Jesus the Good Shepherd
I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep”. (John 10:)
"I have called you by name: you are mine.
You are precious in my sight, and important – for I have loved you. Do not be afraid".(Isaiah 43)
Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim
when it is in your power to do it for him.
Say not to your neighbor, "Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give," when you can give at once.
when it is in your power to do it for him.
Say not to your neighbor, "Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give," when you can give at once.
Plot no evil against your neighbor,
against one who lives at peace with you.
Quarrel not with a man without cause,
with one who has done you no harm.
against one who lives at peace with you.
Quarrel not with a man without cause,
with one who has done you no harm.
Envy not the lawless man
and choose none of his ways:
To the LORD the perverse one is an abomination,
but with the upright is his friendship.
and choose none of his ways:
To the LORD the perverse one is an abomination,
but with the upright is his friendship.
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
but the dwelling of the just he blesses;
When dealing with the arrogant, he is stern,
but to the humble he shows kindness.
but the dwelling of the just he blesses;
When dealing with the arrogant, he is stern,
but to the humble he shows kindness.
No one wants to part with their money. But it is wise to pay what we need to pay immediately. This breeds a good neighbourly spirit. Our relations with our neighbours should reflect our relationship with God. The apparent prosperity of people without faith is a temptation for believers. But childlike trust in God brings down his blessings on us. The blessing of contentment is one of his greatest blessings.
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
Jesus said to the crowd:
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away."
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away."
Luke writes for Greeks. Unlike in Palestine ministry to people. It is the same with us. By our listening we become a light to guide people to Jesus. We can minister like Jesus and do even greater things than he did. God’s Word is alive and active and full of His power. Is the prayerful listening and obedience to God’s Word the priority in your life?
September 21, 2010
Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist
Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist
Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Reading 1
Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace:
one Body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace:
one Body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
But grace was given to each of us
according to the measure of Christ's gift.
according to the measure of Christ's gift.
And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets,
others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
to equip the holy ones for the work ofministry ,
for building up the Body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of faith
and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,
to the extent of the full stature of Christ.
others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
to equip the holy ones for the work of
for building up the Body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of faith
and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,
to the extent of the full stature of Christ.
As God is one in Love, though three Persons, so the Church community is called to be one though there are many members. We are united in our faith and love for Jesus which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. He is the energy and power of God and the Spirit throughout the universe. We are in the Spirit and the Spirit is in us and he makes us one Body in Christ. Christ gives gifts to each. These gifts are to be used in self-effacing service and with a forgiving love that brings about peace to build up the members of the community so that as individuals and as a community we live the full life that Jesus lived. .
Responsorial Psalm
R. (5) Their message goes out through all the earth.
Gospel
As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and said,
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and said,
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."
Jesus and his disciples were different. Their community didn’t fit in with current religious ideas. Jesus calls everyone, like the net catching good and bad fish alike. He sits and eats with them, hoping that his goodness will be contagious. In life, ‘bad fish’ can become good, even excellent, saints. Jesus knew this. Saints are humble. They know that what they are is due to God’s mercy and grace. They cannot be self-righteous Pharisees. Matthew is one of these. He was no better than a robber for ‘good Jews’. Jesus calls, he surrenders. That is the cost of discipleship. Jesus is here to heal. Doctors work in hospitals, Jesus among sinners. He is the human face of God’s mercy. Like Jesus we are to call sinners. We are to search for the lost. Like him we do this by love, mercy and goodness. Are you concerned for those considered sinners?
September 22, 2010
Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Every word of God is tested;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Add nothing to his words,
lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver.
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Add nothing to his words,
lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver.
Two things I ask of you,
deny them not to me before I die:
Put falsehood and lying far from me,
give me neither poverty nor riches;
provide me only with the food I need;
Lest, being full, I deny you,
saying, "Who is the LORD?"
Or, being in want, I steal,
and profane the name of my God.
deny them not to me before I die:
Put falsehood and lying far from me,
give me neither poverty nor riches;
provide me only with the food I need;
Lest, being full, I deny you,
saying, "Who is the LORD?"
Or, being in want, I steal,
and profane the name of my God.
Faith isn’t just to accept doctrines. It is to be real and fruitful. It allows God to work miracles for his beloved ones. It allows him to be a shield to those who take refuge in him. Let us make the prayer of the inspired author our own. Lord, let me not have a double tongue, a lying and cheating spirit. Give me enough to live comfortably and may I give the rest to those in need.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (105) Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Gospel
Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim theKingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them."
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them."
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.
The strength and power of the members of the Church is not to be money, political influence, big institutions, powerful Popes and Bishops. This is all paper power. We have no power but Jesus. To be effective the Church must be poor and witness to the fact that it relies only on Jesus. Its focus must be the preaching of the Gospel not just to those who come to Church. Jesus sent his apostles out and they set out and went from village to village. They were not to preach to people who came but to go where people were. We must do the same. Having nothing but Jesus the members of the Church are to have authority over demons, heal the sick and proclaim that God is calling them to be his children. How far are we following the Gospel? How far do you give an apostolic witness?
September 23, 2010
Memorial of Saint Pio or Pietrelcina, priest
Memorial of Saint Pio or Pietrelcina, priest
Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Reading 1
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!
What profit has man from all the labor
which he toils at under the sun?
One generation passes and another comes,
but the world forever stays.
The sun rises and the sun goes down;
then it presses on to the place where it rises.
Blowing now toward the south, then toward the north,
the wind turns again and again, resuming its rounds.
All rivers go to the sea,
yet never does the sea become full.
To the place where they go,
the rivers keep on going.
All speech is labored;
there is nothing one can say.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing
nor is the ear satisfied with hearing.
vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!
What profit has man from all the labor
which he toils at under the sun?
One generation passes and another comes,
but the world forever stays.
The sun rises and the sun goes down;
then it presses on to the place where it rises.
Blowing now toward the south, then toward the north,
the wind turns again and again, resuming its rounds.
All rivers go to the sea,
yet never does the sea become full.
To the place where they go,
the rivers keep on going.
All speech is labored;
there is nothing one can say.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing
nor is the ear satisfied with hearing.
What has been, that will be;
what has been done, that will be done.
Nothing is new under the sun.
Even the thing of which we say, "See, this is new!"
has already existed in the ages that preceded us.
There is no remembrance of the men of old;
nor of those to come will there be any remembrance
among those who come after them.
what has been done, that will be done.
Nothing is new under the sun.
Even the thing of which we say, "See, this is new!"
has already existed in the ages that preceded us.
There is no remembrance of the men of old;
nor of those to come will there be any remembrance
among those who come after them.
This is a meditation on life without God. Of course we are here and must make the best of it, but is there any purpose to it? Even the best life has so many sorrows and inevitable tragedies. Young lives are lost. Many struggle to live lives of principle but life is full of sickness, misfortune, wars, strife and endless conflict. Then everything we do and achieve comes to an end often in a sudden and untimely death. This is the actual situation of the world. Is there a treasure hidden in this wilderness? Qoheleth and Jesus, the full revelation of God, say yes. Life can be turned into a source of hope and joy if we find it. We know God has in no way abandoned his world. Emmanuel, ‘God with us’, is here in the person of Jesus. He offers a life giving friendship to everyone.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.Gospel
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
"John has been raised from the dead";
others were saying, "Elijah has appeared";
still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen."
But Herod said, "John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?"
And he kept trying to see him.
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
"John has been raised from the dead";
others were saying, "Elijah has appeared";
still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen."
But Herod said, "John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?"
And he kept trying to see him.
There is confusion in everyone’s mind as to who Jesus is. They think he is someone from the past. No one sees him as the awaited Messiah. But Jesus comes from the future not the past. Herod wants to see him but when at last he does he only makes fun of him. Jesus will not speak to him. Herod meets Jesus, but never comes to know him Jesus is greatly affected by a person’s response. Because his heart was stifled by ‘the worries and the riches and pleasures of this life’ Herod missed the opportunity of his lifetime. At this time the apostles too had not discovered who Jesus really was. Coming to know Jesus is for us all a gradual process, a lifetime task. Each day calls for growth. Eternity even will be insufficient. Have you come to the point where Jesus is the Love of your life?
September 24, 2010
Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill , and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
What advantage has the worker from his toil?
I have considered the task that God has appointed
for the sons of men to be busied about.
He has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts,
without man's ever discovering,
from beginning to end, the work which God has done.
I have considered the task that God has appointed
for the sons of men to be busied about.
He has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts,
without man's ever discovering,
from beginning to end, the work which God has done.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (1) Blessed be the Lord, my Rock! “LORD, what is man, that you notice him; the son of man, that you take thought of him? Man is like a breath; his days, like a passing shadow”. Before God whole universe is no more than a grain of sand on a pair of scales. This thought could make us pessimistic, except that God loves ‘this grain of sand’. It is in his hands. We too are in his loving hands. If we look into the depths of our hearts we will find ‘the timeless’ there. God, our source of peace and joy, lives within us .
Gospel
Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"
They said in reply, "John the Baptist ; others, Elijah;
still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'"
Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Peter said in reply, "The Christ of God."
He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"
They said in reply, "
still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'"
Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Peter said in reply, "The Christ of God."
He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.
He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised."
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised."
What was Jesus praying about? His mission in Galilee was about to end. He was a lonely man. No one understood him. The leaders opposed him tooth and nail. He was anathema. They wanted him dead. The public thought he was someone from the past, not the one to come. They thought of the Messiah too in terms of politics and conquest. His life-line was his prayer all alone to his Father. Here he found peace, understanding and love. The time was coming to go to Jerusalem
September 25, 2010
Saturday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Saturday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Rejoice, O young man, while you are young
and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart,
the vision of your eyes;
Yet understand that as regards all this
God will bring you to judgment.
Ward off grief from your heart
and put away trouble from your presence,
though the dawn of youth is fleeting.
and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart,
the vision of your eyes;
Yet understand that as regards all this
God will bring you to judgment.
Ward off grief from your heart
and put away trouble from your presence,
though the dawn of youth is fleeting.
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the evil days come
And the years approach of which you will say,
I have no pleasure in them;
Before the sun is darkened,
and the light, and the moon, and the stars,
while the clouds return after the rain;
When the guardians of the house tremble,
and the strong men are bent,
And the grinders are idle because they are few,
and they who look through the windows grow blind;
Whenthe doors to the street are shut,
and the sound of the mill is low;
When one waits for the chirp of a bird,
but all the daughters of song are suppressed;
And one fears heights,
and perils in the street;
When the almond tree blooms,
and the locust grows sluggish
and the caper berry is without effect,
Because man goes to his lasting home,
and mourners go about the streets;
Before the silver cord is snapped
and the golden bowl is broken,
And the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the broken pulley falls into the well,
And the dust returns to the earth as it once was,
and the life breath returns to God who gave it.
before the evil days come
And the years approach of which you will say,
I have no pleasure in them;
Before the sun is darkened,
and the light, and the moon, and the stars,
while the clouds return after the rain;
When the guardians of the house tremble,
and the strong men are bent,
And the grinders are idle because they are few,
and they who look through the windows grow blind;
When
and the sound of the mill is low;
When one waits for the chirp of a bird,
but all the daughters of song are suppressed;
And one fears heights,
and perils in the street;
When the almond tree blooms,
and the locust grows sluggish
and the caper berry is without effect,
Because man goes to his lasting home,
and mourners go about the streets;
Before the silver cord is snapped
and the golden bowl is broken,
And the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the broken pulley falls into the well,
And the dust returns to the earth as it once was,
and the life breath returns to God who gave it.
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
all things are vanity!
all things are vanity!
Responsorial Psalm
R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Our life is like a person sitting alone in a lonely boat on the ocean. We know that one day we will either be rescued or perish. As the words of Qoheleth come true in the life of each of us let us turn to the One who alone can save us from perishing. In fact he can make life blossom with a deeper joy and peace before “the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it”. He is Jesus. May he become real to you.
Our life is like a person sitting alone in a lonely boat on the ocean. We know that one day we will either be rescued or perish. As the words of Qoheleth come true in the life of each of us let us turn to the One who alone can save us from perishing. In fact he can make life blossom with a deeper joy and peace before “the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it”. He is Jesus. May he become real to you.
Gospel Lk 9:43b-45
While they were all amazed at his every deed,
Jesus said to his disciples,
"Pay attention to what I am telling you.
The Son of Man is to be handed over to men."
But they did not understand this saying;
its meaning was hidden from them
so that they should not understand it,
and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Jesus said to his disciples,
"Pay attention to what I am telling you.
The Son of Man is to be handed over to men."
But they did not understand this saying;
its meaning was hidden from them
so that they should not understand it,
and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
The Passion was always on the mind of Jesus. He knew the fate that awaited him. He needed all the strength he could get. In prayer his Father gave him the inner strength to go forwards freely to face the ordeal of torture, humiliation and death. Unfortunately he received no strength from his disciples. He tried to tell them, but their minds could not accept it. He was left alone to walk on ahead. They were afraid to ask. Were they afraid of him? Or were they afraid to face the truth? They preferred to live with their illusions of permanence and dreams of greatness. What would have happened if they had been strong and loyal disciples who gave their lives then for Christ? God can also use our weakness but only if we stay close to Jesus. Is Jesus your daily companion? Or do you prefer the illusions of your life?
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