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As we are soon approaching Advent the readings of today remind us of the need to stand alert and ready. What state will our Lord find us in if He comes today? Or if we are called back to stand before Him? Will He find us with hearts full of joy and peace because we have loved our neighbour as we should? We have cared for the least of our brethren?

Or will He find us sinful and sorrowful? Many still lukewarm in their faith? Failing to gain the riches of the world, standing empty and forlorn? How much time did you think you have to turn back to the Lord your God? To love and be loved in His love?

Let us pray for one another especially for those who have lost their way. Let us strive for Holiness as we lead one another into His kingdom. And may our hearts always be filled with His love as we care for one another along the way as we journey home. Amen

First reading

2 John 1:4-9
The commandment which you have heard since the beginning is to live a life of love

It has given me great joy to find that your children have been living the life of truth as we were commanded by the Father. I am writing now, dear lady, not to give you any new commandment, but the one which we were given at the beginning, and to plead: let us love one another.
To love is to live according to his commandments: this is the commandment which you have heard since the beginning, to live a life of love.
There are many deceivers about in the world, refusing to admit that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. They are the Deceiver; they are the Antichrist. Watch yourselves, or all our work will be lost and not get the reward it deserves. If anybody does not keep within the teaching of Christ but goes beyond it, he cannot have God with him: only those who keep to what he taught can have the Father and the Son with them.

Gospel

Luke 17:26-37
When the day comes for the Son of Man to be revealed

Jesus said to the disciples:
‘As it was in Noah’s day, so will it also be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating and drinking, marrying wives and husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It will be the same as it was in Lot’s day: people were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but the day Lot left Sodom, God rained fire and brimstone from heaven and it destroyed them all. It will be the same when the day comes for the Son of Man to be revealed.
‘When that day comes, anyone on the housetop, with his possessions in the house, must not come down to collect them, nor must anyone in the fields turn back either. Remember Lot’s wife. Anyone who tries to preserve his life will lose it; and anyone who loses it will keep it safe. I tell you, on that night two will be in one bed: one will be taken, the other left; two women will be grinding corn together: one will be taken, the other left.’ The disciples interrupted. ‘Where, Lord?’ they asked. He said, ‘Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather.’

The Kingdom of God is at hand. Still kingdom builders that we are must continue with building up God’s Kingdom through acts of love and sacrifice for one another. There is no time like the present to do so for we know not when our time is at end.

In order to follow Christ as we should, we must give up all rights and claims over another; in order to love them as sister and brother of God our Father through Christ Jesus,His Son our Lord. For greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Jesus called us friends, as He laid down His life for us. Can we not do the same for our sister and brother?

Lord thy kingdom come, thy will be done. Amen

First reading

Philemon 1:7-20
He is a slave no longer, but a dear brother in the Lord

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

Gospel

Luke 17:20-25
The kingdom of God is among you

Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, Jesus gave them this answer, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, “Look here! Look there!” For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.’
He said to the disciples, ‘A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes. But first he must suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.’

We should never take the Lord our God for granred! And hold on tightly to His Word which feeds, nourishes; and is our safeguard against evil and sin. For there are far too many distractions in the world that will sooner or later mislead us away from Him, whom loved us despite our iniquities and gave up His life for us.

In His compassionate love for us, Jesus hears our cries and heals us. But unless we have a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving we may be physically healed but remain spiritually dead. For it is only through our heartfelt thanksgiving and Praise of the Lord God; that our spirit ascends to Him fully alive. It is our rightful worship of Him that we live fully in His love. Just as it is our Christian duty to obey the laws of the land so it is our duty to be obedient to the Holy Spirit who guides us into the way of life in Him.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever. Amen

First reading

Titus 3:1-7
It was purely by his own compassion that God saved us

Remind your people that it is their duty to be obedient to the officials and representatives of the government; to be ready to do good at every opportunity; not to go slandering other people or picking quarrels, but to be courteous and always polite to all kinds of people. Remember, there was a time when we too were ignorant, disobedient and misled and enslaved by different passions and luxuries; we lived then in wickedness and ill-will, hating each other and hateful ourselves.
But when the kindness and love of God our saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because he was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our saviour. He did this so that we should be justified by his grace, to become heirs looking forward to inheriting eternal life.

Gospel

Luke 17:11-19
No-one has come back to praise God, only this foreigner

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’

What makes people searching turn to the Christian faith? Apart from the truth to be found in our Lord Jesus Christ, it is the Christian way of life. We can thank our dedicated sisters and brothers living out their Christian faith in love and humility that inspired many to enquire more and be led to Jesus.

We all have a higher calling as Christians to constantly say no to sin and the wiles of the world. To live exemplary lives in Christ for one another, so as to beacons of His love. And our light shines most brightly by putting our hands and feet to the service of the least of our brethren.

There is no room for complaint in our hearts as it has been filled to the brim by the overflowing love of the Lord our God. We do not seek recognition or glory for ourselves, our only desire is to glorify the Lord our God by our lives. For our hope is that at the very end, we will dine with Him at the Heavenly Banquet. Amen

First reading

Titus 2:1-8,11-14
You must preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine

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

Gospel

Luke 17:7-10
You are merely servants

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

What sort of leadership would you want for your Church? People who are creative, those who have hearts for the poor, the marginalised, the outcasts. Great administrative skills and those with gifts and talents suited for the tasks ahead. All these are good! But it takes dedicated, God fearing men and women who are single minded after the heart of Christ Jesus to drive the church forwards. So while we may have the best people, without leadership centred on Christ we have zero! For either nothing gets done or there will be little or no growth.

While not everyone are called to be leaders, we are called to obedience in Christ Jesus. There can be no duplicity in our lives. We must strive for Holiness and lead others towards the same. Mercy and love must flow from our hearts. We must forgive always and remember we have forgiven. We must work to grow in our faith through deepening our relationship with Jesus. We can only do so by knowing and living His Word and will for us.

Holy spirit Lord, guide us as we journey forth, towards our heavenly inheritance. Amen

First reading

Titus 1:1-9
Appoint elders of irreproachable character

From Paul, servant of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ to bring those whom God has chosen to faith and to the knowledge of the truth that leads to true religion; and to give them the hope of the eternal life that was promised so long ago by God. He does not lie and so, at the appointed time, he revealed his decision, and, by the command of God our saviour, I have been commissioned to proclaim it. To Titus, true child of mine in the faith that we share, wishing you grace and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our saviour.
The reason I left you behind in Crete was for you to get everything organised there and appoint elders in every town, in the way that I told you: that is, each of them must be a man of irreproachable character; he must not have been married more than once, and his children must be believers and not uncontrollable or liable to be charged with disorderly conduct. Since, as president, he will be God’s representative, he must be irreproachable: never an arrogant or hot-tempered man, nor a heavy drinker or violent, nor out to make money; but a man who is hospitable and a friend of all that is good; sensible, moral, devout and self-controlled; and he must have a firm grasp of the unchanging message of the tradition, so that he can be counted on for both expounding the sound doctrine and refuting those who argue against it.

Gospel

Luke 17:1-6
If your brother does wrong, reprove him

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Obstacles are sure to come, but alas for the one who provides them! It would be better for him to be thrown into the Sea with a millstone put round his neck than that he should lead astray a single one of these little ones. Watch yourselves!
If your brother does something wrong, reprove him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, “I am sorry,” you must forgive him.’
The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’ The Lord replied, ‘Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.’

For a disciple in our Lord Jesus Christ, riches lie in seeking and finding the kingdom of God. For all we will ever need is to be found in the Lord our God. This is not some fanatical thinking or way of life but a reality in the truth. For He is the truth, the way and the life. And so it is our mission to lead everyone to the truth. The love and mercy of God our Father through His Son our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

The riches of the world are fleeting. Just as the happiness and all its empty promises. Yet many are drawn to such riches and are beguiled into greed of it. Where does it end? Till the child of God our Father is lost to the world and all its wiles?

Your ways are not my ways says the Lord our God who looks into our heart. Let Him find us striving for Holiness as we choose the narrow path to His kingdom. Carrying the cross and following our master. Who rules and reigns with God our Father together with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen

First reading

Philippians 4:10-19
With the help of the One who gives me strength, there is nothing I cannot master

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

Gospel

Luke 16:9-15
Use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity. The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?
‘No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.’
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and laughed at him. He said to them, ‘You are the very ones who pass yourselves off as virtuous in people’s sight, but God knows your hearts. For what is thought highly of by men is loathsome in the sight of God.’

Knowing about Jesus Christ is not enough! We must constantly seek to deepen our relationship with Him. Day by day falling deeper in love with Him. For He is love personified, the source, the beginning and the end. By His love He sought us out, taking away all our sins. Restoring us so that we can partake in our heavenly inheritance as children of God our Father.

All the wisdom and gifts we possess comes from Him and it comes to nought if we do not give it away. If we do not generously share it with our sisters and brothers in Christ. For the more we give, the more we shall receive. Deep indeed is the eternal font of love and mercy. Deeper still we find ourselves when we dwell in His love.

Therefore we who follow Christ must want to bear witness to Him always. This is our call, this is our faith, this is our destiny. Amen

First reading

Philippians 3:3-8
I was faultless according to the Law; but without knowing Christ I was nothing

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

Gospel

Luke 15:1-10
There will be rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:
‘What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” he would say “I have found my sheep that was lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.
‘Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” she would say “I have found the drachma I lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.’

Striving for Holiness each passing day as we seek to bring Christ to others is our inherent duty as we declare our undying love for the Lord our God. Jesus reigns in our hearts as we face challenges and trials in building His kingdom. Yet we know He is always by our side. For we have placed Him above all others in our hearts where He rules. He is our Lord of Lords, King of Kings!

A true disciple will not grumble or complain for they know that all the hardship they face is for God’s glory. They have given up all to follow Him. They live not for themselves by to love and serve others as their master commanded. Are you then His disciple? Do others see you as such? What fruits have you brought forth?

Lord help me become the Disciple you want me to be. As I carry my cross and follow You. Amen

First reading

Philippians 2:12-18
Work for your salvation, for God is working in you

My dear friends, continue to do as I tell you, as you always have; not only as you did when I was there with you, but even more now that I am no longer there; and work for your salvation ‘in fear and trembling.’ It is God, for his own loving purpose, who puts both the will and the action into you. Do all that has to be done without complaining or arguing and then you will be innocent and genuine, perfect children of God among a deceitful and underhand brood, and you will shine in the world like bright stars because you are offering it the word of life. This would give me something to be proud of for the Day of Christ, and would mean that I had not run in the race and exhausted myself for nothing. And then, if my blood has to be shed as part of your own sacrifice and offering – which is your faith – I shall still be happy and rejoice with all of you, and you must be just as happy and rejoice with me.

Gospel

Luke 14:25-33
Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple

Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. ‘If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
‘And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it? Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, the onlookers would all start making fun of him and saying, “Here is a man who started to build and was unable to finish.” Or again, what king marching to war against another king would not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand men he could stand up to the other who advanced against him with twenty thousand? If not, then while the other king was still a long way off, he would send envoys to sue for peace. So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.’

If only we saw it through the eyes of faith that every prayer meeting, Eucharistic Celebration, fellowship in Christ, that we made excuses not to attend; was a missed opportunity to be in the presence of our Lord and to glorify His name or at the same time to be filled with the graces He wanted us to have, would our hearts have been be changed?

The Lord invites us in many varied ways to be with Him. In revelations 3:20 Jesus says, ‘Listen, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.“ How can we if our ears are shut to hear Him? If our hearts are attached to the cares and worries of the world? If we put all others before Him?

Jesus, You are the Lord of my life. Grant me the grace to see and hear Your voice always. Be present to me as I am for You. Amen

First reading

Philippians 2:5-11
Christ humbled himself but God raised him high

In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus:

His state was divine,
yet he did not cling
to his equality with God
but emptied himself
to assume the condition of a slave,
and became as men are;
and being as all men are,
he was humbler yet,
even to accepting death,
death on a cross.
But God raised him high
and gave him the name
which is above all other names
so that all beings in the heavens,
on earth and in the underworld,
should bend the knee at the name of Jesus
and that every tongue should acclaim
Jesus Christ as Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel

Luke 14:15-24
‘Not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet’

One of those gathered round the table said to Jesus, ‘Happy the man who will be at the feast in the kingdom of God!’ But he said to him, ‘There was a man who gave a great banquet, and he invited a large number of people. When the time for the banquet came, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, “Come along: everything is ready now.” But all alike started to make excuses. The first said, “I have bought a piece of land and must go and see it. Please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies.” Yet another said, “I have just got married and so am unable to come.”
‘The servant returned and reported this to his master. Then the householder, in a rage, said to his servant, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” “Sir” said the servant “your orders have been carried out and there is still room.” Then the master said to his servant, “Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and force people to come in to make sure my house is full; because, I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet.”

In most relationships today there are a lot more i’s then you’s. There are even measurements in place for this, ROI (return on investment) KPI (key performance indicators) to name a few. What can I stand to gain in entering into a relationship with you? How far can we go? What are the downsides? Even if one does not go into such complex calculations, the bottom line is what is my return?

If the Lord our God used such measurements perhaps according to His will for us, how do you think you will fare? We are so Blessed to have a merciful and loving God, who loves us while we are sinners. And He wills that we love one another with that same mercy and love. Remembering that we are all created equally in His likeness and image. There is much value in the least of our brethren, for it is in how we treat this brethren that we are judged.

Jesus my Lord, help me look past the faults, blemishes and weakness of my brethren. To realise that the tiniest fault and blemish in me is far greater than theirs. Teach me Lord, to love them as you love me, and to build upon their strengths and charisms. So that together we will build Your Kingdom to dwell in with You forever. Amen

First reading

Philippians 2:1-4
Be united in your love

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

Gospel

Luke 14:12-14
Do not invite those who might be able to invite you back

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

One of the most precious prayers we have is the Rosary. Praying the rosary together as a family or a community can lead us to greater depths of faith by opening our hearts and minds to the heart of Jesus in the mysteries through Mary our Mother. Praying the rosary together can build upon unity, faith and love. But ONLY if it is prayed with love for our Blessed Mother and Jesus.

Since we have many resources on how to pray the rosary, here is my reflection on how NOT to.

1. Do not even start praying the rosary if the intention is to get over with it as quickly as possible.

2. Make the time to come into the presence of our Blessed Mother instead of rushing straight into the prayer.

3. Do not rattle off the Our Father, Hail Marys and Glory be, even the Fatima prayer as if you have a bus, plane to catch.

4. Leaders should NEVER hurry to begin the next Hail Mary before the group had even finished the last word ‘at the hour of our death’ there should be a momentary pause.

5. Do not forget the COMMA at a very significant point of the Holy Mary….. Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

6. At every Hail Mary we should be deeply contemplating the mystery or inspired promptings by the Holy Spirit. Not what we will be doing when we get home or what is in store at the office tomorrow.

7. There is a natural rhythm when the group is truly praying the rosary as one and it is beautiful, NOT when individuals want to hurry it along by going faster than another.

8. Lift your voices in reverence when singing the Ave Maria and in harmony.

Also note that should be variation of prayers and reflections and not just one set for months on end.

We cannot hide behind a well groomed exterior portraying faux humility. For our true colours will always be seen. So then what would we want others to see? More importantly what does the Lord our God see in us?

The heart of servant leaders, men and women of God, are those transformed from within. Such that the light of Christ shines forth. Especially through their acts of mercy, kindness and love. They are just as content to sit and dine with the sinner as they would with their fellow saints. Their sole purpose in life is to lead more souls into heaven through their acts of love. And by proclaiming His word, the source of life itself. So that all who come to know Jesus will be able to enter into new life with Him. Amen

First reading

Philippians 1:18-26
Life to me is Christ; but death would bring me more

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

Gospel

Luke 14:1,7-11
Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled

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

Many fear death for they have many unanswered questions about it. Does it all end in nothingness? A dark void? Will we be trapped in a confined space for all eternity? Will we ever see our loved ones again?

Our faith is the only one with the answers. And it is to be found in our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. For by His life, death and resurrection; we have hope for eternal life with Him. God our Father’s mercy and love was outpoured through His Son. And so we have been redeemed by His blood and made pure. By the permanent seal of our baptism we had already entered into new life with Him.

So then do we grief for our loved ones who had passed on? While it is in our humanity to grief the loss of someone dear to us. We should cherish the memories we have of them and pray for them earnestly. So that they might be purified and enter more swiftly into new life with Christ.

Let us pray…

O God, in the death of your only Son you gave life to the world. Raise up in joy all those who have died in peace or in terror, in confidence or in despair, through the mercy you have shown us in Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

First reading

Wisdom 3:1-9
The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God

The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God,
no torment shall ever touch them.
In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die,
their going looked like a disaster,
their leaving us, like annihilation;
but they are in peace.
If they experienced punishment as men see it,
their hope was rich with immortality;
slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be.
God has put them to the test
and proved them worthy to be with him;
he has tested them like gold in a furnace,
and accepted them as a holocaust.
When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out;
as sparks run through the stubble, so will they.
They shall judge nations, rule over peoples,
and the Lord will be their king for ever.
They who trust in him will understand the truth,
those who are faithful will live with him in love;
for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.

Second reading

Romans 5:5-11
Now we have been reconciled by the death of his Son, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son

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

Gospel

Mark 15:33-39,16:1-6
Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last

When the sixth hour came there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you deserted me?’ When some of those who stood by heard this, they said, ‘Listen, he is calling on Elijah.’ Someone ran and soaked a sponge in vinegar and, putting it on a reed, gave it him to drink saying; ‘Wait and see if Elijah will come to take him down.’ But Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The centurion, who was standing in front of him, had seen how he had died, and he said, ‘In truth this man was a son of God.’
When the sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices with which to go and anoint him. And very early in the morning on the first day of the week they went to the tomb, just as the sun was rising.
They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ But when they looked they could see that the stone – which was very big – had already been rolled back. On entering the tomb they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right-hand side, and they were struck with amazement. But he said to them, ‘There is no need for alarm. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he has risen, he is not here. See, here is the place where they laid him.’

The first reading of today must be read in the light of the bridegroom of our Church, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

Husband and wives have unique roles and yet both must have Christ at the centre of their lives before they can love one another as they are called to do. Therefore wives will be willing to follow their husband’s lead and respect him, if they see Christ in Him. For they know they are loved and cared for with the love of Christ.

Amen
🙏🏼❤️

Married couples cannot lead individual lives as though they were not married. They must be united in mind, heart and body on many things. Children, finances, home affairs, family and friends. Most of all their prayer and spiritual life. While they may presently be on different spiritual levels; it does not mean they cannot pray together and for one another. Couples must always lead one another to greater holiness, with the end goal of leading one another into heaven. When they practice living their faith in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ so too will their children and children’s children. The domestic church is the foundation of the society at large, built upon Christ it will thrive and prosper.

Those who are single are called to the same faithfulness as children of God our Father. We all belong to one Church whose spouse, our Lord Jesus Christ looks fondly upon. By and through His love we will build His kingdom together. So that all who experience the fire of God’s love will spread that very fire burning within them, so that all may live in the shelter and joy of the Lord. Amen

First reading

Ephesians 5:21-33
Give way to one another in obedience to Christ

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

Gospel

Luke 13:18-21
The kingdom of God is like the yeast that leavened three measures of flour

Jesus said, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? It is like a mustard seed which a man took and threw into his garden: it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches.’
Another thing he said, ‘What shall I compare the kingdom of God with? It is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through.’

It is far too easy to fall back into sin. Especially since the world promotes it through its literature found in books and magazines. Television and movies another powerful source to draw us away from God our loving Father through the culture of sin. Many congregate to participate in juicy gossip and exciting dirty talk perhaps unaware their souls are being soiled. Have we let ourselves be bent over by our sins that we can no longer stand upright?

We are all God’s children and must live out our higher calling and purpose. Through the love and infinite goodness of God our Father we have been Blessed and baptised into life with Him. Life in abundance offered through Christ Jesus our Lord who frees us from all sin.

Let us open our hearts and minds to see with the eyes of our Lord, that His laws and commands are manifested through love. And so we must choose to love above all. The Lord our God and one another. Amen

First reading

Ephesians 4:32-5:8
Follow Christ by loving as he loved you

Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ.
Try, then, to imitate God as children of his that he loves and follow Christ loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God. Among you there must be not even a mention of fornication or impurity in any of its forms, or promiscuity: this would hardly become the saints! There must be no coarseness, or salacious talk and jokes – all this is wrong for you; raise your voices in thanksgiving instead. For you can be quite certain that nobody who actually indulges in fornication or impurity or promiscuity – which is worshipping a false god – can inherit anything of the kingdom of God. Do not let anyone deceive you with empty arguments: it is for this loose living that God’s anger comes down on those who rebel against him. Make sure that you are not included with them. You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord; be like children of light.

Gospel

Luke 13:10-17
Was it not right to untie this woman’s bonds on the sabbath day?

One sabbath day Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit that left her enfeebled; she was bent double and quite unable to stand upright. When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are rid of your infirmity’ and he laid his hands on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God.
But the synagogue official was indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, and he addressed the people present. ‘There are six days’ he said ‘when work is to be done. Come and be healed on one of those days and not on the sabbath.’ But the Lord answered him. ‘Hypocrites!’ he said ‘Is there one of you who does not untie his ox or his donkey from the manger on the sabbath and take it out for watering? And this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has held bound these eighteen years – was it not right to untie her bonds on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his adversaries were covered with confusion, and all the people were overjoyed at all the wonders he worked.

While praying the other day, the unsung heroes in our church and those from other churches came to mind.

These are the ones who are present yet unassumingly contribute greatly in the background. They contribute by their God given talents but more importantly their time.

They are the band members who may not even belong to any ministry. The intercessory prayer warriors, the facilitators, those who help to prepare and serve food, those who prepare the slides, projectors and other AV stuff, the altar setup team. Parent volunteers, photographers, ushers, and so on.

Hidden parts of the one body in Christ. Thank you dear sisters and brothers in Christ. For together we give greater glory to God through each and every one of your tireless contributions. May the love of our Lord be with you always. Amen

Never should we forget that God loved us when we were sinners. Through our repentance and by His saving grace He set us free to live in His love. Many are the gifts He has bestowed upon us so that coming together we shall build His kingdom.

Why then should anyone hold on to their sins? Why continue to live dry barren lives? Living selfishly and seeking fleeting comforts? Let us not take our Lord’s patience for granted. Let us repent and be saved. And the love of our Lord will transform us.

For by His love our hearts are turned imto fertile ground. Where life giving shoots sprout bringing forth life. By living out our vocation we bear fruit in the lives of our communities. Always reaching out to the poor and marginalised. Amen

First reading

Ephesians 4:7-16
By grace, we shall not be children any longer

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

When he ascended to the height, he captured prisoners,
he gave gifts to men.

When it says, ‘he ascended’, what can it mean if not that he descended right down to the lower regions of the earth? The one who rose higher than all the heavens to fill all things is none other than the one who descended. And to some, his gift was that they should be apostles; to some, prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; so that the saints together make a unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ. In this way we are all to come to unity in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God, until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself.
Then we shall not be children any longer, or tossed one way and another and carried along by every wind of doctrine, at the mercy of all the tricks men play and their cleverness in practising deceit. If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to its function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love.

Gospel

Luke 13:1-9
‘Leave the fig tree one more year’

Some people arrived and told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them, ‘Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’
He told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, “Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.”’

Are we selfless, gentle, patient, even charitable? St Paul in Today’s first reading urges to live a life worthy of our vocation. Can we then say we don’t know what is our vocation? Well in a sense Yes if we are not living in the Spirit. For all the virtues mentioned in the beginning are fruits of the Holy Spirit. How will we know unless we pray, unless we live the word according to God our Father’s will. How will we know His will if we do not dwell in His presence or on His Word?

Our Lord reminds us to stop living pretentious lives! Of attending regular Eucharistic Celebrations without any conversion of heart. Of seeking His mercy and love through reconciliation but not willing to be merciful and forgiving to others who wrong or hurt us. Of joining a ministry or church group in name but not attending prayer meetings or responding to the call for service. When responding to the call of service, expect affirmation and thanks from the group or ministry.

Lord Jesus let me be a prisoner in You. For it only through You that I am truly free to love and serve. Amen

First reading

Ephesians 4:1-6
One Body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God

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

Gospel

Luke 12:54-59
Do you not know how to interpret these times?

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?
‘Why not judge for yourselves what is right? For example: when you go to court with your opponent, try to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the bailiff and the bailiff have you thrown into prison. I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny.’

Here is a truth you can bank on. The more you fall in love with Christ Jesus, the more you will be filled with His love. The more you are able to make sense of everything in the world. The more you will be able to see through the eyes of God’s wisdom. Your heart will be set ablaze with the love of Him and your most passionate desire will be to share His love with everyone.

Another truth which is not often spoken about is that the devil is real. He is driven by his hatred for men and women, to cause division and to conquer their souls. To rob them of their heavenly inheritance. To try and separate them at all cost from the love of God. He does not need to do this by loud explosive acts. More often than not, it is by a soft whisper of a deadly suggestion that plays on one’s pride, ego even lust and greed. Who then do you think is the cause of division in families? Whom has he chosen to do likewise?

A family united in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ stands firm forever. So it is that a family that prays together, stays together. For rooted on the Word of God they have built upon the rock. And just as they stand united in Him here on earth, so will they stand united in Him in heaven. Amen

First reading

Ephesians 3:14-21
A prayer that faithful may know the love of Christ

This is what I pray, kneeling before the Father, from whom every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes its name:
Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth; until, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fullness of God.
Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine; glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel

Luke 12:49-53
How I wish it were blazing already!

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!
‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’

Why should we feel anything else but gladness in our hearts? For whether Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Christian, Aetheist or whatever denomination we are all children of one God our Father. We are, as scripture says many parts of one Body. Jesus came to gather and unite us all, so that whoever believes in Him shall have life eternal. For there is hope even for the Aetheist who opens His heart to discover the truth to be found in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Those of us who truly believe, know that the hope we have in our Lord Jesus Christ is made manifest through our discipleship. We live to serve, we serve for love of Him and of neighbour. Therefore we stand ready and at all times waiting for our master’s return. We do not stand idle but work everyday for His glory. Woe to us if we do not live and share the Gospel. For Jesus is not just our Lord and God, but He has called us His friend.

His great is our God! Amen

First reading
Ephesians 3:2-12
The pagans now share the same inheritance

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

Gospel
Luke 12:39-48
The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect

Jesus said to his disciples:
‘You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’
Peter said, ‘Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?’ The Lord replied, ‘What sort of steward, then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment. I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns. But as for the servant who says to himself, “My master is taking his time coming,” and sets about beating the menservants and the maids, and eating and drinking and getting drunk, his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.
The servant who knows what his master wants, but has not even started to carry out those wishes, will receive very many strokes of the lash. The one who did not know, but deserves to be beaten for what he has done, will receive fewer strokes. When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.’

When we see the many things that divides us in the world, wars, trade disputes, religion, non religious beliefs, sexual orientation and much more. Can we also see that it is only the unifying power of Jesus Christ our Lord that can save us from our own destruction through the divides? For the king of peace had come to bring salvation into the world. That who ever believes in Him will have eternal life.

Are we ‘dressed’ for action let alone ready and eager to greet Him when He comes. Is how we are dressed externally a reflection of our reverence and love for Him internally. When people look upon us, do they see a disciple of Christ? One who bears an image of his/her master?

Lord Jesus, my lamp is lit and I stand ready to greet you when you come. Come Lord Jesus come. Amen

First reading

Ephesians 2:12-22
In Christ you are no longer aliens, but citizens like us

Do not forget that you had no Christ and were excluded from membership of Israel, aliens with no part in the covenants with their Promise; you were immersed in this world, without hope and without God. But now in Christ Jesus, you that used to be so far apart from us have been brought very close, by the blood of Christ. For he is the peace between us, and has made the two into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, actually destroying in his own person the hostility caused by the rules and decrees of the Law. This was to create one single New Man in himself out of the two of them and by restoring peace through the cross, to unite them both in a single Body and reconcile them with God: in his own person he killed the hostility. Later he came to bring the good news of peace, peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near at hand. Through him, both of us have in the one Spirit our way to come to the Father.
So you are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built

into a house where God lives, in the Spirit.

Gospel

Luke 12:36-38
Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit

Jesus said to his disciples:
‘See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them. It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready.’

How wonderful it is to know that we are all very precious and so loved by God our Father. Not it any abstract sense but in a very tangible way through His beloved Son our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

Yet there are many who seek to rob us of our heavenly inheritance. By poisoning our minds against God, His church and even one another. Some not realising that they themselves have been robbed by giving up their free will to choose to mock Him and His church. Then there are those who in the guise of a holy exterior lead others astray by their sullied thoughts, words and actions. They spread the modern day yeast of the Pharisees! Then there is the world at large who sells happiness for all, live and let live, never mind that it goes against moral laws or values. ‘Survival is for the fittest’ in this ‘dog eat dog world’ we live in. All these threats are real and if we do not ground ourselves in the Word and love of our Lord then, well there will be hell to pay.

We the faithful, have nothing to fear. For the promises of God our Father has been fulfilled through Jesus. And He is calling and gathering all who have been scattered back unto Him. To embrace us all with His love and to set us free from the bonds of sin. So that we no longer live as victims but as victors in Him our Risen Lord. Amen

First reading

Ephesians 1:11-14
You have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit

It is in Christ that we were claimed as God’s own,
chosen from the beginning,
under the predetermined plan of the one who guides all things
as he decides by his own will;
chosen to be,
for his greater glory,
the people who would put their hopes in Christ before he came.
Now you too, in him,
have heard the message of the truth and the good news of your salvation,
and have believed it;
and you too have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit of the Promise,
the pledge of our inheritance
which brings freedom for those whom God has taken for his own, to make his glory praised.

Gospel

Luke 12:1-7
Not one sparrow is forgotten in God’s sight

The people had gathered in their thousands so that they were treading on one another. And Jesus began to speak, first of all to his disciples. ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy. Everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. For this reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places will be proclaimed on the housetops.
‘To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Can you not buy five sparrows for two pennies? And yet not one is forgotten in God’s sight. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. There is no need to be afraid: you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.’

You may be surprised to learn that when you simply say “Peace be with you” to a fellow Catholic you may get varied responses even at times negative ones. Yes while the norm would be to give the same greeting back, some are not sure how to respond. Others even question your intention, or who are you to offer peace and why you think they need it. Do you then stop offering the Lord’s peace to them? Should you stop sharing the Gospel message of His love when met with resistance? Do you feel alone in the endeavour?

We are never alone nor do we have anything to fear. For we have been given a powerful ally, the Holy Spirit to accompany us on our journey. He will send companions our way when needed. All we need to do, is to be faithful and obedient to the Lord our God who loves us dearly. Who desires that all be with Him in His kingdom. Hence we are sent to share in the message of His love through His Son our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

First reading

2 Timothy 4:10-17
Only Luke is with me

Demas has deserted me for love of this life and gone to Thessalonika, Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia; only Luke is with me. Get Mark to come and bring him with you; I find him a useful helper in my work. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, and the scrolls, especially the parchment ones. Alexander the coppersmith has done me a lot of harm; the Lord will repay him for what he has done. Be on your guard against him yourself, because he has been bitterly contesting everything that we say.
The first time I had to present my defence, there was not a single witness to support me. Every one of them deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

Gospel

Luke 10:1-9
Your peace will rest on that man

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

Giving in to our passions and desires often lead us away from the love of Christ. Who wills that we live freely in His love. For it allows sin to invade our souls and hold us captive. Captive by our desire for honour and recognition. Our insatiable sexual desire. Our want of wealth and prestige. For power and glory. Where is our love for God and neighbour in all this?

We are all made in the likeness and image of God. We therefore share the same spirit, the same ‘DNA’ if you will. Therefore can you not see then there we are made to love and care for one another? Not to use and abuse one another! Or to lead one another into sin!

We can love because He our Lord Jesus Christ first loved us. By His love we are set free. To live in the Spirit, life in its fullness. Amen

First reading
Galatians 5:18-25
To belong to Christ, crucify all self-indulgence

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

Gospel
Luke 11:42-46
You overlook justice and the love of God

The Lord said to the Pharisees: ‘Alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without leaving the others undone. Alas for you Pharisees who like taking the seats of honour in the synagogues and being greeted obsequiously in the market squares! Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that men walk on without knowing it!
A lawyer then spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said ‘when you speak like this you insult us too.’
‘Alas for you lawyers also,’ he replied ‘because you load on men burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not move a finger to lift.’

God’s law is written in our hearts. From our birth into life with Jesus we have been made new for Holiness. Therefore we must strive always to remain steadfast in His truth and love.

What good is it to portray a holy exterior but within us we are filled with envy, malice, sexual wantonness, deceit, greed, selfishness, pridefulness, unforgiveness and so on. Our Lord sees and knows all. There is nothing we can hide from Him. That which we think we can hide from Him, will only suffocate us. Slowly but surely we will meet with permanent death.

Turn back to Him while there is still time. For Jesus our Lord does not look upon the grievous sins you have committed but on your heart’s desire to repent and to be reconciled with Him. For nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen

First reading

Galatians 5:1-6
It is faith, not the Law, that justifies us

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

Gospel

Luke 11:37-41
Give thanks for what you have and it will all be clean

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

Jesus came for everyone. Yet many in their minds have made distinctions and have divided all accordingly. Catholic, protestant, Muslim, Jew, Atheist, free thinkers and so on. Who then is not a child of God our Father? Are they any not created in His likeness and image? Who then do you see in them?

There in only one loving and merciful God who desires that we all be saved, That is why He gave us His only begotten Son. The Word made flesh who came to dwell among us. Indeed happy are those who hear Word of God and keep it.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, may we all be united and One in Him. Amen

First reading

Galatians 3:22-29

Scripture makes no exceptions when it says that sin is master everywhere. In this way the promise can only be given through faith in Jesus Christ and can only be given to those who have this faith.
Before faith came, we were allowed no freedom by the Law; we were being looked after till faith was revealed. The Law was to be our guardian until the Christ came and we could be justified by faith. Now that that time has come we are no longer under that guardian, and you are, all of you, sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. All baptised in Christ, you have all clothed yourselves in Christ, and there are no more distinctions between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, but all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Merely by belonging to Christ you are the posterity of Abraham, the heirs he was promised.

Gospel

Luke 11:27-28
‘Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!’

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