|
June 26th THEME: MAINTAIN YOUR FOLLOWERSHIP
Today’s first and Gospel readings are about vocation. In the first reading, God calls Elisha to be a prophet. In the Gospel reading, Jesus refuses a man who wants to follow him but at the same time asks another man to follow him. The third man would love to say goodbye to his family before following Jesus. Vocation is a call from God and not what I want to do. We need to discern whether God is calling us or not and in what area he might be calling us. What is wrong in burying one’s father before following Jesus? It is a duty we owe our parents should they die before us. But this request goes beyond immediate corporal work of mercy as the man’s dad is probably not dead at the time he made the request. Jesus does not want us to postpone the invitation to work in his vineyard. There is always a crucial moment for everything; once that moment is gone, we may not have the zeal to do what we had wanted to do. We need not defer what we can do today. Finally, there is nothing wrong in saying goodbye to our family. However, we must be on our guard lest we become lukewarm. God’s kingdom is about moving forward and not backward. Hence ‘’no one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God’’. Our call today is to maintain our followership and keeping moving with the Lord. Let us continue to make the Lord our chosen portion.
1st reading. 1Kings 19:16b, 19-21. The Lord directs prophet Elijah to anoint Elisha.
Responsorial Psalm: You are my chosen portion, O Lord.
2nd reading. Galatians 5:1, 13-18. Having been set free by Christ, we are called to stand firm.
Gospel. Luke 9:51-62. Jesus does not want retaliation but expects commitment from his followers.
July 3rd 14TH SUNDAY
THEME: SENT TO ANNOUCE PEACE
God has sent us into the world to make known his love among our people; to bring his peace to our friends and relatives. It comes with challenges but we must not be discouraged in the face of indifferent attitude or outright rejection.
1st reading. Isaiah 66: 10-14. We are invited to rejoice with Jerusalem. The Lord will comfort her.
Responsorial Psalm: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth!
2nd reading. Galatians 6:14-18. Circumcision or not, does not matter. What matters is being a new creation.
Gospel. Luke 10:1-12,17-20. Jesus sends seventy other disciples on mission.
July 10th 15TH SUNDAY
THEME: BE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR
Today’s Gospel reading challenges us to be a good neighbour. In his parable of the good Samaritans Jesus shows that our love should go beyond the people we know. Everyone created in God’s image is your neighbour. Therefore, show your love to everyone and be good to all.
1st reading. Deuteronomy 30: 10-14. We are commanded to love God with every aspect of our being.
Responsorial Psalm: Seek God in your need, and let your hearts revive.
2nd reading. Colossians 1:15-20. In Christ we see God, all things are created through him and for him.
Gospel. Luke 10: 25-37. Jesus tells the story of the good Samaritan to prove who is truly a neighbour.
July 17th 16TH SUNDAY
THEME: HOSPITALITY
Abraham was hospitable even to those he never knew. Martha and Mary received Jesus in their home. Hospitality shown to others is hospitality shown to God. Be hospitable.
1st reading. Genesis 18:1-10a Abraham entertained angels, who were in the form of men.
Responsorial Psalm: O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
2nd reading. Colossians 1:24-28. St Paul rejoiced in his sufferings for the sake of fellow Christians.
Gospel. Luke 10:38-42. Martha and Mary welcomed Jesus in their home but Martha was distracted.
July 24th 17TH SUNDAY
THEME: ASK, SEARCH, AND KNOCK
Jesus encourages us to pray and shows us how to pray. However, in our prayer we must allow God’s will to prevail. Abraham interceded for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah and allowed God’s will to prevail. In prayer we must not forced the hand of God but only ask, search and knock at the door of his Fatherly heart.
1st reading. Genesis 18: 20-32. Abraham prayed God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah.
Responsorial Psalm: On the day I called, O Lord, you answered me.
2nd reading. Colossians 2: 12-14. God has always shown us his love even when we were dead in trespasses.
Gospel Luke 11:1-13. Jesus shows us the heart of God, our Father in today’s Gospel parable.
July 31st 18TH SUNDAY
THEME: ‘’ONE’S LIFE DOES NOT CONSIST IN ABUNDANCE OF POSSESSIONS’’
The desire to keep accumulating possessions can have a strong hold on someone, making the person to forget what is really important, namely, to be rich in God’s sight. Jesus warns against any kind of greed. ‘’A generous heart is a treasure’’ and to have it is to be rich in God’s sight.
1st reading. Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23. It is vanity of vanities if what should satisfy human heart fails to do so.
Responsorial Psalm: Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2nd reading. Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11. We are enjoined to set our minds on things above.
Gospel. Luke 12:13-21. Jesus tells the parable of a rich fool, a warning against self-centeredness.
|
