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Gen 15:1-6

You O Lord indeed are my shield and my reward. I thank You Lord for Your countless blessings. I thank You Lord for my family for whom I am able to share the blessings. I thank You Lord for the many opportunities to share my blessings with the community and everyone I encounter through Your Grace.

You took Father Abraham out into broad daylight and challenged him to look up to heaven and count the stars. Such would be his descendants. O dearest Father in heaven like Father Abraham I put my faith in You. I may not be able to see the stars in heaven in broad daylight let alone count them. But that doesn’t mean they are not there.

Such was the unwavering faith Father Abraham had in You. Let me share always in that faith and that it may count as making me justified.

All my faith I place in You my Lord Jesus Christ. Now and forever, Amen.

My reflection on….

1 Samuel 17:23, 26, 28-30, 32-51

How deep is my love for my God? Can I tolerate to hear his Holy name blasphemed? Will I stand up for God like David did?

He did not allow harsh words spoken against him to deter his zeal for the Lord. Instead he posed a question about not being allowed to speak up and moved on to speak up yet again.

How do we heed the Lord’s call to comfort His people if we are not convicted ourselves in our faith? The first thing David said to Saul when summoned was, “Let no one lose heart.” ‘I will go…. ”

“If God is with us, who can stand against us?” Are we truly convinced of this? Have there not been times in your life that challenges came which seemed impossible to overcome and yet the Lord made a way? Often like Saul you see the huge problem before you and cannot look past it to recognise that God had sent a simple solution even though it may appear small in stature.

The Lord our God will lead you to victory. All you need for the battle is your faith in Him. You move forward in the comfort of being yourself, a Child of God our Father.

David’s choice of weapons were five smooth stones and a sling. And yet he only needed one. Likewise I should never be complacent or take things for granted. How prepared am I? What are my five smooth stones?

Perhaps one is to receive daily Eucharist. Two going regularly for the Sacrament of reconciliation. Three, observe a regular fast so as to draw closer to the Lord. Four, quiet time with Lord, prayer and Adoration. Five, dwelling on the Word of God daily.

Finally in the battle against evil. It is not enough to overcome the threat and stand victorious. I must cut it off from my life completely. Only then can I claim victory.

Glory to God on High! Amen

In the battlefield, when a soldier or an Officer disobeys a direct order he places himself and his fellow troopers in possible grave danger.

Similarly in the battle against evil, we need to be obedient to  God our Father’s commands and His law written on our hearts.  He the Lord our God is perfect in every way and so must we strive for perfection.

He does not see imperfections in us and is always lovingly at hand to help us with the challenges we face. We have been consecrated unto Him by our Baptism and Confirmation. And so likewise we should not see imperfections in our brethren but be on hand to lovingly help them through the challenges they face.

Lord Jesus You are perfect in every way! Guide me on my journey to perfection in You. Amen

First reading
Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Moses said to the people: ‘The Lord your God today commands you to observe these laws and customs; you must keep and observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.

  ‘You have today made this declaration about the Lord: that he will be your God, but only if you follow his ways, keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and listen to his voice. And the Lord has today made this declaration about you: that you will be his very own people as he promised you, but only if you keep all his commandments; then for praise and renown and honour he will set you high above all the nations he has made, and you will be a people consecrated to the Lord, as he promised.’

Gospel
Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’

In the battlefield, when a soldier or an Officer disobeys a direct order he places himself and his fellow troopers in possible grave danger.

Similarly in the battle against evil, we need to be obedient to  God our Father’s commands and His law written on our hearts.  He the Lord our God is perfect in every way and so must we strive for perfection.

He does not see imperfections in us and is always lovingly at hand to help us with the challenges we face. We have been consecrated unto Him by our Baptism and Confirmation. And so likewise we should not see imperfections in our brethren but be on hand to lovingly help them through the challenges they face.

Lord Jesus You are perfect in every way! Guide me on my journey to perfection in You. Amen

First reading
Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Moses said to the people: ‘The Lord your God today commands you to observe these laws and customs; you must keep and observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.

  ‘You have today made this declaration about the Lord: that he will be your God, but only if you follow his ways, keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and listen to his voice. And the Lord has today made this declaration about you: that you will be his very own people as he promised you, but only if you keep all his commandments; then for praise and renown and honour he will set you high above all the nations he has made, and you will be a people consecrated to the Lord, as he promised.’

Gospel
Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’

In the battlefield, when a soldier or an Officer disobeys a direct order he places himself and his fellow troopers in possible grave danger.

Similarly in the battle against evil, we need to be obedient to  God our Father’s commands and His law written on our hearts.  He the Lord our God is perfect in every way and so must we strive for perfection.

He does not see imperfections in us and is always lovingly at hand to help us with the challenges we face. We have been consecrated unto Him by our Baptism and Confirmation. And so likewise we should not see imperfections in our brethren but be on hand to lovingly help them through the challenges they face.

Lord Jesus You are perfect in every way! Guide me on my journey to perfection in You. Amen

First reading
Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Moses said to the people: ‘The Lord your God today commands you to observe these laws and customs; you must keep and observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.

  ‘You have today made this declaration about the Lord: that he will be your God, but only if you follow his ways, keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and listen to his voice. And the Lord has today made this declaration about you: that you will be his very own people as he promised you, but only if you keep all his commandments; then for praise and renown and honour he will set you high above all the nations he has made, and you will be a people consecrated to the Lord, as he promised.’

Gospel
Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’

Choose life says the Lord….

He is waiting to receive you in His open arms. He wants to restore you, cleanse away the filth that you have collected over the years. To free you from the burdens of your sins. To fill your hearts with His joy and peace. All you need to do is turn away from sin and choose the path to Him.

For you who have chosen Him. To be His disciple, then you must hold fast to the faith in Your Lord Jesus Christ. For He stands with you in the daily struggle of battling evil and temptations. Continue to remain steadfast for you are a beacon for your brethren. Forgive always. Build upon the Word and strive to go deeper in faith and your relationship with the Lord Your God.

You who think yourself Holy and worthy, think again.  Do not let your hearts be hardened.  True knowledge of the Lord Your God comes first from Faith in Him, an ever growing relationship with Him and all His children. If you are not humble to see yourself as a child still young, still learning, still growing; and recognise the same in your brethren. Then you have lost your way. The mercy you hold back will be held back from you.

Jesus, my Lord I want to walk Your path.  Your truth and Your light. Lead me Lord, now and always. Amen

First reading
Ezekiel 18:21-28

Thus says the Lord:

  ‘If the wicked man renounces all the sins he has committed, respects my laws and is law-abiding and honest, he will certainly live; he will not die. All the sins he committed will be forgotten from then on; he shall live because of the integrity he has practised. What! Am I likely to take pleasure in the death of a wicked man – it is the Lord who speaks – and not prefer to see him renounce his wickedness and live?

  ‘But if the upright man renounces his integrity, commits sin, copies the wicked man and practises every kind of filth, is he to live? All the integrity he has practised shall be forgotten from then on; but this is because he himself has broken faith and committed sin, and for this he shall die. But you object, “What the Lord does is unjust.” Listen, you House of Israel: is what I do unjust? Is it not what you do that is unjust? When the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed. When the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. He has chosen to renounce all his previous sins; he shall certainly live; he shall not die.’

Gospel
Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples, If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

  ‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.’

There is no other God other than God our loving Father, Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit who seeks an intimate relationship with us.  So great is His love for us that in order to save us, God became man to die for us so that we may live.  Jesus the living Word gives us of Himself in Holy Eucharist so that we may be in communion with Him.

Can we ever then say that we are alone?

When we are of one mind with the Lord our God. Our prayers unites us with His Will. He is with us as we are with Him.  We would never need to ask if our prayers are heard or answered.

Amen

First reading
Esther 4:17

Queen Esther took refuge with the Lord in the mortal peril which had overtaken her. She besought the Lord God of Israel in these words:

‘My Lord, our King, the only one, come to my help, for I am alone and have no helper but you and am about to take my life in my hands.

‘I have been taught from my earliest years, in the bosom of my family, that you, Lord, chose Israel out of all the nations and our ancestors out of all the people of old times to be your heritage for ever;
and that you have treated them as you promised.

‘Remember, Lord; reveal yourself in the time of our distress.

‘As for me, give me courage,
King of gods and master of all power.

Put persuasive words into my mouth when I face the lion;
change his feeling into hatred for our enemy, that the latter and all like him may be brought to their end.

‘As for ourselves, save us by your hand, and come to my help, for I am alone and have no one but you, Lord.’

Gospel
Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. Is there a man among you who would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or would hand him a snake when he asked for a fish? If you, then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

  ‘So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.’

We don’t hear what other words if any that Jonah preached; other than the ultimatum that Nineveh would be destroyed in forty days if they did not repent.

Did they question who this prophet was? Who was this Jew to come into their great pagan city and to shout out destruction if they did not repent? Yet they listened in faith not requiring further signs. Perhaps they knew in their hearts they were leading very sinful lives. And obeyed God our Father’s call at once to repent. No guarantees whether or not by doing so they would be saved.

Are we still a wicked generation that needs more signs?

We have the promise of God our Father fulfilled in Jesus. We have billions of testimonies of how Jesus touched each and everyone’s lives. We who have sought after Him have experienced our merciful God and His love for us. We have the Sacraments which are all signs of the presence of God.

Let us instead ask our Lord, to allow us to signs of His love and mercy. To be witnesses for Him. Amen

God our loving Father does not want us His children harmed nor does He wish us to die.  And so He constantly calls us through many ways and persons to turn away from our sinful choices that would lead us to our own destruction.

Are we obedient then to His Word? His life giving, transforming Word which leads us to life. Are we obedient to His loving call to do His Will? That is to call our sisters and brothers, His children whether near or far to repentance; and the hope of new life.

Jesus is the sign of the great love God our Father has for us. Let us be obedient unto Him as He leads us on to new life in Him. Amen

First reading
Jonah 3:1-10

The word of the Lord was addressed a second time to Jonah: ‘Up!’ he said ‘Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to them as I told you to.’ Jonah set out and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was a city great beyond compare: it took three days to cross it. Jonah went on into the city, making a day’s journey. He preached in these words, ‘Only forty days more and Nineveh is going to be destroyed.’ And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. The news reached the king of Nineveh, who rose from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes. A proclamation was then promulgated throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his ministers, as follows: ‘Men and beasts, herds and flocks, are to taste nothing; they must not eat, they must not drink water. All are to put on sackcloth and call on God with all their might; and let everyone renounce his evil behaviour and the wicked things he has done. Who knows if God will not change his mind and relent, if he will not renounce his burning wrath, so that we do not perish?’ God saw their efforts to renounce their evil behaviour, and God relented: he did not inflict on them the disaster which he had threatened.

Gospel
Luke 11:29-32

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

How comforting it is to know that the Word of God flows freely from His heart. Nourishes as it stimulates growth, heals and does the divine good before drawing us back closer to Him.

How sad it is that some still choose to reject, close up their ears or fail to embrace the Word in all its glory.

Prayer is a gift for which we unite ourselves with the heart and mind of our loving and merciful Father in Heaven. The beauty of it, is that there are many ways to pray but all must come from an deep inner desire to connect with our creator the source of life.

Jesus my Lord You teach us that our main focus in prayer should be our Heavenly Father and to do His Will. In loving humility to ask Him for what we need and never take for granted what He readily provides. To always seek first to be merciful with one another so as to be reconciled with Him in His mercy. To be aware that evil lurks and to be steadfast in prayer so as to receive the grace to be victorious over it. Thank You Lord Jesus. Amen

First reading
Isaiah 55:10-11

Thus says the Lord: ‘As the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do.’

Gospel
Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this:

‘Our Father in heaven,
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test,
but save us from the evil one.

‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’

How easy it is for the poor to be far more generous than those of us who have never been in dire need of anything. Are we not ashamed for not doing more? Not giving more?

The call for Holiness is not a call for some sort of individual spirituality. But a call to union with the Holiness of God our Father. To unite ourselves to His heart and mind.  He loves us so much that He Wills that we love one another the way He loves us.

And so how do you think He feels when one of His children is suffering and another who has much does nothing to help? Or one is ill treating another? Or one choosing to remain silent while his brother or sister is living in sin and falling further away from the relationship our Heavenly Father wants for him/her ?

Help open our eyes Lord Jesus, especially during this season of Lent to the needs of others. So that we may bring comfort to them. And share Your peace and love. So that we may all draw closer to You in Holiness. Amen

First reading
Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18

The Lord spoke to Moses. He said: ‘Speak to the whole community of the sons of Israel and say to them:

  ‘“Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.

  ‘“You must not steal nor deal deceitfully or fraudulently with your neighbour. You must not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God. I am the Lord. You must not exploit or rob your neighbour. You must not keep back the labourer’s wage until next morning. You must not curse the dumb, nor put an obstacle in the blind man’s way, but you must fear your God. I am the Lord.

  ‘“You must not be guilty of unjust verdicts. You must neither be partial to the little man nor overawed by the great; you must pass judgement on your neighbour according to justice. You must not slander your own people, and you must not jeopardise your neighbour’s life. I am the Lord. You must not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. You must openly tell him, your neighbour, of his offence; this way you will not take a sin upon yourself. You must not exact vengeance, nor must you bear a grudge against the children of your people. You must love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.”’

Gospel
Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.

  ‘Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you?” And the King will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”

  ‘Next he will say to those on his left hand, “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink; I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me.” Then it will be their turn to ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?” Then he will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.”

  ‘And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the virtuous to eternal life.’

O Lord my God You see the error of my ways.  You have seen my wicked streaks. You have heard the curses muttered under my breath. You know I have been selfish, self centred. And at times lazy. And yet I hear You calling me to follow You.

How can I continue to wallow in my sins? How can I ignore the sweet voice of my Lord and God? How can I not want new life and hope?

Yes Lord see me running towards You! Thank You sweet Jesus for seeking me out. For embracing me when no one would. Thank You Lord for Your great mercy and love. I strive to follow Your ways, to be loving and merciful to all I meet. 

Glory and Praise to my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

First reading
Isaiah 58:9-14

The Lord says this:

If you do away with the yoke,
the clenched fist, the wicked word, if you give your bread to the hungry, and relief to the oppressed, your light will rise in the darkness, and your shadows become like noon.

The Lord will always guide you, giving you relief in desert places.

He will give strength to your bones and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never run dry.

You will rebuild the ancient ruins, build up on the old foundations.

You will be called ‘Breach-mender’, ‘Restorer of ruined houses.’

If you refrain from trampling the sabbath, and doing business on the holy day, if you call the Sabbath ‘Delightful’, and the day sacred to the Lord ‘Honourable’, if you honour it by abstaining from travel, from doing business and from gossip, then shall you find your happiness in the Lord and I will lead you triumphant over the heights of the land.

I will feed you on the heritage of Jacob your father. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Gospel
Luke 5:27-32

Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him.

  In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’

Many do not take fasting seriously. Even those who can fast will have some excuse not to. Why torture yourself? Does God really want that of us? There are many other far better ways and things to abstain from? While it is true for those few who cannot fast but in their heart they really want to, theirs is a righteous ‘fast’. For their choices are truly to draw closer to God.

The depths of observing a fast is far reaching. When we do so with the mind and heart for God. For the promptings of the Holy Spirit is amplified. When we deny the flesh, we deny evil an entry point however small. Our prayers, songs of praise and exaltations like incense billows up to God our Father.

Jesus my Lord I long for You. Let my Lenten observance be grace filled so as to draw ever closer to You. Amen

First reading
Isaiah 58:1-9

Thus says the Lord:
Shout for all you are worth, raise your voice like a trumpet.

Proclaim their faults to my people, their sins to the House of Jacob.

They seek me day after day,
they long to know my ways,
like a nation that wants to act with integrity and not ignore the law of its God.

They ask me for laws that are just, they long for God to draw near:

‘Why should we fast if you never see it, why do penance if you never notice?’

Look, you do business on your fast-days, you oppress all your workmen; look, you quarrel and squabble when you fast
and strike the poor man with your fist.

Fasting like yours today will never make your voice heard on high.

Is that the sort of fast that pleases me, a truly penitential day for men?

Hanging your head like a reed,
lying down on sackcloth and ashes?

Is that what you call fasting,
a day acceptable to the Lord?

Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me – it is the Lord who speaks – to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin?

Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over.

Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you.

Cry, and the Lord will answer;
call, and he will say, ‘I am here.’

Gospel
Matthew 9:14-15

John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’

We have a choice to make between loving God our Father and doing His Will for us or choosing to live life devoid of Him. Those who think that sitting on the fence is an acceptable response are sorely mistaken. It is still a choice they have made and on the latter.

Our life here on earth is passing from dust we came, to the dust we shall return. We who choose the Lord our God have hope of new life and in resurrected bodies. For it is a truth, promise from our Lord Jesus Christ. That whosoever loses his life for His sake, will have eternal life. By our baptism we the branches have been attached to the true vine.  We are nourished by the source of all life itself. Needless to say what will happen to those who choose not to be attached or have chosen to detach themselves.

Lord Jesus You have the message of eternal life. I choose to take up my cross and follow You. Amen

First reading
Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Moses said to the people: ‘See, today I set before you life and prosperity, death and disaster. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I enjoin on you today, if you love the Lord your God and follow his ways, if you keep his commandments, his laws, his customs, you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to make your own. But if your heart strays, if you refuse to listen, if you let yourself be drawn into worshipping other gods and serving them, I tell you today, you will most certainly perish; you will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today: I set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live, in the love of the Lord your God, obeying his voice, clinging to him; for in this your life consists, and on this depends your long stay in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob he would give them.’

Gospel
Luke 9:22-25

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘The Son of Man 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.’

  Then to all he said, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self?’

When I applied leave for ash Wednesday a few weeks ago. I wondered if I had made a sound decision. Being the third day of the Lunar New Year, the children would be in school. My spouse would be at work starting her new job. And I would be missing out on serving at the lunchtime mass in the business district. Ash Wednesday is not a day of obligation and so I asked myself if I was wasting a precious day of leave?

But deep in my heart I knew I wanted to spend this day with the Lord. The Lunar New Year festivities over the last few days with lots of good food and wine, was a little over indulgent. And so it was important to me to spend some time with the Lord in the Adoration room. To realign my focus on Him and to place my many sins at His feet. To be in His presence so He could minister to me.

Undeserving as I am my Lord opens His heart to me. And I feel His love envelop me. Needless to say I am in tears. Then it hits me once again that this overwhelming sense of gratitude should be shared. Not simply by sharing this personal moment, but by extending the same mercy and love I received with others; especially those who have hurt me in one way or another.

Three hours have gone by as I now sit here writing this reflection while basking in His love. I cherish every single minute of this wonderful Ash Wednesday. What a great start to my Lenten journey.

Glory to You O Lord!

Today we hear the call to start anew. Put the past behind us and start afresh. It does not matter if we had sinned terribly or what we had done or failed to do. The Lord is inviting us to turn back towards Him. For even as we have strayed and have wandered from Him. He is calling us back to His loving embrace.

And so we fast not in shame or gloom but in joyful expectation. For when we empty ourselves we are inviting our Lord to come fill up the empty spaces in our hearts, bodies and minds. And we invite all of whom we love and hate alike. To have a change of heart as we move together closer towards God our Father this Lenten journey.

We pray fervently, fast reverently, give alms generously always for the Glory of God alone!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. Have mercy on me a sinner. Amen

First reading
Joel 2:12-18

‘Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks –come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning.’

Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn, turn to the Lord your God again, for he is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness, and ready to relent.

Who knows if he will not turn again, will not relent, will not leave a blessing as he passes,
oblation and libation for the Lord your God?

Sound the trumpet in Zion!
Order a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, call the people together, summon the community, assemble the elders, gather the children,
even the infants at the breast.

Let the bridegroom leave his bedroom and the bride her alcove.

Between vestibule and altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, lament.

Let them say,‘Spare your people, Lord!   Do not make your heritage a thing of shame, a byword for the nations.

Why should it be said among the nations, “Where is their God?”’

Then the Lord, jealous on behalf of his land, took pity on his people.

Second reading
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2

We are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ’s name is: be reconciled to God. For our sake God made the sinless one into sin, so that in him we might become the goodness of God. As his fellow workers, we beg you once again not to neglect the grace of God that you have received. For he says: At the favourable time, I have listened to you; on the day of salvation I came to your help.Well, now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation.

Gospel
Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

Jesus said to his disciples:

  ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

  ‘And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them; I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

  ‘When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they pull long faces to let men know they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’

We can pray the most beautiful prayers and sing the most beautiful songs of praise. But are our minds and hearts one with the Lord our God?

Do we try to outsmart the Lord with our justifications for doing something sinful?  Do we rationalise not helping someone in dire need? Do we act one way in church but behave differently outside?

Lord Jesus as You once walked amongst us, You showed Your unwavering faith and love for God our Father. Help us so that we too might have that unwavering faith, love and want to always do His Will.  Amen

First reading
1 Kings 8:22-23,27-30

In the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord and, stretching out his hands towards heaven, said, ‘O Lord, God of Israel, not in heaven above nor on earth beneath is there such a God as you, true to your covenant and your kindness towards your servants when they walk wholeheartedly in your way. Yet will God really live with men on the earth? Why, the heavens and their own heavens cannot contain you. How much less this house that I have built! Listen to the prayer and entreaty of your servant, O Lord my God; listen to the cry and to the prayer your servant makes to you today. Day and night let your eyes watch over this house, over this place of which you have said, “My name shall be there.” Listen to the prayer that your servant will offer in this place.

  ‘Hear the entreaty of your servant and of Israel your people as they pray in this place. From heaven where your dwelling is, hear; and, as you hear, forgive.’

Gospel
Mark 7:1-13

The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture:

This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me.

The worship they offer me is worthless, the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.

You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.’ And he said to them, ‘How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition! For Moses said: Do your duty to your father and your mother, and, Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death. But you say, “If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Corban (that is, dedicated to God), then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother.” In this way you make God’s word null and void for the sake of your tradition which you have handed down. And you do many other things like this.’

Our worship of the Lord our God, our glorifying Him, our praise and thanks adds nothing to His great glory. And yet rightful worship, thanksgiving, honour and praise of our Lord and God adds everything to our own lives.

Jesus our Lord and God seeks to dwell in our hearts.  And when we dwell in His, we find our lives complete. Healing grace abounds in us.

Thank You Lord Jesus for Your mercy and love. Let me extend Your mercy and love to all I meet today and every day. Amen

First reading
1 Kings 8:1-7,9-13

Solomon called the elders of Israel together in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord up from the Citadel of David, which is Zion. All the men of Israel assembled round King Solomon in the month of Ethanim, at the time of the feast (that is, the seventh month), and the priests took up the ark and the Tent of Meeting with all the sacred vessels that were in it. In the presence of the ark, King Solomon and all Israel sacrificed sheep and oxen, countless, innumerable. The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the Debir of the Temple, that is, in the Holy of Holies, under the cherubs’ wings. For there where the ark was placed the cherubs spread out their wings and sheltered the ark and its shafts. There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets Moses had placed in it at Horeb, the tablets of the covenant which the Lord had made with the Israelites when they came out of the land of Egypt; they are still there today.

  Now when the priests came out of the sanctuary, the cloud filled the Temple of the Lord, and because of the cloud the priests could no longer perform their duties: the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s Temple.

  Then Solomon said: ‘The Lord has chosen to dwell in the thick cloud.

Yes, I have built you a dwelling, a place for you to live in for ever.’

Gospel
Mark 6:53-56

Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.

And I Must Go….

Isaiah 6:1-2,3-8
1Cor 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11

How can we sing God’s praises our do anything worthy to glorify Him when our tongues are riddled with sin and the sinful choices we make that prevents is from moving into the light.

We are lost till we look to God. The loving flame of Jesus will purge us of our sins. Hence we must use the gift of reconciliation often so with our tongues loosened and in union with the choirs of Angels and Saints we can sing the Sanctus with all our hearts.

Lord hearts are then opened to respond to our Lord’s call. Were all the Apostles worthy at the time they were called? No! It was our Lord that made them worthy. They only needed to listen and follow Him. He gave them all the graces needed to do great things in His name. It is through their legacy we have the gift of Apostolic Succession. Through which Jesus’s eternal covenant with us is fulfilled at every Eucharistic Celebration.

Before the Angels I will bless You, O Lord.

And so my Lord Jesus, in answer to Your call, I say here I am Lord! I am ready to do Your Will. Amen

The world teaches that in order to be happy in life you need to wealthy, powerful, honoured and have all the pleasures of the flesh it has to offer.  Jesus our Lord teaches us otherwise.

You child are a Saint in the making. As you grow deeper and deeper in your relationship; And love for God our Father, you will see that you want only one thing. That is to know and do His Will.  The tiniest offence you commit against Him weights heavily on your heart. You long for communion with Him, in prayer and the Eucharist. For Your desire to be with the Lord Your God in His Kingdom.

O merciful and loving Jesus. You who took pity on us your sheep when you saw we had no shepherd. Be now my shepherd and guide. Lead me home to You. Amen

First reading
1 Kings 3:4-13

King Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, since that was the greatest of the high places – Solomon offered a thousand holocausts on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared in a dream to Solomon during the night. God said, ‘Ask what you would like me to give you.’ Solomon replied, ‘You showed great kindness to your servant David, my father, when he lived his life before you in faithfulness and justice and integrity of heart; you have continued this great kindness to him by allowing a son of his to sit on his throne today. Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in succession to David my father. But I am a very young man, unskilled in leadership. Your servant finds himself in the midst of this people of yours that you have chosen, a people so many its number cannot be counted or reckoned. Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, for who could govern this people of yours that is so great?’ It pleased the Lord that Solomon should have asked for this. ‘Since you have asked for this’ the Lord said ‘and not asked for long life for yourself or riches or the lives of your enemies, but have asked for a discerning judgement for yourself, here and now I do what you ask. I give you a heart wise and shrewd as none before you has had and none will have after you. What you have not asked I shall give you too: such riches and glory as no other king ever had.’

Gospel
Mark 6:30-34

The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.

Where are you now in your relationship with God our Father who loves you? Do you go for Mass because you like listening to the word and the homily? But go back to your sinful pleasures and life? Get easily angry with everyone and anyone? Make empty, vain promises and are later trapped by them?

Know that you are a child of God. You have been anointed and sealed with grace at your baptism.  You are destined to lead a great and Holy life pleasing to God.  You have power and grace to do great, wonderful things for God and your brethren. These however have to be unlocked through the depth of your faith and relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord.

O Lord my God, let my every word and action be a loving prayer to You. I want to dive into the unending depths of Your love. To be one with You, now and forever. Amen

First reading
Ecclesiasticus 47:2-13

As the fat is set apart from the communion sacrifice, so David was chosen out of all the sons of Israel.

He played with lions as though with kids, and with bears as though with lambs of the flock.

While still a boy, did he not slay the giant, and relieve the people of their shame, by putting out a hand to sling a stone which brought down the arrogance of Goliath?

For he called on the Lord Most High, who gave strength to his right arm to put a mighty warrior to death, and lift up the horn of his people.

Hence they gave him credit for ten thousand, and praised him while they blessed the Lord, by offering him a crown of glory; for he massacred enemies on every side, he annihilated his foes the Philistines, and crushed their horn to this very day.

In all his activities he gave thanks to the Holy One, the Most High, in words of glory; he put all his heart into his songs out of love for his Maker.

He placed harps before the altar to make the singing sweeter with their music; he gave the feasts their splendour, the festivals their solemn pomp, causing the Lord’s holy name to be praised and the sanctuary to resound from dawn.

The Lord took away his sins,
and exalted his horn for ever;
he gave him a royal covenant, and a glorious throne in Israel.

Gospel
Mark 6:14-29

King Herod had heard about Jesus, since by now his name was well-known. Some were saying, ‘John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Others said, ‘He is Elijah’; others again, ‘He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.’ But when Herod heard this he said, ‘It is John whose head I cut off; he has risen from the dead.’

  Now it was this same Herod who had 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.

First we must ask ourselves do we need someone to take charge of our lives? Is the Lord our God in charge? Are we on our own living ordered lives? Are we loving towards our spouse, children, Father, Mother, friends and our community? Are we merciful and charitable?

For Jesus to rule in our hearts, minds and soul as He came to do. We must allow Him to by inviting Him into our lives. To be prepared to listen to His call to love our Heavenly Father with all our heart, our, mind and our soul. To Love one another as He loved us.

To enable us to love the way He does, He gives us of Himself. He gives us His power of healing, His peace, mercy and love. And so we must go in faith to share the message of God with all. To bring healing and liberation to those living in darkness. To stay close and journey with them so as to bring them into the community of our Lord Jesus Christ. So that one day we may all partake of the Heavenly Feast that awaits us. Amen

First reading
1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12

As David’s life drew to its close he laid this charge on his son Solomon, ‘I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong and show yourself a man. Observe the injunctions of the Lord your God, following his ways and keeping his laws, his commandments, his customs and his decrees, as it stands written in the Law of Moses, that so you may be successful in all you do and undertake, so that the Lord may fulfil the promise he made me, “If your sons are careful how they behave, and walk loyally before me with all their heart and soul, you shall never lack for a man on the throne of Israel.”’

  So David slept with his ancestors and was buried in the Citadel of David. David’s reign over Israel lasted forty years: he reigned in Hebron for seven years, and in Jerusalem for thirty-three.

  Solomon was seated upon the throne of David, and his sovereignty was securely established.

Gospel
Mark 6:7-13

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

Is it good enough to say sorry after breaking someone’s flowerpot? Is it not right to replace the pot and repot the flowers?  So it is like with sin, it is not good enough to say sorry but to work hard at not committing it again and doing penance.  Penance is the true act of contrition.

We may not always understand the ways of our Lord. But we can trust that whatever is done is for our greater good. It is the Lord God alone that decides when or where a miracle is worked. And while it depends not on our faith, it is the faithful that pleases Him to do so.

To be faithful is to turn away from sin. So that we recognise the good of our Lord and see His hand in all things that is good. Too see Him in the persons He sends to us.

O Lord let not my sins blind me to You.  Take them away, I detest them. For I long to be with You always. Now and forever. Amen

First reading
2 Samuel 24:2,8-17

King David said to Joab and to the senior army officers who were with him, ‘Now go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and take a census of the people; I wish to know the size of the population.’ Having covered the whole country, they returned to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. Joab gave the king the figures for the census of the people; Israel numbered eight hundred thousand armed men capable of drawing sword, and Judah five hundred thousand men.

  But afterwards David’s heart misgave him for having taken a census of the people. ‘I have committed a grave sin’ David said to the Lord. ‘But now, Lord, I beg you to forgive your servant for this fault. I have been very foolish.’ But when David got up next morning, the following message had come from the Lord to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, ‘Go and say to David, “the Lord says this: I offer you three things; choose one of them for me to do to you.”’

  So Gad went to David and told him. ‘Are three years of famine to come on you in your country’ he said ‘or will you flee for three months before your pursuing enemy, or would you rather have three days’ pestilence in your country? Now think, and decide how I am to answer him who sends me.’ David said to Gad, This is a hard choice. But let us rather fall into the power of the Lord, since his mercy is great, and not into the power of men.’ So David chose pestilence.

  It was the time of the wheat harvest. The Lord sent a pestilence on Israel from the morning till the time appointed and plague ravaged the people, and from Dan to Beersheba seventy thousand men of them died. The angel stretched out his hand towards Jerusalem to destroy it, but the Lord thought better of this evil, and he said to the angel who was destroying the people, ‘Enough! Now withdraw your hand.’ The angel of the Lord was beside the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite. “When David saw the angel who was ravaging the people, he spoke to the Lord. ‘It was I who sinned;’ he said ‘I who did this wicked thing. But these, this flock, what have they done? Let your hand lie heavy on me then, and on my family.’

Gospel
Mark 6:1-6

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

God’s loving plan of salvation was that His only Begotten Son would be sent to us. So that we might be saved from the terrible bondage of sin. So that our Lord and God may walk amongst us and unite us with Him. Glory to You O Lord our God!

Today let us recall that we too  were consecrated to our Heavenly Father even before our birth. (Jer 1:5) Are we ourselves ready to be presented to the Lord our God?  Have we led righteous, faithful lives so that like Simeon and Anna we too might gaze upon the face of our Lord?

Jesus You are the one true light of the World. May Your light shine deeply into our hearts and drive all darkness away. And like our Master may we become beacons for the rest of our brethren living in the world. Amen

First reading
Malachi 3:1-4

The Lord God says this: Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old.

Second reading
Hebrews 2:14-18

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

Gospel
Luke 2:22-40

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

  Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

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

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

  There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

  When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.

It’s uncanny that while not directly linked in meaning the word disciple has the same seven letters as the word discipline. And we all know that a disciple needs to be disciplined.

To move FWD as a disciple we need to be in control of our bodies and mind. Hence we need to FAST, read the WORD and DWELL on the Word. Needless to say a disciple prays always and must do so often in the Quiet and ‘mouth to mouth’ with God….. ADORATIO

The Lord our God can turn all curses into blessings!

When we are cursed is it not because we had allowed sin into our lives? The nature of sin and evil is to scatter. Our oneness with God and with one another is splintered. There is discord, unfettered rage, disillusionment, depression and more. And when evil loses control and is split unto itself then it will come to an end.

Jesus who sees our misery has come to save us. When we turn to Him, He will heal us and make us whole again. Our union with God our Father and one another is restored.

Let us then share His great love and mercy with all. Amen

First reading
2 Samuel 15:13-14,30,16:5-13

A messenger came to tell David, ‘The hearts of the men of Israel are now with Absalom.’ So David said to all his officers who were with him in Jerusalem, ‘Let us be off, let us fly, or we shall never escape from Absalom. Leave as quickly as you can in case he mounts a surprise attack and worsts us and puts the city to the sword.’

  David then made his way up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, his head covered and his feet bare. And all the people with him had their heads covered and made their way up, weeping as they went.

  As David was reaching Bahurim, out came a man of the same clan as Saul’s family. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he came he uttered curse after curse and threw stones at David and at all King David’s officers, though the whole army and all the champions flanked the king right and left. The words of his curse were these, ‘Be off, be off, man of blood, scoundrel! the Lord has brought on you all the blood of the House of Saul whose sovereignty you have usurped; and the Lord has transferred that same sovereignty to Absalom your son. Now your doom has overtaken you, man of blood that you are.’ Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘Is this dead dog to curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut his head off.’ But the king replied, ‘What business is it of mine and yours, sons of Zeruiah? Let him curse. If the Lord said to him, “Curse David,” what right has anyone to say, “Why have you done this?”’ David said to Abishai and all his officers, ‘Why, my own son, sprung from my body, is now seeking my life; so now how much the more this Benjaminite? Let him curse on if the Lord has told him to. Perhaps the Lord will look on my misery and repay me with good for his curse today.’ So David and his men went on their way.

Gospel
Mark 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me!’ – For Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’ ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘My name is legion,’ he answered ‘for there are many of us.’ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district.

  Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs, let us go into them.’ So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake, and there they were drowned. The swineherds ran off and told their story in the town and in the country round about; and the people came to see what had really happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid. And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs. Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him. Jesus would not let him but said to him, ‘Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.’ So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

## Jeremiah 1:5 Before you came to Birth I consecrated you.

## Psalm 70:6 From my mother’s womb you have been my help.

How wonderful it is to recognise God’s voice speaking to me during the Eucharistic Celebration. I wrote down the two beautiful lines that struck me to dwell upon them later.

One was from the First Reading today and the other was from the Responsorial Psalm. It did not dawn on me till I was in Adoration that the first line was a confirmation, a Blessed Assurance if you will of His great love for me as a unique child of His. I was consecrated to Him even before I was born! Made Holy set apart. Was I living my life then as my heavenly Father intended for me? How am I going to meet the demands of discipleship? Of sonship?

Then I saw immediately how the second line fit like a glove. It was an acknowledgement of God’s love and mercy. He was with me from my mother’s womb and He will be with me every step of the way.

Jesus my Lord, help me to remain Holy. Let me never forget that by choosing to sin is to deny my heavenly Father’s love for me. Be with me Lord, be my help and guide always. Amen

Time and time again I have heard it said that sin is between me and God alone! Many still think that there is such a thing as private sins and public ones. They do not yet understand the nature of sin neither will they understand what it means to be one body in Christ.

Sin has a whirlpool effect it can and often will affect all those around the sinner including family and friends. What may have started as a small sin can become very big and out of control. As in cases of adultery, theft turned murder to name a few.

Do not wait till sin overwhelms us. Do not wait till the weight of the world bears down on us. Turn straightaway to our Lord for mercy and He will save us from our sins. Better yet, work towards remaining faithful always. Reading, reflecting and living the word in our lives. And receiving the sacraments of reconciliation and Holy Eucharist regularly. Amen

First reading
2 Samuel 12:1-7,10-17

The Lord sent Nathan the prophet to David. He came to him and said:

‘In the same town were two men, one rich, the other poor.
The rich man had flocks and herds in great abundance; the poor man had nothing but a ewe lamb, one only, a small one he had bought.

This he fed, and it grew up with him and his children,
eating his bread, drinking from his cup,sleeping on his breast; it was like a daughter to him.

When there came a traveller to stay, the rich man refused to take one of his own flock or herd to provide for the wayfarer who had come to him.

Instead he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.’

David’s anger flared up against the man. ‘As the Lord lives,’ he said to Nathan ‘the man who did this deserves to die! He must make fourfold restitution for the lamb, for doing such a thing and showing no compassion.’

  Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man. So now the sword will never be far from your House, since you have shown contempt for me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.”

  ‘Thus the Lord speaks, “I will stir up evil for you out of your own House. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to your neighbour, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. You worked in secret, I will work this in the face of all Israel and in the face of the sun.”’

  David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord, for his part, forgives your sin; you are not to die. Yet because you have outraged the Lord by doing this, the child that is born to you is to die.’ Then Nathan went home.

  The Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David and it fell gravely ill. David pleaded with the Lord for the child; he kept a strict fast and went home and spent the night on the bare ground, covered with sacking. The officials of his household came and stood round him to get him to rise from the ground, but he refused, nor would he take food with them.

Gospel
Mark 4:35-41

With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’

We live under God our Father’s providence. And yet many take this for granted; they do not offer thanks and praise. Some hold on to the idea that they alone provide solely for themselves and their family.  Yet cannot account for the weather, the air, temperature, water, nature, night and day.

What we have is free will to choose to be obedient and follow our Lord God’s Will for us.  And He Wills the good in us for one another. To live in His love.

To choose to sin is to deny Him and His love.  The evil of sin which may have started small soon grows and takes on a life of it’s own. Often more sins are committed to cover the older ones.

Let us turn to Jesus straightaway way when we have fallen into sin. For in His love, He came to liberate us from the bonds of death. So that we may be free to listen and live the Word of God in His love. The Kingdom of God is at hand for us and it is the source of life for all. Amen

First reading
2 Samuel 11:1-4,5-10,13-17

At the turn of the year, the time when kings go campaigning, David sent Joab and with him his own guards and the whole of Israel. They massacred the Ammonites and laid siege to Rabbah. David, however, remained in Jerusalem.

  It happened towards evening when David had risen from his couch and was strolling on the palace roof, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful. David made inquiries about this woman and was told, ‘Why, that is Bathsheba, Eliam’s daughter, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.’ Then David sent messengers and had her brought. She came to him, and he slept with her. She then went home again. The woman conceived and sent word to David; ‘I am with child.’

  Then David sent Joab a message, ‘Send me Uriah the Hittite’, whereupon Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah came into his presence, David asked after Joab and the army and how the war was going. David then said to Uriah, ‘Go down to your house and enjoy yourself. Uriah left the palace, and was followed by a present from the king’s table. Uriah however slept by the palace door with his master’s bodyguard and did not go down to his house.

  This was reported to David; ‘Uriah’ they said ‘did not go down to his house.’ The next day David invited him to eat and drink in his presence and made him drunk. In the evening Uriah went out and lay on his couch with his master’s bodyguard, but he did not go down to his house.

  Next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by Uriah. In the letter he wrote, ‘Station Uriah in the thick of the fight and then fall back behind him so that he may be struck down and die.’ Joab, then besieging the town, posted Uriah in a place where he knew there were fierce fighters. The men of the town sallied out and engaged Joab; the army suffered casualties, including some of David’s bodyguard; and Uriah the Hittite was killed too.

Gospel
Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’

  He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’

  Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.

We are all children of the light. And that it is the way it’s meant to be for our children and our children’s children. God our Father has no favourites as it was spoken by Jesus our Lord, “Whoever does the will of God is my mother, brother and sister.”

The Word of God is what enkindles the flame within us. Our meditation, recollection and reflection is what feeds the light of our candle. Without which it will be extinguished.

Such is our light that it must shine for all to see. To illumine the minds and hearts of those around us that lie in darkness. So that their hearts and minds too can be inflamed by the love of God.

Let not the many gifts and talents that our loving Lord has given us be put to waste or taken away. For it is meant to be used for our light to shine brightly for others. So that all may see that it is the light of God that shines through us.

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

First reading
2 Samuel 7:18-19,24-29

After Nathan had spoken to him, King David went in and, seated before the Lord, said: ‘Who am I, O Lord, and what is my House, that you have led me as far as this? Yet in your sight, O Lord, this is still not far enough, and you make your promises extend to the House of your servant for a far-distant future. You have constituted your people Israel to be your own people for ever; and you, Lord, have become their God.

  ‘Now, O Lord, always keep the promise you have made your servant and his House, and do as you have said. Your name will be exalted for ever and men will say, “The Lord of Hosts is God over Israel.” The House of your servant David will be made secure in your presence, since you yourself, Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, “I will build you a House”; hence your servant has ventured to offer this prayer to you. Yes, Lord, you are God indeed, your words are true and you have made this fair promise to your servant. Be pleased, then, to bless the House of your servant, that it may continue for ever in your presence; for you, Lord, have spoken; and with your blessing the House of your servant will be for ever blessed.’

Gospel
Mark 4:21-25

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’

  He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’

Do beautifully adorned altars in our homes represent the presence of God in it? Is it not true that the Lord our God would rather dwell in our hearts? Jesus would rather reside in us and we in Him rather than the tabernacles of any Church.

Jesus the living Word of God came so that we may receive the Word deep in our hearts. So that our lives may be enriched and be fruitful for one and all. And when the time came, the Word will lead us Home to Him.

Those attuned to listening to the heavenly word proclaimed, will receive it in all its fullness. Those attuned to hearing earthly things hears only the similarities in teaching. For even then mercy is granted to those who choose to live in sin. For if they listened and understood straightaway then chose instead to remain in sin; they have damned themselves.

To be able to listen and understand the Word of God, we need to turn away from sin and be loyal to the Gospels. We desire always to remain in a faithful ever loving, ever deepening relationship with the Lord our God. Amen

First reading
2 Samuel 7:4-17

The word of the Lord came to Nathan:

  ‘Go and tell my servant David, “Thus the Lord speaks: Are you the man to build me a house to dwell in? I have never stayed in a house from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until today, but have always led a wanderer’s life in a tent. In all my journeying with the whole people of Israel, did I say to any one of the judges of Israel, whom I had appointed as shepherds of Israel my people: Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” This is what you must say to my servant David, “the Lord of Hosts says this: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader of my people Israel; I have been with you on all your expeditions; I have cut off all your enemies before you. I will give you fame as great as the fame of the greatest on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel; I will plant them there and they shall dwell in that place and never be disturbed again; nor shall the wicked continue to oppress them as they did, in the days when I appointed judges over my people Israel; I will give them rest from all their enemies. The Lord will make you great; the Lord will make you a House. And when your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. (It is he who shall build a house for my name, and I will make his royal throne secure for ever.) I will be a father to him and he a son to me; if he does evil, I will punish him with the rod such as men use, with strokes such as mankind gives. Yet I will not withdraw my favour from him, as I withdrew it from your predecessor. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever.”’

  Nathan related all these words to David and this whole revelation.

Gospel
Mark 4:1-20

Jesus began to teach by the lakeside, but such a huge crowd gathered round him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there. The people were all along the shore, at the water’s edge. He taught them many things in parables, and in the course of his teaching he said to them, ‘Listen!, Imagine a sower going out to sow. Now it happened that, as he sowed, some of the seed fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground where it found little soil and sprang up straightaway, because there was no depth of earth; and when the sun came up it was scorched and, not having any roots, it withered away. Some seed fell into thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no crop. And some seeds fell into rich soil and, growing tall and strong, produced crop; and yielded thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!’

  When he was alone, the Twelve, together with the others who formed his company, asked what the parables meant. He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you, but to those who are outside everything comes in parables, so that they may see and see again, but not perceive; may hear and hear again, but not understand; otherwise they might be converted and be forgiven.’

  He said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? What the sower is sowing is the word. Those on the edge of the path where the word is sown are people who have no sooner heard it than Satan comes and carries away the word that was sown in them. Similarly, those who receive the seed on patches of rock are people who, when first they hear the word, welcome it at once with joy. But they have no root in them, they do not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, they fall away at once. Then there are others who receive the seed in thorns. These have heard the word, but the worries of this world, the lure of riches and all the other passions come in to choke the word, and so it produces nothing. And there are those who have received the seed in rich soil: they hear the word and accept it and yield a harvest, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’

Do you have a relationship with God? Ask anyone who is a believer and they will readily say Yes!  But ask them how they nurture that relationship, how close are they or how are they deepening that relationship and you’ll often meet with silence.

What about those who say they have a Familial relationship with God? How are they exemplifying that relationship in their lives? With their families and friends? The people they meet?

Being in a loving, ever growing relationship with the Holy Trinity is beyond words. From the moment one wakes to the time one sleeps; thoughts, words and actions are a prayer to God.  We live in Him as He lives in us. His power, love and peace is upon us. And we can witness to Him with heads held high.

Do not despair if you have not yet encountered Him in a deep personal way. Surely you would have experienced moments of great peace and tranquility either in Adoration,  in a retreat or simply quiet time in prayer. The thing is to desire and want more. Turn away from the old way of life and seek Him our Lord earnestly. And you will surely find Him waiting to embrace you in His love. Amen

St Timothy, St Titus pray for us…

First reading
2 Timothy 1:1-8

From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus in his design to promise life in Christ Jesus; to Timothy, dear child of mine, wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.

  Night and day I thank God, keeping my conscience clear and remembering my duty to him as my ancestors did, and always I remember you in my prayers; I remember your tears and long to see you again to complete my happiness. Then I am reminded of the sincere faith which you have; it came first to live in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I have no doubt that it is the same faith in you as well.

  That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy.

Gospel
Mark 3:31-35

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

Today let us reflect on how deep our own conversion of hearts has been. For we are all born sinners and no one baptised and has come to the knowledge of Christ can say there has been no conversion.

In the Lord’s great mercy He sees the good in our hearts. And no matter how grievous our sin, He is ready and willing to forgive. So that by His example we too can be merciful and loving to others. If and when we deserve to be struck down, it is only so He can build us up anew.  He sends messengers our way to guide us on our way and soon we become messengers ourselves for Him.

By our very own baptism we have been sent to share the Good News and have been given the same power and grace given to His disciples. To heal, cast out devils etc.  Why are we afraid or doubt? Why are we not confident in doing likewise? Is is not because our very own conversion is not deep enough? We are content on having a shallow relationship with our Lord and God.

Lord Jesus help and guide me so that I may enter into a deeper, loving relationship with You. Lord I surrender my life to You. Amen

First reading
Acts 22:3-16

Paul said to the people, ‘I am a Jew and was born at Tarsus in Cilicia. I was brought up here in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was taught the exact observance of the Law of our ancestors. In fact, I was as full of duty towards God as you are today. I even persecuted this Way to the death, and sent women as well as men to prison in chains as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify, since they even sent me with letters to their brothers in Damascus. When I set off it was with the intention of bringing prisoners back from there to Jerusalem for punishment.

  ‘I was on that journey and nearly at Damascus when about midday a bright light from heaven suddenly shone round me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” I answered: Who are you, Lord? and he said to me, “I am Jesus the Nazarene, and you are persecuting me.” The people with me saw the light but did not hear his voice as he spoke to me. I said: What am I to do, Lord? The Lord answered, “Stand up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told what you have been appointed to do.” The light had been so dazzling that I was blind and my companions had to take me by the hand; and so I came to Damascus.

  ‘Someone called Ananias, a devout follower of the Law and highly thought of by all the Jews living there, came to see me; he stood beside me and said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight.” Instantly my sight came back and I was able to see him. Then he said, “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Just One and hear his own voice speaking, because you are to be his witness before all mankind, testifying to what you have seen and heard. And now why delay? It is time you were baptised and had your sins washed away while invoking his name.”’

Gospel
Mark 16:15-18

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’

Love, sacrifice and recognition of the good and sacrifice of others.  How rare it is to be found. And yet this is the path of a true disciple of Christ.

Least of all to understand this are family members. Unless they too are on a similar path. And while all of us are given free will; it is should not be surprising to find that others would want to impose their will on us.

Jesus it is You alone I follow, lead me on Lord; lead me on to You! Amen

First reading
2 Samuel 1:1-4,11-12,17,19,23-27

David returned from his rout of the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag. On the third day a man came from the camp where Saul had been, his garments torn and earth on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and did homage. ‘Where do you come from?’ David asked him. ‘I have escaped from the Israelite camp’ he said. David said to him, ‘What happened? Tell me.’ He replied, ‘The people have fled from the battlefield and many of them have fallen. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead too.’

  Then David took hold of his garments and tore them, and all the men with him did the same. They mourned and wept and fasted until the evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, for the people of The Lord and for the House of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

  Then David made this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan.

Alas, the glory of Israel has been slain on your heights!
How did the heroes fall?

Saul and Jonathan, loved and lovely, neither in life, nor in death, were divided.

Swifter than eagles were they,
stronger were they than lions.

O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul who clothed you in scarlet and fine linen, who set brooches of gold on your garments.

How did the heroes fall in the thick of the battle?

O Jonathan, in your death I am stricken, I am desolate for you, Jonathan my brother.

Very dear to me you were,
your love to me more wonderful than the love of a woman.

How did the heroes fall
and the battle armour fail?

Gospel
Mark 3:20-21

Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.

Each and every time God our Father forgives us, He is saying that His own rules do not matter as much as the relationship that He wants to have with us and create anew.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God!

Today I am reminded just how much the Lord my God loves me. By my Baptism I have become His precious Child. I have been attached to the Heavenly vine, inserted into the life, death and resurrection of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I have a seal upon me that can never be removed by anyone.

And so I limit myself by my own false sense of inadequacy. I limit myself if I cease to grow in faith, love and charity.

By my confirmation I have been given divine gifts to share the faith, peace, love and mercy I have received.

Glory to God in the highest. Now and forever. Amen

First reading
1 Samuel 24:3-21

Saul took three thousand men chosen from the whole of Israel and went in search of David and his men east of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. He came to the sheepfolds along the route where there was a cave, and went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were sitting in the recesses of the cave; David’s men said to him, Today is the day of which the Lord said to you, “I will deliver your enemy into your power, do what you like with him.”’ David stood up and, unobserved, cut off the border of Saul’s cloak. Afterwards David reproached himself for having cut off the border of Saul’s cloak. He said to his men, ‘The Lord preserve me from doing such a thing to my lord and raising my hand against him, for he is the anointed of the Lord.’ David gave his men strict instructions, forbidding them to attack Saul.

  Saul then left the cave and went on his way. After this, David too left the cave and called after Saul, ‘My lord king!’ Saul looked behind him and David bowed to the ground and did homage. Then David said to Saul, ‘Why do you listen to the men who say to you, “David means to harm you”? Why, your own eyes have seen today how the Lord put you in my power in the cave and how I refused to kill you, but spared you. “I will not raise my hand against my lord,” I said “for he is the anointed of the Lord.” O my father, see, look at the border of your cloak in my hand. Since I cut off the border of your cloak, yet did not kill you, you must acknowledge frankly that there is neither malice nor treason in my mind. I have not offended against you, yet you hunt me down to take my life. May the Lord be judge between me and you, and may the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be laid on you. (As the old proverb says: Wickedness goes out from the wicked, and my hand will not be laid on you.) On whose trail has the king of Israel set out? On whose trail are you in hot pursuit? On the trail of a dead dog! On the trail of a single flea! May the Lord be the judge and decide between me and you; may he take up my cause and defend it and give judgement for me, freeing me from your power.’

  When David had finished saying these words to Saul, Saul said, ‘Is that your voice, my son David?’ And Saul wept aloud. ‘You are a more upright man than I,’ he said to David ‘for you have repaid me with good while I have repaid you with evil. Today you have crowned your goodness towards me since the Lord had put me in your power yet you did not kill me. When a man comes on his enemy, does he let him go unmolested? May the Lord reward you for the goodness you have shown me today. Now I know you will indeed reign and that the sovereignty in Israel will be secure in your hands.’

Gospel
Mark 3:13-19

Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. And so he appointed the Twelve: Simon to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or ‘Sons of Thunder’; then Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.

How hard indeed it is for the proud hearted to hear the praises of another! For it is often sin that blinds one to the merits and virtues of others. Soon jealousy consumes the whole being prompting, urging towards greater sin.

It is with a grateful heart to God for blessing another; with the gifts to be a blessing for others that we recognise the goodness of God in another. And when we sing his/her praises, we will do so with joy in our hearts. For the Lord is with us. 

Take heed however that to praise one’s greatness in comparison to another is to allow the tongue of the devil an opportunity. For it introduces strife and jealousy. Can a demon then be allowed to sing the praises of God? What good can it do?

Lord Jesus grant me the humility of heart to love and serve You and others according to Your Will. So that I may give rightful glory and Praise to our Heavenly Father. Amen

First reading
1 Samuel 18:6-9,19:1-7

On their way back, as David was returning after killing the Philistine, the women came out to meet King Saul from all the towns of Israel, singing and dancing to the sound of tambourine and lyre and cries of joy; and as they danced the women sang:

‘Saul has killed his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.’

Saul was very angry; the incident was not to his liking. ‘They have given David the tens of thousands,’ he said ‘but me only the thousands; he has all but the kingship now.’ And Saul turned a jealous eye on David from that day forward.

  Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants of his intention to kill David. Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, held David in great affection; and so Jonathan warned David; ‘My father Saul is looking for a way to kill you,’ he said ‘so be on your guard tomorrow morning; hide away in some secret place. Then I will go out and keep my father company in the fields where you are hiding, and will talk to my father about you; I will find out what the situation is and let you know.’

  So Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father; he said, ‘Let not the king sin against his servant David, for he has not sinned against you, and what he has done has been greatly to your advantage. He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it yourself and rejoiced; why then sin against innocent blood in killing David without cause?’ Saul was impressed by Jonathan’s words and took an oath, ‘As the Lord lives, I will not kill him.’ Jonathan called David and told him all these things. Then Jonathan brought him to Saul, and David attended on him as before.

Gospel
Mark 3:7-12

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

Oh I’m not that knowledgeable about my faith. I’m not good enough. I don’t have the necessary resources. I’m just an ordinary boy /girl. I’m weak and fearful.

Are you not an anointed child of God? Are you not created in the image of God? If God is all pure, good and all goodness comes from Him; and you are created in His likeness, which part of you then is not good enough?

If we strive each and every day to follow our Lord’s will for us, we can be sure that He is with us.  And if He our Lord is with us, who can stand against us?

Let us go forth in courage to love and serve others as the Lord Wills. To be merciful as He our Lord is merciful. Amen

First reading
1 Samuel 17:32-33,37,40-51

David said to Saul, ‘Let no-one lose heart on his account; your servant will go and fight the Philistine.’ But Saul answered David, ‘You cannot go and fight the Philistine; you are only a boy and he has been a warrior from his youth.’

  ‘The Lord who rescued me from the claws of lion and bear’ David said ‘will rescue me from the power of this Philistine.’ Then Saul said to David, ‘Go, and the Lord be with you!’

  He took his staff in his hand, picked five smooth stones from the river bed, put them in his shepherd’s bag, in his pouch, and with his sling in his hand he went to meet the Philistine. The Philistine, his shield-bearer in front of him, came nearer and nearer to David; and the Philistine looked at David, and what he saw filled him with scorn, because David was only a youth, a boy of fresh complexion and pleasant bearing. The Philistine said to him, ‘Am I a dog for you to come against me with sticks?’ And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, ‘Come over here and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.’ But David answered the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have dared to insult. Today the Lord will deliver you into my hand and I shall kill you; I will cut off your head, and this very day I will give your dead body and the bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord gives the victory, for the Lord is lord of the battle and he will deliver you into our power.’

  No sooner had the Philistine started forward to confront David than David left the line of battle and ran to meet the Philistine. Putting his hand in his bag, he took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead; the stone penetrated his forehead and he fell on his face to the ground. Thus David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone and struck the Philistine down and killed him. David had no sword in his hand. Then David ran and, standing over the Philistine, seized his sword and drew it from the scabbard, and with this he killed him, cutting off his head. The Philistines saw that their champion was dead, and took to flight.

Gospel
Mark 3:1-6

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