he is blindsided into beheading St John the Baptist at the behest of his wife.

Let us, therefore, remain steadfast, not to lose our head as Herod had done, but to lead lives of purity, steadfast in virtues that pleases the Lord. Amen



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First reading
1Thessalonians 4:1-8 ·

What God wants is for you all to be holy

Brothers, we urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus to make more and more progress in the kind of life that you are meant to live: the life that God wants, as you learnt from us, and as you are already living it. You have not forgotten the instructions we gave you on the authority of the Lord Jesus.
    What God wants is for you all to be holy. He wants you to keep away from fornication, and each one of you to know how to use the body that belongs to him in a way that is holy and honourable, not giving way to selfish lust like the pagans who do not know God. He wants nobody at all ever to sin by taking advantage of a brother in these matters; the Lord always punishes sins of that sort, as we told you before and assured you. We have been called by God to be holy, not to be immoral; in other words, anyone who objects is not objecting to a human authority, but to God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.



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Gospel
Mark 6:17-29

The beheading of John the Baptist

Herod sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.
    An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.’ And he swore her an oath, ‘I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ The girl hurried straight back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, here and now, on a dish.’ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

The psalmist says, fill us with your love, Lord, that we may rejoice. In today’s first reading, we see how St. Paul and his fellow brothers in Christ rejoice in the love of God our Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Such affirming words can only be uttered with an overflowing love coming from the heart. We can breathe again knowing that you all are holding firm in the Lord.

This tender loving care can only come from a father’s heart, for his children, from the fraternal bonds lived as brothers and sisters in Christ, and simply from walking in the ways of the Lord, so that love prevails, love rules over all.

What happens when we are not walking in the love of the Lord? We hear Jesus’ warning that we must stand firm and stay alert, for we do not know when the Master is coming. The terrible examples of those in leadership who are supposed to care for those under them, are abusing their power, getting drunk. In essence, they have lost their focus on the Lord. They have lost sight of their relationship with the Lord, and the darkness of the world has prevailed.

It is a reminder that it can happen to any one of us, and so we must strive for holiness. Strive to walk in the ways of the Lord, always being alert; for the lion is prowling, seeking to destroy. We need to remain steadfast, so that the love of the Lord can rule in our hearts always, so that we may rejoice in Him. Amen.

Saint Augustine, Bishop, Doctor for Pray for us…



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First reading
1 Thessalonians 3:7-13

Now we can breathe again, as you are still holding firm in the Lord

Brothers, your faith has been a great comfort to us in the middle of our own troubles and sorrows; now we can breathe again, as you are still holding firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel before our God on your account? We are earnestly praying night and day to be able to see you face to face again and make up any shortcomings in your faith.
    May God our Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, make it easy for us to come to you. May the Lord be generous in increasing your love and make you love one another and the whole human race as much as we love you. And may he so confirm your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus Christ comes with all his saints.



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Gospel
Matthew 24:42-51

He is coming at an hour you do not expect

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming. You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house. Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
    ‘What sort of servant, then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment. I tell you solemnly, he will place him over everything he owns. But as for the dishonest servant who says to himself, “My master is taking his time,” and sets about beating his fellow servants and eating and drinking with drunkards, 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 hypocrites, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.’

In today’s Gospel, Jesus completes the last two woes according to St. Matthew,  rebuking harshly the Pharisees and the scribes for their hypocrisy, they who wanted to be honoured, but had no virtues within them to contain the treasures of heaven. Even though they were the Chosen Ones, they did not behave as they should that is as children of God our Heavenly Father.

St. Paul, on the other hand, lives out his calling as an Apostle and a disciple of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who did not come to be served, but to serve. St. Paul leads by example to earn his own keep, so as not to be obligated to anyone, but with purity of body, mind and soul, serve the Lord our God and our brethren wholeheartedly, completely, glorifying the Lord whom he loved and served.

And he is a shining example of how we all should aspire to be, as we care for those whom the Lord has put us in charge to lead, like fathers and mothers who care for their children, just as God our Heavenly Father cares for us all.

Lord, you search me and you know me. Let all that I say and do always bring you glory. Amen.

Saint Monica pray for us…
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First reading
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

We slaved night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you

Let me remind you, brothers, how hard we used to work, slaving night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you while we were proclaiming God’s Good News to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, that our treatment of you, since you became believers, has been impeccably right and fair. You can remember how we treated every one of you as a father treats his children, teaching you what was right, encouraging you and appealing to you to live a life worthy of God, who is calling you to share the glory of his kingdom. Another reason why we constantly thank God for you is that as soon as you heard the message that we brought you as God’s message, you accepted it for what it really is, God’s message and not some human thinking; and it is still a living power among you who believe it.




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Gospel
Matthew 23:27-32

You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets

Jesus said: ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who are like whitewashed tombs that look handsome on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of corruption. In the same way you appear to people from the outside like good honest men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
    ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who build the sepulchres of the prophets and decorate the tombs of holy men, saying, “We would never have joined in shedding the blood of the prophets, had we lived in our fathers’ day.” So! Your own evidence tells against you! You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets! Very well then, finish off the work that your fathers began.’

Today we hear a stark warning from our Lord for His leaders of His Church, whether they serve from the Executive Committee, as Eucharistic ministers, lectors, choir members, hospitality, youth leaders or in any other capacity . What He wants is mercy, not ritual sacrifices. He wants forgiveness and reconciliation amongst His leaders and those they serve. He wants His holiness to shine forth in whatever His leaders say and do.

We must be cleansed by His saving grace from inside out. We do not serve for recognition by men and women. We do not serve for honour, but for the love of God who laid down His life for us.

And so, as St Paul says, we should be bearers of the Good News, not just by our words and actions, and that we should be prepared to lay down our lives for them whom we serve.

Lord You search me and You know me,  as I search for You; let me find You in those love and serve for Your glory. Amen


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First reading
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 ·

We were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our whole lives

You know yourselves, my brothers, that our visit to you has not proved ineffectual.
    We had, as you know, been given rough treatment and been grossly insulted at Philippi, and it was our God who gave us the courage to proclaim his Good News to you in the face of great opposition. We have not taken to preaching because we are deluded, or immoral, or trying to deceive anyone; it was God who decided that we were fit to be entrusted with the Good News, and when we are speaking, we are not trying to please men but God, who can read our inmost thoughts. You know very well, and we can swear it before God, that never at any time have our speeches been simply flattery, or a cover for trying to get money; nor have we ever looked for any special honour from men, either from you or anybody else, when we could have imposed ourselves on you with full weight, as apostles of Christ.
    Instead, we were unassuming. Like a mother feeding and looking after her own children, we felt so devoted and protective towards you, and had come to love you so much, that we were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our whole lives as well.



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Gospel
Matthew 23:23-26

Clean the inside of the cup first, so that the outside may become clean

Jesus said: ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who pay your tithe of mint and dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law – justice, mercy, good faith! These you should have practised, without neglecting the others. You blind guides! Straining out gnats and swallowing camels!
    ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who clean the outside of cup and dish and leave the inside full of extortion and intemperance. Blind Pharisee! Clean the inside of cup and dish first so that the outside may become clean as well.’

In today’s first reading today and the Gospel, we see the vast contrast. In the Gospel, it begins with Jesus rebuking the Pharisees and the scribes. The first four of the seven woes against the Pharisees and scribes, who insisted on their own pious observances and practices of the law, which often led those who they insisted on following their ways astray from the love of God.

Having just completed a man’s retreat over the weekend, or rather on Saturday, I can relate to the first reading in which St. Paul encourages the brothers that through the power of the Holy Spirit, their lives had been transformed. Just as in the retreat, we were reminded through our own worship, praise, and formation talks, of the great love of God our Father for all of us. The message was clear that He loves us with an everlasting love. He can see our shortcomings and our failings, but He loves us in spite of them. And He has sent His only begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the greatest sign of His love, so that we who are obedient and willing to follow after Him will not only enter into a deep, personal, lasting relationship with Him, but through His grace we shall be fully reconciled.

And so, it is a reminder for all of us to be men and women of God, who brings His light into the world, to share His great love for them, so that all shall come back to Him, especially those who have fallen short. That they may be filled with the Holy Spirit, so metanoia, a change from within takes place, and transforms them into the perfect likeness and image of the Lord our God. Amen

Saint Louis and Saint Joseph of Calasanz, Priest Pray for us…



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First reading
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5,8-10

You broke with idolatry when you were converted to God

From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonika which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; wishing you grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
    We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all, and constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love and persevered through hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ.
    We know, brothers, that God loves you and that you have been chosen, because when we brought the Good News to you, it came to you not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction. And you observed the sort of life we lived when we were with you, which was for your instruction, since it was from you that the word of the Lord started to spread – and not only throughout Macedonia and Achaia, for the news of your faith in God has spread everywhere. We do not need to tell other people about it: other people tell us how we started the work among you, how you broke with idolatry when you were converted to God and became servants of the real, living God; and how you are now waiting for Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, to come from heaven to save us from the retribution which is coming.

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Gospel
Matthew 23:13-22

Alas for you, blind guides!

Jesus said: ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who shut up the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces, neither going in yourselves nor allowing others to go in who want to.
    ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when you have him you make him twice as fit for hell as you are.
    ‘Alas for you, blind guides! You who say, “If a man swears by the Temple, it has no force; but if a man swears by the gold of the Temple, he is bound.” Fools and blind! For which is of greater worth, the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? Or else, “If a man swears by the altar it has no force; but if a man swears by the offering that is on the altar, he is bound.” You blind men! For which is of greater worth, the offering or the altar that makes the offering sacred? Therefore, when a man swears by the altar he is swearing by that and by everything on it. And when a man swears by the Temple he is swearing by that and by the One who dwells in it. And when a man swears by heaven he is swearing by the throne of God and by the One who is seated there.’

It’s astonishing to learn that Naomi, in today’s first reading, is the great-grandmother of David. King David, who by his lineage will our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be born.

It’s also interesting to learn how Naomi was known for her love and fidelity to Ruth. And it reminds us that by our love and actions, we bring the glory of God. And He blesses us. Just like Jesus, who is the light of the world, shines through us, who bear His light; who reflects Him, who came not to be served, but to serve.

That is why in today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that he who humbles himself will be exalted. He who loves must be the servant of all. It is by following after our Lord that we bring His light into the world. Amen.


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First reading
Ruth 2:1-3,8-11,4:13-17

Ruth gives birth to Obed, the grandfather of David

Naomi had a kinsman on her husband’s side, well-to-do and of Elimelech’s clan. His name was Boaz.
    Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, ‘Let me go into the fields and glean among the ears of corn in the footsteps of some man who will look on me with favour.’ And she said to her, ‘Go, my daughter.’ So she set out and went to glean in the fields after the reapers. And it chanced that she came to that part of the fields which belonged to Boaz of Elimelech’s clan.
    Boaz said to Ruth, ‘Listen, my daughter, and understand this. You are not to glean in any other field, do not leave here but stay with my servants. Keep your eyes on whatever part of the field they are reaping and follow behind. I have ordered my servants not to molest you. And if you are thirsty, go to the pitchers and drink what the servants have drawn.’ Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground. And she said to him, ‘How have I so earned your favour that you take notice of me, even though I am a foreigner?’ And Boaz answered her, ‘I have been told all you have done for your mother-in-law since your husband’s death, and how you left your own father and mother and the land where you were born to come among a people whom you knew nothing about before you came here.’
    So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. And when they came together, the Lord made her conceive and she bore a son. And the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord who has not left the dead man without next of kin this day to perpetuate his name in Israel. The child will be a comfort to you and the prop of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you and is more to you than seven sons has given him birth.’ And Naomi took the child to her own bosom and she became his nurse.
    And the women of the neighbourhood gave him a name. ‘A son has been born for Naomi’ they said; and they named him Obed. This was the father of David’s father, Jesse.





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Gospel
Matthew 23:1-12

They do not practise what they preach

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.
    ‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’

Ruth’s declaration in today’s first reading speaks volumes about familial love and fidelity. Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people. Your God, my God.

This then leads us to today’s Gospel, in which the Lord reminds us of how we should love. We should love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. And the second, that we should love one another just as we love ourselves. So can we love anyone else less than how we love ourselves?

Ruth, in the first reading, demonstrated this extraordinary love. When she embraced Naomi, loved and cared for her amidst all the challenges they would face. For widows at that time had no one to care for them, no rights whatsoever. They entrusted themselves to the will of the Lord our God and were taken care of.

When we are obedient to the word and will of God, we know that He is the God of the impossible. He will make clear the paths before us as we glorify Him by the way we lead our lives. Amen.
Our Lady, Mother and Queen Pray for us…


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First reading
Ruth 1:1,3-6,14-16,22

Ruth the Moabitess is brought to Bethlehem by Naomi

In the days of the Judges famine came to the land and a certain man from Bethlehem of Judah went – he, his wife and his two sons – to live in the country of Moab. Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she and her two sons were left. These married Moabite women: one was named Orpah and the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died and the woman was bereft of her two sons and her husband. So she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and went back to her people. But Ruth clung to her.
    Naomi said to her, ‘Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her god. You must return too; follow your sister-in-law.’
    But Ruth said, ‘Do not press me to leave you and to turn back from your company, for

‘wherever you go, I will go,
wherever you live, I will live.
Your people shall be my people,
and your God, my God.’

This was how Naomi, she who returned from the country of Moab, came back with Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.




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Gospel
Matthew 22:34-40

The commandments of love

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they got together and, to disconcert him, one of them put a question, ‘Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?’ Jesus said, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.’

The Lord has told us, let our yes be yes and our no be no. Why should we bargain with the Lord, instead of seeking discernment for His word and will for us? In today’s first reading, we hear the ridiculous bargain with the Lord, that should the people be delivered from their enemies, Jephthah would sacrifice the first person that walks through his door at home, and it happened to be his daughter. The Lord did not ask for such a travesty to be done. But both the father and daughter in this case, decided to honour the promise made. The daughter sacrificed herself to fulfil her father’s promise. While it is unthinkable to us, or we might even question, why did the father not plead to the Lord or pray that the Lord might be merciful and spare her? Was it pride?

In today’s Gospel, we hear how the Lord our God, through this parable, invites all of us to the wedding banquet. Every Sunday, at the Eucharistic celebration, is an invitation to the wedding banquet. And yet, how many of us show up, attend dutifully, putting on our wedding garment, that is a garment of righteousness.  Renouncing the works of the enemy, remorseful for our failings and a shortcomings ourselves, and coming to offer our worship and thanksgiving. How many instead give excuses not to show up? Or are present, but more so out of obligation! Not caring enough to dress up as we should for the glory of our Lord and God.

In His great mercy and love, the invitation even goes out to all those who were not initially invitedv or called we are. Therefore, the blind, the lame, anyone willing is invited to partake of this wedding banquet. Let us all come worthily, so that we may partake of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ through the Holy Eucharist. Amen.

Saint Pius X, Pope pray for us…

First reading
Judges 11:29-39

Jephthah sacrifices his daughter in fulfilment of a vow

The spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah, who crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through to Mizpah in Gilead, and from Mizpah in Gilead made his way to the rear of the Ammonites. And Jephthah made   vow to the Lord, ‘If you deliver the Ammonites into my hands, then the first person to meet me from the door of my house when I return in triumph from fighting the Ammonites shall belong to the Lord, and I will offer him up as a holocaust. Jephthah marched against the Ammonites to attack them, and the Lord delivered them into his power. He harassed them from Aroer almost to Minnith (twenty towns) and to Abel-keramim. It was a very severe defeat, and the Ammonites were humbled before the Israelites.
    As Jephthah returned to his house at Mizpah, his daughter came out from it to meet him; she was dancing to the sound of timbrels. This was his only child; apart from her he had neither son nor daughter. When he saw her, he tore his clothes and exclaimed, ‘Oh my daughter, what sorrow you are bringing me! Must it be you, the cause of my ill-fortune! I have given a promise to the Lord, and I cannot unsay what I have said.’ She answered him, ‘My father, you have given a promise to the Lord; treat me as the vow you took binds you to, since the Lord has given you vengeance on your enemies the Ammonites.’ Then she said to her father, ‘Grant me one request. Let me be free for two months. I shall go and wander in the mountains, and with my companions bewail my virginity.’ He answered, ‘Go’, and let her depart for two months. So she went away with her companions and bewailed her virginity in the mountains. When the two months were over, she returned to her father, and he treated her as the vow that he had uttered bound him. She had never known a man.



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Gospel
Matthew 22:1-14

Invite everyone you can to the wedding

Jesus began to speak to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a feast for his son’s wedding. He sent his servants to call those who had been invited, but they would not come. Next he sent some more servants. “Tell those who have been invited” he said “that I have my banquet all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, everything is ready. Come to the wedding.” But they were not interested: one went off to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them and killed them. The king was furious. He despatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding is ready; but as those who were invited proved to be unworthy, go to the crossroads in the town and invite everyone you can find to the wedding.” So these servants went out on to the roads and collected together everyone they could find, bad and good alike; and the wedding hall was filled with guests. When the king came in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment, and said to him, “How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?” And the man was silent. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’

The first reading might make no sense unless we see that it is only through God’s way, and God’s way alone, that there is order, that there is a proper way of doing things. It is when we try to do things our way, with no thought of Him or regard for the consequences, that it will lead us to our downfall.

Our God is a God of order, of peace, of mercy, and of love. Why do we question the grace that has been granted upon our brothers and sisters, some who are beyond talented and are blessed with many good things? Why would we be jealous? For God our Father loves each and every one of us equally. All of us have our own gifts and talents.

In today’s gospel reading, we see the generosity of the Lord our God, who decides to pay everyone one denarius, even though there was no agreement whatsoever other than with the first batchv of folks. The rest of the people at the different times of day were only promised either a fair wage or were told to just simply go and work, not promised anything concrete. But because we have a Lord who goes beyond, who loves us with an abundance of love, and gives freely. We too should likewise, who have earned nothing on our own but have been given freely, should thus give freely. Amen.

Saint Bernard, Abbot, Doctor pray for us…

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First reading
Judges 9:6-15

The tale of the trees and their king

All the leading men of Shechem and all Beth-millo gathered, and proclaimed Abimelech king by the terebinth of the pillar at Shechem.
    News of this was brought to Jotham. He came and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted aloud for them to hear:

‘Hear me, leaders of Shechem,
that God may also hear you!

‘One day the trees went out
to anoint a king to rule over them.
They said to the olive tree, “Be our king!”

‘The olive tree answered them,
“Must I forego my oil which gives honour to gods and men, to stand swaying above the trees?”

‘Then the trees said to the fig tree,
“Come now, you be our king!”

‘The fig tree answered them,
“Must I forego my sweetness,
forego my excellent fruit, to stand swaying above the trees?”

‘Then the trees said to the vine,
“Come now, you be our king!”

‘The vine answered them,
“Must I forego my wine
which cheers the heart of gods and men,
to stand swaying above the trees?”

‘Then all the trees said to the thorn bush,
“Come now, you be our king!”

‘And the thorn bush answered the trees,
“If in all good faith you anoint me king to reign over you, then come and shelter in my shade. If not, fire will come from the thorn bush and devour the cedars of Lebanon.”’



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Gospel
Matthew 20:1-16

Why be envious because I am generous?

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day, and sent them to his vineyard. Going out at about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place and said to them, “You go to my vineyard too and I will give you a fair wage.” So they went. At about the sixth hour and again at about the ninth hour, he went out and did the same. Then at about the eleventh hour he went out and found more men standing round, and he said to them, “Why have you been standing here idle all day?” “Because no one has hired us” they answered. He said to them, “You go into my vineyard too.” In the evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his bailiff, “Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last arrivals and ending with the first.” So those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came forward and received one denarius each. When the first came, they expected to get more, but they too received one denarius each. They took it, but grumbled at the landowner. “The men who came last” they said “have done only one hour, and you have treated them the same as us, though we have done a heavy day’s work in all the heat.” He answered one of them and said, “My friend, I am not being unjust to you; did we not agree on one denarius? Take your earnings and go. I choose to pay the last comer as much as I pay you. Have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why be envious because I am generous?” Thus the last will be first, and the first, last.’

Before the Prince of Peace, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, came into the world, Gideon, in today’s first reading, already experienced the presence of the Lord of Peace. He was chosen and empowered to free his people from oppression against insurmountable odds. Perhaps he felt unworthy, but the Lord assured him, I will be with you.

How many times has the Lord called us to do his word and will, to further His kingdom, and yet we too felt unworthy? In today’s Gospel, we hear the Lord saying, or rather challenging us, stating that it is  easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for the rich man to give up his riches. But what is the real message behind this? Our Lord and God is the God of the impossible. He will find a way. He will break through walls for us, with us, through us, for his greater glory.

How confident are we to remain steadfast in the Lord? Are we then prepared to renounce ourselves, take up our cross, and to follow after him.

Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.

Saint John Eudes, Priest pray for us…


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First reading
Judges 6:11-24

‘Peace be with you; have no fear; you will not die’

The angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah which belonged to Joash of Abiezer. Gideon his son was threshing wheat inside the winepress to keep it hidden from Midian, when the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘The Lord is with you, valiant warrior!’ Gideon answered him, ‘Forgive me, my lord, but if the Lord is with us, then why is it that all this is happening to us now? And where are all the wonders our ancestors tell us of when they say, “Did not the Lord bring us out of Egypt?” But now the Lord has deserted us; he has abandoned us to Midian.’
    At this the Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength now upholding you, and you will rescue Israel from the power of Midian. Do I not send you myself?’ Gideon answered him, ‘Forgive me, my lord, but how can I deliver Israel? My clan, you must know, is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least important in my family.’ The Lord answered him, ‘I will be with you and you shall crush Midian as though it were a single man.’ Gideon said to him, ‘If I have found favour in your sight, give me a sign that it is you who speak to me. I beg you, do not go away until I come back. I will bring you my offering and set it down before you.’ And he answered, ‘I will stay until you return.’
    Gideon went away and prepared a young goat and made unleavened cakes with an ephah of flour. He put the meat into a basket and the broth into a pot, then brought it all to him under the terebinth. As he came near, the angel of the Lord said to him, ‘Take the meat and unleavened cakes, put them on this rock and pour the broth over them.’ Gideon did so. Then the angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff in his hand and touched the meat and unleavened cakes. Fire sprang from the rock and consumed the meat and unleavened cakes, and the angel of the Lord vanished before his eyes. Then Gideon knew this was the angel of the Lord, and he said, ‘Alas, my Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!’ The Lord answered him, ‘Peace be with you; have no fear; you will not die.’ Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it The-Lord-is-Peace.




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Gospel
Matthew 19:23-30

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, I tell you again, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.’ When the disciples heard this they were astonished. ‘Who can be saved, then?’ they said. Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he told them ‘this is impossible; for God everything is possible.’
    Then Peter spoke. ‘What about us?’ he said to him ‘We have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I tell you solemnly, when all is made new and the Son of Man sits on his throne of glory, you will yourselves sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will be repaid a hundred times over, and also inherit eternal life.
    ‘Many who are first will be last, and the last, first.’