FIRST READING

“He made Christ the head over all things for the Church, which is his body.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:15-23)

Brethren: Because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might which he accomplished in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the Church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 8:2-3a.4-5.6-7 (R. see 6a)

R/. You have given your Son power over the works of your hands.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic

is your name through all the earth!

Your majesty is set above the heavens.

From the mouths of children and of babes

you fashioned praise. R/.

When I see the heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars which you arranged,

what is man that you should keep him in mind,

the son of man that you care for him? R/.

R/. You have given your Son power over the works of your hands.

Yet you have made him little lower than the angels;

with glory and honour you crowned him,

gave him power over the works of your hands:

you put all things under his feet. R.

ALLELUIA John 15:26b.27a

Alleluia. The Spirit of truth will bear witness to me, says the Lord; and you also are witnesses. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“The Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 12:8-12)

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Every one who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And every one who speaks a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

The prayer of thanksgiving by Paul in the first reading is a true reflection of the joy that comes with bearing true witness for Christ Jesus. This action of Paul merely affirms what Jesus says when he promises to acknowledgements of Jesus. Every sincere word of praise is translated into a sincere good action towards our neighbour. This in itself is far from blasphemy against the Holy Spirit for the Spirit of God enables us to be wise and reveals to us the truth of the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

FIRST READING

We first hoped in Christ, and you were sealed with the Holy Spirit

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:11-14)

Brethren: In Christ, according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will, we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 33:1-2.4-5.12-13 (R. 12b)

R/. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen as his heritage

Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just;

for praise is fitting for the upright.

Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp;

with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs. R/.

For the word of the Lord is faithful,

and all his works to be trusted.

The Lord loves justice and right,

and his merciful love fills the earth. R/.

R/. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen as his heritage

Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord,

the people he has chosen as his heritage.

From the heavens the Lord looks forth;

he sees all the children of men. R/.

ALLELUIA Psalm 33:22

Alleluia. May your merciful love be upon us, as we hope in you, O Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 12:1-7)

At that time: When so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they trod upon one another, Jesus began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And trot one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Paul bears witness to the truth that those who witness to Christ and believe in him have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. What a unique privilege that has been granted to those who believe! This is the blessedness of the people that the Lord has chosen as his heritage. Just as we look forward constantly to this great heritage, we must also be mindful of living hypocritical lives – lives that are not rooted in truth but are influenced by empty praises by men. Having in mind that God has full knowledge of our every action, we must therefore be guided by the principle of truth that is pure. God does not forget his own, every hair in your head is known by him! So fear not even when the immediate outcome of living out the truth seems not to be pleasant and rewarding.

FIRST READING

“He chose us in him before the foundation of the world.”

The beginning of the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1: 1- 10)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are also faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us. For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth:

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 98: 1.2-3ab.3cd-4.5-6 (R. 2a)

R/. The Lord has made known his salvation

O sing a new song to the Lord,

for he has worked wonders.

His right hand and his holy

arm have brought salvation. R/.

The LORD has made known his salvation,

has shown his deliverance to the nations.

He has remembered his merciful

love and his truth for the house of Israel. R/.

R/. The Lord has made known his salvation

All the ends of the earth have

seen the salvation of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song,

and sing out your praise. R/.

Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn,

raise a shout before the King, the Lord. R/.

ALLELUIA John 14:6

Alleluia. I am the way, and the truth, and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father but by me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

The blood of the prophets will be required, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11:47-54)

At that time: Jesus said, “Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. So you are witnesses and consent to the deeds of your fathers; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute, ’that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it shall be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering. As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard, and to provoke him to speak of many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

The readings of today present us with a renewed awareness of God’s love and plans for us even from the very beginning. God made us blameless and even when we sinned he reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ. The glorious plans of God for us are gifts to us and we must work hard never to go contrary to these plans. The consequence of this is the fact that we become accountable for the love God has given to us. Daily, we are reminded of this sublime fact, but do we truly listen and take this reminder to heart or like the people of old do we conspire to kill the voice of truth and wisdom? God surely will hold us accountable for his love; we must not kill the voice of truth and wisdom by our actions, thoughts and words.

FIRST READING

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with it’s

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 5:18-25)

Brethren: If you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are plain: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 1:1-2.3.4 and 6 (R. see John 5: 12)

R/. He who follows you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Blessed indeed is the man

who follows not the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the path with sinners,

nor abides in the company of scorners,

but whose delight is the law of the Lord,

and who ponders his law day and night. R/.

He is like a tree that is planted

beside the flowing waters,

that yields its fruit in due season,

and whose leaves shall never fade;

and all that he does shall prosper. R/.

R/. He who follows you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Not so are the wicked, not so!

For they, like winnowed chaff,

shall be driven away by the wind.

for the Lord knows the way of the just,

but the way of the wicked will perish. R/.

ALLELUIA John 10:27

Alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Woe to you Pharisees! Woe to you lawyers also!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11:42-46)

At that time: Jesus said, “Woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places. Woe to you! for you are like graves which are not seen, and men walk over them without knowing it.” One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying this you reproach us also.” And he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! for you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

The concerns addressed by Paul in today’s reading are not different from the concerns that we face in the church and our world today. The sins listed have corresponding virtue that makes the world a better and beautiful place to live in. if therefore our target is heaven, then we must strive to uphold virtue and not mere religious rituals. The rituals of religion could become vitreous acts if we truly think of them and do them in the light of true worship and not a mere religious show in order to gain cheap admiration.

FIRST READING

Circumcision is of no avail, but faith working through love.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 5:1-6)

Brethren: For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Now I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is bound to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 119:41.43.44.45.47.48 (R. 41a)

R/. Lord, let your mercy come upon me.

Lord, let your mercy come upon me,

the salvation you have promised. R/.

Never take the word of truth from my mouth,

for I hope in your decrees. R/.

I shall always keep your law,

forever and ever. R/.

R/. Lord, let your mercy come upon me.

I shall walk on a spacious plain,

for I seek your precepts. R/.

In your commands I have found my delight;

these I have loved. R/.

I reach out to your commands, which I love,

and ponder your statutes. R/.

ALLELUIA Hebrews 4: 12

Alleluia. The word of the Lord is living and active, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Give alms; and behold, everything is clean for you.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11 :37-41)

At that time: While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him; so he went in and sat at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of extortion and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love. Truly love is the hallmark of Christianity and anything done outside love as a true guide becomes an obstacle to good Christian living. The seat of love is the human heart, and once this is guided properly, our actions become pure and good. Could this be the reason why the Pharisees never got it right? Probably the concern for external observances blinded their heart from loving. Are we not carried away sometimes by the desire to be on target with external observances, when in our hearts we truly do not love? Offering the kiss of peace could be a ritual at mass, yet our heart may be far from the one whom we offer a kiss of peace. Let love rule and our actions whether rituals or not be genuine.

FIRST READING

“We are not children of the slave but of the free woman.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 4:22-24.26-27.31-5:1)

Brethren: It is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not with labour pains; for the desolate has more children than she who has a husband.” So, brethren, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 113: 1b-2.3-4.5a and 6-7 (R. See 2)

R/. May the name of the Lord be blest forevermore.

Praise, O servants of the Lord,

praise the name of the Lord!

May the name of the Lord be blest

both now and forevermore! R/.

From the rising of the sun to its setting,

praised be the name of the Lord!

High above all nations is the Lord,

above the heavens his glory. R/.

R/. May the name of the Lord be blest forevermore.

Who is like the Lord, our God,

who lowers himself to look down

upon heaven and earth?

From the dust he lifts up the lowly,

from the ash heap he raises the poor. R/.

Alleluia Psalm 95:7d.8a

Alleluia. Today, harden not your hearts, but listen to the voice of the Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“No sign will be given to this generation, except the sign of Jonah.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11:29-32)

At that time: When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the South will arise at the judgement with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgement with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Seeking wisdom and going after true repentance are great tools that every Christian must seek on this pilgrim journey of faith. Jesus condemns the generation of his time that ran after miraculous signs rather than seeking him in spirit and in truth. Is this generation any different? If one may ask himself or herself sincerely; why do I seek Jesus? One may be surprised at the answer that may come forth. Surely we may seek Jesus for many material gains, but that which truly brings peace and everlasting freedom is wisdom and repentance. True wisdom is a sure path to right living.

FIRST READING

“You are all sons of God, through faith.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 3 :22-29)

Brethren: The Scripture consigned all things to sin, that what was promised to faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm105:2-3.4-5.6-7(R. 8a)

R/. The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

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/. The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

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.

ALLELUIA Luke 11:28

Alleluia. Blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Blessed is the womb that bore you! Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God.”

A reading from tire holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11:27-28)

At that time: As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

This teaching seems far from reality in the church and society today. Often we fall into the error of wanting to categorize people in our relationship with them. By so doing, we bring more lines of division rather than bonds of love. The basis of all that Jesus taught is love and the admiration of this prompted the woman in the gospel text to exclaim thus, “Blessed is the womb that bore you”. This also can be said of us when we respond positively to Jesus’ to the fact that we are all one in the love of Christ. Paul emphasizes this by stating that there are no tribal distinctions, gender teaching of love.

FIRST READING

“Those who are men of faith are blessed with Abraham who had faith.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 3:7-14)

Brethren: You see that it is men of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are men of faith are blessed with Abraham who had faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be every one who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law; for “He who through faith is righteous shall live”; but the law does not rest on faith, for “He who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us — for it is written, “Cursed be every one who hangs on a tree” — that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 111:1b-2.3-4.5-6 (R. 5b)

R/. He keeps his covenant ever in mind.

I will praise the Lord with all my heart,

in the meeting of the just and the assembly.

Great are the works of the Lord,

to be pondered by all who delight in them. R/.

Majestic and glorious his work;

his justice stands firm forever.

He has given us a memorial of his wonders.

The Lord is gracious and merciful. R/.

R/. He keeps his covenant ever in mind.

He gives food to those who fear him;

keeps his covenant ever in mind.

His mighty works he has shown to his people

by giving them the heritage of nations. R/.

ALLELUIA John 12:31b-32

Alleluia. Now shall the ruler of this world be cast out, says the Lord; and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11: 15-26)

At that time: [When Jesus had cast out a demon,] some of the people said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons”; while others, to test him, sought from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and house falls upon house. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace; but when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted, and divides his spoil. He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest; and finding none he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey. This song may help us understand better that Christ Jesus redeemed us from the burden of the Law yet invites us to the New Land of freedom that is premised on faith in him and doing what he asks of all of us. The gospel of today afford us the opportunity of reflecting on the trust (faith) that we express. He or she who is not with Jesus and does not gather with him scatters. Being with Jesus simply is obeying his commandment of love that binds us together into one big family of Christ. Whenever our deeds do not please God, then we are not gathering with Jesus and the consequence is outright failure and communion with the devil who has a divided and scattered kingdom.

FIRST READING

“Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 3:1-5)

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Did you experience so many things in vain? — if it is in vain. Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Luke 1:69-70.71-72.73-75 (R. see b8)

R/. Blessed be the Lord GOD of Israel, for he has visited his people.

He has raised a horn of salvation for us

in the house of his servant David,

as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets

from of old. R/.

That we should be saved from our enemies,

and from the hand of all who hate us;

to perform the mercy promised to our fathers,

and to remember his holy covenant. R/.

R/. Blessed be the Lord GOD of Israel, for he has visited his people.

The oath which he swore to our father Abraham,

to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,

might serve him without fear,

in holiness and righteousness before him

all the days of our life. R/.

ALLELUIA Acts 16:14b

Alleluia. Open our hearts, O Lord, that we may give heed to the words of your Son. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Ask, and it will be given to you.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11:5-13)

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

The basic mark that distinguishes religion is faith. As Christians, we are called to a life of faith which enables us to believe without doubting whatever God has revealed. One such great revelation that we have come to know as Christians is that God has great concern and love for us all. Why then should we lack the courage to ask for what we need, to knock at his door of mercy and abundance, and to seek at his garden of fruits and gifts? The challenge often is with us and not God because we go searching and believing where God has not called us to. The question therefore for us all today is: do I express my faith wrongly by not knocking, seeking, and asking at the right place?