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THE WAY OF PERFECT ION

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  Monday of week 20 in Ordinary Time  Ezekiel 24:15-24  Deuteronomy 32:18-21 Matthew 19:16-22 We all recognize that no one is truly perfect except God, who completes His work flawlessly in our lives. Inevitably, we will stumble and make mistakes along the way. Yet, Jesus assures us that perfection is within reach if we prioritize God’s kingdom and foster a spirit of detachment from worldly things. Instead of clinging to the fleeting pleasures of this passing world, we are called to seek what is eternal. As Christians, do we genuinely claim to have attained perfection, or have we merely been humbled, losing our willfulness through discipline? That would be pride indeed! How often might we see ourselves clearly? Reflect on moments of doubt when God has proven His faithfulness to you—recall your foolish protests, like saying, “Not so, my Father,” when He crossed His arms in blessing, just as He sent prophets and judges to help Israel. Remember the times you've misread His pr...
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  Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)   Isa 56.1, 6-7 Ps 66 Rom 11.13-15, 29-32 Mt 15.21-28   THERE IS NO LIMIT TO A SINCERE FAITH  Although our Lord Jesus and the apostles were Jewish and Christianity developed from Judaism, Jesus consistently demonstrated compassion and openness toward non-Jews, such as the Canaanite woman in today’s gospel. The woman exhibited sincere faith. She was undeterred by potential consequences and identified with her child's suffering, demonstrating a willingness to endure rejection to secure healing for her loved one.  She also displayed unwavering persistence. Her faith was strengthened through her interaction with Jesus, beginning with a simple request and culminating in kneeling in worshipful prayer to the living God. Anyone who approached Jesus with genuine faith—regardless of whether they were Jewish or Gentile—was never denied assistance. It is essential to persevere in faith and recognize that God’s house is “a house o...
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  The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary  Revelation 11:19,​12:1-6,​10  Psalm 44(45):10-12,16 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 · Luke 1:39-56 He has lifted up the lowly  Today we observe the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a doctrine solemnly proclaimed by Pope Pius XII in 1950. This event reflects the profound belief that at the conclusion of her earthly life, the Blessed Virgin was brought to heaven, body and soul. When we contemplate this doctrine and consider its full context, we recognize its significance as having universal and cosmic implications. The Assumption of Our Lady is central to chistocentric    theology, highlighting the comprehensive redemption of humankind. Humanity experienced a fall from grace, and the original sin has left a lasting mark on the world. Creation itself seemed to await restoration, and this hopeful renewal began with a divine intervention—an act of new initiation. It was as if the Divine, observing t...
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  Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest, Martyr  Ezekiel 16:1-15,​60,​63 Isaiah 12 Matthew 19:3-12 MARRIAGE:A REFLECTION OF THE TRINITARIAN LOVE  Our understanding of divinity affirms that the divine is infinitely good, with merciful love and faithfulness enduring eternally. Each individual is called to love in the manner exemplified by Christ. So how did Jesus demonstrate love? By laying down His life for all humanity to be saved and reconciled to the Father. True love requires significant sacrifice and demands perseverance, fidelity, and trust. In the context of today’s Gospel, we examine the concepts of marriage and divorce. Marriage serves as a reflection of Trinitarian love, with Jesus stating, ‘’For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Therefore, they are no longer two but one flesh.’’ In uniting as one flesh, there will be moments when the vitality diminishes; the metaphor of wine running out si...
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  Thursday of week 19 in Ordinary Time  Ezekiel 12:1-12  Psalm 77(78):56-59,61-62 Matthew 18:21-19:1 FORGIVENESS AND CARING The Gospel focuses on forgiveness, community, and caring for one another. Peter asks Jesus how many times we should forgive—suggesting seven times, perhaps because seven symbolized completeness. Jesus responds, “not seven times, but seventy-seven times,” meaning that forgiveness should have no limit. Jesus illustrates this with the parable of the king and two servants. A servant is forgiven an enormous debt by the king, yet he refuses to forgive a much smaller debt owed to him by another servant. When the king learns of this, he punishes the unforgiving servant. The message is clear: because God has freely and endlessly forgiven us, we are called to extend that same forgiveness to others. The passage reminds us that living in community, including within the Church, can be difficult and requires patience, mercy, and reconciliation. As people who have ...
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Do you see the sign of the cross reflected in your life?

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Wednesday of week 19 in Ordinary Time  Ezekiel 9:1-7,​10:18-22 Psalm 112(113):1-6 Matthew 18:15-20 In today’s first reading, we encounter a vision of the prophet Ezekiel. He expresses that those who are marked with an X will be spared from destruction. What might this signify? This could be interpreted to mean that those who bear the sign of the cross will be preserved, while others may face judgment. Similarly, St. John in Revelation mentions that those bearing the seal of the living God on their foreheads will be saved (Rv 7:3), whereas those marked by the beast risk being cast into the fiery pool of burning sulphur (Rv 19:20). The cross of Christ purify us, set us free, and guide us in doing good to all— even to those who may cause us difficulties. The call to accountability for our actions and omissions is an integral part of our faith journey, both in this life and on the day of judgment when the Lord Jesus will return.
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  Saint Clare, Virgin  Ezekiel 2:8-3:4  Psalm118(119):14,24,72,103,111,131 Matthew 18:1-5,​10,​12-14 A beacon of hope  Ezekiel was a priest serving in the Temple in Jerusalem when he received a divine calling to warn the people about impending destruction. He told them that if they didn't return to a faithful relationship with God, they would face exile and the fall of their nation. Instead of trusting in God's guidance, the people relied on their own wisdom, formed political alliances for self-preservation, and indulged in idol worship. Eventually, Babylon captured Jerusalem, and Ezekiel, along with the leaders, was forced into exile. During this exile, the prophet became a beacon of hope, urging the people to turn back to the Lord and offering visions of a future where they would return to Jerusalem and God's glory would restore the Temple, symbolized by the dry bones coming back to life. Today’s reading describes how Ezekiel is commanded to eat a scroll filled wit...
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