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On Today’s Gospel

Posted: January 3, 2020 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Every morning as far as I can remember I have awoken praying first for my personal sanctification and holiness. Why? Because the temptation to sin is always before us! And sin with its super stickyness is ever waiting to pounce and prevent us from walking freely in the light of Christ. And so I pray for His grace to be upon me as I start out the day simply to live out my calling to be a child of God so loved by my Heavenly Father. To be Holy as He is Holy. Through and with His grace, I have a fighting chance to win the battle. I say chance even though it is a sure win with God on my side because I must cooperate and want to fight! Because there are times when I am in a state of inertia and often tempted to give in to the distractions.

Jesus the lamb of God my lord and saviour had died to free me from sin, and so the devil and all the evil that prowls about the earth has no hold over me! I can live free and fully in the light of my resurrected Lord and saviour Jesus Christ! Jesus saves; me, you and everyone who calls upon on His name.

By the Holy name of Jesus, I pray for you my dear sisters and brothers. That today and everyday you remain Holy and strive for greater Holiness. So that together we will live out our calling as children of God our Father, one Body In Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen

First reading

1 John 2:29-3:6
Everyone must try to be as pure as Christ

You know that God is righteous –
then you must recognise that everyone whose life is righteous has been begotten by him.

Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children;
and that is what we are.
Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us.
My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him
because we shall see him as he really is.

Surely everyone who entertains this hope
must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ.
Anyone who sins at all breaks the law,
because to sin is to break the law.
Now you know that he appeared in order to abolish sin, and that in him there is no sin;
anyone who lives in God does not sin, and anyone who sins has never seen him or known him.

Gospel

John 1:29-34
‘Look: there is the Lamb of God’

Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: January 2, 2020 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Make a straight way for the Lord. Be steadfast in your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who has anointed you with the truth by your very own baptism. And He will surely come to you, His faithful and fill you with His presence.

This is my takeaway from today’s readings and what a brother in Christ Sully (not his real name) shared with me recently encapsulates it all nicely.

A couple of years back Sully who is a catechist had asked me what was it like to be in a faith community and what goes on at the prayer meetings. I was excited to share my experience and at the end invited him to ‘come and see’. He came one evening and thereafter remained in our community even getting his wife to join us. Sully is a very good natured man and is a delight to be around with. However he shared one day that while he truly belives in Christ and all, he had not encountered Him the way many of us described. He was amazed at how alive our faith was for some of us and was not quite sure his own faith was as ‘alive’ so to speak. I would describe Sully as a rather learned man who loves to read when he can, and one of his favourites is reading up on the writings of Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen. I was rather puzzled at how this loving man who teaches and shares the faith had not had a deep personal encounter with our Lord?

Anyhow just two days ago he shared his profound experience and encounter of our Lord’s love outpoured on him. He was apparently ill for over a week with high fever. Then as he was recovering he made a decision to give up on coffee. By doing so he found he had more energy the rest of the day and he could actually pray more. Then at a recent Eucharistic Celebration he felt the Outpouring of God’s love and teared as he had never before. He finally understood firsthand what we had been sharing with him. I was so thrilled and overjoyed to hear his testimony, and to witness the glow on his face. This loving man is transformed into being even more loving! Praise and glory be to Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

First reading

1 John 2:22-28 ·
The anointing he gave you teaches you everything

The man who denies that Jesus is the Christ – he is the liar, he is Antichrist; and he is denying the Father as well as the Son, because no one who has the Father can deny the Son, and to acknowledge the Son is to have the Father as well.
Keep alive in yourselves what you were taught in the beginning as long as what you were taught in the beginning is alive in faith,
you will live in the Son and in the Father;
and what is promised to you by his own promise is eternal life.
This is all that I am writing to you about the people who are trying to lead you astray.
But you have not lost the anointing that he gave you, and you do not need anyone to teach you; the anointing he gave teaches you everything; you are anointed with truth, not with a lie, and as it has taught you, so you must stay in him.
Live in Christ, then, my children, so that if he appears, we may have full confidence, and not turn from him in shame at his coming.

Gospel

John 1:19-28
‘One is coming after me who existed before me’

This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied:

a voice that cries in the wilderness:
Make a straight way for the Lord.’

Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.

Testimony

Posted: January 1, 2020 by CatholicJules in Testimonies
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Sharing by a sister in Christ..

My testimony:
We usually begin the new year by attending the Eucharist first thing in the morning but because both O and I are under the weather, we went for evening mass instead.

Today is also O’s Chinese birthday so we had a family lunch to celebrate. Hoping that she will be well enough to start her P1 tom. 🙏🏻

The evening mass today was so beautiful that I felt moved from the start till the end. Tears kept rolling down. As I usually ask my client, “what would the tears say to you if they could speak?”

My tears told me that I am well-loved by God. As I strive to grow deeper in my relationship with Mother Mary (today being the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God), I experienced her tangible motherly love towards me. I was overwhelmed and filled with immense gratitude.

It is such a great assurance that not only do I have the Holy Trinity by my side, I have my heavenly Mother and the communion of saints praying with me and for me. No words but tears in response to this deep love. Totus Tuus.

When I went for the evening Eucharist, I felt like those labourers who were hired at the eleventh hour. And instead of being last to be paid, I was given my “wage” first! Such is the generosity of God.

Testimony

Posted: January 1, 2020 by CatholicJules in Testimonies
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Sharing by Bro Augustine

I was quite annoyed yesterday (in the afternoon of 31 Dec) by the amber lights on my car dashboard which prompted that the car *was not ready to drive* and required an immediate attention for service. All the amber lights and signs that I have never seen before on my car’s dashboard, they lighted at the wrong time… all workshops were shutting down for new year break.

The amber lights came out so unexpectedly despite I had the car serviced regularly and timely. It was very disappointing given the car was not very old.

And by the time we had to go to church for thanksgiving mass (9:45pm 31 Dec), the amber lights have not disappeared. We kept praying.

We have been praying for it and after the thanksgiving mass, during the adoration / benediction, there was one slide which said “What you want Jesus to do for you (in the new year)?” What came to my mind instantly was the amber lights to go away, so we lifted it up among other prayers that we offered to the Lord.

At the time to go home (after midnight), I prayed and started the engine at the church carpark… I noted one of the many amber lights had gone away. I prayed and said Lord Jesus would make all amber lights to go away tomorrow morning when we come for morning New Year Mass.

This morning I prayed and started the engine… all back to normal, the dashboard said *“Ready to Drive”*. Thank you Lord for giving us an opportunity to witness the work of Your hand and answered to our prayers so instantly at the very first moment of New Year 2020. 🙏🏼

2020

Posted: January 1, 2020 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys, Memory Book
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What a start to the new year! It started out great with the Eucharistic Celebration then followed by the Benediction at midnight ending with the Salve Regina in Latin.

Then we headed down to the auditorium for food, drinks, dancing and singing. Then rushed home at about 2:30am. Which left me only about 3hrs of sleep as I had committed to serve as a steward and had agreed to joint lead the hymns with Bro Augustine for the EC later at 8am.

Got dressed, rushed out the door at about 6:55am and rode my bicycle to Church, what I didn’t expect was to fall off the bike while turning out to the pathway! Sprained my right wrist, hurt a rib but otherwise I was fine. Strangely my white long sleeve shirt and tie was still clean, dusted off my slacks and was good to go or so I thought! The bicycle chain got jammed and so I couldn’t pedal. Brought the bike back upstairs to see if I could fix it without getting dirty, tried without success as I needed to get my tools out. Figured I didn’t have enough time so decided to take a bus to church instead.

As I was still early, I sat behind to go through the hymns. When Bro Jem came in and sat beside me. He thanked me for my reflections and honest sharings with him in 2019 which caught me off guard as he was quiet about it at the time. Anyhow he shared that he intended to lead the Lauds before EC and I encouraged him to do so.

Then while praying the Lauds one of the altar servers, I think it was Gabriel (he has an identical twin Michael and I have difficultly telling them apart) sat beside me and asked if we had chosen the hymns? Told him yes and he offered to play the guitar. He asked for the hymn titles so he could prepare the chords for them. Shared with him the opening hymn was ‘What child is this’ Offertory Hymn ‘Of my hands I give to You’ Communion hymn ‘I am the bread of life’ and Recessional ‘Mother dear pray for me’. His brother again I think it was Michael came up to tell him that if he was planning to sit with me and strum from where I was at; the congregation would not be able to hear clearly. So he left for the loft to use a microphone. I was wondering how we would pull it off together as there was no time to rehearse neither was I able to share with Bro Augustine the slight changes or rather enhancements. Praise the Lord all went very well indeed, I strongly belive through the workings of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of our Blessed Mother. Bro Augustine also affirmed later by whatsapp, that we are indeed many parts but one Body In Christ!

Anyhow it is quite clear to me that at this very start of the new year, it is about growimg in faith through discipleship. While there will certainly be trials and challenges ahead. Our Lord, His Blessed mother and the Holy Spirit will be with me and you through it all. Amen

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: January 1, 2020 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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What better way to start the new year then to ponder over the living Word through the heart of our Blessed Mother, the mother of God.

For God our Father has Blessed us abundantly and through Jesus His only Begotten son, brought forth by birth by His Virgin mother, we not only have life to the full, but we have full union with Him. We have become His sons and daughters!

So let then live out of Call to Holiness as we continue our pilgrim journey home to Him, at the start of 2020. Amen

Mary, mother of God, pray for us….

First reading

Numbers 6:22-27
They are to call down my name on the sons of Israel, and I will bless them

The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘Say this to Aaron and his sons: “This is how you are to bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.”

This is how they are to call down my name on the sons of Israel, and I will bless them.’

Second reading

Galatians 4:4-7 ·
God sent his Son, born of a woman

When the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law and to enable us to be adopted as sons. The proof that you are sons is that God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts: the Spirit that cries, ‘Abba, Father’, and it is this that makes you a son, you are not a slave any more; and if God has made you son, then he has made you heir.

Gospel

Luke 2:16-21
The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found the baby lying in the manger

The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 31, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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As we close off the year 2019 and cross over into 2020; let us give thanks to the Lord our God for the continued Blessings and graces He had showered upon us. We look ahead to the new year in which we will strive to deepen our relationship with Him.

Before we do so let us look back to 2019 to see if we have lived out our fully redeemed lives in the Lord our God? Have we been living in the light of Christ Jesus? Have we resisted all sin as best we could and have frequently received the sacraments of reconciliation and Holy Eucharist? Have we been beacons of His light for others? Have we shared the joy of the Gospel with others? Have we grown in Holiness as children of God our Father?

As we move ahead let us encourage one another to do more, to be more. To live more fully in the light of our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ and to be witnesses of His love for all. Amen

First reading

1 John 2:18-21 ·
You have been anointed by the Holy One

Children, these are the last days; you were told that an Antichrist must come, and now several antichrists have already appeared; we know from this that these are the last days.
Those rivals of Christ came out of our own number, but they had never really belonged; if they had belonged, they would have stayed with us; but they left us, to prove that not one of them ever belonged to us.
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and have all received the knowledge.
It is not because you do not know the truth that I am writing to you but rather because you know it already
and know that no lie can come from the truth.

Gospel

John 1:1-18
The Word was made flesh, and lived among us

In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him.
All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower.

A man came, sent by God.
His name was John.
He came as a witness,
as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light.

The Word was the true light
that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world.
He was in the world that had its being through him, and the world did not know him.
He came to his own domain
and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of him
who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man
but of God himself.

The Word was made flesh,
he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.

John appears as his witness. He proclaims:
‘This is the one of whom I said: He who comes after me ranks before me because he existed before me.’

Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received – yes, grace in return for grace,
since, though the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart,
who has made him known.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 28, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Today as we remember the tiny Martyrs who died in place of our Lord Jesus Christ, we reflect on our own call to live out of lives as children of God our Father.

We are all called to holiness, to live in the light of Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore we must make every effort to avoid sin and all temptations that leads to it. If we should fall then we should quickly turn to Jesus whose mercy ave have will heal and restore to its. For to live in sin is to die is to die in sin.

To truly live is to die and rise in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen

First reading

1 John 1:5-2:2 ·

The blood of Jesus Christ purifies us all from sin

This is what we have heard from Jesus Christ, and the message that we are announcing to you:

God is light; there is no darkness in him at all.

If we say that we are in union with God while we are living in darkness, we are lying because we are not living the truth. But if we live our lives in the light, as he is in the light, we are in union with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

If we say we have no sin in us, we are deceiving ourselves

and refusing to admit the truth; but if we acknowledge our sins, then God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and purify us

from everything that is wrong. To say that we have never sinned is to call God a liar and to show that his word is not in us.

I am writing this, my children, to stop you sinning; but if anyone should sin, we have our advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, who is just; he is the sacrifice that takes our sins away, and not only ours but the whole world’s.

Gospel

Matthew 2:13-18

The massacre of the innocents

After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:

I called my son out of Egypt.

Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:

A voice was heard in Ramah,

sobbing and loudly lamenting: it was Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they were no more.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 27, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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God our Father’s loving plan for our salvation began with the Incarnation of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, the light born into the world and was completed by His resurrection. And many whom our Lord walked with bore witness to this reality especially St John. This is the truth, this is our faith! Happy indeed are we who have not seen and yet believe.Yes, for even though we might not have seen Jesus our Lord with our very own eyes we can still testify to His great presence in our lives through the deep, precious, meaningful relationship we have with Him. We unite ourselves with Him most tangibly during Holy Eucharist and it is through Him alone that we are all united as one Body In Him.For this we rejoice and are glad! Amen Alleluia.At St John pray for us…

First reading

1 John 1:1-4 ·The Word, who is life – this is our subjectSomething which has existed since the beginning, that we have heard, and we have seen with our own eyes; that we have watched and touched with our hands:the Word, who is life – this is our subject.That life was made visible:we saw it and we are giving our testimony, telling you of the eternal life which was with the Father and has been made visible to us.What we have seen and heard we are telling you so that you too may be in union with us, as we are in union with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.We are writing this to you to make our own joy complete.

Gospel

John 20:2-8The other disciple saw, and he believedOn the first day of the week Mary of Magdala came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’ So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 26, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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A day after we celebrated the birth of the light of the world, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, we celebrate the feast day of St Stephen our first Martyr. For truly he was filled with the light of Christ.

Through the Holy Spirit he stood fast attempting to illuminate the minds of those who rejected Jesus, to see that the saviour, the Messiah had indeed come. And when their darkness surrounded him, St Stephen saw the light and glory of our Lord which he articulated with such zeal. For he knew that our Lord will never abandon His faithful and so with his dying breath he prayed for his persecutors as he cried out to Jesus to receive his spirit. Do we have such faith? For we are all called to bear witness to Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen

St Stephen pray for us….

First reading

Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59 ·

The martyrdom of Stephen

Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people. But then certain people came forward to debate with Stephen, some from Cyrene and Alexandria who were members of the synagogue called the Synagogue of Freedmen, and others from Cilicia and Asia. They found they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom, and because it was the Spirit that prompted what he said. They were infuriated when they heard this, and ground their teeth at him.

But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. ‘I can see heaven thrown open’ he said ‘and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ At this all the members of the council shouted out and stopped their ears with their hands; then they all rushed at him, sent him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses put down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen said in invocation, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’

Gospel

Matthew 10:17-22

The Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.

‘Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.’

CHRISTMAS

Posted: December 25, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Unfathomable that in His great love for us, God Himself would come down to save us from our sins so that we might have hope of eternal life with Him!

Yet this great mystery of the Incarnation foretold so long ago came to be on Christmas morn. The light of the world came to be born in a manger through His faithful Virgin mother with his faithful foster father at her side. The living word which had breathed life into a formless void, the source of all life brought us hope of new life with Him through His birth, life, death and His Resurrection. With our Blessed Mother Mary, we treasure all the wonderful mysteries revealed to us and ponder them in our hearts.

Today we rejoice with great fervour the birthday of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ! Our Salvation had come, God is with us! We rejoice and are glad for His love, peace and joy reign in our hearts. Happy birthday dear Jesus! Amen

First reading

Isaiah 52:7-10 ·

Rejoice, for the Lord is consoling his people

How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of one who brings good news, who heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation, and tells Zion,

‘Your God is king!’

Listen! Your watchmen raise their voices, they shout for joy together, for they see the Lord face to face, as he returns to Zion.

Break into shouts of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord is consoling his people,

redeeming Jerusalem.

The Lord bares his holy arm

in the sight of all the nations,

and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Second reading

Hebrews 1:1-6 ·

God has spoken to us through his Son

At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son, the Son that he has appointed to inherit everything and through whom he made everything there is. He is the radiant light of God’s glory and the perfect copy of his nature, sustaining the universe by his powerful command; and now that he has destroyed the defilement of sin, he has gone to take his place in heaven at the right hand of divine Majesty. So he is now as far above the angels as the title which he has inherited is higher than their own name.

God has never said to any angel: You are my Son, today I have become your father; or: I will be a father to him and he a son to me. Again, when he brings the First-Born into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him.

Gospel

John 1:1-18

The Word was made flesh, and lived among us

In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him.

All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower.

A man came, sent by God.

His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him.

He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light.

The Word was the true light

that enlightens all men;

and he was coming into the world.

He was in the world that had its being through him, and the world did not know him.

He came to his own domain

and his own people did not accept him.

But to all who did accept him

he gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of him who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man but of God himself.

The Word was made flesh,

he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,

full of grace and truth.

John appears as his witness. He proclaims: ‘This is the one of whom I said: He who comes after me ranks before me because he existed before me.’

Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received –

yes, grace in return for grace,

since, though the Law was given through Moses,

grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God;

it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart,

who has made him known.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 24, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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In today’s Gospel we hear the Canticle of Zechariah aka the Benedictus prayed towards the end of the Lauds. A beautiful prayer and reminder of how close God our Father is with His children and how through His powerful hand, we have salvation through our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ which He planned so long ago. We also hear of John the Baptist’s role but if we listen carefully it is our role as well to prepare the way of our Lord and to proclaim the good news of our salvation. The light of the world has come!

Soon we are about to celebrate Christmas, God who came to be with us. Are we ready to receive Him who is coming to dwell in our hearts?

Come Lord Jesus come….Amen

First reading
2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16 ·
Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me

Once David had settled into his house and the Lord had given him rest from all the enemies surrounding him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, ‘Look, I am living in a house of cedar while the ark of God dwells in a tent.’ Nathan said to the king, ‘Go and do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.’
But that very night 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 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. 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. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever.”’

Gospel
Luke 1:67-79
‘You, little child, shall be the prophet of the Most High’

John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:

‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue and he has raised up for us a power for salvation in the House of his servant David, even as he proclaimed,
by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times, that he would save us from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us.
Thus he shows mercy to our ancestors,
thus he remembers his holy covenant
the oath he swore to our father Abraham
that he would grant us, free from fear,
to be delivered from the hands of our enemies, to serve him in holiness and virtue
in his presence, all our days.
And you, little child, you shall be called Prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins;
this by the tender mercy of our God
who from on high will bring the rising Sun to visit us, to give light to those who live
in darkness and the shadow of death
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.’

A pensive Christmas Reflection

Posted: December 23, 2019 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys, Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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How does one get into the mood then slowly advance into the nostalgia then into the frenzy of Christmas?

Well the formula is pretty straight forward. It always starts with decorations! The basic colours are red, green, white, gold, blue and silver. The rest are optional or as one sees fit. Then the tree and legendary carols. Lights and more lights of all colours! Food, drinks and parties. Nativity sets are welcomed in most places but not all. Wah lah! Magical! Never mind that it is all a production of sort. Then even with everything up, some would still say I’m not really in the Christmassy mood.

Well if I personally have no Christmas mood it’s because of two main reasons. One, I have not prepared my heart for Christmas through Advent! And two I am inward looking! Instead of looking outwards on how I can bring the joy of Christmas to some one who is perhaps lonely, widowed, poor, alone, downtrodden, orphaned, jobless, sick. Even if I cannot afford to give money as much as I would like to, I can still offer my time and the gifts I am bestowed with by my Lord. Then you can strip away all the lights, music, decorations and I will still have the peace, love and joy of Christmas in my heart. For truly the reason for the season is Jesus and the face of Jesus is in those whom we serve.

Soon when all is laid bare, I will still have Jesus! Amen

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Posted: December 21, 2019 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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God Is with Us: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fourth Sunday in Advent

Readings:

Isaiah 7:10–14
Psalm 24:1–6
Romans 1:1–7
Matthew 1:18–24

The mystery kept secret for long ages, promised through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, is today revealed (see Romans 16:25–26).
This is the “Gospel of God” that Paul celebrates in today’s Epistle—the good news that “God is with us” in Jesus Christ. The sign promised to the House of David in today’s First Reading is given in today’s Gospel. In the virgin found with child, God Himself has brought to Israel a savior from David’s royal line (see Acts 13:22–23).

Son of David according to the flesh, Jesus is the Son of God, born of the Spirit. He will be anointed with the Spirit (see Acts 10:38), and by the power of Spirit will be raised from the dead and established at God’s right hand in the heavens (see Acts 2:33–34; Ephesians 1:20–21).

He is the “King of Glory” we sing of in today’s Psalm. The earth in its fullness has been given to Him. And as God swore long ago to David, His Kingdom will have no end (see Psalm 89:4–5).

In Jesus Christ we have a new creation. Like the creation of the world, it is a work of the Spirit, a blessing from the Lord (see Genesis 1:2). In Him, we are saved from our sins, are called now “the beloved of God.”
All nations now are called to belong to Jesus Christ, to enter into the House of David and Kingdom of God, the Church. Together, through the obedience of faith, we have been made a new race—a royal people that seeks for the face of the God of Jacob.
He has made our hearts clean, made us worthy to enter His holy place, to stand in His presence and serve Him.

In the Eucharist, the everlasting covenant is renewed, the Advent promise of virgin with child—God with us—continues until the end of the age (see Matthew 28:20; Ezekiel 37:24–28).

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 21, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Ah dearest Blessed mother! At many prayer meetings I have prayed these words, “O dearest mother, where Jesus is you are never far and yet you are closest with us in our hour of need. Purify our hearts, minds and thoughts that we might always be pleasing to your Son our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. And continue to intercede for us as we pray Hail Mary…”

You mother bring with you the full measure of your Grace each and every time we pray to you. No creature has ever be elevated to the highest state of grace as you have. Yet in your humble gentle heart, you only seek to bring Jesus into our very own hearts. Whether in the form of a wee babe or the full stature of our bridegroom, the joy within us cannot be contained! And so mother just as your cousin Elisabeth uttered these words so long ago Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? We too are so very honoured each and everytime you stand at our side when we call out to you. You are truly a devoted mother who tenderly loves us. And you bring with you the presence of your Son Jesus our Lord and God. Amen

First reading

Song of Songs 2:8-14 ·
See how my Beloved comes, leaping on the mountains

I hear my Beloved.
See how he comes
leaping on the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
My Beloved is like a gazelle,
like a young stag.

See where he stands
behind our wall.
He looks in at the window,
he peers through the lattice.

My Beloved lifts up his voice,
he says to me,
‘Come then, my love,
my lovely one, come.
For see, winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth.
The season of glad songs has come,
the cooing of the turtledove
is heard in our land.
The fig tree is forming its first figs
and the blossoming vines give out their fragrance.
Come then, my love,
my lovely one, come.
My dove, hiding in the clefts of the rock,
in the coverts of the cliff,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet
and your face is beautiful.’

Gospel

Luke 1:39-45
Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 20, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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O Blessed Mother thank you for your Yes, thank you for bringing forth Emmanuel.

As we prepare ourselves to celebrate the reason for the season this Wednesday the birthday of your beloved son, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, we seek your intercession for a new infilling of the Holy Spirit so that our hearts will be filled with a renewed zeal for proclaiming the great love of God our Father for us by sending His only Begotten son to be the Light of the World. Our hearts are glowing dear mother in anticipation of His return…..

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen

First reading

Isaiah 7:10-14 ·
The maiden is with child

The Lord spoke to Ahaz and said, ‘Ask the Lord your God for a sign for yourself coming either from the depths of Sheol or from the heights above.’ ‘No,’ Ahaz answered ‘I will not put the Lord to the test.’
Then Isaiah said:

‘Listen now, House of David:
are you not satisfied with trying the patience of men without trying the patience of my God, too?
The Lord himself, therefore, will give you a sign.
It is this: the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel, a name which means “God-is-with-us.”’

Gospel

Luke 1:26-38
‘I am the handmaid of the Lord’

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 19, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Yesterday we reflected a little on how the faithfulness and obedience of both our Blessed Mother and St Joseph to God our Father, brought forth Emmanuel, ‘God-is-with-us’.

Today we learn that in spite of nature, through our faithfulness and obedience to His Will; God our Father’s can bring forth fruit. Fruit which we bring forth and consecrate to the Lord our God. And we know that both Samson and St John the Baptist were chosen to liberate the Israelites, the first from the philistines and the latter from their sins by pointing the way back to God and preparing the way of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ through whom all are saved.

Lord Jesus I come to do Your Will. Amen

First reading

Judges 13:2-7,24-25 ·
‘You will conceive and bear a son’

There was a man of Zorah of the tribe of Dan, called Manoah. His wife was barren, she had borne no children. The angel of the Lord appeared to this woman and said to her, ‘You are barren and have had no child. But from now on take great care. Take no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean. For you will conceive and bear a son. No razor is to touch his head, for the boy shall be God’s nazirite from his mother’s womb. It is he who will begin to rescue Israel from the power of the Philistines.’ Then the woman went and told her husband, ‘A man of God has just come to me; his presence was like the presence of the angel of God, he was so majestic. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not reveal his name to me. But he said to me, “You will conceive and bear a son. From now on, take no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean. For the boy shall be God’s nazirite from his mother’s womb to his dying day.”’
The woman gave birth to a son and called him Samson. The child grew, and the Lord blessed him; and the spirit of the Lord began to move him.

Gospel

Luke 1:5-25
‘Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son’

In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron. Both were worthy in the sight of God, and scrupulously observed all the commandments and observances of the Lord. But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both getting on in years.
Now it was the turn of Zechariah’s section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God when it fell to him by lot, as the ritual custom was, to enter the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense there. And at the hour of incense the whole congregation was outside, praying.
Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense. The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear. But the angel said to him, ‘Zechariah, do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you must name him John. He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must drink no wine, no strong drink. Even from his mother’s womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and he will bring back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah, he will go before him to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and the disobedient back to the wisdom that the virtuous have, preparing for the Lord a people fit for him.’
Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel who stand in God’s presence, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. Listen! Since you have not believed my words, which will come true at their appointed time, you will be silenced and have no power of speech until this has happened.’ Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he stayed in the sanctuary so long. When he came out he could not speak to them, and they realised that he had received a vision in the sanctuary. But he could only make signs to them, and remained dumb.
When his time of service came to an end he returned home. Some time later his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept to herself. ‘The Lord has done this for me’ she said ‘now that it has pleased him to take away the humiliation I suffered among men.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 18, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Through the obedience and faithfulness of both our Blessed Mother and St Joseph, God came and dwelled among us.

Our Lord Jesus Christ came that we might fully be united with Him, to gather everyone on to Himself. And so great is His love for us He designed a way to be with us through all the centuries to come till His return. His real presence, body, blood, soul and divinity in Holy Eucharist. And so each and every time we receive Him at Holy Eucharist we can cry out, Emmanuel! Amen

First reading

Jeremiah 23:5-8 ·
I will raise a virtuous Branch for David

See, the days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks – when I will raise a virtuous Branch for David, who will reign as true king and be wise, practising honesty and integrity in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved and Israel dwell in confidence. And this is the name he will be called: The-Lord-our-integrity.

So, then, the days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks – when people will no longer say, “As the Lord lives who brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt!” but, “As the Lord lives who led back and brought home the descendants of the House of Israel out of the land of the North and from all the countries to which he had dispersed them, to live on their own soil.”

Gospel

Matthew 1:18-24
How Jesus Christ came to be born

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 17, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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How wonderful it is to know that God our Father can make crooked lines straight, He can fill in the gaps and everything is seamless, made flawless by His hand.

Many of us can testify to this fact in many aspects of our lives be it at home, church, work or elsewhere. We see this more evidently in our salvation history and it is breath taking if we open the eyes of our heart to see. Instead of looking through the genealogy of Jesus simply as a list of hard to pronounce names, see how we are in a sense intertwined with His history. The lines were not always straight in that many were sinners and not in a mild sense. Then we see how through God our Father’s hand Jesus becomes the son of Joseph by adoption through His mother Mary. Then perhaps we can finally see that blood is not necessarily thicker than water! For through the water of our baptism we had become sons and daughters of God our Father through His Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen

First reading

Genesis 49:2,8-10 ·
Until he comes, the sceptre will not pass from Judah

Jacob called his sons and said:

‘Gather round, sons of Jacob, and listen;
listen to Israel your father.
Judah, your brothers shall praise you:
you grip your enemies by the neck,
your father’s sons shall do you homage,
Judah is a lion cub,
you climb back, my son, from your kill;
like a lion he crouches and lies down,
or a lioness: who dare rouse him?
The sceptre shall not pass from Judah,
nor the mace from between his feet,
until he come to whom it belongs,
to whom the peoples shall render obedience.’

Gospel

Matthew 1:1-17
The ancestry of Jesus Christ, the son of David

A genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, Tamar being their mother,
Perez was the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram was the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon was the father of Boaz, Rahab being his mother,
Boaz was the father of Obed, Ruth being his mother,
Obed was the father of Jesse;
and Jesse was the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,
Solomon was the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa,
Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Azariah,
Azariah was the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah;
and Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers.
Then the deportation to Babylon took place.
After the deportation to Babylon:
Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor was the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud was the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob;
and Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary;
of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.

The sum of generations is therefore: fourteen from Abraham to David; fourteen from David to the Babylonian deportation; and fourteen from the Babylonian deportation to Christ.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 16, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Does the Lord our God need to justify His action or inaction? We are so caught up in the dealings in the secular world that the Lord our God too must be subjected to an audit! Provide justification, timeliness and corrective actions. Really who is subject to the authority of whom?

Our Lord of Lords, King of Kings has indeed come but not to make His dominion felt. In fact He is closest to those who are powerless and not those in power! Those of us who feel powerless in this world know that we have a powerful ally whose power trancends all. We only need to subject ourselves to His authority. Having done so there will be no room for complaints lest we have not fully surrendered to Him. Peace reigns in our hearts as we wait patiently for our Lord to make all things new.

Lord Jesus come reign my heart, now and always. Amen

First Reading

Numbers 24:2-7,15-17 ·
The oracles of Balaam

Raising his eyes Balaam saw Israel, encamped by tribes; the spirit of God came on him and he declaimed his poem. He said:

‘The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes, the oracle of one who hears the word of God.
He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened.
How fair are your tents, O Jacob!
How fair your dwellings, Israel!
Like valleys that stretch afar,
like gardens by the banks of a river,
like aloes planted by the Lord,
like cedars beside the waters!
A hero arises from their stock,
he reigns over countless peoples.
His king is greater than Agag,
his majesty is exalted.’

Then Balaam declaimed his poem again. He said:

‘The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes, the oracle of one who hears the word of God, of one who knows the knowledge of the Most High.
He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened.
I see him – but not in the present,
I behold him – but not close at hand:
a star from Jacob takes the leadership,
a sceptre arises from Israel.’

Gospel

Matthew 21:23-27
‘I will not tell you my authority for acting like this’

Jesus had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and said, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?’ ‘And I’ replied Jesus ‘will ask you a question, only one; if you tell me the answer to it, I will then tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism: where did it come from: heaven or man?’ And they argued it out this way among themselves, ‘If we say from heaven, he will retort, “Then why did you refuse to believe him?”; but if we say from man, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ So their reply to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ And he retorted, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.’

Personal Reflection

Posted: December 15, 2019 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys, Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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In last night’s LISS Session which happened to be the very last. Fr spoke on the topic ‘Be my witnesses’ which was a very impactful talk with many takeaways. Three and not in the order it was presented, neither is it verbatim but coupled with my own personal reflection and take are…

We cannot keep coming, coming, coming, coming, for formation talks, retreats, LISS, CER, and so on. We must also GO! Go make disciples of all nations, Go share the love of God, Go glorifying God by our lives. Go share that the kingdom of God is at hand! After all at the end of every mass we are sent but we do not GO! We just keep coming back.

We need to pray for boldness and zeal for God our Father’s house! So that we can stop living on the surface of our safe, comfortable faith lves. We need to grow deeper in our faith, by falling more deeply in love our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ. Our love for Him must be seen and heard by putting into action the love and conviction in caring for His sheep, all His sheep even those from different folds. We must boldly proclaim Christ had come, Christ had died for our sins, He rose from the dead so that we might have life to the full in Him and that He will come again! We must be seen living in the light of our Lord’s resurrection.

We need to have faith in others, affirm and pray for them. Provide opportunities for them to spread their wings and fly! And if they fall be there to help them up and encourage them to fly again so that they might soar higher then before through the grace of God. I share this from personal experience!

A good and loving Shepherd after Jesus’s heart saw in me what I and no others saw at that time he saw a man of God, a disciple. Just as our Lord did, he beckoned me to come and see. Over the years he encouraged and provided many opportunities for me to learn and grow. Many a time he threw me into the deep end, having faith that if I did not swim, I would somehow float. Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself giving formation talks, sharing and giving testimony before the whole Church. Even being part of a team to form future leaders in our Parish. Truly it has been surreal indeed! And it all started with a spark of hope, trust and faith by our Lord’s shepherd. It enkindled in me a fire to love and serve my Lord and my brethren. The loving shepherd has moved on to shepherd his other flock still I will always remain grateful and thankful to him for leading me into the loving embrace of my Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise and glory be to our Lord Jesus. Amen

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 14, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Who will prepare my people for when I come again?

Here I am Lord send me!

Who will point the way to my kingdom through the repentance of sin and conversion of hearts?

Here I am Lord, send me!

Who will comfort, care and love them till I return?

Here I am Lord, send me!

Lord I stand ready to greet You when You come again and to herald Your arrival. Amen

St John of the cross pray for us….

First reading

Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4,9-12
The prophet Elijah will come again

The prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch.
It was he who brought famine on the people, and who decimated them in his zeal.
By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens, he also, three times, brought down fire.
How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah!
Has anyone reason to boast as you have?
Taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses;
designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob,
Happy shall they be who see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love.

Gospel

Matthew 17:10-13
Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him

As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 13, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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In a blink of an eye we are fast approaching the third Sunday of Advent. It is time to pause and reflect on how well we have been responding to God’s call to deepen our relationship with Him during this season of Advent. Have we been steadfast in our observances? Are we more prayerful? Have we been more charitable with our time? More merciful and forgiving of others? Have we grown in holiness? Have we touched anyone with a simple act of kindness? Have we spoken to anyone of God’s love for us and for them? If we have Not done any of the above then is it not time to reconsider? To turn our hearts to our Lord Jesus Christ so that He transform us from within so as to live in the Holy Spirit in His love.

Sisters and brothers let us look ahead as we live in the light of our Risen Lord. Let the excitement build as we prepare our hearts in anticipation of His second coming, for soon Gaudete Sunday will be upon us and we rejoice a little as One family in Christ our Lord. Amen

First reading

Isaiah 48:17-19 ·
If you had been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a river

Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is good for you, I lead you in the way that you must go.
If only you had been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a river, your integrity like the waves of the sea.
Your children would have been numbered like the sand, your descendants as many as its grains.
Never would your name have been cut off or blotted out before me.

Gospel

Matthew 11:16-19
The Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you

Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘What description can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:

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

‘For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 12, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Our only aim must be to enter the kingdom of Heaven. To be with our Heavenly Father. Just as Elijah proclaimed this, and we know it to be true in our hearts; there is but one God alone whom we must all worship and adore. For the Lord our God had loved us first from the very beginning and will love us to the end.

Let us then heed the call of St John the baptist to repent of our sins and to turn back to God. He had pointed the way to our Redeemer, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Through Him alone, we shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven where He reigns forever. Therefore how ever many times we might have been distracted, and fallen back into sin let us turn our gaze back to the loving face of our Lord and see that He still loves us. He is the lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world and He will have mercy on us when we turn to Him with our contrite hearts. Amen

Our Lady of Guadalupe pray for us…

First reading

Isaiah 41:13-20 ·
I, the Holy One of Israel, am your redeemer

I, the Lord, your God,
I am holding you by the right hand;
I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid,
I will help you.’need

Do not be afraid, Jacob, poor worm,
Israel, puny mite.
I will help you – it is the Lord who speaks –
the Holy One of Israel is your redeemer.

See, I turn you into a threshing-sled,
new, with doubled teeth;
you shall thresh and crush the mountains,
and turn the hills to chaff.

You shall winnow them and the wind will blow them away,
the gale will scatter them.
But you yourself will rejoice in the Lord,
and glory in the Holy One of Israel.

The poor and needy ask for water, and there is none,
their tongue is parched with thirst.
I, the Lord, will answer them,
I, the God of Israel, will not abandon them.

I will make rivers well up on barren heights,
and fountains in the midst of valleys;
turn the wilderness into a lake,
and dry ground into waterspring.

In the wilderness I will put cedar trees,
acacias, myrtles, olives.
In the desert I will plant juniper,
plane tree and cypress side by side;

so that men may see and know,
may all observe and understand
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Gospel

Matthew 11:11-15

Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. Since John the Baptist came, up to this present time, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent are taking it by storm. Because it was towards John that all the prophecies of the prophets and of the Law were leading; and he, if you will believe me, is the Elijah who was to return. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen!’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 11, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Oh how easily tired I got and frustrated with life in general, church ministry, community and so on. Till I came to the realisation that I was running on my own steam, my own strength, my own wisdom; when I absolutely did not have to! I have Jesus! All I have to do is deepen my relationship with Him through prayer and His Word. Keep my focus on Him as I do His Will for me and all else is taken care of. Literally the Lord is my Shepherd there is nothing I shall want.

Makes no difference to me anymore if things don’t change or move as swiftly as I would like. If mindsets stay the same through stubbornness. I am not in charge, my Lord is. All in His time, through His grace. I simply do as I am called to do. I stay yoked to my Lord, His wisdom, most importantly His love.

Jesus my Lord, I rest in Your love. Amen

First reading

Isaiah 40:25-31 ·
The Lord strengthens the powerless

‘To whom could you liken me
and who could be my equal?’ says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look. Who made these stars if not he who drills them like an army, calling each one by name? So mighty is his power, so great his strength, that not one fails to answer.

How can you say, Jacob, how can you regularised, Israel, ‘My destiny is hidden from the Lord, my rights are ignored by my God’?
Did you not know?
Had you not heard?

The Lord is an everlasting God,
he created the boundaries of the earth.
He does not grow tired or weary, his understanding is beyond fathoming.
He gives strength to the wearied, he strengthens the powerless.
Young men may grow tired and weary,
youths may stumble, but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength, they put out wings like eagles.
They run and do not grow weary,
walk and never tire.

Gospel

Matthew 11:28-30
My yoke is easy and my burden light

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 9, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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How wonderful it must have been to be born without sin. To walk with the Lord our God in Holiness, joy and peace in our hearts. Instead of aspiring to achieve greater holiness through fidelity, we turned our eyes instead to that we were explicitly told to avoid. In choosing so we severed our connection to the vine, the source of life.

In His great mercy and love for us, God our Father through His infinite grace; chose a young girl to be born without sin so that she might bear His only begotten Son, the light and hope of all into the world. The same free Will was accorded to our Blessed Mother and she chose fidelity to God over all else. By her faithfulness, she brought forth the Saviour of the world, who will reconcile all God our Father’s children to Himself. The vine and the branches become One as it should be.

All of us have a choice to make this Second holy week of Advent, do we go about our merry way as we have always done so? Or do we seek to be fully reconciled so as to grow in Holiness, to have a complete change of heart through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. To prepare room in our hearts for the indwelling of our Lord and Saviour. Amen

Holy Mary mother of God, pray for us….

First reading

Genesis 3:9-15,20 ·
‘The offspring of the woman will crush your head’

After Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ he replied ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’ ‘Who told you that you were naked?’ he asked ‘Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?’ The man replied, ‘It was the woman you put with me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’ Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman replied, ‘The serpent tempted me and I ate.’
Then the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this,

‘Be accursed beyond all cattle,
all wild beasts.
You shall crawl on your belly and eat dust
every day of your life.
I will make you enemies of each other:
you and the woman,
your offspring and her offspring.
It will crush your head
and you will strike its heel.’

The man named his wife ‘Eve’ because she was the mother of all those who live.

Second reading

Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12 ·
Before the world was made, God chose us in Christ

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ.
Before the world was made, he chose us, chose us in Christ, to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence,
determining that we should become his adopted sons, through Jesus Christ
for his own kind purposes, to make us praise the glory of his grace, his free gift to us in the Beloved, And it is in him that we were claimed as God’s own, chosen from the beginning, under the predetermined plan of the one who guides all things as he decides by his own will; chosen to be, for his greater glory, the people who would put their hopes in Christ before he came.

Gospel

Luke 1:26-38
‘I am the handmaid of the Lord’

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.

Second Sunday in Advent

Posted: December 7, 2019 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys
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Kingdom Come: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Second Sunday in Advent

Readings:

Isaiah 11:1–10
Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 12–13, 17
Romans 15:4–9
Matthew 3:1–12

“The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” John proclaims. And the liturgy today paints us a vivid portrait of our new king and the shape of the kingdom He has come to bring.
The Lord whom John prepares the way for in today’s Gospel is the righteous king prophesied in today’s First Reading and Psalm. He is the king’s son, the son of David—a shoot from the root of Jesse, David’s father (see Ruth 4:17).

He will be the Messiah, anointed with the Holy Spirit (see 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39; Psalm 2:2), endowed with the seven gifts of the Spirit—wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

He will rule with justice, saving the poor from the ruthless and wicked. His rule will be not only over Israel—but will extend from sea to sea, to the ends of the earth. He will be a light, a signal to all nations. And they will seek Him and pay Him homage.
In Him, all the tribes of the earth will find blessing. The covenant promise to Abraham (see Genesis 12:3), renewed in God’s oath to David (see Psalm 89:4,28), will be fulfilled in His dynasty. And His name will be blessed forever.

In Christ, God confirms His oath to Israel’s patriarchs, Paul tells us in today’s Epistle. But no longer are God’s promises reserved solely for the children of Abraham. The Gentiles, too, will glorify God for His mercy. Once strangers, in Christ they will be included in “the covenants of promise” (see Ephesians 2:12).

John delivers this same message in the Gospel. Once God’s chosen people were hewn from the rock of Abraham (see Isaiah 51:1–2). Now, God will raise up living stones (see 1 Peter 2:5)—children of Abraham born not of flesh and blood but of the Spirit.
This is the meaning of the fiery baptism He brings—making us royal heirs of the kingdom of heaven, the Church.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 7, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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This year’s LISS (life in the spirit seminar) journey has given me a new perspective on Today’s first reading and Gospel.

In order for conversion of hearts there must be repentance first before God’s grace can flow. And so the bread of suffering and water of distress teaches us the effects of sin in our lives. How lost we were without our Lord in our lives. Then when we cry out to the Lord for mercy, He comes swiftly to heal, restore and nourish us. In the early weeks of the LISS, participants learn of just how much God our Father loves each and everyone of them. They begin to see how disordered their lives had become by not placing our Lord above all. Slowly but surely His grace begins to flow into their lives as they move towards full reconciliation with the Lord their God. They are then ready for the full outpouring of His love and grace through the Holy Spirit.

The LISS team and facilitators are the labourers! And the labourers are indeed few! Who wants to be a labourer? One who has to be invested and committed every week for nine weeks. To journey with, hand hold, pray fervently for and with the flock entrusted to their care. So that they can have a deep conversion experience, encounter the Lord in all His glory and become disciples (labourers) themselves. It is truly a labour of love! So then can such a labourer check their schedules to pick and choose when she or he is available to the flock? Yes Lord send me… But in my own time please? What I will and will not do? You receive without charge, give without charge! In other words no pre-conditions! Love freely and unconditionally. Only then we will see the fruits of our labour through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here I am Lord send me! Amen

First reading

Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26 ·
The Lord God will be gracious to you and hear your cry

Thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:
People of Zion, you will live in Jerusalem and weep no more. He will be gracious to you when he hears your cry; when he hears he will answer. When the Lord has given you the bread of suffering and the water of distress, he who is your teacher will hide no longer, and you will see your teacher with your own eyes. Whether you turn to right or left, your ears will hear these words behind you, ‘This is the way, follow it.’ He will send rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the bread that the ground provides will be rich and nourishing. Your cattle will graze, that day, in wide pastures. Oxen and donkeys that till the ground will eat a salted fodder, winnowed with shovel and fork. On every lofty mountain, on every high hill there will be streams and watercourses, on the day of the great slaughter when the strongholds fall. Then moonlight will be bright as sunlight and sunlight itself be seven times brighter – like the light of seven days in one – on the day the Lord dresses the wound of his people and heals the bruises his blows have left.

Gospel

Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8
The harvest is rich but the labourers are few

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.
And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
He summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 6, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Jesus loves you and me personally. As we journey on towards the second week of Advent let our hearts be filled with hope. For our Lord wants to restore what is lost, to heal us and fill the void in our lives. Jesus is never deaf nor blind to our pleas and He will surely answer us when we call out to Him in faith.

Let us no longer grope and stumble in darkness nor cling to our sordid past. Hear His call to holiness as He commands us to open our eyes to see the light of our faith. Let us gaze upon His glory as we bear His light to all we meet, illuminating the way to Him.

Open my eyes to see You Lord, open my ears to hear You, open my heart to feel You, open my lips to praise You. Let me glorify You by my hands and feet. Amen

First reading

Isaiah 29:17-24 ·
In a very short time, the deaf will hear and the eyes of the blind will see

The Lord says this:

In a short time, a very short time,
shall not Lebanon become fertile land and fertile land turn into forest?
The deaf, that day, will hear the words of a book and, after shadow and darkness, the eyes of the blind will see.

But the lowly will rejoice in the Lord even more and the poorest exult in the Holy One of Israel; for tyrants shall be no more, and scoffers vanish, and all be destroyed who are disposed to do evil: those who gossip to incriminate others, those who try at the gate to trip the arbitrator and get the upright man’s case dismissed for groundless reasons.

Therefore the Lord speaks,
the God of the House of Jacob,
Abraham’s redeemer:
No longer shall Jacob be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale, for he shall see what my hands have done in his midst,
he shall hold my name holy.
They will hallow the Holy One of Jacob, stand in awe of the God of Israel.
Erring spirits will learn wisdom
and murmurers accept instruction.

Gospel

Matthew 9:27-31
‘Take care that no-one learns about this’

As Jesus went on his way two blind men followed him shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up with him and he said to them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you.’ And their sight returned. Then Jesus sternly warned them, ‘Take care that no one learns about this.’ But when they had gone, they talked about him all over the countryside.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 5, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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I have often pondered why certain ministries, communities even families do not grow in love, unity and simply go about serving with little happiness rather than joy in their hearts. The reason as I see it, is that there is too much individualism going on and everyone builds their own sandcastles. Some bigger and more intricate than others depending on their own strengths and talents. Prayer if any are devotionals so that little thought or effort goes into conversing with God. They will definitely pray a little more when they or someone dear to them is in dire need. Collective prayer is not their cup of tea and Adoration of our Lord is a private affair. They do not see the need to attend prayer meetings and reflections choosing to remain with what is comfortable for them. All it takes is a gale of wind in the form of change, challenges, disagreement and so on; and everything crumbles to dust!

Disciples come together first and foremost to praise and worship the Lord their God. Their prayers are primarily of thanksgiving and heartfelt gratitude. They pray and often together to discern His Will for them. If they build, they build upon their Rock, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And it is His Kingdom alone they seek to build. If they build ‘Castles’ at all, it is only to protect the weak, those who cannot fend for themselves against evil. They serve one and all with much, joy, peace and love. Most of all with great charity and mercy.

Lord Jesus Christ You are my Rock, now and forever. Amen

First reading

Isaiah 26:1-6 ·

Open the gates; let the upright nation come in

That day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city; to guard us he has set
wall and rampart about us.
Open the gates! Let the upright nation come in, she, the faithful one whose mind is steadfast, who keeps the peace, because she trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord is the everlasting Rock; he has brought low those who lived high up in the steep citadel; he brings it down, brings it down to the ground, flings it down in the dust: the feet of the lowly, the footsteps of the poor trample on it.

Gospel

Matthew 7:21,24-27
The wise man built his house on a rock

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 4, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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O Loving Father in Heaven, great is Your love for us that You Will that we be with You forever. We give You our heartfelt thanks for Jesus Your Son whom You sent to atone for and liberate us from our sins though He was sinless. A victim of our sins sacrificed that we might be fully reconciled to have new life with You. Divinity came down to touch humanity, to carry it lovingly up to Heaven. Where we will rejoice forever at the Heavenly Banquet that awaits us. How great are You O Lord my God!

Our life began at birth and You O Lord watched us grow to maturity, providing us with all that we needed for nourishment, sustenance that we might grow strong to live in Your love, to love and serve our brethren. Likewise in our Spiritual life! Spiritual birth is given by our Baptism, growth to spiritual maturity is given by Confirmation, and spiritual nourishment is given by the Holy Eucharist. For our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ did not leave us orphans, He devised a way for us to share in His humanity as well as His divinity till one day soon we are fully united with Him in Heaven. Till then we have a foretaste of the eternal banquet. How great are You O Lord my God!

O Sacrament most Holy, O Sacrament Divine! All praise and all Thanksgiving be every moment Thine! Amen alleluia

First reading

Isaiah 25:6-10 ·
The Lord will prepare a banquet for every nation

On this mountain,
the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines, of food rich and juicy, of fine strained wines.
On this mountain he will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples, and the shroud enwrapping all nations, he will destroy Death for ever.
The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek;
he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth,
for the Lord has said so.
That day, it will be said: See, this is our God in whom we hoped for salvation; the Lord is the one in whom we hoped.
We exult and we rejoice that he has saved us; for the hand of the Lord rests on this mountain.

Gospel

Matthew 15:29-37
The crowds praised the God of Israel

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 3, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Oh how I’d imagine the lush beauty of the garden of Eden! Vibrant colours all around me, flowers, plants, trees of every magnificent stature reaching to the sky. Waterfalls and wellsprings positioned by the master architect intricately beautified by greenery, rock formations, even rainbows. Abundant fruits, vegetation and meat. Peace, love, joy in my heart with perfect union with my other half and the Lord my God. Why would it not be enough? Why was it not enough father Adam? mother Eve?

Lord let me hear you say to me, sinner that I am turning to you with all my heart, “Son this very day you will be with me in paradise.” For I want nothing more than to be with You my Lord and my God. To have Your peace and love reign in my heart. True joy abounds when You Lord dwell within me. If only all should desire You the way I do this very day, then surely we will all already be in paradise. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done. Now and forever. Amen

St Francis Xavier pray for us….

First reading

Isaiah 11:1-10 ·
A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse

A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse,
a scion thrusts from his roots:
on him the spirit of the Lord rests,
a spirit of wisdom and insight,
a spirit of counsel and power,
a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
(The fear of the Lord is his breath.)
He does not judge by appearances, he gives no verdict on hearsay, but judges the wretched with integrity, and with equity gives a verdict for the poor of the land.
His word is a rod that strikes the ruthless,
his sentences bring death to the wicked.

Integrity is the loincloth round his waist,
faithfulness the belt about his hips.

The wolf lives with the lamb, the panther lies down with the kid, calf and lion feed together, with a little boy to lead them.
The cow and the bear make friends, their young lie down together.
The lion eats straw like the ox.
The infant plays over the cobra’s hole;
into the viper’s lair the young child puts his hand.
They do no hurt, no harm, on all my holy mountain, for the country is filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters swell the sea.

That day, the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples.
It will be sought out by the nations
and its home will be glorious.

Gospel

Luke 10:21-24
No-one knows who the Son is except the Father

Filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, Jesus said:
‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’
Then turning to his disciples he spoke to them in private, ‘Happy the eyes that see what you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 2, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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O hide me in the shadow of your wings O Lord my loving God!

Look not upon my sins Lord but on my faith, as I in revere You as truly Lord of lords, King of kings. Reign in my heart always.

O hide me in the shadow of your wings O Lord my loving God!

Yes indeed Lord I am not worthy that You should come dwell within me, yet it is only You who could make me worthy.

O hide me in the shadow of your wings O Lord my loving God!

Hear my prayers Lord for my loved ones for Your Word alone gives new life. Grant that I may intercede successfully for those who are in need of your mercy and grace yet are not able to pray for themselves.

O hide me in the shadow of your wings O Lord my loving God!

Lord Jesus help my faith grow stronger and deeper this Advent that You might find your servant eager, fully awake and alive in You love upon Your return. Amen

O hide me in the shadow of your wings O Lord my loving God!

First reading

Isaiah 4:2-6 ·
The fruit of the earth shall be the pride and adornment of Israel’s survivors

That day, the branch of the Lord
shall be beauty and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be the pride and adornment of Israel’s survivors.
Those who are left of Zion
and remain of Jerusalem shall be called holy and those left in Jerusalem, noted down for survival.

When the Lord has washed away
the filth of the daughter of Zion
and cleansed Jerusalem of the blood shed in her with the blast of judgement and the blast of destruction, the Lord will come and rest on the whole stretch of Mount Zion and on those who are gathered there, a cloud by day, and smoke, and by night the brightness of a flaring fire.
For, over all, the glory of the Lord
will be a canopy and a tent
to give shade by day from the heat, refuge and shelter from the storm and the rain.

Gospel

Matthew 8:5-11
‘I am not worthy to have you under my roof: give the word, and my servant will be healed’

When Jesus went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘my servant is lying at home paralysed, and in great pain.’ ‘I will come myself and cure him’ said Jesus. The centurion replied, ‘Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured. For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this. And I tell you that many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.’

First Sunday in Advent

Posted: November 30, 2019 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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In a Dark Hour: Scott Hahn Reflects on the First Sunday in Advent

Readings:

Isaiah 2:1–5
Psalm 122:1–9
Romans 13:11–14
Matthew 24:37–44

Jesus exaggerates in today’s Gospel when He claims not to know the day or the hour when He will come again.
He occasionally makes such overstatements to drive home a point we might otherwise miss (see Matthew 5:34; 23:9; Luke 14:26).
His point here is that the exact “hour” is not important. What is crucial is that we not postpone our repentance, that we be ready for Him—spiritually and morally—when He comes. For He will surely come, He tells us—like a thief in the night, like the flood in the time of Noah.

In today’s Epistle, Paul too compares the present age to a time of advancing darkness and night.

Though we sit in the darkness, overshadowed by death, we have seen arise the great light of our Lord who has come into our midst (see Matthew 4:16; John 1:9; 8:12). He is the true light, the life of the world. And His light continues to shine in His Church, the new Jerusalem promised by Isaiah in today’s First Reading.
In the Church, all nations stream to the God of Jacob, to worship and seek wisdom in the House of David. From the Church goes forth His word of instruction, the light of the Lord—that all might walk in His paths toward that eternal day when night will be no more (see Revelation 22:5).

By our Baptism we have been made children of the light and day (see Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5–7). It is time we start living like it—throwing off the fruitless works of darkness, the desires of the flesh, and walking by the light of His grace.

The hour is late as we begin a new Advent. Let us begin again in this Eucharist.
As we sing in today’s Psalm, let us go rejoicing to the House of the Lord. Let us give thanks to His name, keeping watch for His coming, knowing that our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 30, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Are you a Fisher of men?
Each and everyone one of us will have to answer this question? If the answer is no then the follow up question will be why not? If the answer is not yet then what are you waiting for? If your answer is yes, then how many more will you catch for Him?

If Jesus the resurrected Lord is whom you love and believe in, then you surely must be a fisher of men. For how can you, who live in the light of the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ not one others to be saved? God our Father willed that you be saved, that is why He sent His only Begotten Son. So if we are one with our Lord Jesus Christ then surely our wills must be one with His. And so our fight must be for the redemption of souls!

With the same faith and zeal of the apostles, let us leave everything behind to follow after our Lord. Amen

St Andrew pray for us….

First reading

Romans 10:9-18 ·
Faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of Christ

If your lips confess that Jesus is Lord and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved. By believing from the heart you are made righteous; by confessing with your lips you are saved. When scripture says: those who believe in him will have no cause for shame, it makes no distinction between Jew and Greek: all belong to the same Lord who is rich enough, however many ask his help, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But they will not ask his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they have heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent, but as scripture says: The footsteps of those who bring good news are a welcome sound. Not everyone, of course, listens to the Good News. As Isaiah says: Lord, how many believed what we proclaimed? So faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of Christ. Let me put the question: is it possible that they did not hear? Indeed they did; in the words of the psalm, their voice has gone out through all the earth, and their message to the ends of the world.

Gospel

Matthew 4:18-22
‘I will make you fishers of men’

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 29, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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When there is life in our our families, church, communities and we are life giving in our dealings with one another; then truly the kingdom of God is at hand and His reign is established. Jesus the living Word of God reigns in our hearts, minds and souls. For the Son of man, Son of the most high came so that we might have life to the full.

Mighty and powerful kingdoms with all their vainglories have come and gone. Those who seek to build their own kingdoms will perish in the end and will be forgotten. Can we still not see that over the centuries only those who strove to build God’s kingdom are remembered forever. Let us then be counted amongst the Saints who have gone before us.

Abba Father, Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done. Now and forever. Amen

First reading

Daniel 7:2-14 ·
‘I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, one like a son of man’

I, Daniel, have been seeing visions in the night. I saw that the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea; four great beasts emerged from the sea, each different from the other. The first was like a lion with eagle’s wings; and as I looked its wings were torn off, and it was lifted from the ground and set standing on its feet like a man; and it was given a human heart. The second beast I saw was different, like a bear, raised up on one of its sides, with three ribs in its mouth, between its teeth. “Up!” came the command “Eat quantities of flesh!” After this I looked, and saw another beast, like a leopard, and with four bird’s wings on its flanks; it had four heads, and power was given to it. Next I saw another vision in the visions of the night: I saw a fourth beast, fearful, terrifying, very strong; it had great iron teeth, and it ate, crushed and trampled underfoot what remained. It was different from the previous beasts and had ten horns.
While I was looking at these horns, I saw another horn sprouting among them, a little one; three of the original horns were pulled out by the roots to make way for it; and in this horn I saw eyes like human eyes, and a mouth that was full of boasts. As I watched:

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

The great things the horn was saying were still ringing in my ears, and as I watched, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and committed to the flames. The other beasts were deprived of their power, but received a lease of life for a season and a time.

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

Gospel

Luke 21:29-33
My words will never pass away

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 28, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Oh what inspiring faith! You and I should hope to possess the faith of Daniel, to be known as men and women of the One living God. Such that when we are faced with adversity and death, even non believers should fast and unite in prayer for us! How many this very day would be led into a relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by our very own alive and active faith! This is evangelisation of old and new!

The world we live in is filled with folks bent on living in sin and debauchery. They have a disregard for life, and many choose to kill themselves slowly all for little moments of euphoria and ecstasy; through drugs, cigarettes, vaping, alcohol, liberal sexual escapades and so on. Others mock the faith we have in our living God, calling us weak minded. They rely on their ‘own’ strength and wisdom reveling in their successes thinking those who have faith in God will never amount to much. If only all of them knew just how much God our Father loves them all. Still it comes down to free will, everyone has to make on their own choice. They can choose sin which leads to certain death and destruction or choose to live in the light of the Lord our God which leads to eternal life.

Even as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You O Lord Jesus are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. Amen

First reading

Daniel 6:12-28 ·
Daniel in the lions’ den

The presidents and satraps came along in a body and found Daniel praying and pleading with God. They then came to the king and said, ‘Have you not just signed an edict forbidding any man for the next thirty days to pray to anyone, god or man, other than to yourself O king, on pain of being thrown into the lions’ den?’ ‘The decision stands,’ the king replied ‘as befits the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.’ Then they said to the king, ‘O king, this man Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, disregards both you and the edict which you have signed: he is at his prayers three times each day.’ When the king heard these words he was deeply distressed, and determined to save Daniel; he racked his brains until sunset to find some way out. But the men came back in a body to the king and said, ‘O king, remember that in conformity with the law of the Medes and the Persians, no edict or decree can be altered when once issued by the king.’
The king then ordered Daniel to be fetched and thrown into the lion pit. The king said to Daniel, ‘Your God himself, whom you have served so faithfully, will have to save you.’ A stone was then brought and laid over the mouth of the pit; and the king sealed it with his own signet and with that of his noblemen, so that there could be no going back on the original decision about Daniel. The king returned to his palace, spent the night in fasting and refused to receive any of his concubines. Sleep eluded him, and at the first sign of dawn he was up, and hurried off to the lion pit. As he approached the pit he shouted in anguished tones, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God! Has your God, whom you serve so faithfully, been able to save you from the lions?’ Daniel replied, ‘O king, live for ever! My God sent his angel who sealed the lions’ jaws, they did me no harm, since in his sight I am blameless, and I have never done you any wrong either, O king.’ The king was overjoyed, and ordered Daniel to be released from the pit. Daniel was released from the pit, and found to be quite unhurt, because he had trusted in his God. The king sent for the men who had accused Daniel and had them thrown into the lion pit, they, their wives and their children: and they had not reached the floor of the pit before the lions had seized them and crushed their bones to pieces.
King Darius then wrote to men of all nations, peoples and languages throughout the world, ‘May peace be always with you! I decree: in every kingdom of my empire let all tremble with fear before the God of Daniel:

‘He is the living God, he endures for ever,
his sovereignty will never be destroyed
and his kingship never end.
He saves, sets free, and works signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth;
he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.’

Gospel

Luke 21:20-28
There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you must realise that she will soon be laid desolate. Then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in country districts must not take refuge in it. For this is the time of vengeance when all that scripture says must be fulfilled. Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come!
‘For great misery will descend on the land and wrath on this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every pagan country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans until the age of the pagans is completely over.
‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 27, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Little things such as praying grace before and after meals should never ever be a chore! Neither should we be privately, individually or quietly thankful in our hearts in the company of family and friends. If we cannot give thanks and praise to our God who loves us dearly in these little moments of thanksgiving for the food, nourishment that we receive from Him; how can we ever hope to be truly grateful and thankful for the supreme gift of the Holy Eucharist? The source and summit of our faith!

Being thankful to the Lord our God adds nothing to Him, being thankful to Him is grace upon us. For it is our response to His great love and mercy outpoured upon us and a movement towards greater union with Him. The deeper our gratitude the deeper our relationship. Then gradually we will learn to be grateful even for the trials that come out way. For it is through them we draw ever closer to the cross of His love for us and to Him. We can endure all things for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (Rm 14 :8)

First reading

Daniel 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28
The writing on the wall

King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for his noblemen; a thousand of them attended, and he drank wine in company with this thousand. As he sipped his wine, Belshazzar gave orders for the gold and silver vessels to be brought which his father Nebuchadnezzar had looted from the sanctuary in Jerusalem, so that the king, his noblemen, his wives and his singing women could drink out of them. The gold and silver vessels looted from the sanctuary of the Temple of God in Jerusalem were brought in, and the king, his noblemen, his wives and his singing women drank out of them. They drank their wine and praised their gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone. Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared, and began to write on the plaster of the palace wall, directly behind the lamp-stand; and the king could see the hand as it wrote. The king turned pale with alarm: his thigh-joints went slack and his knees began to knock.
Daniel was brought into the king’s presence; the king said to Daniel, ‘Are you the Daniel who was one of the Judaean exiles brought by my father the king from Judah? I am told that the spirit of God Most Holy lives in you, and that you are known for your perception, intelligence and marvellous wisdom. As I am told that you are able to give interpretations and to unravel difficult problems, if you can read the writing and tell me what it means, you shall be dressed in purple, and have a chain of gold put round your neck, and be third in rank in the kingdom.’
Then Daniel spoke up in the presence of the king. ‘Keep your gifts for yourself,’ he said ‘and give your rewards to others. I will read the writing to the king without them, and tell him what it means. You have defied the Lord of heaven, you have had the vessels from his Temple brought to you, and you, your noblemen, your wives and your singing women have drunk your wine out of them. You have praised gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone, which cannot either see, hear or understand; but you have given no glory to the God who holds your breath and all your fortunes in his hands. That is why he has sent the hand which, by itself, has written these words. The writing reads: Mene, Mene, Tekel and Parsin. The meaning of the words is this: Mene: God has measured your sovereignty and put an end to it; Tekel: you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting; Parsin: your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.’

Gospel

Luke 21:12-19
Your endurance will win you your lives

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 26, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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How many funerals have you attended in your lifetime? Well as you grow older you will find yourself attending more and more till you’re too old to attend or its your very own. That being said how many have you attended and heard family or friends speak about the person’s faith life? How she or he touched them by their faith and the way they lived their lives? How truly they must be in heaven and the prayers we pray at their funerals are more for ourselves as they are already in heaven praying for us. No it does not only and always happen at the funerals of priests and religious who have passed on but why should it be rare for the laity? When truly the opposite should be true! So alive was he living in he light of the Resurrection of our Lord! That is what I would like to hear at my funeral, but will the folks say that of me?

The kingdoms we build for ourselves will all come to pass and sooner than we think. Just look around us? In a just short span of say thirty years, many changes have taken place, buildings, sites, food places, favourite haunts, things we cherished no longer exist; perhaps only in our fading memories. The only reality whether we believe it or not is that the Word of God and His kingdom will live forever. From personal experience I am fully alive only when I am building my Lord’s Kingdom and living in His love and light. Even amidst trials and challenges!

So as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD! Amen

First reading
Daniel 2:31-45 ·
Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream

Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar, ‘You have had a vision, O king; this is what you saw: a statue, a great statue of extreme brightness, stood before you, terrible to see. The head of this statue was of fine gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet part iron, part earthenware. While you were gazing, a stone broke away, untouched by any hand, and struck the statue, struck its feet of iron and earthenware and shattered them. And then, iron and earthenware, bronze, silver, gold all broke into small pieces as fine as chaff on the threshing-floor in summer. The wind blew them away, leaving not a trace behind. And the stone that had struck the statue grew into a great mountain, filling the whole earth. This was the dream; now we will explain to the king what it means.
‘You, O king, king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength and glory – the sons of men, the beasts of the field, the birds of heaven, wherever they live, he has entrusted to your rule, making you king of them all – you are the golden head. And after you another kingdom will rise, not so great as you, and then a third, of bronze, which will rule the whole world. There will be a fourth kingdom, hard as iron, as iron that shatters and crushes all. Like iron that breaks everything to pieces, it will crush and break all the earlier kingdoms. The feet you saw, part earthenware, part iron, are a kingdom which will be split in two, but which will retain something of the strength of iron, just as you saw the iron and the clay of the earthenware mixed together. The feet were part iron, part earthenware: the kingdom will be partly strong and partly weak. And just as you saw the iron and the clay of the earthenware mixed together, so the two will be mixed together in the seed of man; but they will not hold together any more than iron will blend with earthenware. In the time of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not pass into the hands of another race: it will shatter and absorb all the previous kingdoms, and itself last for ever – just as you saw the stone untouched by hand break from the mountain and shatter iron, bronze, earthenware, silver and gold. The great God has shown the king what is to take place. The dream is true, the interpretation exact.’

Gospel
Luke 21:5-11
The destruction of the Temple foretold

When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.’ And they put to him this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’
‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 25, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Are we prepared to offer our all to the Lord our God? To exercise obedience, fidelity and to trust Him wholeheartedly? In knowing that our living God of wisdom, power and might will provide for all that we need. How much then is our all? ‘Our two small coins’ representing our thinning means for our existence?

In choosing to forgo certain luxuries but more importantly in our desire to sacrifice for our Lord and for our brethren do we count the cost in doing so? Or do we have faith that our Heavenly Father who loves us ever so dearly will fill in all the gaps. He will give all that we need and more!

O Jesus living fountain of mercy and love, I trust in You. Amen

First reading

Daniel 1:1-6,8-20 ·

Daniel and his companions are trained to be the king’s servants in Babylon

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched on Jerusalem and besieged it. The Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hands, with some of the furnishings of the Temple of God. He took them away to the land of Shinar, and stored the sacred vessels in the treasury of his own gods.

The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to select from the Israelites a certain number of boys of either royal or noble descent; they had to be without any physical defect, of good appearance, trained in every kind of wisdom, well-informed, quick at learning, suitable for service in the palace of the king. Ashpenaz himself was to teach them the language and literature of the Chaldaeans. The king assigned them a daily allowance of food and wine from his own royal table. They were to receive an education lasting for three years, after which they were expected to be fit for the king’s society. Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, who were Judaeans. Daniel, who was most anxious not to defile himself with the food and wine from the royal table, begged the chief eunuch to spare him this defilement; and by the grace of God Daniel met goodwill and sympathy on the part of the chief eunuch. But he warned Daniel, ‘I am afraid of my lord the king: he has assigned you food and drink, and if he sees you looking thinner in the face than the other boys of your age, my head will be in danger with the king because of you.’ At this Daniel turned to the guard whom the chief eunuch had assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He said, ‘Please allow your servants a ten days’ trial, during which we are given only vegetables to eat and water to drink. You can then compare our looks with those of the boys who eat the king’s food; go by what you see, and treat your servants accordingly.’ The man agreed to do what they asked and put them on ten days’ trial. When the ten days were over they looked and were in better health than any of the boys who had eaten their allowance from the royal table; so the guard withdrew their allowance of food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. And God favoured these four boys with knowledge and intelligence in everything connected with literature, and in wisdom; while Daniel had the gift of interpreting every kind of vision and dream. When the period stipulated by the king for the boys’ training was over, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king conversed with them, and among all the boys found none to equal Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. So they became members of the king’s court, and on whatever point of wisdom or information he might question them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

Gospel

Luke 21:1-4

The widow’s mite

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 23, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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As we draw closer to the end of the liturgical calendar for the year and begin preparations for Advent, let us take a moment to reflect on how have we lived out the year? And what if tomorrow never came for us? Are we ready to meet our Lord this very day?

Some very clear signs of whether we are living in the light of our Risen Lord is that we have peace, love and joy in our hearts. We look forward to each day with all its trials and challenges knowing that our Lord is present with us through it all. If and when we fall we turn swiftly back to His loving embrace and are reconciled. For we cherish our union with Him above all. We live out our lives in the service of our Lord and of our brethren.

If the above is not our experience then what is? Are we living with regret? With guilt and shame? With anxiety? Dread and fear of facing tomorrow’s emptiness? Discontent with our lives, always searching and hoping for more. Unable to sit still always on the move. Inward looking only striving to be more, achieve more for yourself in the guise that you are doing so for your immediate family. Church and community is an afterthought if there is any at all.

Sisters and brothers, if we do not strive to love our Lord and our brethren in all our imperfections then how can we have hope to love Him and our brethren perfectly in Heaven? For if we are true believers of Christ Jesus our Lord, then our only goal is to be with Him in paradise. Holiness through Christ is what we must seek always.

Jesus, Son of the living God have mercy on me a sinner. Amen

First reading

1 Maccabees 6:1-13 ·
‘I remember the wrong I did in Jerusalem’

King Antiochus was making his way across the upper provinces; he had heard that in Persia there was a city called Elymais, renowned for its riches, its silver and gold, and its very wealthy temple containing golden armour, breastplates and weapons, left there by Alexander son of Philip, the king of Macedon, the first to reign over the Greeks. He therefore went and attempted to take the city and pillage it, but without success, since the citizens learnt of his intention, and offered him a stiff resistance, whereupon he turned about and retreated, disconsolate, in the direction of Babylon. But while he was still in Persia news reached him that the armies that had invaded the land of Judah had been defeated, and that Lysias in particular had advanced in massive strength, only to be forced to turn and flee before the Jews; these had been strengthened by the acquisition of arms, supplies and abundant spoils from the armies they had cut to pieces; they had overthrown the abomination he had erected over the altar in Jerusalem, and had encircled the sanctuary with high walls as in the past, and had fortified Bethzur, one of his cities. When the king heard this news he was amazed and profoundly shaken; he threw himself on his bed and fell into a lethargy from acute disappointment, because things had not turned out for him as he had planned. And there he remained for many days, subject to deep and recurrent fits of melancholy, until he understood that he was dying. Then summoning all his Friends, he said to them, ‘Sleep evades my eyes, and my heart is cowed by anxiety. I have been asking myself how I could have come to such a pitch of distress, so great a flood as that which now engulfs me – I who was so generous and well-loved in my heyday. But now I remember the wrong I did in Jerusalem when I seized all the vessels of silver and gold there, and ordered the extermination of the inhabitants of Judah for no reason at all. This, I am convinced, is why these misfortunes have overtaken me, and why I am dying of melancholy in a foreign land.’

Gospel

Luke 20:27-40
In God all men are alive

Some Sadducees – those who say that there is no resurrection – approached Jesus and they put this question to him, ‘Master, we have it from Moses in writing, that if a man’s married brother dies childless, the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother. Well then, there were seven brothers. The first, having married a wife, died childless. The second and then the third married the widow. And the same with all seven, they died leaving no children. Finally the woman herself died. Now, at the resurrection, to which of them will she be wife since she had been married to all seven?’
Jesus replied, ‘The children of this world take wives and husbands, but those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels, and being children of the resurrection they are sons of God. And Moses himself implies that the dead rise again, in the passage about the bush where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive.’
Some scribes then spoke up. ‘Well put, Master’ they said – because they would not dare to ask him any more questions.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 22, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Is your sanctuary purified and dedicated to the Lord our God? Do you seek our Lord regularly in the sacrament of reconciliation? Have you made worthy sacrifices to honour, worship and glorify the Lord Your God? Or is your life disordered, in disarray, constantly bartering for more, wheeling and dealing, hedonistic in nature.

Let us prepare our bodies, minds and spirit to receive Christ our King! So that we might hang on His every Word as He dwells within our Holy temples. And so we will rejoice with such resounding joy that all will be drawn to our risen Lord and saviour Jesus Christ by our celebration of life with and in Him. Amen

First reading

1 Maccabees 4:36-37,52-59 ·
Judas and his brothers purify the sanctuary and dedicate it

Judas and his brothers said, ‘Now that our enemies have been defeated, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and dedicate it.’ So they marshalled the whole army, and went up to Mount Zion.
On the twenty-fifth of the ninth month, Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-eight, they rose at dawn and offered a lawful sacrifice on the new altar of holocausts which they had made. The altar was dedicated, to the sound of zithers, harps and cymbals, at the same time of year and on the same day on which the pagans had originally profaned it. The whole message fell prostrate in adoration, praising to the skies him who had made them so successful. For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar, joyfully offering holocausts, communion sacrifices and thanksgivings. They ornamented the front of the Temple with crowns and bosses of gold, repaired the gates and the storerooms and fitted them with doors. There was no end to the rejoicing among the people, and the reproach of the pagans was lifted from them. Judas, with his brothers and the whole assembly of Israel, made it a law that the days of the dedication of the altar should be celebrated yearly at the proper season, for eight days beginning on the twenty-fifth of the month Chislev, with rejoicing and gladness.

Gospel

Luke 19:45-48
You have turned God’s house into a robbers’ den

Jesus went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling. ‘According to scripture,’ he said ‘my house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.’
He taught in the Temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, with the support of the leading citizens, tried to do away with him, but they did not see how they could carry this out because the people as a whole hung on his words.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 21, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Has all the fighting, squabbling, arguing for what you or what they think is right in the ministry or community brought anyone closer to God? Do you achieve democracy by inciting violent protests thereby creating fear and paranoia? In your stand and fight for justice, are the fruits peace, love and joy? The fundamental question we must ask ourselves is the fight we choose, is it for God and His people or with God and His people? If we say it is for God, then does He reign in our hearts, minds and soul? What are the fruits we see?

The prince of peace, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ had come to share the message of God our Father’s endearing love for us. He wills that all His children be with Him for all eternity, living the fullness of life in Him; with His peace, love and joy in our hearts. Are we still not listening? Let us be clear on what our mission is and that is to always do the will of our Heavenly Father, to grow in Holiness as we lead one another to become Holy as He our Heavenly Father is Holy, to love one another as Christ loved us and to lead everyone into His Kingdom. Amen

Pray for us O Holy mother Of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

First reading

1 Maccabees 2:15-29
‘Heaven preserve us from forsaking the Law and its ordinances’

The commissioners of King Antiochus who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modein to make them sacrifice. Many Israelites gathered round them, but Mattathias and his sons drew apart. The king’s commissioners then addressed Mattathias as follows, ‘You are a respected leader, a great man in this town; you have sons and brothers to support you. Be the first to step forward and conform to the king’s decree, as all the nations have done, and the leaders of Judah and the survivors in Jerusalem; you and your sons shall be reckoned among the Friends of the King, you and your sons shall be honoured with gold and silver and many presents.’ Raising his voice, Mattathias retorted, ‘Even if every nation living in the king’s dominions obeys him, each forsaking its ancestral religion to conform to his decrees, I, my sons and my brothers will still follow the covenant of our ancestors. Heaven preserve us from forsaking the Law and its observances. As for the king’s orders, we will not follow them: we will not swerve from our own religion either to right or to left.’ As he finished speaking, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein as the royal edict required. When Mattathias saw this, he was fired with zeal; stirred to the depth of his being, he gave vent to his legitimate anger, threw himself on the man and slaughtered him on the altar. At the same time he killed the king’s commissioner who was there to enforce the sacrifice, and tore down the altar. In his zeal for the Law he acted as Phinehas did against Zimri son of Salu. Then Mattathias went through the town, shouting at the top of his voice, ‘Let everyone who has a fervour for the Law and takes his stand on the covenant come out and follow me.’ Then he fled with his sons into the hills, leaving all their possessions behind in the town.
At this, many who were concerned for virtue and justice went down to the desert and stayed there.

Gospel

Luke 19:41-44
Jesus sheds tears over the coming fate of Jerusalem

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 20, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Do you think the story in Maccabees is highly exaggerated? Perhaps… What mother in her right mind would allow all her precious sons to perish just like that? How then would you account for the Holy martyrs over the centuries? Most of them had a choice, yet they chose the Lord our God over all else? The theological truth contained in the Scripture texts of today is that the Lord our God is Faithful to all who are faithful to Him. And death has no power over us, who live in the presence of our living God. For when it is time for us to die, we know it is only a momentary passing into new life with Him. Will our Lord Jesus Christ find such faith in us today?

From the treasury of His heart, our Lord has given us tenfold gifts and talents that we should build His kingdom. Do we instead bury them in linen cloth refusing to care and use them for His greater glory? Who then have we made the Lord of our lives? Will the Lord we choose to serve faithfully, lead us to everlasting life?

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, You alone are the Lord of my life! Here I am to do Your Will. Amen

First reading

2 Maccabees 7:1,20-31 ·
The creator of the world will give you back both breath and life

There were seven brothers who were arrested with their mother. The king tried to force them to taste pig’s flesh, which the Law forbids, by torturing them with whips and scourges. But the mother was especially admirable and worthy of honourable remembrance, for she watched the death of seven sons in the course of a single day, and endured it resolutely because of her hopes in the Lord. Indeed she encouraged each of them in the language of their ancestors; filled with noble conviction, she reinforced her womanly argument with manly courage, saying to them, ‘I do not know how you appeared in my womb; it was not I who endowed you with breath and life, I had not the shaping of your every part. It is the creator of the world, ordaining the process of man’s birth and presiding over the origin of all things, who in his mercy will most surely give you back both breath and life, seeing that you now despise your own existence for the sake of his laws.’
Antiochus thought he was being ridiculed, suspecting insult in the tone of her voice; and as the youngest was still alive he appealed to him not with mere words but with promises on oath to make him both rich and happy if he would abandon the traditions of his ancestors; he would make him his Friend and entrust him with public office. The young man took no notice at all, and so the king then appealed to the mother, urging her to advise the youth to save his life. After a great deal of urging on his part she agreed to try persuasion on her son. Bending over him, she fooled the cruel tyrant with these words, uttered in the language of their ancestors, ‘My son, have pity on me; I carried you nine months in my womb and suckled you three years, fed you and reared you to the age you are now (and cherished you). I implore you, my child, observe heaven and earth, consider all that is in them, and acknowledge that God made them out of what did not exist, and that mankind comes into being in the same way. Do not fear this executioner, but prove yourself worthy of your brothers, and make death welcome, so that in the day of mercy I may receive you back in your brothers’ company.’
She had scarcely ended when the young man said, ‘What are you all waiting for? I will not comply with the king’s ordinance; I obey the ordinance of the Law given to our ancestors through Moses. As for you, sir, who have contrived every kind of evil against the Hebrews, you will certainly not escape the hands of God.’

Gospel

Luke 19:11-28
The parable of the talents

While the people were listening, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they imagined that the kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there. Accordingly he said, ‘A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and afterwards return. He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds. “Do business with these” he told them “until I get back.” But his compatriots detested him and sent a delegation to follow him with this message, “We do not want this man to be our king.”
‘Now on his return, having received his appointment as king, he sent for those servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made. The first came in and said, “Sir, your one pound has brought in ten.” “Well done, my good servant!” he replied “Since you have proved yourself faithful in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities.” Then came the second and said, “Sir, your one pound has made five.” To this one also he said, “And you shall be in charge of five cities.” Next came the other and said, “Sir, here is your pound. I put it away safely in a piece of linen because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man: you pick up what you have not put down and reap what you have not sown.” “You wicked servant!” he said “Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew I was an exacting man, picking up what I have not put down and reaping what I have not sown? Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest.” And he said to those standing by, “Take the pound from him and give it to the man who has ten pounds.” And they said to him, “But, sir, he has ten pounds…”. “I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
‘“But as for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence.”’
When he had said this he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 19, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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If I were chosen this day to die for my Faith, would I be remembered by my family and friends to have had such dignity, piety dedication, faithfulness, integrity, humility and conviction of faith as did Eleazar! It is one thing to die refusing to profane against the Lord my God, but another to lay down my life lived worthily of Him, such that I might honour and glorify my Lord fully by my death. Will they say, “Ah here was a man who encountered and lived in the presence of our Lord!”

Zacchaeus will always be remembered as a man small in size but great in stature. What might have begun as sheer curiosity, he was then moved by a growing desire to witness the Lord such that he humbled himself to climb a tree. Jesus called out to him, sinner as he was and granted his heart’s desire to be in His presence, for then He welcomed the Lord joyfully into His home. Such was His transformation that He vowed to make good for his past mistakes fourfold and to give half of what He owned to the poor. He thus brought salvation to his home! I can only imagine how his face shone after his Master. And everyone around him would have cried out, “Ah here is a man who encountered and lived in the presence of our Lord!”

Lord Jesus Christ let me always live in Your presence. Amen

First reading

2 Maccabees 6:18-31 ·
‘I will make a good death, eagerly and generously, for the holy laws’

Eleazar, one of the foremost teachers of the Law, a man already advanced in years and of most noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth wide to swallow pig’s flesh. But he, resolving to die with honour rather than to live disgraced, went to the block of his own accord, spitting the stuff out, the plain duty of anyone with the courage to reject what it is not lawful to taste, even from a natural tenderness for his own life. Those in charge of the impious banquet, because of their long-standing friendship with him, took him aside and privately urged him to have meat brought of a kind he could properly use, prepared by himself, and only pretend to eat the portions of sacrificial meat as prescribed by the king; this action would enable him to escape death, by availing himself of an act of kindness prompted by their long friendship. But having taken a noble decision worthy of his years and the dignity of his great age and the well earned distinction of his grey hairs, worthy too of his impeccable conduct from boyhood, and above all of the holy legislation established by God himself, he publicly stated his convictions, telling them to send him at once to Hades. ‘Such pretence’ he said ‘does not square with our time of life; many young people would suppose that Eleazar at the age of ninety had conformed to the foreigners’ way of life, and because I had played this part for the sake of a paltry brief spell of life might themselves be led astray on my account; I should only bring defilement and disgrace on my old age. Even though for the moment I avoid execution by man, I can never, living or dead, elude the grasp of the Almighty. Therefore if I am man enough to quit this life here and now I shall prove myself worthy of my old age, and I shall have left the young a noble example of how to make a good death, eagerly and generously, for the venerable and holy laws.’
With these words he went straight to the block. His escorts, so recently well disposed towards him, turned against him after this declaration, which they regarded as sheer madness. Just before he died under the blows, he groaned aloud and said, ‘The Lord whose knowledge is holy sees clearly that, though I might have escaped death, whatever agonies of body I now endure under this bludgeoning, in my soul I am glad to suffer, because of the awe which he inspires in me.’
This was how he died, leaving his death as an example of nobility and a record of virtue not only for the young but for the great majority of the nation.

Gospel

Luke 19:1-10
Salvation comes to the house of Zacchaeus

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 18, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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How grounded are we in our faith and in our relationship with the Lord our God that nothing or no one can come between us?

Many of us however are content just to follow and observe the rituals of our faith without understanding the depth, the richness and the sacred realities behind them. So then, when challenged as to why we do what we do? Or the legitimacy of being faithful to our God whom we are often blind to, we cave in to the lures of the world! Typically what often follows is a mob mentality. We convince others to follow suit, or when in doubt on whether we ourselves are living as we should, we choose to listen to the loud voices of those cheering us on to live as they do! Never mind that there never is peace of mind or true joy in our hearts. That we are constantly searching for and wanting more. Never mind that we seem discontent with everything and everyone.

Come now, why continue to live in darkness? To be blind to the wonders of God’s great love that surrounds us. To continue to live out shallow meaningless lives. Let us cry out to Him with contrite hearts and spirit, “Jesus Son of the living God, have pity on us!” for surely the doors of heaven will be opened to us as He grants us His mercy and love.

Open our hearts and minds to see You Lord, now and forever. Amen

First reading

1 Maccabees 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-64
The persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes

There grew a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus; once a hostage in Rome, he became king in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. It was then that there emerged from Israel a set of renegades who led many people astray. ‘Come,’ they said ‘let us reach an understanding with the pagans surrounding us, for since we separated ourselves from them many misfortunes have overtaken us.’ This proposal proved acceptable, and a number of the people eagerly approached the king, who authorised them to practise the pagan observances. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, such as the pagans have, disguised their circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant, submitting to the heathen rule as willing slaves of impiety.
Then the king issued a proclamation to his whole kingdom that all were to become a single people, each renouncing his particular customs. All the pagans conformed to the king’s decree, and many Israelites chose to accept his religion, sacrificing to idols and profaning the sabbath. The king erected the abomination of desolation above the altar; and altars were built in the surrounding towns of Judah and incense offered at the doors of houses and in the streets. Any books of the Law that came to light were torn up and burned. Whenever anyone was discovered possessing a copy of the covenant or practising the Law, the king’s decree sentenced him to death.
Yet there were many in Israel who stood firm and found the courage to refuse unclean food. They chose death rather than contamination by such fare or profanation of the holy covenant, and they were executed. It was a dreadful wrath that visited Israel.

Gospel

Luke 18:35-43
‘Son of David, have pity on me’

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

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted: November 16, 2019 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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“Today” is the Day: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:

Malachi 3:19–20
Psalm 98:5–9
2 Thessalonians 3:7–12
Luke 21:5–19

It is the age between our Lord’s first coming and His last. We live in the new world begun by His life, death, Resurrection, and Ascension, by the sending of His Spirit upon the Church. But we await the day when He will come again in glory.
“Lo, the day is coming,” Malachi warns in today’s First Reading. The prophets taught Israel to look for the Day of the Lord, when He would gather the nations for judgment (see Zephaniah 3:8; Isaiah 3:9; 2 Peter 3:7).
Jesus anticipates this day in today’s Gospel. He cautions us not to be deceived by those claiming “the time has come.” Such deception is the background also for today’s Epistle (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3).

The signs Jesus gives His Apostles seem to already have come to pass in the New Testament. In Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation, we read of famines and earthquakes, the Temple’s desolation. We read of persecutions—believers imprisoned and put to death, testifying to their faith with wisdom in the Spirit.

These “signs,” then, show us the pattern for the Church’s life—both in the New Testament and today.
We too live in a world of nations and kingdoms at war. And we should take the Apostles as our “models,” as today’s Epistle counsels. Like them we must persevere in the face of unbelieving relatives and friends, and forces and authorities hostile to God.

As we do in today’s Psalm, we should sing His praises, joyfully proclaim His coming as Lord and King. The Day of the Lord is always a day that has already come and a day still yet to come. It is the “today” of our Liturgy.

The Apostles prayed marana tha—“O Lord come!” (see 1 Corinthians 16:22; Revelation 22:20). In the Eucharist He answers, coming again as the Lord of hosts and the Sun of Justice with its healing rays. It is a mighty sign—and a pledge of that Day to come.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 16, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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The great difficulty in praying with the word of God in our hearts is only ‘great’ by the number of obstacles we place before ourselves. Too tired, no or not enough time in a day, too great a sinner, don’t know how, boring, useless, more pressing things to attend to, unimportant. Which one of these is from the Lord our God?

Jesus tells us to have faith, pray continually and never lose heart. He is saying to us to come to Him sinners that we are and He will transform us from within. Speak to Him, heart to heart and He will listen, then listen with your heart. The Word of God will surely come in the silence and make all things new. For, as the rain and the snow come down from the sky and do not return before having watered the earth, fertilising it and making it germinate to provide seed for the sower and food to eat, so it is with the word that goes from my mouth says our Lord: it will not return to me unfulfilled or before having carried out my good pleasure and having achieved what it was sent to do. Isaiah 55:10–11 The Lord our God indeed will answer all the prayers of His faithful, it may take more time in some instances and the answer to some of our prayers may even be No! Still we will rejoice and sing His praises for He only wants what is best for us. His justice and Will be done always. This is the faith we must have in Him who is always faithful.

Prayer unites us with Him who loves us ever so dearly. Amen

First reading

Wisdom 18:14-16,19:6-9 ·
The Red Sea became an unimpeded way

When peaceful silence lay over all,
and night had run the half of her swift course, down from the heavens, from the royal throne, leapt your all-powerful Word;
into the heart of a doomed land the stern warrior leapt.
Carrying your unambiguous command like a sharp sword, he stood, and filled the universe with death; he touched the sky, yet trod the earth.

For, to keep your children from all harm,
the whole creation, obedient to your commands, was once more, and newly, fashioned in its nature.
Overshadowing the camp thereu was the cloud, where water had been, dry land was seen to rise, the Red Sea became an unimpeded way, the tempestuous flood a green plain; sheltered by your hand, the whole nation passed across, gazing at these amazing miracles.
They were like horses at pasture, they skipped like lambs, singing your praises, Lord, their deliverer.

Gospel

Luke 18:1-8
The parable of the unjust judge

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”’
And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 15, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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As we draw closer to Advent, we will hear more and more of end times and the impending death of Christ Jesus our Lord who will fulfill God our Father’s plan for the salvation of the world. And so what does it all mean for us or to us for that matter? We can choose to start our merry making ahead of time by taking Christ out of Christmas! To focus only on His birth saying Emmanuel had come! And forgetting that the completion of our salvation came through His death and Resurrection! Or we could unite ourselves as one Body In Christ and observe through the wisdom of our Church the season of Advent as preparation to meet our Lord when He comes again. Thereafter at the appropriate time, we will rejoice together and celebrate as one Body In Him.

We are not called to remain in darkness or gloom and that would never happen for us who live in the light of our Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection. For He truly lives in us today, tomorrow and forevermore. We who are baptised must live fully in His love, in the peace He bestowed upon us; with such joy in our hearts that all who do not yet know Jesus our Lord will want to. For they want what we have, of which the world cannot give.

Sisters and brothers let us unite ourselves in prayer and continue to stay awake, standing ready to meet our Lord when He returns. Amen

First reading

Wisdom 13:1-9 ·
How have those who investigated the world been so slow to find its Master?

Naturally stupid are all men who have not known God and who, from the good things that are seen, have not been able to discover Him-who-is, or, by studying the works, have failed to recognise the Artificer.
Fire however, or wind, or the swift air, the sphere of the stars, impetuous water, heaven’s lamps,
are what they have held to be the gods who govern the world.

If, charmed by their beauty, they have taken things for gods, let them know how much the Lord of these excels them, since the very Author of beauty has created them.
And if they have been impressed by their power and energy,
let them deduce from these how much mightier is he that has formed them, since through the grandeur and beauty of the creatures we may, by analogy, contemplate their Author.

Small blame, however, attaches to these men, for perhaps they only go astray in their search for God and their eagerness to find him;
living among his works, they strive to comprehend them. and fall victim to appearances, seeing so much beauty.
Even so, they are not to be excused: if they are capable of acquiring enough knowledge
to be able to investigate the world,
how have they been so slow to find its Master?

Gospel

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

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: November 14, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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We often foolishly think we are much wiser than others. Either we verbally communicate this ‘fact’ by talking down to them or we gloat silently with an air of contempt. If it be true wisdom that we possess why would there be a need to compare? How does wisdom compare with itself? All wisdom as we know it, comes from the Lord our God and the deeper our relationship with Him the wiser we become. Not necessarily by human standards. As we understand it through scripture, the haughty shall never see God, however the humble have seen and are glad. Let your courage revive, you who seek God. (Psalm 69:32) Adam and Eve wanted to know and be like God, yet how could they hope to contain, or hold on to His infinite wisdom within their miniscule bodies or apply it without His timeless experience?

True wisdom as I see it comes from an encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ. Of relooking and rethinking all that we have seen and think we know through and with Him. Of coming into and remaining in His presence. For through His life, death and Resurrection, the Kingdom of God has already come. So in all humility let us seek to deepen our relationship with Him above all else, and through His wisdom and grace may we glorify Him through our loving service of our brethren and of Him. Amen

First reading

Wisdom 7:22-8:1
Wisdom is a breath of the power of God

Within Wisdom is a spirit intelligent, holy,
unique, manifold, subtle, active, incisive, unsullied, lucid, invulnerable, benevolent, sharp, irresistible, beneficent, loving to man,
steadfast, dependable, unperturbed, almighty, all-surveying, penetrating all intelligent, pure and most subtle spirits;
for Wisdom is quicker to move than any motion; she is so pure, she pervades and permeates all things.
She is a breath of the power of God,
pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; hence nothing impure can find a way into her.
She is a reflection of the eternal light,
untarnished mirror of God’s active power,
image of his goodness.
Although alone, she can do all; herself unchanging, she makes all things new.
In each generation she passes into holy souls, she makes them friends of God and prophets; for God loves only the man who lives with Wisdom.
She is indeed more splendid than the sun,
she outshines all the constellations;
compared with light, she takes first place,
for light must yield to night, but over Wisdom evil can never triumph.
She deploys her strength from one end of the earth to the other, ordering all things for good.

Gospel

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

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

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