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On Today’s Gospel

Posted: October 14, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Today this wonderful start of the week we give thanks to the Lord our God for His loving embrace of us His children. Through our baptism we have been inserted into the life, death and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Through Him we have life to the full and hope for eternal life with Him. The hold of sin has been broken and death has been conquered! So while we grief the loss of loved ones dear to us we must stop mourning and rejoice for they have returned to our Lord and are praying for us. We must move forwards with our call to holiness so that we can one day soon be reunited with the Saints who are now in heaven.

On our pilgrim journey as saints on earth, we are called to be the light of Christ. Signs of His everlasting love and mercy. So our job is to point and lead others to Him. This is our mission to preach and teach the Good news of our Risen Lord! Through repentance of sin and the reception of His divine mercy and grace of new life in Him through baptism; the Prince of Peace will reign in our hearts, minds and all of our land!

Jesus my Lord, just as You are the greatest sign of God our Father’s love for His children. Let me be a sign of Your love. Amen

First reading

Romans 1:1-7 ·
Our apostolic mission is to preach the obedience of faith to all pagan nations

From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus who has been called to be an apostle, and specially chosen to preach the Good News that God promised long ago through his prophets in the scriptures.
This news is about the Son of God who, according to the human nature he took was a descendant of David: it is about Jesus Christ our Lord who, in the order of the spirit, the spirit of holiness that was in him, was proclaimed Son of God in all his power through his resurrection from the dead. Through him we received grace and our apostolic mission to preach the obedience of faith to all pagan nations in honour of his name. You are one of these nations, and by his call belong to Jesus Christ. To you all, then, who are God’s beloved in Rome, called to be saints, may God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send grace and peace.

Gospel

Luke 11:29-32
As Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be a sign

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: October 12, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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I had in the past seen today’s Gospel text as a reminder of sorts not to entertain lofty ideas on how blessed we are to bring forth blessings upon on others through the grace of God, but to embrace more deeply the source of all life, the Word of God through faithful obedience. In a milder sense it is a lesson in humility.

But today I see it as Jesus elevating Mary His mother’s Blessedness as a model for all of us to follow. For all her life she heard the word of God and kept it ever so close to her immaculate heart. (Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Lk 2:19) Yes Mary our Blessed mother is blessed indeed among all women for the Word made flesh was born into world through her. And yet more deeply she is Blessed for her total obedience and submission to her Creator who was there from the beginning of time, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. She is truly a wonderful model for us, her humility, faithfulness, gentleness, most of all her great devotion to the Word and love for the Lord our God.

You O Lord are our shelter, our stronghold, our salvation! May we always be true to Your Word as You reign in our hearts. Amen

First reading

Joel 4:12-21 ·
The day of the Lord is near; sun and moon grow dark

The Lord says this:

‘Let the nations rouse themselves, let them march to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for I am going to sit in judgement there on all the nations round.
Put the sickle in: the harvest is ripe; come and tread: the winepress is full, the vats are overflowing, so great is their wickedness!’

Host on host in the Valley of Decision!
For the day of the Lord is near in the Valley of Decision!

Sun and moon grow dark, the stars lose their brilliance. The Lord roars from Zion, makes his voice heard from Jerusalem; heaven and earth tremble.

But the Lord will be a shelter for his people,
a stronghold for the sons of Israel.

‘You will learn then that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain.
Jerusalem will be a holy place, no alien will ever pass through it again.’

When that day comes, the mountains will run with new wine and the hills flow with milk, and all the river beds of Judah
will run with water.
A fountain will spring from the house of the Lord to water the wadi of Acacias. Egypt will become a desolation, Edom a desert waste
on account of the violence done to the sons of Judah whose innocent blood they shed in their country.
But Judah will be inhabited for ever,
Jerusalem from age to age. ‘I will avenge their blood and let none go unpunished’,
and the Lord shall make his home in Zion.

Gospel

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

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: October 11, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Time does not stand still for us. Day by day we awake to a new day, and in that new day we have grown older. Once young and carefree we now carry the world on our shoulders with new aches and pains. Will it be today or tomorrow? That we are called back to our Lord. Whether we want to accept it or not the reality remains that the Kingdom of God is indeed at hand.

We have a choice to make on how we are responding to the call to live in the Lord our God’s Kingdom. We can live fully alive in the Lord our God by living in the Spirit according to His Will and striving day by day to grow in holiness. To dwell in the shadow of His wings. Or we can live shallow empty lives where unclean spirits are ‘welcomed’. We cannot afford to remain lukewarm or choose to live partially in Him, for that is like choosing to leave the doors unlocked in a neighbourhood constantly targeted by robbers!

Lord I choose to gather with You. Be thou my light and my guide. Amen

First reading

Joel 1:13-15,2:1-2 ·
Let all tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming

Priests, put on sackcloth and lament.
Ministers of the altar, wail.
Come, pass the night in sackcloth, you ministers of my God.
For the house of our God has been deprived
of oblation and libation.
Order a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly;
elders, call together all the inhabitants of the country to the house of the Lord your God.
Cry out to the Lord, ‘Oh, what a day! For the day of the Lord is near, it comes as a devastation from Shaddai.’

Sound the trumpet in Zion, give the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the country tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, yes, it is near.

Day of darkness and gloom, day of cloud and blackness. Like the dawn there spreads across the mountains a vast and mighty host, such as has never been before, such as will never be again to the remotest ages.

Gospel

Luke 11:15-26
The finger of God has overtaken you

When Jesus had cast out a devil, some of the people said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.’ Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? – since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils. Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges then. But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.
‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.
‘When an unclean spirit goes out of a man it wanders through waterless country looking for a place to rest, and not finding one it says, “I will go back to the home I came from.” But on arrival, finding it swept and tidied, it then goes off and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and set up house there, so that the man ends up by being worse than he was before.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: October 10, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Be persistent, persevere and endure in other words remain steadfast in your love for the Lord our God. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. (1 Cor 13:7) For His love for us is steadfast and everlasting and by His love we can love the same way.

So too must our prayer and desire to grow in Holiness be steadfast. For through our faithfulness we shall become powerful instruments of His grace. We need only ask and He will give us what we need to build His Kingdom. And we have been granted a powerful ally, the Holy Spirit to guide and counsel us.

May all that we say and do be for the glory of God our Father who loves us dearly. Amen

First reading

Malachi 3:13-20 ·
The day that is coming will burn up the wicked
steadfast
You say harsh things about me, says the Lord. You ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ You say, ‘It is useless to serve God; what is the good of keeping his commands or of walking mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? everlasting. Now we have reached the point when we call the arrogant blessed; yes, they prosper, these evil-doers; they try God’s patience and yet go free.’ This is what those who fear the Lord used to say to one another. But the Lord took note and heard them: a book of remembrance was written in his presence recording those who fear him and take refuge in his name. On the day which I am preparing, says the Lord of Hosts, they are going to be my own special possession. I will make allowances for them as a man makes allowances for the son who obeys him. Then once again you will see the difference between an upright man and a wicked one, between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve him. For the day is coming now, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and the evil-doers will be like stubble. The day that is coming is going to burn them up, says the Lord of Hosts, leaving them neither root nor stalk. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays.

Gospel

Luke 11:5-13
Ask, and it will be given to you

Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: October 9, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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We can just as easily lose the light received in obedience of the Lord our God when our mission is completed out of obligation rather than love. That is love without condition.

Let’s see Today’s first reading in a different way, perhaps you alone witnessed an accident in which a bus drove off road and flipped. You rushed to the crash site to offer assistance. As you draw near you see the passengers are convicts who were being transported to the correction facility. Few you recognise from reading the news papers of their heinous crimes. You want to quickly get back into your car and drive off but your Christian sensibilities and the voice in your head tells you that it is your responsibility to help. So you do everything you can to save them. You learn later on that everyone on that bus survived! Instead of rejoicing or giving thanks to God for His love and mercy you are dismayed. In your mind and heart they deserved to die. How different are you from Jonah?

There are many other forms of prejudices some often subtley hidden even within the hearts of those in Church. There are folks treated as social outcasts egs. Foreign workers, domestic helpers, divorcees, those with same sex attraction to name a few. Are all of these not God’s children? Does God our Father love you any less if the same love and mercy is given to them?

So let us reflect more deeply on the prayer our Lord taught us as we pray…..

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

[‘The Lord’s Prayer ‘is truly the summary of the whole gospel.’ ‘Since the Lord… after handling over the practice of prayer, said elsewhere, ‘Ask and you will receive, ‘ and since everyone has petitions which are peculiar to his circumstances, the regular and appropriate prayer (the Lord’s Prayer) is said first, as the foundation of further desires.’ – Tertullian, De orat. from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 2761.]

First reading

Jonah 4:1-11 ·
Jonah is angry at God’s mercy

Jonah was very indignant; he fell into a rage. He prayed to the Lord and said, ‘Ah, Lord, is not this just as I said would happen when I was still at home? That was why I went and fled to Tarshish: I knew that you were a God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness, relenting from evil. So now, Lord, please take away my life, for I might as well be dead as go on living.’ The Lord replied, ‘Are you right to be angry?’
Jonah then went out of the city and sat down to the east of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, to see what would happen to the city. Then the Lord God arranged that a castor-oil plant should grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head and soothe his ill-humour; Jonah was delighted with the castor-oil plant. But at dawn the next day, God arranged that a worm should attack the castor-oil plant – and it withered.
Next, when the sun rose, God arranged that there should be a scorching east wind; the sun beat down so hard on Jonah’s head that he was overcome and begged for death, saying, ‘I might as well be dead as go on living.’ God said to Jonah, ‘Are you right to be angry about the castor-oil plant?’ He replied, ‘I have every right to be angry, to the point of death.’ The Lord replied, ‘You are only upset about a castor-oil plant which cost you no labour, which you did not make grow, which sprouted in a night and has perished in a night. And am I not to feel sorry for Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, to say nothing of all the animals?’

Gospel

Luke 11:1-4
How to pray

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’
He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:

‘“Father, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come; give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us. And do not put us to the test.”’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: October 8, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Why did the ninevites have an almost instantaneous change of heart? Why would they listen to a stranger shouting out to them to repent of their ways when they were living comfortably?

Many of us like Jonah often choose to run in the opposite direction when called to serve the Lord our God and His people. Especially when chosen to speak up for Lord and to be His mouthpiece. No I cannot, I am not good enough, oh the people are more learned than me they will not listen, why embarrass myself? Besides they are neither family nor friends let their own kind speak to them!

The powerful word of God transforms us from within such that a light shines out and is seen on our faces. I believe this same transformation took place in Jonah. He knew he was being sent by an almighty, merciful and loving God and so proclaimed with conviction to the ninevites what was going to take place if they did not listen. And they saw the face of God as he spoke to them and so they listened and obeyed!

Therefore we must always spend time at the feet of our Lord and be attentive to His Word. His life giving Word will minister to us and transform us from within. We will experience His perfect love for us, grace filled we can go out to minister to others. For we ourselves have experienced the ‘better part’. Amen

First reading

Jonah 3:1-10 ·

The Ninevites repent, and God spares them

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

Gospel

Luke 10:38-42

Martha works; Mary listens

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: October 7, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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We are called first and foremost to Love. Love the Lord your God with all, your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and one another; that is God’s children our fellow sisters and brothers. Loving them with great mercy and compassion as well as undertaking the difficult task of fraternal correction, that it leading them back to the Lord our God by their turning away from sin and steering them towards Holiness.

In today’s Gospel it says a man falls into the hands of brigands and left him half dead. We then see how the priest and Levite had failed to respond to the call to love. I am quite sure they would have responded differently if the man who lay half dead were their own kin, a father, brother even cousin. Here therein lies the real test! Are we able to look at one another through the eyes of God our Father and see one another as truly sisters and brothers? The ‘good’ samaritan is good because He shares in the goodness of the Lord our God who is all loving, merciful and compassionate. He ministers to the man whom he is looks upon as brother. Can we not do likewise? Can the fallen brother look upon us and see Christ who ministers to him?

What about the ‘fallen’ brother who is living a life of sin and who is in darkness? Do we mind our own business and allow him to continue, thinking that he will eventually learn on his own and turn back? If He is someone whom we truly love as a brother will we not want to save his soul?

Jesus my Lord, give me the courage, strength and fortitude to love as you love. May I look upon all You send my way through Your loving eyes. Amen

Our Lady of the Rosary pray for us…

First reading

Jonah 1:1-2:1,11
Jonah flees from his call

The word of the Lord was addressed to Jonah son of Amittai:
‘Up!’ he said ‘Go to Nineveh, the great city, and inform them that their wickedness has become known to me.’ Jonah decided to run away from the Lord, and to go to Tarshish. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish; he paid his fare and went aboard, to go with them to Tarshish, to get away from the Lord. But the Lord unleashed a violent wind on the sea, and there was such a great storm at sea that the ship threatened to break up. The sailors took fright, and each of them called on his own god, and to lighten the ship they threw the cargo overboard. Jonah, however, had gone below and lain down in the hold and fallen fast asleep. The boatswain came upon him and said, ‘What do you mean by sleeping? Get up! Call on your god! Perhaps he will spare us a thought, and not leave us to die.’ Then they said to each other, ‘Come on, let us draw lots to find out who is responsible for bringing this evil on us.’ So they cast lots, and the lot fell to Jonah. Then they said to him, ‘Tell us, what is your business? Where do you come from? What is your country? What is your nationality?’ He replied, ‘I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.’ The sailors were seized with terror at this and said, ‘What have you done?’ They knew that he was trying to escape from the Lord, because he had told them so. They then said, ‘What are we to do with you, to make the sea grow calm for us?’ For the sea was growing rougher and rougher. He replied, ‘Take me and throw me into the sea, and then it will grow calm for you. For I can see it is my fault this violent storm has happened to you.’ The sailors rowed hard in an effort to reach the shore, but in vain, since the sea grew still rougher for them. They then called on the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, do not let us perish for taking this man’s life; do not hold us guilty of innocent blood; for you, the Lord, have acted as you have thought right.’ And taking hold of Jonah they threw him into the sea; and the sea grew calm again. At this the men were seized with dread of the Lord; they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.
The Lord had arranged that a great fish should be there to swallow Jonah; and Jonah remained in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. The Lord spoke to the fish, which then vomited Jonah on to the shore.

Gospel

Luke 10:25-37
The good Samaritan

There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’
But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: October 5, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Yes we have all sinned but after turning back to our Lord we should rejoice for He had liberated us to fully live in His love! No more mourning and groaning and worrying about falling into the next sin. Instead we must make every effort to remain steadfast by frequent reception of the sacraments and growing in love; and our relationship with Jesus through His Word.

Instead of seeking constantly to avoid sin, we should be outward looking; living not for ourselves but to glorify the Lord our God in the service of others. We would then have no time to sin for we will be too busy building His Kingdom. Indeed we have much to rejoice and be glad. For our Saviour has given us much power and strength to conquer evil, to heal, comfort and lead others back to Him.

My fellow children of God our loving Father, let us live according to His Word and Will for us. Amen.

First reading

Baruch 4:5-12,27-29 ·
Take courage, my children, call on God

Take courage, my people, constant reminder of Israel. You were sold to the nations, but not for extermination.
You provoked God; and so were delivered to your enemies, since you had angered your creator by offering sacrifices to demons, not to God.
You had forgotten the eternal God who reared you. You had also grieved Jerusalem who nursed you, for when she saw the anger fall on you from God, she said:

Listen, you neighbours of Zion:
God has sent me great sorrow.
I have seen my sons and daughters taken into captivity, to which they have been sentenced by the Eternal.
I had reared them joyfully; in tears, in sorrow, I watched them go away.
Do not, any of you, exult over me, a widow, deserted by so many; I suffer loneliness because of the sins of my own children, who turned away from the Law of God.

Take courage, my children, call on God:
he who brought disaster on you will remember you.
As by your will you first strayed away from God, so now turn back and search for him ten times as hard; for as he brought down those disasters on you, so will he rescue you and give you eternal joy.

Gospel

Luke 10:17-24
Rejoice that your names are written in heaven

The seventy-two came back rejoicing. ‘Lord,’ they said ‘even the devils submit to us when we use your name.’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you. Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.’
It was then that, filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, he 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: October 4, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Hear the cries of our Lord Jesus Christ calling out to you, to return to His fold. It does not matter what you have done or failed to do. He loves you dearly and wills that you live in the fullness of His love. Do not let obstinacy lead you to your doom for you do not know the time and day you will be called to judgement.

You have wandered too far away from Him if you cannot hear His voice, one that speaks to your heart daily. Now He has come in search of you and is calling out to you to come home to Him. He knows the heavy burdens you carry with you. Give Him the truth of your heart even though He already knows it all. For it is your response in lifting your heart to Him that His healing grace is outpoured. Fully reconciled you will be truly free to love as He loves, living as one with and in Him!

You O Lord are generously merciful, let me never take Your mercy and love for granted. Amen

St Francis of Assisi pray for us….

First reading

Baruch 1:15-22 ·
We have been disobedient to the Lord our God

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

Gospel

Luke 10:13-16
Anyone who rejects me rejects the one who sent me

Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. And still, it will not go as hard with Tyre and Sidon at the Judgement as with you. And as for you, Capernaum, did you want to be exalted high as heaven? You shall be thrown down to hell.
‘Anyone who listens to you listens to me; anyone who rejects you rejects me, and those who reject me reject the one who sent me.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: October 3, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Is the word of God alive and active in your life? Are you dwelling on His Word for you? Are you sharing His Word with others?

The deep spirit-filled relationship and connection with our Lord through His Word must come from our very own lived experience. It is not good enough to read the reflections of others and share them; we must experience our Lord Jesus Christ first hand through His Word. So that the joy and the fire of His love will be enkindled within us coupled with a strong desire to share His love with all that we encounter on our pilgrim journey.

Our mission is the salvation of souls through the preparation of hearts to receive our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a mission of sharing in the Love of our Lord and God and so it makes no difference to us if we are met with rejection. For love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor 13:7) There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7)

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Amen

First reading

Nehemiah 8:1-12 ·
All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law

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

Gospel

Luke 10:1-12
Your peace will rest on that man

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: October 2, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Like many if not most of you, I have too often neglected to acknowledge the presence of my guardian angel. Even when I would recite the ‘Angel of God’ prayer it would be simply something to do and get over with. That being said I have always known my GA has always been by my side, even when I was committing a sin though at that point for me it was ‘out of sight out of mind’. So while my GA was surely leading me away from it, I however was too stubborn to care! Still my faithful GA would intercede on my behalf and light my way back into the arms of my Lord and God. My GA has helped me in many ways and through many situations too numerous to list. From preventing a fall to helping me listen to God’s call. From my sheer pettiness to virtues towards Holiness.

Yes indeed all of us children of God our Father, have a powerful ally by our side. All of them have been entrusted to guard our purity of heart and soul. And to gently remind us that we have a great and loving Father we can always depend on as we should. He will give us anything we ask for, to build His Kingdom. And one day soon we will enter it into the glory of God our Father.

So on this day as we remember and honour our Holy Guardian Angels, let us pray that through their tireless guidance and intercessions we strive to become perfect as our Heavenly is perfect. Amen

First reading

Nehemiah 2:1-8 ·
‘Give me leave to go to the city of my ancestors and rebuild it’

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

Gospel

Matthew 18:1-5,10
Anyone who welcomes a little child in my name welcomes me

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: October 1, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Our mission is to grow in holiness on our pilgrim journey to the new ‘Jerusalem’ and to beckon others to journey on with us. The cross which we carry for our mission is the key to the gateway.

The rejection we will surely face is an opportunity to extend the love and mercy of Lord Jesus Christ whom we serve. And in time when such hearts are touched and changed by our Lord, the victory won for Him is that much sweeter. Therefore wherever we go, mercy and love must follow.

Praise and glory be to You or Lord Jesus Christ! Amen

First reading

Zechariah 8:20-23 ·
Many peoples and great nations will come to seek the Lord of Hosts

The Lord of Hosts says this:
‘There will be other peoples yet, and citizens of great cities. And the inhabitants of one city will go to the next and say, “Come, let us go and entreat the favour of the Lord, and seek the Lord of Hosts; I am going myself.” And many peoples and great nations will come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favour of the Lord.’
The Lord of Hosts says this:
‘In those days, ten men of nations of every language will take a Jew by the sleeve and say, “We want to go with you, since we have learnt that God is with you.”’

Gospel

Luke 9:51-56
Jesus sets out for Jerusalem

As the time drew near for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem and sent messengers ahead of him. These set out, and they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him, but the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem. Seeing this, the disciples James and John said, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?’ But he turned and rebuked them, and they went off to another village.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 30, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Perhaps for some it goes deeper then this, but for most the squabbles about who is greater, who is Holier, who is more capable, who is wiser, who is more accurate in matters of faith and morals, who is more diligent in following laws to the letter; comes from the absence of the reign of God in their lives.

For if the God of love reigned in their hearts then they will not only know, but they would feel His loving embrace. One that fills the heart with peace and security of knowing that He loves us all perfectly as His children regardless of race, language or culture. Any gift and talents I receive from the Lord my God, He can give the same and more to any other He wills. He does not love me more than any other child neither does He love any other child more than me. So then why should I feel jealous of anyone else?

The real challenge for all of us is how much can we love someone else more than we love ourselves? (and we must love ourselves, for the Lord our God created us in His love and image and loves us dearly) How much are we willing to sacrifice for love of the least of our brethren?

Lord Jesus Christ, teach me to love perfectly as You have loved me. Amen

First reading

Zechariah 8:1-8 ·
The Lord will return to Zion

The word of the Lord of Hosts was addressed to me as follows:

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.
I am burning with jealousy for Zion,
with great anger for her sake.

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.
I am coming back to Zion and shall dwell in the middle of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem will be called Faithful City
and the mountain of the Lord of Hosts, the Holy Mountain.

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.
Old men and old women will again sit down
in the squares of Jerusalem; every one of them staff in hand because of their great age.
And the squares of the city will be full
of boys and girls playing in the squares.

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.
If this seems a miracle to the remnant of this people (in those days), will it seem one to me?
It is the Lord of Hosts who speaks.

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.
Now I am going to save my people from the countries of the East and from the countries of the West.
I will bring them back to live inside Jerusalem. They shall be my people
and I will be their God in faithfulness and integrity.’

Gospel

Luke 9:46-50
The least among you all is the greatest

An argument started between the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus knew what thoughts were going through their minds, and he took a little child and set him by his side and then said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the least among you all, that is the one who is great.’
John spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said ‘we saw a man casting out devils in your name, and because he is not with us we tried to stop him.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘You must not stop him: anyone who is not against you is for you.’

Servants of the Lord prayer meeting..

Posted: September 28, 2019 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys, Memory Book
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So I was warmly invited to attend a Servants of The Lord prayer meeting in the home of the brother who first introduced me to the group which I had never heard of till about a month ago. Even he was not aware I was coming because another fellow brother in the group wanted it to be a surprise. I attended with no expectations except to experience the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Being an Ecumenical group I already knew that many of our Catholic prayer traditions would not take place. However it was refreshing to experience a Christian adaption of the Jewish custom to celebrate the Sabbath aka The Lord’s day. Traditionally this took place beginning Sunset on Saturday. (the sabbath ended sunset on Sunday) There was even the adaptation of the ‘Berakah’ prayer which was beautiful, because while it was led, the community responded Blessing the Lord our God and acknowledging all that He has done and continues to do for us. There was breaking of bread and drinking of wine symbolising the community fellowship of old. Praise and worship was also refreshingly Charismatic in nature. And almost everyone participated in vocalising prayers of worship, thanksgiving and not forgetting intercessory prayers. Then we got our food and sat down to watch a short formation talk. We later broke off in groups to reflect and share. Men, Women and youths. After the sharing we proceeded home and on our way to glorify and praise the Lord by our lives.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 27, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Who is Jesus? Who is He for you personally? This is not a test of your knowledge but a question for your heart, a look into your interior disposition if you will. For anyone can proclaim Jesus as the Lord of Lord, King of Kings. The anointed one of God, the Word made flesh, light of the World and so on. If however, we do not dwell on our relationship with Him; by taking it to prayer and connecting deeply with our Vine then our faith is shallow as it is empty.

For Jesus is the new and everlasting temple. He had come to lay down His life for us and by conquering death through His resurrection; the glory of God was manifested. His glory longs to dwell in His new temple;our Hearts!

If we want to win the crown of the Resurrection then we too must be willing to go through the Passion, let us therefore take up our cross and follow Him. For the glory of God awaits us. Amen

St Vincent De Paul pray for us…

First reading

Haggai 1:15-2:9 ·
‘The new glory of this Temple is to surpass the old’

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

Gospel

Luke 9:18-22
‘You are the Christ of God’

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 26, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Many think they can do without the Lord our God in their lives. Especially those who have much success in their careers and who live pretty much comfortable lives. After all it is their sheer determination and hard work that paid off. They cannot however understand where their sense of restlessness and anxiety comes from? The tinglings of discontentment that sends chills down their spine. These good people may have all that they desire and yet their lives are empty!

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” St Augustine who obviously knew what he was talking about from his own life experiences sums it up perfectly! We must therefore earnestly strive to build up and rebuild if necessary, the church within us. So that our loving and living God can dwell within us. Jesus is the source of all life and so we will have need of nothing when we have Him deep within us.

So let us turn our backs to all forms of sin and guard ourselves against wanton desires and temptations. Seek our Lord Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of reconciliation as He ministers to us, heals and restores us in His mercy. Then receive Him fully in Holy Eucharist so as to fortify the foundation of the tabernacle that we carry faithfully within us.

O Lord my God! Let me never ever take Your love for me for granted. Forgive me the error of my ways and thoughts. Amen

First reading

Haggai 1:1-8 ·
‘Rebuild the House’

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

Gospel

Luke 9:7-9
‘John? I beheaded him; so who is this?’

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 25, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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We worry and fret about too many things when all we should be concern ourselves about, is sharing the love of our Lord Jesus Christ with others.

Oh I don’t know enough about my faith what if I am asked tough questions? I don’t have depth in my sharing better to remain quiet then to sound foolish. Don’t know what, when, or how to share Jesus with others? The list goes on till we convince ourselves that others were given the gifts, talents to share His love and not us! Really?

Has the love of Christ not touched you at all? In your pain and misery did He not come to comfort you? Have you not been liberated from a wayward way of life? Do you not see the hand and many blessings of God in your own life? Have you not heard any testimonies on how Jesus had touched the lives of your very own loved ones and friends? Have you not suddenly recalled words from Scripture which helped you through a difficulty? Well then if there is only one thing in the above list of which is not exhaustive, then you should begin to share that one thing with someone, then repeat it to someone else again and again. Soon you will find more and more different things to share. All of us have different qualities, backgrounds, strengths and so on. And it is through this diversity that we are able to reach and touch many different souls through the power of the Holy spirit. God with us who can be against us? All we need is Him.

The twelve that was sent out in today’s Gospel were not Robots neither were genetically cloned. They were all simple men with very different personalities and character. Children of God our Father sent to minister to His other children. In faith they went as they were instructed to do, sharing the good news and healing took place everywhere!

Jesus I love You. I will speak of my love for You and of Your love for me to all who will listen. Amen

First reading

Ezra 9:5-9 ·
‘God has not forgotten us in our slavery’

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

Gospel

Luke 9:1-6
‘Take nothing for the journey’

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 24, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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We are all called to be build the Kingdom of God and as kingdom builders we must be single minded in our endeavours. One mind and One body in Christ. All that we will ever need is provided for by the Lord our God. And so we cannot say we do not have what it takes to do so. Well then how do we begin if we have chosen to remain ignorant and deaf to the call of our Lord?

For if we are truly living as God our Father’s children, then as one family in Him we would have heard His Word and put it into practice. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ makes this very clear when he says ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God’ What follows is the action of putting it into practice thereafter. And indeed our Blessed Mother was a very clear example and model for us on how to do so through perfect obedience to the Word of God. Our Lord’s disciples too left everything to follow Him and as such were no longer called His servants, but friends. We know they are all now One body in Him in Heaven praying for us saints to join them.

”The kingdom of God [is] righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” CCC 2819

O Holy Spirit open my heart to hear always the living Word. That I may live to build up the everlasting Kingdom where my one triune God lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen

First reading

Ezra 6:7-8,12,14-20
Darius king of Persia pays for the rebuilding of the Temple of God

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

Gospel

Luke 8:19-21

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 23, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Time and time again we hear how the spoken Word of God breathes life to where there is none. How it turns hearts from stone into flesh. Brings about renewal and change otherwise thought impossible.

Yet many still refuse to embrace and live the Word of God in their lives. They choose instead to live out their days as closet Christians (Catholics). Happy to simply attend the Eucharistic Celebration as an obligation then go about their week trying their best to avoid sin and temptations. Is this the life the Lord our God wants for us?

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (Jn 10:10) says the Lord and so we must open our hearts to receive our Risen Lord Jesus Christ deep into our very being. We should then desire to live in His light by being the light for others. And soon we will become great instruments of His grace and mercy so that those who live in darkness will be lead into the light of Christ. This is how we truly live grace filled lives to the full. Through Him, with Him and in Him. Amen

First reading

Ezra 1:1-6 ·
Cyrus king of Persia frees the Jews to return to Jerusalem

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

Gospel

Luke 8:16-18
Anyone who has will be given more

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 21, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Ah how I wish I could declare like St Paul, that I am a prisoner in the Lord! Then I will not demand to be treated fairly. To be included or affirmed! To be recognised and thanked. To be loved in return for having loved!

Being His prisoner would liberate me from the cares of this world! I can face all hardship, trials and tribulations for I am not alone. My Lord is yoked with me!

I am a sinful man not worthy yet to be called a prisoner of my Lord Jesus Christ, so I turn to Him for His mercy and grace. That one day soon I will mature in my faith and in the fullness of Christ my Lord Himself. Amen

St Matthew pray for us…

First reading

Ephesians 4:1-7,11-13 ·
We are all to come to unity, fully mature in the knowledge of the Son of God

I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, over all, through all and within all.
Each one of us, however, has been given his own share of grace, given as Christ allotted it. To some, his gift was that they should be apostles; to some, prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; so that the saints together make a unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ. In this way we are all to come to unity in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God, until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself.

Gospel

Matthew 9:9-13
It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick

As Jesus was walking on, he saw a man named Matthew sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
While he was at dinner in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When he heard this he replied, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 20, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Praying and going for regular Mass and Adoration does not make one Holy and so there is no need. A praying community does not help in spiritual growth, if members do not come for meetings we must find out the ‘real’ reason why they do not and change ourselves first. These are words from a brother serving in ministry for more than ten years and still serving! What keeps him going is when parishioners smile at him from time to time. Then there are those who congregate for drinks and merry making and part of their activity is to gossip about church members who are ‘unholy’ or who have appeared ‘Holy’ but have sinned greatly by cheating, stealing or having affairs. Really? So we can see clearly how the struggles with the early Church communities in the days of St Paul are prevalent today and very likely in the ages to come.

Yes indeed we are all sinners and because we are all sinners it is all the more we need our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in our lives! That is why we strive for holiness by praying, by learning the will of God for us through His Word, by sitting by His feet before the Blessed Sacrament, by receiving Him and many graces through the reception of Holy Eucharist. So then we can grow and draw closer to Him each time. Yes we may fall from time to time yet we know He is patiently waiting for us when we seek Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation to minister to us and set us free. We must therefore be outward looking in our faith, to reach out to others and to be there for others so as to lead them closer to Christ. Never ever neglecting the poor and those living in the peripheries.

In today’s Gospel although we hear little of the women mentioned they were all dedicated women of faith who devoted their lives in serving our Lord and the community. What little they must have had on their own yet they offered it all up. Women such as these, together with our Blessed Mother continue to be great models for us to follow. They carry their crosses in love for our Lord and for their fellow sisters and brothers. Amen

First reading

1 Timothy 6:2-12
We brought nothing into the world and can take nothing out of it

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

Gospel

Luke 8:1-3
The women who accompanied Jesus

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 19, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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O Lord why do you love me so?

All those years You gently called me home to You and I walked on further away in silence. For had I responded I would have said” Leave me alone I want to live my life my own way!”

O Lord why do you love me so?

And so I ‘loved’ and lived a sinful life exploring the many forms of sexual delights. Unbridled tongue wielded as I pleased. Who was I? But one shrouded in my own mystery.

O Lord why do you love me so?

The further I travelled down the wide open road the harder my heart became. The seven daily Sins were my companions! Who could love me now? When I did know or understand love? Love is something you say or ‘do’ to get what you want!

O Lord why do you love me so?

Troubled, restless, despairing at my loss of my identity retaining only a shred of sanity and a tiny morsel of human dignity, I found myself at Your feet before the Blessed Sacrament weeping for all I had done and all I had failed to do. Then I set my gaze upon You and saw that You loved me and had never stopped! I was liberated from a debt I could not pay! You O Lord are Love!

I no longer ask “O Lord why do you love me so?” But instead ask, “Lord have I loved You more this day.” Amen

First reading

1 Timothy 4:12-16 ·
Be an example to all the believers

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

Gospel

Luke 7:36-50
Her many sins have been forgiven, or she would not have shown such great love

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 18, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Stop complaining! Stop making excuses! Busy, busy, busy! Appointment after appointment, plan after plan. No time for prayer, no time to read a book let alone the Bible. Really? Are you so busy about your Father in Heaven’s affairs? Are you busy with bringing the joy of the Gospel to those who despair? Are you busy touching the lives of those in need? If you are busy with all these then you will have no complaint. For you will be living your life in our Father’s love and in the shelter of His loving embrace.

The light of the world, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has come;to unite Heaven and earth. By His death and resurrection we are given the opportunity to live life to the full and for all eternity with Him. This powerful, wonderful and amazing light in which all darkness dissipates has been offered to each and every one of us. Do we eagerly welcome Him then with open heart, mind and soul? Ever grateful that He wants to minister to us and does so with great tender mercy and love. Or do we choose to live in our familiar darkness which shrouds all that is good within us? As for me and my house we choose to live in His light, even if it means we have to carry our crosses to follow Him.

Lord Jesus if I sing, I sing for You, if I dance, I dance for You. May all that I do bring You glory now and forevermore. Amen

First reading

1 Timothy 3:14-16 ·
The mystery of our religion is very deep

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

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

Gospel

Luke 7:31-35
‘We played the pipes, and you wouldn’t dance’

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

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

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 17, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Can you fathom a mother’s anguish of losing an only beloved son in the beginning of her twilight years. The sorrowful tears and despair of losing the love of her life whom she bore into the world now to being all alone. Perhaps very soon she might join him as there was no one else to fend or care for her. What work will there be for her to earn her keep? How will she live? Perhaps in the Gospel of today the mother too had already ‘died’ with her son. Then we see the great love of our ever loving God, Jesus who looked upon her with her great compassion and mercy. He raised them both from the dead! Two lives were restored, made whole once again and everyone rejoiced as they praised God for visiting His people.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8). He is ever loving and compassionate and will always be by our side in our own moments of anguish and despair. He will surely come to comfort and restore us for He hears us crying out to Him. How great indeed is our God!

We are all called to be merciful, compassionate and kind. More is therefore expected of us called to lead His flock and so we must model ourselves after our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who is mercy and love personified. Amen

First reading

1 Timothy 3:1-13 ·
The president must be of impeccable character

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

Gospel

Luke 7:11-17
The only son of his mother, and she a widow

Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. When he was near the gate of the town it happened that a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople were with her. When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her. ‘Do not cry’ he said. Then he went up and put his hand on the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you to get up.’ And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and praised God saying, ‘A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.’ And this opinion of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 16, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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What can be easier than to say I will pray for you? Then quickly say a short prayer lifting the intentions for the person lest we forget then feel guilty about it later; and be done with it once and for all. Well let me be first to admit this is what I started out doing till I started growing in faith and pondering my Lord’s will in everything. So then where is the love behind this very act of praying for someone? Where and what is the kind of faith that lies within us? How then will we ever begin to pray for our enemies let alone love them?

Intercessory prayer is not simply mouthing prayers for someone or on behalf of someone for specific intentions. It is praying with all our heart and mind so as to touch the heart of the Lord our God by our faith, love steadfastness and determination. To plead with Him to come and touch the lives of whom we offer our prayers for. To seek earnestly that His grace, love and mercy will be upon them. Therefore when we pray this way it can take days, weeks, months, even years! And so our prayer list increases over time. By praying thus we unite ourselves and share in the sufferings, the hopes and dreams of those we pray for. And so when our prayers for them are answered, we too can truly rejoice. Even then when our prayers are answered not quite in the way we had hoped, still peace will reign in our hearts. For we know that the Lord our God only desires the best for all of us.

Let us then pray for one another reverently, fervently with all our heart. And may our almighty and ever living God bless us, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Now and forever. Amen

First reading

1 Timothy 2:1-8 ·
Pray for everyone to God, who wants everyone to be saved

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

Gospel

Luke 7:1-10
Give the word, and my servant will be healed

When Jesus had come to the end of all he wanted the people to hear, he went into Capernaum. A centurion there had a servant, a favourite of his, who was sick and near death. Having heard about Jesus he sent some Jewish elders to him to ask him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus they pleaded earnestly with him. ‘He deserves this of you’ they said ‘because he is friendly towards our people; in fact, he is the one who built the synagogue.’ So Jesus went with them, and was not very far from the house when the centurion sent word to him by some friends: ‘Sir,’ he said ‘do not put yourself to trouble; because I am not worthy to have you under my roof; and for this same reason I did not presume to come to you myself; but give the word and let my servant 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 these words he was astonished at him and, turning round, said to the crowd following him, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found faith like this.’ And when the messengers got back to the house they found the servant in perfect health.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 14, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Today as we gaze upon the crucifixes in our homes, around our necks, in our Parish, let us ponder over the word in John’s Gospel, the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. Indeed it is Not so much a symbol as it is a truth of God’s great love for us! Of how our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ suffered death to liberate us once for all from the clutches of sin. A victory over death and sin won for each and everyone of us by His very own death and Resurrection!

We are drawn to eternal life with Him, when we willingly take up our cross to follow Him. So on this feast day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, let our hearts and minds be also raised, as we set our sights to the Heavenly Banquet that awaits us through Christ our Lord. Amen

First reading

Numbers 21:4-9 ·
If anyone was bitten by a serpent, he looked up at the bronze serpent and lived

On the way through the wilderness the people lost patience. They spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in this wilderness? For there is neither bread nor water here; we are sick of this unsatisfying food.’
At this God sent fiery serpents among the people; their bite brought death to many in Israel. The people came and said to Moses, ‘We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Intercede for us with the Lord to save us from these serpents.’ Moses interceded for the people, and the Lord answered him, ‘Make a fiery serpent and put it on a standard. If anyone is bitten and looks at it, he shall live.’ So Moses fashioned a bronze serpent which he put on a standard, and if anyone was bitten by a serpent, he looked at the bronze serpent and lived.

Gospel

John 3:13-17
God sent his Son so that through him the world might be saved

Jesus said to Nicodemus:

‘No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven,
the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.
For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 13, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Why is it that we seem to see the faults and shortfalls of others ever so clearly yet see nothing of our own; let alone try to be and do better? If we cannot be faithful to friends and acquaintances by our comments when not in their presence, how can we be expected to be faithful to Jesus who sees or knows all whether or not we are aware of His presence?

We are ALL called to lead one another into Holiness even while there are some amongst us who are appointed leaders in our church or communities. If we do not lead others by example by attending daily Eucharist, going for Adoration and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as we can, how can we perfected by Christ to lead His flock? St Paul shares with us today as he will again this Sunday of how his own conversion began through Christ Jesus our Lord. He acknowledged his own wayward ways, his ignorance and arrogance if you will at one time. But through believe and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ there was a great outpouring of grace, mercy and love upon him which transformed him to be more and more like his master. Let us therefore acknowledge our own sinfulness, our need for the grace and strength of our Saviour Jesus Christ so that we too can be better Shepherds for His flock.

Amen

First reading

1 Timothy 1:1-2,12-14 ·
I used to be a blasphemer, but the mercy of God was shown me

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

Gospel

Luke 6:39-42
Can the blind lead the blind?

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 12, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Too hard it is to follow the loving ways of our Lord and His command to love. Formation after formation, retreat after retreat amounts to nothing if there is no change of heart, of will and fortitude to endeavour the trials of carrying the cross which we are to bear in love. How are we ever going to love our enemies when we cannot love our own family who knows how to push our buttons let alone to love our neighbour? How are we going to bless those who curse us when we are quick to curse them back so as not to fall victim? What about those who treat us badly or ‘slap’ us? ”Ooh I cannot wait for them to try and cross me again” we utter with vengeance in our heart. So indeed it is no effort at all to love those who love us in return!

The painful falls we took to learn to ride a bike, rollerblade (skate), the pains of riding a horse for the first time, the endurance of climbing/hiking up a mountain, the cuts, burns and criticisms when learning to cook, the long hours and hardships of completing a project, all of these at the very end brought us a great sense of accomplishment and overwhelming joy! In addition wonderful lasting memories. How much more will we receive when we love and endure all for Christ Jesus our Lord! It all begins with baby steps in His love. To endure a little more each day, putting on a small piece of cloth of love upon us each time, as a badge of our success. Before we know it we will have a full length cloak upon us, a woven tapestry of love.

Then we can truly sing high praises and hymns to the Lord our God with great gratitude of heart, for we would have become more like Him, compassionate, merciful, most of all loving. Amen Alleluia!

First reading

Colossians 3:12-17 ·
Be clothed in love

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

Gospel

Luke 6:27-38
Love your enemies

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 11, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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How does our loving Lord and God want us to live our lives? In poverty, hungry all the time and sorrowful? Nay! Afterall Jesus our Lord did say,”I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) We have life to the full indeed when we live in Him, with Him, for Him and for one another. Sounds simple enough? But as we very well know, it is far from simple.

There is nothing wrong with being rich, but are we rich for ourselves and our family alone? Have we enriched the lives of others? Do we see the poor and do nothing? There is nothing wrong with being well fed, but do we feed those who have nothing? Have we performed corporal and spiritual acts of mercy? There is nothing wrong with being joyful, but have we brought joy in the lives of others who are lonely, downtrodden, distraught? Have we shared the joy of knowing Christ with others?

Like all good things we need to work hard at and for it by setting our sights to Heaven as our only goal; for us, our families and all our dearly beloved sisters and brothers. We must strive for Holiness as we reject all sin, sinfulness and temptations. We must choose always to live in the light in which Christ had bought and paid for by laying down His life for us. In the same way how much of how we live our lives for others determines how Christ-like we become.

Jesus I want to live my life for You. Be with me, dwell in me, stay with me, now and forevermore. Amen

First reading

Colossians 3:1-11 ·
You must look for the things that are in heaven

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

Gospel

Luke 6:20-26
Happy are you who are poor, who are hungry, who weep

Fixing his eyes on his disciples Jesus said:

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

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

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

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 10, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Our life in Christ began with prayer, it was through the prayer of the faithful that the Holy Spirit decended upon us at our baptism in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We became God our Father’s children inserted into the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Therefore prayer is central in the life of a Christian. What is prayer then?

Well there are many facets and many forms of prayer all of which lead us to into the loving embrace of the Lord our God in a ‘Heavenly Dance’ if you will. Our mouth whispers to the heart of God and the mouth of God whispers to our heart. Yes it is as simple as that and yet still many find it difficult to pray as if our Lord demands of us a certain form or discipline in order for us to speak with or hear Him. The only requirement in a sense is that we do so in the quiet. For it is in the quiet that He speaks to our heart. We can hear Him most clearly and profoundly. We are gradually led deeper and deeper into His bosom over time and as we seek Him more and more frequently.

Through prayer, prayerful contemplation of His Word, and often seeking to be in His presence, we become more like Him each and every day. Others will see us becoming more loving and merciful. Through Him we become powerful instruments of His grace for others.

I have no need to turn to anyone or to look anywhere else, all that I will ever need is to be found in You alone Jesus my Lord. Amen Alleluia!

First reading

Colossians 2:6-15 ·
The Lord has brought you to life with him

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

Gospel

Luke 6:12-19
Jesus chooses his twelve apostles

Jesus went out into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them; he called them ‘apostles’: Simon whom he called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor.
He then came down with them and stopped at a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and from Jerusalem and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon who had come to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. People tormented by unclean spirits were also cured, and everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him because power came out of him that cured them all.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 9, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Everyday is an oppoturnity to love, to give thanks and glory to God by loving others with the same love He first loved us. So how can we ask when is it a good time or place to do so? Only when it is convenient to do so? After all our Lord’s commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and to love one another as He had loved us.

Was the man’s condition in today’s Gospel dire? Was it life threathening? Could he not work to provide for himself with his other hand and feet? Was his withered hand the cause of any other ailments? If we are asking all these questions then we are missing the point completely! The Lord had told us ”It is love that I seek, and not sacrifice.” Hos 6:6 and again Matthew 9:13 ”Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’’ We are called to love beyond boundaries, to love without question.

In order to understand more deeply this call to love, we must look to the mystery of our Lord’s great love for us revealed through His life, death and resurrection. His love for ALL mankind not a select race or few. His desire that we have life and have it to the full. His hope that by our response to His Will for us we will share eternity with Him in His Heavenly Kingdom. It is our responsibility therefore to learn, teach, train and lead one another into the reality of life eternal with Him. Amen

First reading

Colossians 1:24-2:3 ·
God’s message was a mystery hidden for generations

It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church. I became the servant of the Church when God made me responsible for delivering God’s message to you, the message which was a mystery hidden for generations and centuries and has now been revealed to his saints. It was God’s purpose to reveal it to them and to show all the rich glory of this mystery to pagans. The mystery is Christ among you, your hope of glory: this is the Christ we proclaim, this is the wisdom in which we thoroughly train everyone and instruct everyone, to make them all perfect in Christ. It is for this I struggle wearily on, helped only by his power driving me irresistibly.
Yes, I want you to know that I do have to struggle hard for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for so many others who have never seen me face to face. It is all to bind you together in love and to stir your minds, so that your understanding may come to full development, until you really know God’s secret in which all the jewels of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.

Gospel

Luke 6:6-11
Is it against the law on the sabbath to save life?

On the sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him to see if he would cure a man on the sabbath, hoping to find something to use against him. But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up! Come out into the middle.’ And he came out and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I put it to you: is it against the law on the sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?’ Then he looked round at them all and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was better. But they were furious, and began to discuss the best way of dealing with Jesus.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 7, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Every day we are faced with struggles and new challenges be it at work, home or with our faith. How do we cope? How do we make it through each day? How did we get through the day yesterday? Question really is who is in charge of your life? If you are in charge then yes you are subject to human limitations. But if our Lord is in charge and you subject yourself to His authority without question then you will be amazed at how things work out. How much more gets done in a day and still there is joy in your heart. At the end of the you are granted a peaceful rest.

Therefore we should always begin our awakening with prayer, calling for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. For His counsel throughout the day. We praise and thank God for the new day and the opportunities to glorify Him through the challenges of the day. Through Him and with Him, we will persevere, grow and walk blameless in His sight. We therefore submit ourselves this day and everyday to His Holy Will for us. Amen

First reading

Colossians 1:21-23 ·
God has reconciled you by Christ’s death in his mortal body

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

Gospel

Luke 6:1-5
The Son of Man is master of the sabbath

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 6, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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There is and must always be discipline and order in the way we conduct ourselves since we are created in the likeness and image of the Lord our God who created the world and breathed order into it. So too there is order in the way we worship, therefore we embrace and follow the sacred traditions handed down to us.

However above all and above all created things is Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Hence all that we say or do whether in matters of worship, administrative or pastoral must be centred primarily on Him of whom we love and who first loved us. Everything must be built upon the foundation of our rock and this can only be so through and ever growing, deepening relationship with our Lord and God Jesus Christ.

Jesus my Lord, You are the source of all life. You first born of creation and first born of the dead; by Your very life, death and resurrection You have opened the gates of Heaven for us and so we have hope of eternal life with You. Help us to remain true and focused on the prize that awaits us at the very end of our trials and tribulations. Amen

First reading

Colossians 1:15-20 ·
All things were created through Christ and for Christ

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

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

Gospel

Luke 5:33-39
When the bridegroom is taken from them, then they will fast

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 5, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Who are you before the Lord our God?
The answer to this question determines where your faith and your relationship with Him lie therein. So ponder over this slowly and carefully.

It is far too easy to cry I want to follow Him! However before we can really do so, we need to know who we are before the Lord our God. Otherwise it is simply lip service while we hold on to full control of all that we say and do! Hence the key to following Him as we read at the very end of today’s Gospel is to leave everything behind. We have to leave behind first and foremost all our Sins, sinfulness behind us, our earthly attachments, our prideful ways, our self reliance on everything , the grandeur of thinking we have more knowledge and are better than others.

Yes we must first acknowledge that we are all sinners in need of His mercy and grace as we cry out to Him, ”Lord have mercy on me a sinner.” Through His mercy and grace as when we were first baptised we are perfectly cleansed of our sins. We can then strive to sin no more! For through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ we have been set free to live fully in His love. We can live as children so loved by God our Heavenly Father; We seek to strengthen and grow our relationship with Him day by day. Through prayer and the indwelling of His Word. By our love (agape) in action and the sharing of the word we draw others unto Him. Men and women caught up in the net of His everlasting love. Amen

First reading

Colossians 1:9-14 ·
God has taken us out of the power of darkness

Ever since the day we heard about you, we have never failed to pray for you, and what we ask God is that through perfect wisdom and spiritual understanding you should reach the fullest knowledge of his will. So you will be able to lead the kind of life which the Lord expects of you, a life acceptable to him in all its aspects; showing the results in all the good actions you do and increasing your knowledge of God. You will have in you the strength, based on his own glorious power, never to give in, but to bear anything joyfully, thanking the Father who has made it possible for you to join the saints and with them to inherit the light.
Because that is what he has done: he has taken us out of the power of darkness and created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves, and in him, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins.

Gospel

Luke 5:1-11
They left everything and followed him

Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.
When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 4, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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We need to renew our interior life constantly through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who loves us immensely. Otherwise we will be caught up with our own selfish inclinations, consumerism and myopic Sunday Catholic faith. We are unlikely to look beyond our immediate family concerns let alone care for the poor and downtrodden.

So what does a grace filled life in Jesus Christ look like? Well for one it is filled with His peace and joy. It is always outward looking seeking to build His Kingdom through the sharing and proclamation of the Good News that we all share in a life lived for Him and in Him. We pray for and live for the goodness of one another. Sin and sinfulness is rebuked in His name as we strive towards holiness.

Recently a dear sister and brother in Christ whose son just recently came out of the woods from being stricken with cancer for a second time, is working hard to help an eleven year old girl from Batam who is in dire need of a bone marrow transplant which cost an obscene amount of money! The young family were strangers to them and yet they reached out with love and compassion. Never mind that they themselves have been put through the mill so to speak, by their constant worry for their own son who has not fully recovered. This is the kind of heroic faith we speak about which is only to be found in and through our Lord Jesus Christ!

So please join me in prayer for this little girl Chorinda from Batam and many like her who suffer the indignity of cancer, and for folks like Vincent and Marilyn who set aside their own struggles to help others like them, all for the glory of God.

Lord Jesus let me live for You and when it is time let me die for You. Amen

First reading

Colossians 1:1-8 ·
The message of the truth has reached you and is spreading all over the world

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

Gospel

Luke 4:38-44
He would not allow them to speak because they knew he was the Christ

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 3, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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(notice how the possessed man is dressed in this depiction)

We are all very busy people looking forward to the end of day, to unwind a little if possible before retiring for bed. For those with children who are still very young it’s a little more challenging to unwind. This goes on day after day till perhaps the weekend repreive. The thing is where is the Lord our God in all our busyness? There is simply no time? Or not enough time in a day? What about those in need whom can they turn to, whom can they rely on since everyone is too busy? We might say we have no time for our Lord at this point in our lives, yet many can make time for their mobile, computer games, television, netflix, secular books and many other forms of distractions. And yet there is only One who offers and can give us true peace, joy and contentment!

In a sense perhaps we have a dark spirit within us, one which seeks to confuse and distract us from what is truly important. To stop us from growing in Holiness and in our relationship from the Lord our God. Whether or not there is really one such spirit within us, any and all spirits know as we should the Holy one of God! For He is the Lord God almighty above all things visible and invisible. Perhaps we were blinded or have allowed ourselves to be so, but so long as our hearts cry out to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ He will free us from all bondages and sin. So that we can truly live life to the full according to His will for us.

That is why it is so important for all of us to belong to a community of like minded believers in Jesus Christ our Lord, so that we can pray, affirm and encourage one another towards greater Holiness. To keep us accountable and focussed; as we stay awake and alert for His coming or our eventual return into His Heavenly embrace. So let us keep faith burning in our hearts. Amen

St Gregory the Great pray for us….

First reading

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6,9-11 ·
Keep strengthening one another

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

Gospel

Luke 4:31-37
‘I know who you are: the Holy One of God’

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: September 2, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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The long awaited Messiah foretold was fulfilled in Christ Jesus our Lord, His arrival was proclaimed by the angels and at the right time He announced His own coming and His mission, which was accompanied by signs and wonders yet the world did not embrace Him and this truth. Still it did not change the reality.

Whether others believe or not, it does not change the reality that Jesus Christ our Lord is the Lord of lords, King of kings. By His life, death and resurrection we have life to the full and for all eterntity. And so we must have such conviction of faith in our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Yes our faith will be tested time and time again as we face an uncertain future in the world we live in, with all its trials and tribulations. Yet we must set our sights on heaven, to the reality of life with our risen Lord that awaits us; for those of us who believe and know this to be true.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, I trust in You now and forevermore. Amen

First reading

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ·
Do not grieve about those who have died in Jesus

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

Gospel

Luke 4:16-30
‘This text is being fulfilled today, even as you listen’

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

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

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 30, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Time and time again we are called to Holiness for the good of the Lord our God? Nay sisters and brothers for our own good. So that we may partake fully in the Lord’s goodness. Holiness demands sacrifice and a will bent on resisting sin at all cost. So then are we at this very moment reflecting the image and likeness of God of whom we are created from? Are we living authentic lives of love and service of and for one another?

Next to the sin of pride, one of the most heinous and prevalent sin in our society is the sin of lust. It does not help that social media, television, movies, games and soundtracks are filled with ideas of loose living, immoral activities and creative ideas for immodesty! Human dignity is stripped and the person is one to be objectified. Other Sins easily follow to fill us up to the point of our own destruction.

So let us make a decision this very day if we are going to leave our ‘lamps’ empty of the love of God? Devoid of His mercy and grace? Do we continue to live selfish meaningless lives? Or do we choose instead to fill our lamps with the ‘oil’ of His love, filled with corporal and spiritual acts of mercy for one another. Filled with the Holy Spirit such that we love as we are called to love and to lead one another home to Him. Surely He will take us by the hand and lead us into His heavenly kingdom.

Oh Holy Spirit sanctify me, that I may be a worthy instrument of Your love. Amen

First reading

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 ·
What God wants is for you all to be holy

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

Gospel

Matthew 25:1-13
The wise and foolish virgins

Jesus told this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, “The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him.” At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, “Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out.” But they replied, “There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves.” They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. “Lord, Lord,” they said “open the door for us.” But he replied, “I tell you solemnly, I do not know you.” So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 29, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Who are the Herodias’ in our lives that keep us rooted in our sins? Who keeps us living in a fog of obscurity? Who feeds us with evil thoughts as we give in to our base inclinations? How easy it is then that as a result’ the Salomes’ of the world can entice us such that we are willing to forgo our souls! Who is it that will actually lose their head for all eternity? For God’s justice will prevail always!

We only have ourselves to blame if we Do Not CHOOSE to walk blameless before the Lord our God. If we refuse to hear His call to repentance so as to grow in Holiness. To rid ourselves of all evil thoughts and desires by living according to His Word. We most certainly can overcome all obstacles, challenges and evil; Through and by the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who desires that we be with Him for all eternity. For He conquered death and sin so that we might live life to the full in Him.

Let us strive then to live our lives with and in His grace. Let us encourage one another to grow in love and holiness as we journey on home to Him. May He so confirm our hearts in holiness that we may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus Christ comes with all His saints.

Lord You are my Shepherd there is nothing I shall want. Amen

First reading

1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 ·
Now we can breathe again, as you are still holding firm in the Lord

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

Gospel

Mark 6:17-29
The beheading of John the Baptist

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 28, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Not easy to listen and hear the Word of God which pierces the hearts of many so that change might take place from within. So much so that some have chosen to preach only about the Saints whose feast day we celebrate in hopes perhaps that more will be moved to change by emulating their lives.

Yes those who choose to live only exterior lives of Holiness, piety but have little or no true love of God or His people will bring about curses upon themselves by their actions whether or not they are concealed! For God sees within us all. In this day and age murder of the prophets as spoken in the Gospel does not and will not take place you might say. What about character assassination? Defamation? Do they not murder the spirit of their intended targets or the Holiness of the community? How many priests and modern day prophets have suffered at the hands of those who gossip and plot against them? How many who speak up for truth were silenced or dealt with by the higher echelon?

St Paul reminds us how to live according to the teachings of Christ who once said that the greatest among you must be your servant. Any one who exalts himself will be humbled and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted. That we should work hard and not rely on anyone as to be obligated in such a way that we are not free to proclaim the Good news and work for the glory of the Lord our God. Having heard the Word of God we must live our lives worthily and in the Spirit, whose power will effect change in our lives as well of those who will come to believe. For the Lord draws His faithful unto Himself. Amen

St Augustine pray for us….

First reading

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 ·
We slaved night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you

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

Gospel

Matthew 23:27-32
You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 27, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Recently our archbishop wrote about his encounter with a few young people who were sporting studs and tattoos. He shared they were wonderful, good natured, talented and hard working. Prayerfully no one read it and decided that they too would get tattoos *grins* And I too have encountered similar folks in my own parish. I remember distinctly giving a talk one year on encountering God through prayer for some primary 4 (junior) parents and at the very end of the talk only one pair came up to me to thank me for the talk and they were the ones who had tattoos all over. Today’s Gospel says it all! It is what is on the inside that counts. How the Lord our God had changed us from within and is continuing to work in us through His grace.

Many are still very much more concerned with appearances. Even church leaders are not exempt from this form of insecurity. They want to be respected and carry an air about them which they mistake to be spirit filled. St Paul reminds us however that we should be unassuming in our disposition with hearts only after our Lord Jesus Christ. So that in all things we bring glory alone to Him. Let us strive therefore to continually renew ourselves through the power of the Holy Spirit and to frequent the sacraments. So that docile to His promptings we give glory to God in all we say and do.

Jesus I am Yours. Amen

St. Monica pray for us…..

First reading

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 ·
We were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our whole lives

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

Gospel

Matthew 23:23-26
Clean the inside of the cup first, so that the outside may become clean

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 26, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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You can see the stark contrast between the worshippers of the Lord our God in the first reading and those spoken of in the Gospel. The first have surrendered their all to Him, have built up their relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ through prayer, the Word lived out in their lives and the sharing of His love with the community. Then each new community is built upon the teachings and foundation of the old. The Lord Himself adds to their numbers.

The latter however have only an idea of who the Lord their God is and how they think they should live out their faith in Him ritualistically. There is no depth of understanding neither is there the required love that goes into the worship of the Lord their God. What lessons then will they have taught their followers in the ways of God? What would their children have learnt? How then can the Love for God grow in their hearts? How can they love one another as they ought to when they have not experienced His love the way they are meant to? They have shut themselves out from encountering Him in the deep personal way that He wants them to. Do we not have such leaders or parishioners in our Church today?

Lord Jesus be my guide in all I say and do, let my heart burn for love of You; such that the fire of Your love will spread to all You have sent my way. Amen

First reading

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5,8-10 ·
You broke with idolatry when you were converted to God

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

Gospel

Matthew 23:13-22
Alas for you, blind guides!

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 24, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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How wonderful it will be to hear Jesus say to us, ”Ah here comes my disciple who had spoke the truth and strived for holiness come dine with your master.” Then we might say, ” ”Lord You know who I am?” and He will reply, ”Yes, how often have I seen and heard you praying to me. I know how you have struggled to do my will always therefore the gates of heaven are opened to you.”

How have we progressed in deepening our relationship with the Lord our God and living our faith in Him from the start of the year? Have we truly been striving to lead our families and one another closer to this heavenly reality? We are already past the halfway mark for the year closing in on Advent have we stayed awake? Ready to greet our Lord when He returns?

My Lord, my God, from my heart; I’ve come to do Your Will. Amen

Saint Bartholomew pray for us…

First reading

Apocalypse 21:9-14 ·
He showed me Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down from God out of heaven

The angel came to speak to me, and said, ‘Come here and I will show you the bride that the Lamb has married.’ In the spirit, he took me to the top of an enormous high mountain and showed me Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down from God out of heaven. It had all the radiant glory of God and glittered like some precious jewel of crystal-clear diamond. The walls of it were of a great height, and had twelve gates; at each of the twelve gates there was an angel, and over the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; on the east there were three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. The city walls stood on twelve foundation stones, each one of which bore the name of one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Gospel

John 1:45-51
You will see heaven laid open, and the Son of Man

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael. ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 23, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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If we declare that we love the Lord our God with all our heart. Then we would have already entered into a deep and personal relationship with Him. We are fully aware of His abundant love for us individually as well as collectively. We should therefore love ourselves as uniquely created in the image and likeness of our Lord and God. And it is through His love and with that same love for ourselves that we are called to love others.

Love not as an emotion but love that wills the good of another. One that wills that the other have joy and peace in their hearts. Love that is faithful to the end. In a sense to love when no one else can and will. Such great love can only come from our faithful ever loving God. A love which gives us the strength, power and fortitude to put that love into action for His glory. His mercy flows most profoundly from such radical love. And we have witnessed this in the many lives touched by the Saints who had responded wholly to that call to love, most recent of which are St John Paul II, St Theresa of Calculta.

We can witness the making of such Saints in our midst too, Parents who care lovingly for their helpless child, especially those with special needs, sons and daughters who care for their aged parents, especially those who are sick, suffering terminally, struggling with dementia, those who care for the outcast and downtrodden in society to name a few.

Sweet heart of Jesus reign in my heart. Let my love not be one of speech alone but one put into action for love of You. Through my love may all encounter Your love for them. Amen

First reading

Ruth 1:1,3-6,14-16,22 ·
Ruth the Moabitess is brought to Bethlehem by Naomi

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

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

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

Gospel

Matthew 22:34-40
The commandments of love

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 22, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Let our yes be yes and our no be no. Why do we think we can barter with the Lord our God or bargain with Him? Or even have the need to? Perhaps we have chosen not to grow in our relationship with Him? We do not yet realise just how much He truly loves us and wants only the best for us. All He wants from us is faithfulness and obedience unto Him. To grow in His love and live in His peace together as His children.

And so what are we doing now to prepare ourselves for the wedding feast in heaven? How have we responded to the invitation to put on the wedding garment that is to grow in Holiness, in mercy, charity and love? Have we chucked away the invitation by the busyness in all matters of our heart’s desires? Have we inadvertently declined the invitation to life eternal with Him? How have we treated the sister and brother who was sent to lead us into home to Him? How is it our hearts and minds are not wrapped round the awesome mind blowing fact that we have been given the unique privilege and honour of attending it to begin with?

Lord Jesus indeed You have called and I respond with all my heart, mind and soul. Allow me to stand as one of your chosen. Amen

Dearest Blessed mother and Queen of Heaven pray for us…..

First reading

Judges 11:29-39 ·
Jephthah sacrifices his daughter in fulfilment of a vow

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

Gospel

Matthew 22:1-14
Invite everyone you can to the wedding

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 21, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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We are all called to labour to build the Kingdom of God. And His kingdom is built upon the hearts of His children in the salvation of souls. There are many opportunities and ways to do this but all we need is to respond to the call. All else will be provided for. How then do we respond to this call? Do we agree to do so only when promised a fair return? Then later on grumble expecting more for the long hours in doing so? Comparing our blessings with others who seem to work far less? Or do we respond with joy in our hearts just for being given the opportunity to labour in His love! Not concerned with returns only that we trust in Him and work to glorify the Lord our God in all that we say and do.

Some of us will be called to lead the rest closer into His Kingdom. Do we reverently pray to discern who it is the Lord our God has sent to us? To struggle and wrestle with our decision so that he or she who is chosen will lead after the heart of our Shepherd. Or do we simply cast our vote not concerned with who takes up the position so long as we don’t have to? Or else we choose someone likeable who is easily swayed to do our bidding, one who will allow us to come as we please and do as we please? In short, do we elect someone to lead us closer to heaven or closer to hell?

Lord Jesus let me joyfully bear my cross for You always. Amen

Saint Pius X pray for us…

First reading

Judges 9:6-15 ·
The tale of the trees and their king

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gospel

Matthew 20:1-16
Why be envious because I am generous?

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 20, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Does all the things we have come from the Lord our God? If so then why do we hold on so tightly to what we have such that it is very difficult for us to let go? Yes not all of us are rich, in fact it is pointless to compare our wealth with others for we are rich in many different ways. Question really is how much are we willing to give up for our Lord? For our sisters and brothers? Can we leave behind physical, emotional, sentimental ties behind to follow our Lord? Knowing that even while we may be little in numbers, wisdom, gifts and talents; when we offer up all we have He will multiply them. Great is our God and with Him nothing is impossible!

We fret and worry over inconsequential worldly things, when our only concern should be; how are we living in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and working to build His Kingdom?

Lord Here I am to do Your will, uphold me in Your strennght that I may do great things to glorify Your name. Amen

First reading

Judges 6:11-24 ·
‘Peace be with you; have no fear; you will not die’

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

Gospel

Matthew 19:23-30
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven

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

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 19, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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There is a time for God and there is a time to earn a living so that I my family and I shall not want; when I no longer choose to or am able to work, then I will serve Him. The soonest perhaps will be when my children are all grown and living on their own. I will then devote all my time to God.

So while you were so busy with your work where was the Lord your God? Where was He in all the much needed holidays taken? One day in a foreign church to fulfill the ‘obligation’?Whom were you praying to in your ‘spare’ time? Will you be offering your version of ‘first fruits’ at your retirement? Will you even be able to serve then? Will you be caring for the old and sick when you are old and sick yourself? Will you be teaching children about the faith when you have not grown in your own faith? Your very own children were watching you all those years they were growing up, what will they have learnt from you?

Keeping the commandments of our Lord is only the start, we are called to grow in Holiness and to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect. And if we are only perfected through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ then should we not do all we can now to grow in our relationship with Him? So that when the sufferings and pain come to perfect us, we will face them with joy in our hearts.

Lord Jesus You are my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. Amen

First reading

Judges 2:11-19 ·
The Lord appoints judges to rescue the men of Israel

The sons of Israel did what displeases the Lord, and served the Baals. They deserted the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from the gods of the peoples round them. They bowed down to these; they provoked the Lord; they deserted the Lord to serve Baal and Astarte. Then the Lord’s anger flamed out against Israel. He handed them over to pillagers who plundered them; he delivered them to the enemies surrounding them, and they were not able to resist them. In every warlike venture, the hand of the Lord was there to foil them, as the Lord had warned, as the Lord had sworn to them. Thus he reduced them to dire distress.
Then the Lord appointed judges for them, and rescued the men of Israel from the hands of their plunderers. But they would not listen to their judges. They prostituted themselves to other gods, and bowed down before these. Very quickly they left the path their ancestors had trodden in obedience to the orders of the Lord; they did not follow their example. When the Lord appointed judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and rescued them from the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived, for the Lord felt pity for them as they groaned under the iron grip of their oppressors. But once the judge was dead, they relapsed and behaved even worse than their ancestors. They followed other gods; they served them and bowed before them, and would not give up the practices and stubborn ways of their ancestors at all.

Gospel

Matthew 19:16-22
If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own

There was a man who came to Jesus and asked, ‘Master, what good deed must I do to possess eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is one alone who is good. But if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said, ‘Which?’ ‘These:’ Jesus replied ‘You must not kill. You must not commit adultery. You must not bring false witness. Honour your father and mother, and: you must love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these. What more do I need to do?’ Jesus said, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But when the young man heard these words he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 17, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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God our loving Father dotes on us His children always looking out for us to keep us safe. All He asks of us is that we love one another, be obedient and faithful unto Him. For He wills only the best for us which is to live life to the full in Him.

Which father’s heart will not break when he’s child says to him, I don’t want you, I want another father! I don’t care what you say and I choose to live my life in sin! It’s my choice! Yes indeed it is our choice to make whether we want to honour God our Heavenly Father or Not.

O Heavenly Father I am your little child so loved by you. Forgive me all my sins, and I am truly sorry for having offended you in the past. Let me always run back into Your loving embrace. Let me live my life in the light of Your Son my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Such that I will proclaim Your love and message of salvation to all I meet; as I declare with conviction ”As for me and my House, we will serve the Lord.’’ Amen

First reading

Joshua 24:14-29
‘The Lord is a holy God, a jealous God’

Joshua said to all the people, ‘Fear the Lord and serve him perfectly and sincerely; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if you will not serve the Lord, choose today whom you wish to serve, whether the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are now living. As for me and my House, we will serve the Lord.’
The people answered, ‘We have no intention of deserting the Lord and serving other gods! Was it not the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors out of the land of Egypt, the house of slavery, who worked those great wonders before our eyes and preserved us all along the way we travelled and among all the peoples through whom we journeyed? What is more, the Lord drove all those peoples out before us, as well as the Amorites who used to live in this country. We too will serve the Lord, for he is our God.’
Then Joshua said to the people, ‘You cannot serve the Lord, because he is a holy God, he is a jealous God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you desert the Lord to follow alien gods he in turn will afflict and destroy you after the goodness he has shown you.’ The people answered Joshua, ‘No; it is the Lord we wish to serve.’ Then Joshua said to the people, ‘You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.’ They answered, ‘We are witnesses.’ ‘Then cast away the alien gods among you and give your hearts to the Lord the God of Israel!’ The people answered Joshua, ‘It is the Lord our God we choose to serve; it is his voice that we will obey.’
That day, Joshua made a covenant for the people; he laid down a statute and ordinance for them at Shechem. Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a great stone and set it up there, under the oak in the sanctuary of the Lord, and Joshua said to all the people, ‘See! This stone shall be a witness against us because it has heard all the words that the Lord has spoken to us: it shall be a witness against you in case you deny your God.’ Then Joshua sent the people away, and each returned to his own inheritance.
After these things Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died; he was a hundred and ten years old.

Gospel

Matthew 19:13-15
Do not stop the little children coming to me

People brought little children to Jesus, for him to lay his hands on them and say a prayer. The disciples turned them away, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ Then he laid his hands on them and went on his way.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 16, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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I prefer not to have free will so that I may always do as the Lord bids me to do. To be Holy and chaste of heart. But without free will how will I love Him unconditionally? How will I love Him with all my heart, mind, soul and strength?

Because of His great love for us, the Lord our God has given the freedom to choose to love and follow Him. But over the centuries and throughout history we had made very bad, terrible choices and had turned away from Him. Cursed to live in sin He came to turn our curses into blessings, to free us from all bondages. He laid down His life for us so that we may live. He alone has been faithful, merciful and loving. Traits we look for in a spouse, yet how faithful, merciful and loving are we ourselves? How then can we be faithful to God and declare we love Him when we cannot be faithful, merciful and loving to our own spouses; and by extension family and friends. How are we faithful to our sisters and brothers in Christ not in our presence?

Fidelity to our Lord Jesus Christ is fidelity to His one Body. What God has united, men must not divide! Let us choose always to be faithful to our calling through Christ our Lord. Amen

First reading

Joshua 24:1-13
I gave you a land where you never toiled, vineyards and olive-groves you never planted

Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel together at Shechem; then he called the elders, leaders, judges and scribes of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Then Joshua said to all the people:
‘The Lord, the God of Israel says this, “In ancient days your ancestors lived beyond the River – such was Terah the father of Abraham and of Nahor – and they served other gods. Then I brought your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan. I increased his descendants and gave him Isaac. To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. To Esau I gave the mountain country of Seir as his possession. Jacob and his sons went down into Egypt. Then I sent Moses and Aaron and plagued Egypt with the wonders that I worked there. So I brought you out of it. I brought your ancestors out of Egypt, and you came to the Sea; the Egyptians pursued your ancestors with chariots and horsemen as far as the Sea of Reeds. There they called to the Lord, and he spread a thick fog between you and the Egyptians, and made the sea go back on them and cover them. You saw with your own eyes the things I did in Egypt. Then for a long time you lived in the wilderness, until I brought you into the land of the Amorites who lived beyond the Jordan; they made war on you and I gave them into your hands; you took possession of their country because I destroyed them before you. Next, Balak son of Zippor the king of Moab arose to make war on Israel, and sent for Balaam son of Beor to come and curse you. But I would not listen to Balaam; instead, he had to bless you, and I saved you from his hand.
‘“When you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho, those who held Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites and Perizzites, the Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I put them all into your power. I sent out hornets in front of you, which drove the two Amorite kings before you; this was not the work of your sword or your bow. I gave you a land where you never toiled, you live in towns you never built; you eat now from vineyards and olive-groves you never planted.”’

Gospel

Matthew 19:3-12
Husband and wife are no longer two, but one body

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and to test him they said, ‘Is it against the Law for a man to divorce his wife on any pretext whatever?’ He answered, ‘Have you not read that the creator from the beginning made them male and female and that he said: This is why a man must leave father and mother, and cling to his wife, and the two become one body? They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.’
They said to him, ‘Then why did Moses command that a writ of dismissal should be given in cases of divorce?’ ‘It was because you were so unteachable’ he said ‘that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not like this from the beginning. Now I say this to you: the man who divorces his wife – I am not speaking of fornication – and marries another, is guilty of adultery.’
The disciples said to him, ‘If that is how things are between husband and wife, it is not advisable to marry.’ But he replied, ‘It is not everyone who can accept what I have said, but only those to whom it is granted. There are eunuchs born that way from their mother’s womb, there are eunuchs made so by men and there are eunuchs who have made themselves that way for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.’

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