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CHRIST IS THE LORD OF THE SABBATH

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  Friday of week 15 in Ordinary Time  Isaiah 38:1-6,​21-22,​7-8 Isaiah 38:10-12,16 Matthew 12:1-8 Asserting His divine authority over the day of rest. God originally established the Sabbath as a sacred day dedicated to rest and worship, emphasizing its significance in spiritual obedience and the sovereignty of God over all creatures. Jesus came into the world to demonstrate how to truly obey God, emphasizing compassion and mercy over ritual sacrifice. When the Pharisees accused His disciples of working—specifically by plucking ears of corn on the Sabbath to satisfy their hunger—Jesus responded, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' highlighting that obedience to God's commandments encompasses acts of mercy and compassion. Genuine obedience to God and acts of mercy are essential for spiritual fulfillment. Unfortunately, today, these acts of mercy are increasingly rare and undervalued.   The world currently faces widespread wickedness and sinfulness. Some individuals are perceiv...
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FIND REST FOR YOUR SOUL IN JESUS

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  Thursday of week 15 in Ordinary Time  Isaiah 26:7-9,​12,​16-19 · Psalm 101(102):13-21 Matthew 11:28-30 There are occasions when individuals doubt their self-worth due to negative remarks from others or personal setbacks. However, the Lord Jesus invites all who labor and are burdened to come to Him. Could self-doubt be an additional burden to bear? What are the heavy or laborious aspects within one's life? Are we aware that the Lord also bears our burdens? Without God's intervention, life could be significantly more challenging. When the Lord looks upon the earth, He responds to His people and does not scorn the prayers of the helpless. Human beings are created as individuals of intrinsic value, and each person is watched over by Him. Since God cares for all creation and loves each of us, it is imperative to transform our worries into prayers. Life is too brief to be consumed by burdens because God's love surpasses any hardship. He is greater than any burden we face....
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  Saint Bonaventure, Bishop, Doctor  Isaiah 10:5-7,​13-16 · Psalm 93(94):5-10,14-15 Matthew 11:25-27 Great mysteries revealed to the little ones As a young Franciscan, Bonaventure studied philosophy and theology at the University of Paris. He was an exceptional teacher and played a significant role in shaping the intellectual landscape of the 13th century alongside his friend St. Thomas Aquinas. Though he valued philosophy and human reason, Bonaventure emphasized that reason must be enlightened by faith and guided by divine illumination. He taught that true knowledge of the ultimate truth depends on God’s light shining into the human mind. Bonaventure left a lasting impact on both the intellectual world and the Church. He firmly believed that even the simplest and least educated people could have a clear understanding of God's knowledge. This Christ-centered aspect of his theology is reflected in today's gospel, where Jesus himself says, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heav...
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Without God, there is no true future or lasting hope.

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  Tuesday of week 15 in Ordinary Time  Isaiah 7:1-9  Psalm 47(48):2-8 Matthew 11:20-24 In today’s first reading from Isaiah 7, the Lord instructs Isaiah to go with his son, identified as  Shear-jashub, (a remnant shall return) , to meet King Ahaz. Isaiah is commanded to tell the king not to be afraid or lose heart, because if Ahaz stands firm in his faith and trust in God, divine support will be provided. The son symbolizes posterity and prosperity, representing the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. God's assurance guarantees that His divine plan will be fulfilled; His Word does not return to Him void but accomplishes His divine will. In the Gospel (Matthew 11:20-24), Jesus warns the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum that their refusal to repent and accept the message of salvation will lead to consequences when judgment comes. We all have a future that depends on our choices and response to God's call.  No one can predict the future; it rem...
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FORSAKING ALL FOR CHRIST

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  Monday of week 15 in Ordinary Time  Isaiah 1:10-17  Psalm 49(50):8-9,16-17,21,23 Matthew 10:34-11:1 Whenever a significant call is issued, it invariably provokes division among those who accept it and those who reject it. In the present gospel passage, Jesus informs his disciples that he did not come to bring peace, but rather a sword (Matthew 10:34). This signifies that following him would entail considerable sacrifice, as it requires prioritizing God's kingdom and obeying his commandments. When Jesus mentions that division will strike close to home, his audience likely recalled the prophecy of Micah: a person's enemies are often their own household (Micah 7:6). The love of God compels us to determine who will occupy the foremost position in our lives. To elevate any relationship or possession above God constitutes a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to assess whom they love above all else. A genuine disciple loves God above all and is prepared to forsak...
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  Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)   Isa 55.10-11;   Ps 64;   Rom 8.18-23;   Mt 13.1-23   Allow the word of God to bear fruits in you.  The three readings at today’s Mass all focus on God’s revelation of Himself to us. Through the words of the prophet Isaiah, God assures us that His spoken word is powerful and effective: “The word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do.” We also know that God's fullest revelation came when He took on human flesh. In Jesus, His Word made flesh, He reveals the eternal Father in a way that the prophets, priests, and kings of the Old Testament could not. As last week’s Gospel reminds us, Jesus said, “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” The perfect revelation by the Son surpasses all previous ones and, in a sense, closes the door on fu...
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Do not be afraid but remain vigilant

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  Saint Benedict, Abbot  Isaiah 6:1-8  Psalm 92(93):1-2,5 Matthew 10:24-33 In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues to offer guidance to His apostles as they prepare to go out in His name. He gently reminds them that a challenging journey awaits and encourages them not to fear external threats to their bodies, but rather to remain vigilant of spiritual dangers, trusting solely in Christ. This compassionate advice is equally relevant to us. Often, we find ourselves more preoccupied with safeguarding our physical wellbeing than nurturing our spiritual health, even though the soul holds greater significance as our eternal part. Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by worry and fear? Could it be an opportunity to deepen your trust in God's divine plan? Let us offer thanks to God for His loving care and seek His forgiveness for times we have lacked faith and succumbed to fear and worry. Amen.   Wishing you a grace-filled day 
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