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Daily Mass Readings for Sunday, 5 October 2025

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Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Habakkuk 1: 2-3; 2: 2-4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95: 1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: Second Timothy 1: 6-8, 13-14
Alleluia: First Peter 1: 25
Gospel: Luke 17: 5-10
Lectionary: 141

First Reading: Habakkuk 1: 2-3; 2: 2-4

2 How long, O Lord, shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? shall I cry out to thee suffering violence, and thou wilt not save?

3 Why hast thou shewn me iniquity and grievance, to see rapine and injustice before me? and there is a judgment, but opposition is more powerful.

2:2 And the Lord answered me, and said: Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables: that he that readeth it may run over it.

3 For as yet the vision is far off, and it shall appear at the end, and shall not lie: if it make any delay, wait for it: for it shall surely come, and it shall not be slack.

4 Behold, he that is unbelieving, his soul shall not be right in himself: but the just shall live in his faith.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95: 1-2, 6-7, 8-9

R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

1 Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our saviour.

2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

6 Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us.

7 For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

8 Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts:

9 As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness: where your fathers tempted me, they proved me, and saw my works.

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Second Reading: Second Timothy 1: 6-8, 13-14

6 For which cause I admonish thee, that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee, by the imposition of my hands.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of sobriety.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but labour with the gospel, according to the power of God,

13 Hold the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me in faith, and in the love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 Keep the good thing committed to thy trust by the Holy Ghost, who dwelleth in us.

Alleluia: First Peter 1: 25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

25 The word of the Lord remains forever. This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 17: 5-10

5 And the apostles said to the Lord: Increase our faith.

6 And the Lord said: If you had faith like to a grain of mustard seed, you might say to this mulberry tree, Be thou rooted up, and be thou transplanted into the sea: and it would obey you.

7 But which of you having a servant ploughing, or feeding cattle, will say to him, when he is come from the field: Immediately go, sit down to meat:

8 And will not rather say to him: Make ready my supper, and gird thyself, and serve me, whilst I eat and drink, and afterwards thou shalt eat and drink?

9 Doth he thank that servant, for doing the things which he commanded him?

10 I think not. So you also, when you shall have done all these things that are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do.

The readings on this page are taken from the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible. You can also read the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. (References, Copyrights).
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Daily Mass Readings for Saturday, 4 October 2025

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Francis of Assisi, Religious Founder Obligatory Memorial

First Reading: Baruch 4: 5-12, 27-29
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 69: 33-35, 36-37
Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25
Gospel: Luke 10: 17-24
Lectionary: 460

First Reading: Baruch 4: 5-12, 27-29

5 Be of good comfort, O people of God, the memorial of Israel:

6 You have been sold to the Gentiles, not for your destruction: but because you provoked God to wrath, you are delivered to your adversaries.

7 For you have provoked him who made you, the eternal God, offering sacrifice to devils, and not to God.

8 For you have forgotten God, who brought you up, and you have grieved Jerusalem that nursed you.

9 For she saw the wrath of God coming upon you, and she said: Give ear, all you that dwell near Sion, for God hath brought upon me great mourning:

10 For I have seen the captivity of my people, of my sons, and my daughters, which the Eternal hath brought upon them.

11 For I nourished them with joy: but I sent them away with weeping and mourning.

12 Let no man rejoice over me, a widow, and desolate: I am forsaken of many for the sins of my children, because they departed from the law of God.

27 Be of good comfort, my children, and cry to the Lord: for you shall be remembered by him that hath led you away.

28 For as it was your mind to go astray from God; so when you return again you shall seek him ten times as much.

29 For he that hath brought evils upon you, shall bring you everlasting joy again with your salvation.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 69: 33-35, 36-37

R. (34) The Lord listens to the poor.

33 Let the poor see and rejoice: seek ye God, and your soul shall live.

34 For the Lord hath heard the poor: and hath not despised his prisoners.

35 Let the heavens and the earth praise him; the sea, and every thing that creepeth therein.

R. The Lord listens to the poor.

36 For God will save Sion, and the cities of Juda shall be built up. And they shall dwell there, and acquire it by inheritance.

37 And the seed of his servants shall possess it; and they that love his name shall dwell therein.

R. The Lord listens to the poor.

Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

25 Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 10: 17-24

17 And the seventy-two returned with joy, saying: Lord, the devils also are subject to us in thy name.

18 And he said to them: I saw Satan like lightning falling from heaven.

19 Behold, I have given you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall hurt you.

20 But yet rejoice not in this, that spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice in this, that your names are written in heaven.

21 In that same hour, he rejoiced in the Holy Ghost, and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight.

22 All things are delivered to me by my Father; and no one knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and to whom the Son will reveal him.

23 And turning to his disciples, he said: Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see.

24 For I say to you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you hear, and have not heard them.

The readings on this page are taken from the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible. You can also read the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. (References, Copyrights).
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Daily Mass Readings for Friday, 3 October 2025

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Ordinary Weekday

First Reading: Baruch 1: 15-22
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 79: 1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9
Alleluia: Psalms 95: 8
Gospel: Luke 10: 13-16
Lectionary: 459

First Reading: Baruch 1: 15-22

15 And you shall say: To the Lord our God belongeth justice, but to us confusion of our face: as it is come to pass at this day to all Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

16 To our kings, and to our princes, and to our priests, and to our prophets, and to our fathers.

17 We have sinned before the Lord our God, and have not believed him, nor put our trust in him:

18 And we were not obedient to him, and we have not hearkened to the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his commandments, which he hath given us.

19 From the day that he brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, even to this day, we were disobedient to the Lord our God: and going astray we turned away from hearing his voice.

20 And many evils have cleaved to us, and the curses which the Lord foretold by Moses his servant: who brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, to give us a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day.

21 And we have not hearkened to the voice of the Lord our God according to all the words of the prophets whom he sent to us:

22 And we have gone away every man after the inclinations of his own wicked heart, to serve strange gods, and to do evil in the sight of the Lord our God.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 79: 1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9

R. (9) For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

1 O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance, they have defiled thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit.

2 They have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be meat for the fowls of the air: the flesh of thy saints for the beasts of the earth.

R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

3 They have poured out their blood as water, round about Jerusalem and there was none to bury them.

4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours: a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

5 How long, O Lord, wilt thou be angry for ever: shall thy zeal be kindled like a fire?

R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

8 Remember not our former iniquities: let thy mercies speedily prevent us, for we are become exceeding poor.

R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

9 Help us, O God, our saviour: and for the glory of thy name, O Lord, deliver us: and forgive us our sins for thy name’s sake:

R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

Alleluia: Psalms 95: 8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

8 Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 10: 13-16

13 Woe to thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida. For if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the mighty works that have been wrought in you, they would have done penance long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgement, than for you.

15 And thou, Capharnaum, which art exalted unto heaven, thou shalt be thrust down to hell.

16 He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.

The readings on this page are taken from the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible. You can also read the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. (References, Copyrights).
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Daily Mass Readings for Thursday, 2 October 2025

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The Guardian Angels Obligatory Memorial

First Reading: Nehemiah 8: 1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 19: 8, 9, 10, 11
Alleluia: Psalms 103: 21
Gospel: Matthew 18: 1-5, 10
Lectionary: 458

First Reading: Nehemiah 8: 1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12

1 And the seventh month came: and the children of Israel were in their cities. And all the people were gathered together as one man to the street which is before the water gate, and they spoke to Esdras the scribe, to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.

2 Then Esdras the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those that could understand, in the first day of the seventh month.

3 And he read it plainly in the street that was before the water gate, from the morning until midday, before the men, and the women, and all those that could understand: and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.

4a And Esdras the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made to speak upon.

5 And Esdras opened the book before all the people: for he was above all the people: and when he had opened it, all the people stood.

6 And Esdras blessed the Lord the great God: and all the people answered, Amen, amen: lifting up their hands: and they bowed down, and adored God with their faces to the ground.

7b and the people stood in their place.

8 And they read in the book of the law of God distinctly and plainly to be understood: and they understood when it was read.

9 And Nehemias (he is Athersatha) and Esdras the priest and scribe, and the Levites who interpreted to all the people, said: This is a holy day to the Lord our God: do not mourn, nor weep: for all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

10 And he said to them: Go, eat fat meats, and drink sweet wine, and send portions to them that have not prepared for themselves: because it is the holy day of the Lord, and be not sad: for the joy of the Lord is our strength.

11 And the Levites stilled all the people, saying: Hold your peace, for the day is holy, and be not sorrowful.

12 So all the people went to eat and drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth: because they understood the words that he had taught them.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 19: 8, 9, 10, 11

R. (9ab) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

8 The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.

R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

9 The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: the commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.

R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

10 The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.

R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

11 More to be desired than gold and many precious stones: and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Alleluia: Psalms 103: 21

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

21 Bless the LORD, all you angels, you ministers, who do his will.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 18: 1-5, 10

1 At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them,

3 And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.

10 See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

The readings on this page are taken from the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible. You can also read the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. (References, Copyrights).
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Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday, 1 October 2025

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Thérèse of Lisieux, Virgin, Religious, Doctor Obligatory Memorial

First Reading: Nehemiah 2: 1-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 137: 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
Alleluia: Philippians 3: 8-9
Gospel: Luke 9: 57-62
Lectionary: 457

First Reading: Nehemiah 2: 1-8

1 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king: that wine was before him, and I took up the wine, and gave it to the king: and I was as one languishing away before his face.

2 And the king said to me: Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou dost not appear to be sick? this is not without cause, but some evil, I know not what, is in thy heart. And I was seized with an exceeding great fear:

3 And I said to the king: O king, live for ever: why should not my countenance be sorrowful, seeing the city of the place of the sepulchres of my fathers is desolate, and the gates thereof are burnt with fire?

4 Then the king said to me: For what dost thou make request? And I prayed to the God of heaven,

5 And I said to the king: If it seem good to the king, and if thy servant hath found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldst send me into Judea to the city of the sepulchre of my father, and I will build it.

6 And the king said to me, and the queen that sat by him: For how long shall thy journey be, and when wilt thou return? And it pleased the king, and he sent me: and I fixed him a time.

7 And I said to the king: If it seem good to the king, let him give me letters to the governors of the country beyond the river, that they convey me over, till I come into Judea:

8 And a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, to give me timber that I may cover the gates of the tower of the house, and the walls of the city, and the house that I shall enter into. And the king gave me according to the good hand of my God with me.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 137: 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

R. (6ab) Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!

1 Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:

2 On the willows in the midst thereof we hung up our instruments.

R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!

3 For there they that led us into captivity required of us the words of songs. And they that carried us away, said: Sing ye to us a hymn of the songs of Sion.

R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!

4 How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?

5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.

R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!

6 Let my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember thee: If I make not Jerusalem the beginning of my joy.

R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!

Alleluia: Philippians 3: 8-9

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

8-9 I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 9: 57-62

57 And it came to pass, as they walked in the way, that a certain man said to him: I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

58 Jesus said to him: The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

59 But he said to another: Follow me. And he said: Lord, suffer me first to go, and to bury my father.

60 And Jesus said to him: Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou, and preach the kingdom of God.

61 And another said: I will follow thee, Lord; but let me first take my leave of them that are at my house.

62 Jesus said to him: No man putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

The readings on this page are taken from the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible. You can also read the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. (References, Copyrights).
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Sunday Homily – 03 March 2024

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Third Sunday of Lent, First Scrutiny of the Elect/ Lenten Mass Readings

Also Read: Mass Readings for 3 March 2024 Mass Reading Reflection for 3 March 2024

Gospel: John 2: 13-25

Jesus is angry! Jesus is angry because the house of His Father is being converted to a marketplace. He is angry because the temple is filled with filth, the filth of hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and injustice.

Jerusalem temple was not the ultimate concern of Jesus. If it were, the temple would not have been destroyed. Jesus was trying to make some important points.

Is Jesus happy with our temples today? The temple is the dwelling place of God. There are three temples that we have to take care of well and free of all filth.

1. Our Parish Church or community chapel.

Many are tempted to convert our churches to a marketplace. Sure, we don’t see anyone selling cattle or doves in our churches. But we are tempted to convert the church to a spiritual marketplace.

When we participate in the Holy Mass, take part in an adoration, or go for a pilgrimage with a material gain in mind, we consider our church a marketplace and God a vendor. It is blasphemy if we attend the Church or take part in pilgrimage conditionally.

Of course, we can ask for material blessings in our prayers, but we should be ready to ask as Jesus did. Jesus in Gethsemane asked to spare Him from the cross, but He added a simple sentence of total submission, “But, let thy will be done.” (Mt 26:39).

2. Our homes.

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am amidst them.” (Mt 18:20). A Christian family is a temple where Jesus is present and worshipped. If you love your spouse expecting love in equal measure, you are converting your house into a marketplace. If you have a price tag for your time, concern, forgiveness, or sacrifice you are living in a market.

Even when you raise your children teaching them of the value of hard work and money, you shall be careful not to attach a price tag to your love, time, care, and mercy. When we create a just atmosphere at home, God shall be pleased and will make it another temple. Such houses are called ‘House Churches.’

3. Our hearts.

Our hearts are the favorite temples of God. When God and His plan for us have the most important pedestal in our lives, we are the walking temples of God. We are fragile. We should have the humility to accept our failures. We should be the ones asking Jesus to clean our hearts with a whip if necessary.

When we read the gospels carefully, we see Jesus using His spiritual whip to cleanse the hearts of Peter and other apostles, and His disciples like Nicodemus. At times we see Jesus rebuking them and scolding them. There are other times when He challenges them and even belittles them in front of children.

He also reassures them and instills hope in them. He cleans hearts by generously forgiving the sins. His attempt to clean the hearts fails against the walls of hypocrisy, greed and self-righteousness. That was the reason He harshly criticized the Pharisees and the scribes.

Let us invite Jesus with all humility to clean our little temples.

Amen.

Sunday Reflection – 03 March 2024

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Third Sunday of Lent, First Scrutiny of the Elect

Also Read: Mass Readings for 3 March 2024 Homily for 3 March 2024 – Sunday

Scrutiny Mass Reading Reflection

First Reading: Exodus 17: 3-7

“I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.” (6)

Lord God Our Father, gave the Israelites water from the rock to drink! Let us go to the Lord Our God in faith for even from the rock he can spring forth waters. In our barren places let us not quarrel and complain, but seek the Lord God with all our might, soul, and spirit. The Lord visits us amid our patience and perseverance. Let us not lose hope, for we will yet trust in the Lord God Almighty.

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95: 1-2, 6-9

O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice! Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your ancestors tested me, and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. (6-9)

Amen!

Second Reading: Romans 5: 1-2, 5-8

Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (5)

God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (8)

God proves himself to us! But why does God need to do that? God has given us a freewill through which we are able to accept or reject God. He made us in his own likeness and therefore leaves it to us to love him freely. It is the Holy Spirit within us that cries “Abba Father!” if we continue to dampen the Holy Spirit by turning deaf ears to him; we may not hear his voice anymore.

Listening to the Holy Spirit is our response to God’s love. Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom. We fear the Lord God because we love Him; while this love we have for God is a gift from God Our Father. The Holy Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts and therefore we have hope. We have hope through Jesus Christ who loved us while we were still in sin! We must ask the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts and spirits as we ponder these great mysteries. The Holy Spirit reveals to us hidden gems of our faith if we submit our intellect and knowledge to his teaching.

Let us not keep testing the Lord and turn our petitions to Mother Mary as we seek the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Gospel: John 4: 5-42

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.” (24-26)

They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” (42)

Why did Jesus reveal himself to the woman of Samaria? In the interaction with Jesus, the woman sensed God’s presence! But how was this possible? It seems that the woman was humble enough to be taught. The Samaritans unlike the scribes and Pharisees of their time, did not ask Jesus for any more signs! They believed!

No matter how sinful we might have been, we have an appointment with Christ this Lenten Season. Let us make the most of our time slot in the presence of God and humbly believe in Him. Let us drink from the spring of eternal water that is in us, that is Jesus Christ.

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Sunday Homily – 25 February 2024

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Second Sunday Of Lent

Also Read: Mass Readings for 25 February 2024 Mass Reading Reflection for 25 February 2024

Gospel: Mark 9: 2-10

There are only three occasions in the four gospels where we find God the Father speaking directly to the people.

On the first occasion, the heavenly voice introduced Jesus as His beloved Son, to John the Baptist and to those who gathered around John. (Mt 3:17 & Mk 1: 11).

On the final occasion, a heavenly voice was heard in response to a public prayer Jesus made. Jesus requested His Father, “Father glorify your name.” The heavenly voice agreed in response saying, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (Jn 12: 28).

The second one, the heavenly voice heard and recorded by Peter, John, and James is the core of our reflection today, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”

It has two parts; the first part defines who Jesus is. He is the Son of God. No more room for any arguments. The second part is a command, “Listen to him.” In the whole New Testament, this is the only occasion where God the Father gives any command to any human being. It is not a command given through an intermediary. No prophet or no messenger is involved. It signifies just one thing; God gives so much importance to this command. He means it so much. Here, to listen is synonymous with obeying. It is a command to all humanity to listen attentively to Jesus and to live accordingly.

Lent is an occasion to take stock of our Christian life; Do we really listen to Jesus? Do we take pain to listen to Jesus?

The command does not give an option. It is “Listen to him,” no matter whether you like it or not. Those who find joy in listening and obeying Jesus shall inherit what Jesus promises. Those who refuse to listen to Him shall be made to listen and obey Him one final time when they shall be punished with eternal damnation.

If you take this command in its full seriousness, you will open the Bible every day to listen to Jesus. You will make it a point to converse with Jesus every day; it includes taking your pains, anxieties, hopes, failures, and joy to Jesus. When you know the worth of the command, you will love sitting next to Jesus and listening to His sweet voices heard as we spend our time with Him in silence; you will love spending time in front of the blessed sacrament in silence.

This Lent, let us make it a point to review our lives. Let us ask ourselves if we really obey the only direct command given by our Heavenly Father. There is a lot at stake.

Amen.

Sunday Reflection – 25 February 2024

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Second Sunday Of Lent

Also Read: Mass Readings for 25 February 2024 Homily for 25 February 2024 – Sunday

First Reading: Genesis 22: 1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” (11-12)

In this great text, we contemplate the steadfast faith of Abraham! Our minds might be boggled at the length to which Abraham was ready to go, for the sake of obedience to GOD. Yet we learn many lessons layered in this narrative. God tested him (v.1) do we discern when God may be testing us? When God calls out to us, do we respond like Abraham; “Here I am.”? Have we ever taken even a small step in faith and received a blessing? When we align ourselves to the will of the Father we are sure to be blessed similarly.

In the verse not included in the reading today there is a noteworthy lesson too! – So Abraham called that place “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” (v.14) We must remind ourselves when we go to the mount of the Lord; it shall be provided! When our hearts are in alignment with God’s will, we will endeavor to go where He leads us and He will provide for our journey.

In Jesus’ Name; Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 116: 10, 15, 16-17, 18-19

I kept my faith, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted” (10)

Amen.

Second Reading: Romans 8: 31b-34

He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? (32)

Through his letter to the Romans, St. Paul encourages us to remain steadfast in faith. We are to ask the Lord and He will provide whatever we need for our journey! Let us meditate and discern the depths of God’s love for us! Let us believe!

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Gospel: Mark 9: 2-10

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. (2-3)

To see the Face of GOD while still alive on earth was unthinkable for any mortal, up until that time. But Peter, James, and John had witnessed just that. Terrified as they were; only Peter was able to react albeit without much thought! This trio of the closest apostles of Jesus now became the only ones alive to see and hear GOD! Having experienced divinity in person; we might have reacted similarly, not wanting to return to earthly reality.

We know that Moses had seen God. (Ex.34; 28-30) And Elijah had met God. (1Kings 19:11-18) Today JESUS is seen conversing with them on the Transfiguration mount! Peter, James, and John lived the rest of their lives with this sight of Heaven in their hearts. Christ Jesus is transfigured daily at Holy Eucharist for our sake. Do we see his glory?

Let us open the eyes of our hearts and ears of our spirits to see and hear the Lord GOD Almighty! Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, Amen! Amen, Amen!

Sunday Homily – 18 February 2024

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First Sunday Of Lent

Also Read: Mass Readings for 18 February 2024 Mass Reading Reflection for 18 February 2024

Gospel: Mark 1: 12-15

Satan had the temerity to tempt Jesus. It knew who Jesus was; it had confessed the divinity of Jesus multiple times, yet it had the temerity to confront Jesus with temptations.

Be assured then, no one is beyond temptations. You will not be spared of temptations. No one is too holy to be tempted.

A Desert is a place with a harsh climate, hostile animals including poisonous serpents, and little food and water. Desert is where comfort is a distant dream. Yet, Jesus went there ‘driven by the Holy Spirit.’

Holy Spirit is also called the Comforter. But He does not promise to take us to comfortable places. The comfort He promises is from within. When the Holy Spirit is driving you, no desert can make you uncomfortable.

The Lent is a time to accompany Jesus to the desert. There in the desert, we may miss many of our daily comforts. He is welcoming us to experience the comfort from within, the inner joy, a joy only the Holy Spirit can grant us.

Out there, the evil is waiting to tempt us harder. It is scared of anyone who is driven by the Holy Spirit. Anyone driven by the spirit of the world is on the side of evil. 

But we have no reason to be scared of it. The angels who ministered unto Jesus, are waiting to assist us in our fights. We are not left to fend for ourselves. Even when we are through the toughest desert, God has employed some of His angels to minister to us.

Do not expect the devil to appear with ugly horns, forked tongues, long tails, and black in color. Most of the time the evil appears as a kind guide who offers an easy shortcut. So, beware of those who offer shortcuts in life.

Similarly, often angels appear as fragile human beings, who are ready to offer you a helping hand in your struggles, rather than suggesting a shortcut. 

This Lent, try to be an angel for someone who is struggling in his or her desert. You are an angel when you carry the message of Jesus. His message is simple, “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Let us be ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. It is worth carrying the message, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand.’

Amen.

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