FIRST READING

“’We await a Saviour who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body.”’

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 3:17-4:1)

Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so walk as you have an example in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their ends is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which oh enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, for my joy and crown, stand firm in this way in the Lord, my beloved.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm Ps122:1-2,3-4ab, 4cd-5 (R. see 1)

R/. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

I rejoiced when they said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

And now our feet are standing

Within your gates, O Jerusalem. R/.

Jerusalem is built as a city

Bonded as one together.

It is there that the tribes go up,

The tribes of the Lord. R/.

R/. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

For Israel’s witness it is

To praise the name of the Lord.

There were set the thrones for judgement,

The thrones of the house of David. R/.

ALLELUIA 1 John 2:5

Alleluia. Whoever keeps Christ’s word, in him truly love for God is perfected. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Sons of this world are wiser in their own generation than the sons of light.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 16:1-8)

At that time: Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ “And the steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ “He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ “And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ “Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ “He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ “The master commended the dishonest steward for his prudence; for the sons of this world are wiser in their own generation than the sons of light.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Our lives as Christians can be the only gospel that some people may be privileged to read or hear. Hence, our lives as Christians should be in conformity with the Christian message. We should not allow earthly things to distract us from our goal which is heaven.

The dishonest steward in the gospel reading of today was neither ready to beg nor to work. So he took a clever but dubious step. By commending the steward for his prudence, the master is not recommending dishonesty. The message is that If Christians would give as much attention to the things that concern their souls as they do to the things that concern worldly business, they would be much better disciples.

FIRST READING

“Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 3:3-8a)

Brethren: We are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If any other man thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law a Pharisee, as to zeal a persecutor of the Church, as to righteousness under the law blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 105.2-3.4-5.6-7 (R. 3b)

R/. Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.

Or: Alleluia.

O sing to him, sing his praise;

tell all his wonderful works!

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts that seek the LORD rejoice. R/.

Turn to the Lord and his strength;

constantly seek his face.

Remember the wonders he has done,

his marvels and his words of judgement. R/.

R/. Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.

Or: Alleluia.

O children of Abraham, his servant,

O descendants of the Jacob he chose,

he, the Lord, is our God;

his judgements are in all the earth. R/

ALLELUIA Matthew 11:28

Alleluia. Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, says the Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“There is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. ”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 15: 1-10)

At that time: The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Humanly speaking, the parables of the gospel reading seem senseless and illogical. But as per Jesus’ teaching, God’s logic is totally different from human logic. God is more interested in the repentance and conversion of even one sinner than in the holiness of the many righteous people who have no need of repentance. As children of God and followers of Christ we should seek for the conversion of sinners at all costs. The salvation of souls should be our utmost priority.

FIRST READING

“Complete my joy by being of the same mind.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 2: 1- 4)

Brethren: If there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 131:1.2.3

R/. Keep my soul in peace at your side, O Lord.

O Lord, my heart is not proud,

nor haughty my eyes.

I have not gone after things too great,

nor marvels beyond me. R/.

Truly, I have set my soul

in tranquillity and silence.

As a weaned child on its mother,

as a weaned child is my soul within me. R/.

R/. Keep my soul in peace at your side, O Lord.

O Israel, wait for the Lord,

both now and forever. R/.

ALLELUIA John 8:31b-32

Alleluia. If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, says the Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Do not invite your friends, but the poor and the maimed.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 14:12-14)

At that time: Jesus said to the ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your kinsmen or rich neighbours, lest they also invite you in return, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Luke, the Evangelist of the poor, presents Jesus’ teaching on inclusiveness in our social life because God does not exclude anyone from the great banquet of his love. Of course here Jesus does not teach us to ignore and exclude our friends and relatives and rich neighbours from our celebrations. Far from it! The poor and rich alike are children of God. In Luke’s view of salvation there is not only a universality of salvation, but also a preferential option for the poor. It is in this context that St Paul’s address to the Philippians becomes meaningful: “Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.

FIRST READING

Built upon the foundation of the apostles.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Brethren: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 19:1-2.3-4ab (R. 4a)

R/.Their sound goes forth through all the earth.

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.

Day unto day conveys the message,

and night unto night imparts the knowledge. R/.

R/.Their sound goes forth through all the earth.

No speech, no word, whose voice goes unheeded;

their sound goes forth through all the earth,

their message to the utmost bounds of the world. R/.

ALLELUIA

Alleluia. We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as the Lord; the glorious band of apostles sings your praise, O Lord! Alleluia.

GOSPEL

He chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 6:12-19)

In these days Jesus went out into the hills to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles; Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came forth from him and healed them all.

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Scripture tells us little about Simon the Zealot and Jude who was also called Thaddaeus. Jude is the patron saint of lost and desperate causes. Put together we can understand the zeal with which they followed Christ in his earthly ministry. And beyond that, think of the persecution they faced after the Ascension. Our Christian Journey is decorated with trials, temptation and persecution but we must take courage from those who have gone before us in faith, to understand that there is a crown of unfading glory awaiting us. Jesus Christ our Lord and master have gone through the worst case scenario. So we know that not only do we participate in Christ’s suffering, we share in his glory. As we celebrate the feast of Saints Simon and Jude we pray for strength and courage to live a holy life. May these saints continue to intercede for us.

FIRST READING

“Take the whole armour of God, that you may be able, having done all, to stand.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 6: 10-20)

Finally, brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the Evil One. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 144: 1.2.9-10 (R. 1a)

R/. Blest be the Lord, my rock.

Blest be the Lord, my rock,

who trains my hands for battle,

who prepares my fingers for war. R/.

He is my merciful love, my fortress;

he is my stronghold, my saviour,

my shield in whom I take refuge.

He brings peoples under my rule. R/.

R/. Blest be the Lord, my rock.

To you, O God, will I sing a new song;

I will play on the ten-stringed harp to you

who give kings their victory,

who set David your servant free from the evil sword. R/.

ALLELUIA Luke 19:38; 2: 14

Alleluia. Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord; peace on earth, and glory in the highest. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“It cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 13:31-35)

On that day some Pharisees came, and said to Jesus, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”’

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

It is expected that every soldier that goes for war adequately equips himself. Same for students who prepare for exams as well as farmers who prepare for the farming season. Being equipped is a pathway that leads to success. The first reading of today simply highlights some basic tools every Christian must possess to fight and win against the “wiles of the devil”. One of such fundamental tool is the belt of truth that must be fastened around our waist. Today falsehood is being proclaimed and practiced as truth. As Christians we must be on our guard never to be deceived by false doctrines and teachings. We must hold on to the basic teachings of the church and the articles of our faith as means of righteousness. We must also hinge on Jesus in prayers such that our every thought, word and deed will be in the name of the Lord Jesus who is the Eternal Truth.

FIRST READING

“Not as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 6:1-9)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ; not in the way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good any one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Masters, do the same to them, and forbear threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 145: 10- 11.12-13ab.13cd-14 (R. 13c)

R/. The Lord is faithful in all his words.

All your works shall thank you, O Lord,

and all your faithful ones bless you.

They shall speak of the glory of your reign,

and declare your mighty deeds. R/.

They shall make known your might to the children of men,

and the glorious splendour of your reign.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom;

your rule endures for all generations. R/.

R/. The Lord is faithful in all his words.

The Lord is faithful in all his words,

and holy in all his deeds.

The Lord supports all who fall,

and raises up all who are bowed down. R/.

ALLELUIA 2 Thessalonians 2: 14

Alleluia. God has called us through the Gospel, to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Men will come from east and west, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 13:22-30)

At that time: Jesus went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. And some one said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ “He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from’ “Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ “But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!’ There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Life by default is not so easy; it is full of obstacles. Life becomes worth living when we find ways and means to overcome the challenges that come our way. Entering through the narrow door will curtail our free movement but keep us focused on moving forward. In our heyday we will have many friends to throw parties, but during adversities only a few will be there for us. Nothing is easy without God. When we have God at our side, the least becomes the first. When we put God first, He will pull us through all the difficulties.