#what blessing you bring this lowly disciple

[oddozz]

Of course Arthur Lester is the leader of the random body parts church. Of course he is. Wouldn't be proper otherwise

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem

1-3 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead telling them, “Go into the village in front of you and you will at once find there an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. Should anyone say anything to you, you are to say, ‘The Lord needs them’, and he will send them immediately.”

4-5 All this happened to fulfil the prophet’s saying—‘Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold your king is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey’.

6-9 So the disciples went off and followed Jesus’ instructions. They brought the ass and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and Jesus took his seat. Then most of the crowd spread their own cloaks on the road, while others cut down branches from the trees and spread them in his path. The crowds who went in front of him and the crowds who followed him all shouted, “God save the Son of David! ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ God save him from on high!”

10-11 And as he entered Jerusalem a shock ran through the whole city. “Who is this?” men cried. “This is Jesus the prophet,” replied the crowd, “the man from Nazareth in Galilee!”

12-13 Then Jesus went into the Temple and drove out all the buyers and sellers there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those who sold doves, crying—“It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’. But you have turned it into a ‘den of thieves!’”

14-16 And there in the Temple the blind and the lame came to him and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things he had done, and that children were shouting in the Temple the words, “God save the Son of David”, they were highly indignant. “Can’t you hear what these children are saying?” they asked Jesus. “Yes,” he replied, “and haven’t you ever read the words, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have perfected praise’?”

17 And he turned on his heel and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

His strange words to the fig-tree

18-20 In the morning he came back early to the city and felt hungry. He saw a fig-tree growing by the side of the road, but when he got to it he discovered there was nothing on it but leaves. “No more fruit shall ever grow on you!” he said to it, and all at once the fig-tree withered away. When the disciples saw this happen they were simply amazed. “How on earth did the fig-tree wither away quite suddenly like that?” they asked.

21-22 “Believe me,” replied Jesus, “if you have faith and have no doubts in your heart, you will not only do this to a fig-tree but even if you should say to this hill, ‘Get up and throw yourself into the sea’, it will happen! Everything you ask for in prayer, if you have faith, you will receive.”

Jesus meets a question with a counter-question

23 Then when he had entered the Temple and was in the act of teaching, the chief priests and Jewish elders came up to him and said, “What authority have you for what you’re doing, and who gave you that authority?”

24-26 “I am also going to ask you one question,” Jesus replied to them, “and if you answer it I will tell you what authority I have for what I do. John’s baptism, now, did it come from Heaven or was it purely human?” At this they began arguing among themselves, “If we say, ‘it came from Heaven’, he will say to us, ‘Then why didn’t you believe in him?’ If on the other hand we should say, ‘It was purely human’—well, frankly, we are afraid of the people—for all of them consider John was a prophet.”

27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” “Then I will not tell you by what authority I do these things!” returned Jesus.

28-32 “But what is your opinion about this? There was a man with two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Go and work in my vineyard today, my son,’ he said, ‘All right, sir’—but he never went near it. Then his father approached the second son with the same request. He said, ‘I won’t.’ But afterwards he changed his mind and went. Which of these two did what their father wanted?” “The second one,” they replied. “Yes, and I tell you that tax-collectors and prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God in front of you!” retorted Jesus. “For John came to you as a saint, and you did not believe him—yet the tax-collectors and the prostitutes did! And, even after seeing that, you would not change your minds and believe him.”

Jesus tells a pointed story

33-40 “Now listen to another story. There was once a man, a land-owner, who planted a vineyard, fenced it round, dug out a hole for the wine-press and built a watch-tower. Then he let it out to farm-workers and went abroad. When the vintage-time approached he sent his servants to the farm-workers to receive his share of the proceeds. But they took the servants. beat up one, killed another, and drove off a third with stones. Then he sent some more servants, a larger party than the first, but they treated them in just the same way. Finally he sent his own son, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ Yet when the farm-workers saw the son they said to each other, ‘This fellow is the future owner. Come on, let’s kill him and we shall get everything that he would have had!’ So they took him, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to those farm-workers?”

41 “He will kill those scoundrels without mercy,” they replied, “and will let the vineyard out to other tenants, who will give him the produce at the right season.”

42 “And have you never read these words of scripture,” said Jesus to them: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?’

43-44 “Here, I tell you, lies the reason why the kingdom of God is going to be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its proper fruit.”

45-46 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables they realised that he was speaking about them. They longed to get their hands on him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who regarded him as a prophet. — Matthew 21 | J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS) The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Cross References: Genesis 4:24; Exodus 30:12; Genesis 49:11; Leviticus 1:14; Ruth 1:19; 2 Samuel 14:7; 2 Kings 9:13; Psalm 8:2; Psalm 118:22; Psalm 118:26; Proverbs 26:5; Song of Solomon 8:11; Isaiah 5:1-2; Isaiah 5:3; Isaiah 8:14; Isaiah 28:13; Isaiah 28:16; Isaiah 56:7; Isaiah 62:11; Jeremiah 7:11; Jeremiah 8:13; Jeremiah 26:8; Jeremiah 37:15; Matthew 4:28; Matthew 7:7; Matthew 8:10-11; Matthew 9:27; Matthew 11:9; Matthew 11:25; Matthew 13:3; Matthew 16:7; Matthew 17:20; Matthew 20:24; Matthew 20:34; Matthew 22:4; Matthew 26:6; Matthew 26:55; Mark 11:1; Mark 11:7-8; Mark 11:12; Mark 11:20; Mark 11:23; Mark 11:27; Mark 12:1-2; Luke 20:5; Luke 20:16; John 7:30; 1 John 3:22

Matthew 21 Commentary - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Key Passages in Matthew 21

1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey 12. drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple; 17. curses the fig tree; 23. puts to silence the priests and elders, 28. and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons, 33. and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

15th August >> Fr. Martin's Reflections/Homilies on Today's Mass Readings for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Inc. Luke 1:39-56): ‘Of all women, you are the most blessed’.

Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Gospel (Except USA) Luke 1:39-56 The Almighty has done great things for me.

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ And Mary said:

‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him. He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away. He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy – according to the promise he made to our ancestors – of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

Gospel (USA) Luke 1:39-56 The Almighty has done great things for me; he has raised up the lowly.

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Reflections (2)

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mary’s assumption points to our own heavenly destiny, the glorification of our whole humanity in heaven. Her earthly life reminds us of our baptismal calling. In today’s gospel reading, Mary physically carries Jesus in her womb to Elizabeth, her older cousin. As disciples of the Lord, we are all called to carry Jesus to others. Our baptismal calling is to become bearers of the Lord’s presence to all, to allow the Lord to live in us so that he can speak and act through us. Mary gives expression to our own baptismal calling. As the first disciple of her son, she shows us what it means to answer the Lord’s call. Mary could bring the Lord to Elizabeth because, at the moment of the annunciation, she gave herself over to God’s purpose for her life. She consented to allow God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to overshadow her, to take hold of her. Insofar as we give ourselves over to God’s purpose for our lives and allow the Holy Spirit to overshadow us, we too will become people who bring the Lord to others. It is the Holy Spirit who brings the Lord to birth within us.

When Mary reached her destination and greeted Elizabeth, we are told that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Mary’s way of relating to Elizabeth helped Elizabeth to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We too are called to relate to others in ways that help them to become filled with the Holy Spirit, that open them up more fully to the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Holy Spirit at work in our lives can bring the Holy Spirit to life in the lives of others.

In response to Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth, in the power of the Spirit, declares Mary blessed because of her faith, ‘Blessed is she who believed’. Mary’s faith showed itself in love, in a journey of loving service to her older, more vulnerable, pregnant cousin. She shows us that genuine faith always expresses itself in loving service of others. When we give ourselves over in faith to God, we open ourselves up to his Holy Spirit and the primary fruit of the Spirit is love. As Saint Paul says in his letter to the Galatians, ‘the only thing that counts is faith working through love’.

Just as Mary’s presence filled Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth’s way of relating to Mary filled Mary with a spirit of prayer. Because of the way that Elizabeth welcomed Mary, Mary was moved to pray her great prayer, the Magnificat. The content of Mary’s prayer shows her to be a woman who hungers for a new justice on earth, where the lowly are exalted, the hungry are filled, and oppressive powers are overcome. Mary shows us that genuine faith expresses itself not only in love but in a hunger and thirst for God’s justice on earth.

If Mary’s earthly life of loving service and prayer shows us the shape of our own faith journey, her assumption reveals our ultimate destiny beyond this earthly life. The feast of her assumption celebrates her full embodied sharing in the risen life of Christ. She gives us hope that, in the words of today’s second reading, ‘all will be brought to life in Christ’. As one who now shares fully in the Lord’s risen life, we can confidently turn to her, asking her to pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death, so that we too can come to share in the Lord’s risen life to the full.

We need her prayers, because our faith, and all that flows from it, is often put to the test. Mary’s faith, her relationship with the Lord, was certainly put to the test. That is one of the messages of that strange first reading from the Book of Revelation, which is so full of symbolism. When the woman adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, with twelve stars for a crown was about to give birth to her child, the red dragon stood in front of her so that he could devour her child as soon as it was born. However, God protected both the woman and her child. There will always be forces hostile to our faith in the Lord and to our efforts to give birth to the Lord in our lives. That is why Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil’. He foresaw our struggle. We need a faith that perseveres through the struggles of life. On this feast of Mary, we can look to her as a woman of persevering faith, who remained faithful to her Son, standing by the cross as she watched him been cruelly put to death. She is a prayerful presence on our own faith journey, helping us to persevere in faith, until our faith in her Son gives way to seeing him face to face.

And/Or

(ii) Feast of the Assumptionof the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today’s feast celebrates Mary’s full sharing in the risen life of Christ. In the words of Mary’s prayer in the gospel reading, ‘the Almighty has done great things for me’. This feast also reminds us that the Almighty wants to do the same great things for all of us. In the words of today’s second reading from Saint Paul, we are all destined to ‘be brought to life in Christ’. Paul wrote to the members of the church in Philippi, ‘I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion’. God has brought his good work in Mary to completion in heaven. God’s good work was well underway in Mary before she came to share in Christ’s heavenly glory. We can see evidence of God’s good work in her in today’s gospel reading. When her older cousin, Elizabeth, was pregnant with John the Baptist and in need of support, Mary set out and went as quickly as she could from Nazareth to the hill country of Judah, even though Mary was pregnant herself with Jesus. According to the gospel reading, she ended up staying with Elizabeth about three months. God’s good work in our lives shows itself in the kind of loving service that Mary showed to Elizabeth. Whenever we go on a journey to support someone in need, God’s good work is coming to pass in us. In response to Mary’s opening greeting, Elizabeth asked, ‘Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?’ Mary physically brought the Lord to Elizabeth. We are all called to bring the Lord to others by our goodness and kindness, and whenever we do so we are honouring them. God’s good work in Mary also found expression in her prayer, which has come to be known as the Magnificat. Mary was a woman of prayer as well as a woman of loving service. Her loving service of others flowed from her life of prayer. Whenever we give time to God in prayer, God’s good work is finding expression in our lives. Our calling is to keep opening ourselves up to God’s good work in our lives, expressed in loving service of others and in prayer to God, so that God can do for us what he did for Mary, bringing his good work to completion in our lives, by leading us to share fully in Christ’s risen life.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

7th December >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Saint Ambrose, Bishop, Doctor 

on

Thursday, First Week of Advent.

Thursday, First Week of Advent

(Liturgical Colour: White: B (2))

(Readings for the feria (Thursday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Thursday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Isaiah 26:1-6 Open the gates; let the upright nation come in.

That day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; to guard us he has set wall and rampart about us. Open the gates! Let the upright nation come in, she, the faithful one whose mind is steadfast, who keeps the peace, because she trusts in you. Trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord is the everlasting Rock; he has brought low those who lived high up in the steep citadel; he brings it down, brings it down to the ground, flings it down in the dust: the feet of the lowly, the footsteps of the poor trample on it.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 117(118):1,8-9,19-21,25-27

R/ Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. or R/ Alleluia.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in men; it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

R/ Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. or R/ Alleluia.

Open to me the gates of holiness: I will enter and give thanks. This is the Lord’s own gate where the just may enter. I will thank you for you have answered and you are my saviour.

R/ Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. or R/ Alleluia.

O Lord, grant us salvation; O Lord, grant success. Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. We bless you from the house of the Lord; the Lord God is our light.

R/ Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. or R/ Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation Isaiah 40:9-10

Alleluia, alleluia! Shout with a loud voice, joyful messenger to Jerusalem. Here is the Lord God coming with power. Alleluia!

Or: Isaiah 55:6

Alleluia, alleluia! Seek the Lord while he is still to be found, call to him while he is still near. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 7:21,24-27 The wise man built his house on a rock.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’

The Gospel of he Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

------------------------------

Saint Ambrose, Bishop, Doctor 

(Liturgical Colour: White: B (2))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Thursday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Ephesians 3:8-12 I, who am less than the least of all saints, have been entrusted with this special grace.

I, Paul, who am less than the least of all the saints, have been entrusted with this special grace, not only of proclaiming to the pagans the infinite treasure of Christ but also of explaining how the mystery is to be dispensed. Through all the ages, this has been kept hidden in God, the creator of everything. Why? So that the Sovereignties and Powers should learn only now, through the Church, how comprehensive God’s wisdom really is, exactly according to the plan which he had had from all eternity in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is why we are bold enough to approach God in complete confidence, through our faith in him.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 88(89):2-5,21-22,25,27

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth. Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages.

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have found David my servant and with my holy oil anointed him. My hand shall always be with him and my arm shall make him strong.

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘My truth and my love shall be with him; by my name his might shall be exalted. He will say to me: “You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.”’

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation John 10:14

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia!

Gospel John 10:11-16 The good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep.

Jesus said:

‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; this is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep.

‘I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd.’

The Gospel of he Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[rosaliachristian]

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Bishop Robert Barron

Cycle C

Christmas

Christmas Time

Daily Reading

First Reading

1 John 4:19–5:4

We love because he first loved us.Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.

Psalm

Psalm 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17

Give the king your justice, O God,     and your righteousness to a king’s son. May he judge your people with righteousness,     and your poor with justice. Give the king your justice, O God,     and your righteousness to a king’s son. May he judge your people with righteousness,     and your poor with justice. May his name endure forever,     his fame continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed in him;     may they pronounce him happy.

Gospel Reading

Luke 4:14-22

Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country.He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,     because he has anointed me         to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives     and recovery of sight to the blind,         to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

Reflection

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus chooses to preach on Isaiah 61 for his inaugural address in his hometown synagogue. He felt that this text summed up who he was and what his mission was. 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” he declared. The Ruach Yahweh, the breath of God—this is what has seized and animated Jesus. After the Resurrection, he breathed on his disciples, communicating to them (and the Church) something of this spirit.

Animated by the Ruach Yahweh, what does he do? “He has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” The lowly hear this, those who are oppressed, the poor, the unjustly treated, the marginalized and forgotten. What are the glad tidings? That God’s love is more powerful than the powers of this world.

This is the message of Christ. Therefore, when you place yourself on the side of this power, you are on the winning side, though dark powers gather around you. It is fully expressed in the Paschal Mystery. The world threw its entire power against Jesus, and God raised him up. Nothing can overwhelm or overcome the authority of the Lord God.

[catolinewsdailyreadings]

Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of Saturday, August 31, 2024

Reading 1

1 COR 1:26-31

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 33:12-13, 18-19, 20-21

R./ Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down; he sees all mankind. R./ Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. R./ Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield, For in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust. R./ Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Gospel

MT 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money. After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.' His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then!  Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"

[ongolecharles]

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS (DSR) 📚 Group, Sat Aug 31st, 2024 ... Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Reading 1

----------

1 Cor 1:26-31

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.

Not many of you were wise by human standards,

not many were powerful,

not many were of noble birth.

Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,

and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,

and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,

those who count for nothing,

to reduce to nothing those who are something,

so that no human being might boast before God.

It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,

who became for us wisdom from God,

as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,

so that, as it is written,

Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm

---------------

Ps 33:12-13, 18-19, 20-21

R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.

From heaven the LORD looks down;

he sees all mankind.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,

upon those who hope for his kindness,

To deliver them from death

and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Our soul waits for the LORD,

who is our help and our shield,

For in him our hearts rejoice;

in his holy name we trust.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Alleluia

--------

Jn 13:34

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I give you a new commandment:

love one another as I have loved you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

---------

Mt 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable:

"A man going on a journey

called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.

To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–

to each according to his ability.

Then he went away.

Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,

and made another five.

Likewise, the one who received two made another two.

But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground

and buried his master's money.

After a long time

the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.

The one who had received five talents

came forward bringing the additional five.

He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents.

See, I have made five more.'

His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Since you were faithful in small matters,

I will give you great responsibilities.

Come, share your master's joy.'

Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,

'Master, you gave me two talents.

See, I have made two more.'

His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Since you were faithful in small matters,

I will give you great responsibilities.

Come, share your master's joy.'

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,

'Master, I knew you were a demanding person,

harvesting where you did not plant

and gathering where you did not scatter;

so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.

Here it is back.'

His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant!

So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant

and gather where I did not scatter?

Should you not then have put my money in the bank

so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?

Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.

For to everyone who has,

more will be given and he will grow rich;

but from the one who has not,

even what he has will be taken away.

And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,

where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"

***

FOCUS AND LITURGY OF THE WORD

Growing up my family and I attended a small parish in the country.  I was baptized, confirmed, and married in that same church.  As children we looked forward to the annual Christmas program which was always held on Christmas Eve.  A classmate and I were very competitive and when we received our parts for the program we would count the words and the one with the most would celebrate that surely she or he was the most talented and had accomplished the highest achievements.  Why is it that even as young children we found ourselves comparing to others, especially in terms of  achievements, skills, and talents using metrics as simple as a part in an annual Christmas program. Even as young children somehow we perceived success as pleasing, not just to ourselves but to our peers, our elders, and to God.

In today’s fast paced, competitive world where everyone’s “achievements” are publicly announced on FaceBook, Instagram, Snapchat or all three everyone else’s success can begin to make us feel inadequate or insecure guessing whether they are more successful, more intelligent, or more influential. It may even force individuals to wonder if they have anything to offer to God and to the world, or if they are just wasting their potential. But in Paul's letter to the Corinthians, it is very clear that God does not measure us by the standards of the world. He does not care how many words comprise our part in the Christmas program, how many degrees we possess, how much has accumulated in our back accounts, or how many sports or musical instruments we can play.  But instead, He cares about how much we love Him and how much we rely on Him.

God chose us, not because of our merits, but because of His grace. He chose us, not to make us proud, but to make us humble. He chose us, not to exalt ourselves, but to exalt Him. He chose us, not to be wise in our own eyes, but to be wise in His sight. He chose us, not to be righteous, sanctified, and redeemed by our own efforts, but by His work in us.

God chose me, not to boast in myself or the number of words in my Christmas program part, but to boast in the Lord.  I want to boast only in the Lord, who has given me everything I need in Christ Jesus, who is my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

Let's pray ...

Lord, thank you for choosing us by your grace, not by our achievements. Help us to resist the temptation to compare ourselves with others or to seek the approval of the world. Remind us that you love us and care for us, not because of what we can do, but because of who we are in Christ. Teach us to be humble and grateful for all that you have done for us. Let us boast only in you, Lord. Amen.

***

SAINT OF THE DAY

(1st century)

Saints Joseph of Arimathea’s and Nicodemus’ Story

The actions of these two influential Jewish leaders give insight into the charismatic power of Jesus and his teachings—and the risks that could be involved in following him.

Joseph was a respected, wealthy civic leader who had become a disciple of Jesus. Following the death of Jesus, Joseph obtained Jesus’ body from Pilate, wrapped it in fine linen and buried it. For these reasons, Joseph is considered the patron saint of funeral directors and pallbearers. More important is the courage Joseph showed in asking Pilate for Jesus’ body. Jesus was a condemned criminal who had been publicly executed. According to some legends, Joseph was punished and imprisoned for such a bold act.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and, like Joseph, an important first-century Jew. We know from John’s Gospel that Nicodemus went to Jesus at night—secretly—to better understand his teachings about the kingdom. Later, he spoke up for Jesus at the time of his arrest and assisted in Jesus’ burial. We know little else about Nicodemus.

Reflection

----------

Celebrating these two contemporaries of Jesus who played significant roles in Jesus’ life, reminds us of the humanity of Jesus and how he related to his fellow men and women. His gentleness to these two and his acceptance of their help remind us that he treats us in the same gentle way.

Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are Patron Saints of:

Funeral Directors

Pallbearers

***

【Build your Faith in Christ Jesus on #dailyscripturereadingsgroup 📚: +256 751 540 524 .. Whatsapp】

[fr-martin-gospel-reflections]

15th August - ‘Of all women, you are the most blessed’, Reflection on the readings for the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:39-56)

15th August - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mary’s assumption points to our own heavenly destiny, the glorification of our whole humanity in heaven. Her earthly life reminds us of our baptismal calling. In today’s gospel reading, Mary physically carries Jesus in her womb to Elizabeth, her older cousin. As disciples of the Lord, we are all called to carry Jesus to others. Our baptismal calling is to become bearers of the Lord’s presence to all, to allow the Lord to live in us so that he can speak and act through us. Mary gives expression to our own baptismal calling. As the first disciple of her son, she shows us what it means to answer the Lord’s call. Mary could bring the Lord to Elizabeth because, at the moment of the annunciation, she gave herself over to God’s purpose for her life. She consented to allow God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to overshadow her, to take hold of her. Insofar as we give ourselves over to God’s purpose for our lives and allow the Holy Spirit to overshadow us, we too will become people who bring the Lord to others. It is the Holy Spirit who brings the Lord to birth within us.

When Mary reached her destination and greeted Elizabeth, we are told that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Mary’s way of relating to Elizabeth helped Elizabeth to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We too are called to relate to others in ways that help them to become filled with the Holy Spirit, that open them up more fully to the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Holy Spirit at work in our lives can bring the Holy Spirit to life in the lives of others.

In response to Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth, in the power of the Spirit, declares Mary blessed because of her faith, ‘Blessed is she who believed’. Mary’s faith showed itself in love, in a journey of loving service to her older, more vulnerable, pregnant cousin. She shows us that genuine faith always expresses itself in loving service of others. When we give ourselves over in faith to God, we open ourselves up to his Holy Spirit and the primary fruit of the Spirit is love. As Saint Paul says in his letter to the Galatians, ‘the only thing that counts is faith working through love’.

Just as Mary’s presence filled Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth’s way of relating to Mary filled Mary with a spirit of prayer. Because of the way that Elizabeth welcomed Mary, Mary was moved to pray her great prayer, the Magnificat. The content of Mary’s prayer shows her to be a woman who hungers for a new justice on earth, where the lowly are exalted, the hungry are filled, and oppressive powers are overcome. Mary shows us that genuine faith expresses itself not only in love but in a hunger and thirst for God’s justice on earth.

If Mary’s earthly life of loving service and prayer shows us the shape of our own faith journey, her assumption reveals our ultimate destiny beyond this earthly life. The feast of her assumption celebrates her full embodied sharing in the risen life of Christ. She gives us hope that, in the words of today’s second reading, ‘all will be brought to life in Christ’. As one who now shares fully in the Lord’s risen life, we can confidently turn to her, asking her to pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death, so that we too can come to share in the Lord’s risen life to the full.

We need her prayers, because our faith, and all that flows from it, is often put to the test. Mary’s faith, her relationship with the Lord, was certainly put to the test. That is one of the messages of that strange first reading from the Book of Revelation, which is so full of symbolism. When the woman adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, with twelve stars for a crown was about to give birth to her child, the red dragon stood in front of her so that he could devour her child as soon as it was born. However, God protected both the woman and her child. There will always be forces hostile to our faith in the Lord and to our efforts to give birth to the Lord in our lives. That is why Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil’. He foresaw our struggle. We need a faith that perseveres through the struggles of life. On this feast of Mary, we can look to her as a woman of persevering faith, who remained faithful to her Son, standing by the cross as she watched him been cruelly put to death. She is a prayerful presence on our own faith journey, helping us to persevere in faith, until our faith in her Son gives way to seeing him face to face.

[biancabmf]

•Jesus is: the VINE, the WINE and the BREAD of life. (John 6:27-40/ John 15:5/ John 2:1-12/ Matthew 9:14–17, Mark 2:18-22, Luke 5:33–39/

Ephesians 5:15-21) ESV bible

(The happiness, and the peace even in the bad times)

•Jesus is: The Way, The Truth, The Life. (John 14)

•The Passover with the Disciples

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

Institution of the Lord's Supper

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”(Mathew 26:17-29/ Luke 22:1-23)

* The Message of Salvation to All

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

(Romans 10: 5-13)

•Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30)

* The Great Commission

14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

(Mark 16:14-19/ Matthew 28:16-20) ESV bible

Post by: Bianca Beatriz Monteiro Faria, on January 15th, 2024

[bishopclimate]

Are You Lacking Real Peace & Joy? ... Here's How To Experience It Daily

Dear Child of God, At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.(Matthew 18:1-3) There’s an old hymn called Jesus loves the little children. What is it about children, that Jesus likened them to the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? First, we must understand what the kingdom of God is.  The Bible tells us that “the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. (Romans 14:17) Today most adults are far from peace and joy. With so much going on, from financial problems, worries and cares about children, relationships issues, paying the rent/mortgage, to health issues, etc. how can we have peace today? How can we have joy when there is so much pain? How can we have peace in the midst of storms, when life throws us curveballs, when people disappoint or forsake us? When unexpected health problems arise? When all around us crumbles?  It is in those times we must look to the simplicity of faith, and in the words of Jesus, to not be afraid, just believe. (Mark 5:36) Children trust easily. For the most part, they trust their parents, they trust their teachers, they trust what they see on the tv. They are not weighed down with the concerns of the world, they simply believe what is put before them.  Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.  (Matthew 19:14) It’s so easy to explain to them about God, about angels, about how He protects us. They don’t worry about what they will eat, they know they will be taken care of. They don’t worry about what they will wear, they know their parents are going to provide. They don’t worry about where they will sleep, they are confident they will be protected. They wake up early, ready to start the day, because life is about enjoyment.  It’s only somewhere along the way, they grow out of their innocence, they grow out of their simple trust. But Jesus always wants to bring us back to the basics. Reminding us that the key to the kingdom of heaven, the key to living a life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, is to have simple child-like faith.  Simply believe what He says. Without question, without worry, without ifs or buts. Take Him at His word.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)  God knows every need, every worry, every concern, every care, but He requires us to bring it to Him and then simply trust Him that He will take care of the rest. And that is how we can continually live in the peace of God.  But it’s a daily thing, it’s a daily trusting, it’s a daily committing of ourselves unto the Lord, and just trusting in His peace.  Today my prayer is that you would just trust Him. With everything that is bothering you, trust Him that He will work it out.  Pray with Me: Lord Jesus, I thank you for your promise that if I seek first the kingdom, then all else shall be added unto me. Today I seek your peace, your joy, and your righteousness. Help me to trust you Lord, I bring every care and concern before you Lord and I ask you to take care of all my needs. And now Lord let your perfect peace guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. Amen. Child of God, today I want to bless you with a special gift, to help you as you pray. Just click the link below to download.    Have You Been Blessed By Bishop Climate Ministries? Partner with us today, and help us to take this Gospel around the world. Click Below To Give  CLICK HERE NOW TO FILL YOUR SPECIAL PRAYER AGREEMENT   CALL US 24/7 +44 207 738 3668 (UK) +1 347 708 1449 (USA) or for Whatsaap +44 7448 583480    Remember you can give with your card through the phone it’s quicker and safer; the prayer warriors can assist you to write down your prayer request. Or you can ask them to write the prayer of agreement form on your behalf; just call any of the numbers on the Prayer Agreement Form.   You can also sow straight into the Ministries account through online banking or by visiting your nearest LLOYDS BANK   ACCOUNT NAME: Bishop Climate Ministries BANK : LLOYDS BANK  SORT CODE: 30-91-91  ACCOUNT: 32472768 IBAN: GB24LOYD30919132472768 BIC: LOYDGB21456   OR YOU CAN SEND THROUGH MONEY GRAM TO: Climate Wiseman, 93 Camberwell Station Road, London, SE5 9JJ, UK     Connect With Me Live Tonight @8PM UK Time on www.bishopclimate.tv   Yours In Prophecy,  Prophet Climate Read the full article

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&reading: Monday, November, 7  2022

november 7_september 25

THE RIGHTEOUS SAINT TABITHA (1st.c.)

The Virtuous and merciful woman from the Christian community of Joppa, Righteous Tabitha, sewed clothing and earned her own bread with her handiwork. She also did “almsdeeds”: she sewed clothing for poor orphans and widows. This is all we know about the saint’s life. It seems that these subtle details of the historical Tabitha’s life were intentionally left to us by the hand of God’s Providence. Just a few lines from the Acts of the Apostles (9:36-42)—but these were enough for the Church to glorify the saint as a “true disciple [of Christ] and a spotless lamb.”

1It is enough to know that when she died, the wails of grieving widows compelled the apostle Peter to enter her house, and through the power of God bring her back to life, saying, “Tabitha, arise” (Acts 9:40).

But the saint was silent. She did not dare to take upon herself the load of teaching or apostolic works; she only did her almsdeeds in deep humility, known only to those close to her. She served as she knew how, in the way that God gave her to serve. She was not burdened by the company of people, was not sad about her lowly job, but was simply thankful. And this is the most astonishing thing in the life of any saint—the amazing ability to be silent in the face of the most unpleasant circumstances, the most inconvenient chance situations. The humble acceptance of what happens as being how it should, and gratefulness for everything God sends is the answer of the mighty, but other-worldly. Here the main strength is not judging, not trying to decide for God what is best for our lives, where we can bring the most benefit. When it comes down to it, this silence gives meaning to all the righteous woman’s works and labors. And so we see that the heights of apostolic preaching, the courage of the martyrs, the strength of the desert ascetics—are all absolutely accessible to every Christian by the force of patience and silence, by the force of accepting God as the Master of our lives.

Here we find an amazing pattern in spiritual life. Apparently, at the end of time some will speak assuredly of their grand deeds performed in the “name of Christ,” asking the Creator, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? But they will hear the reply: I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Mt. 7:22-23). Others, to the contrary, will stand ashamed of their insignificant lives, silently waiting for the Creator’s sentence. And God’s reply to their silence will be astounding: Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Mt. 25:34).

In the life of Righteous Tabitha, the grandeur of the podvig (ascetic labor, feat) of Christian life for God manifests itself with particular clarity. “Rejoice O Tabitha, vessel filled with grace!” we say as we honor her memory. By this is the most essential law of life affirmed again and again—the law that with God there is nothing bad, nothing goes unnoticed, nothing is useless, but everything received from Him with simplicity of heart and humility is worthy of the highest calling: the calling to become a participant in eternity, to be a son of the Most High! On the other hand, no matter how seemingly good and virtuous a deed might be, no matter how society might glorify one or another heroic act or authority, without God it is all worth absolutely nothing, because for eternity—it is futile!

Source: orthochristian

THE HOLY MARTYR ANASTASIUS (3rd.c.)

The Martyr Anastasius the Fuller lived at Salona in Dalmatia during the third century. He was arrested and brought to trial because of his missionary activity in Salona. Saint Anastasius, boldly and without fear, confessed Christ as the true God and Creator of all. He even painted a cross on his door during the persecution of Diocletian (284-311).

Saint Anastasius was sentenced to death by the decision of the court, and the pagans tied a stone around his neck and threw his body into the sea. A righteous Christian, the rich matron Ascalopia, found the body of Saint Anastasius and reverently buried him in her estate church. The relics of the holy martyr were glorified by many miracles.

Saint Anastasius the Fuller is also commemorated on December 5.

source: Orthodox Church in America_OCA

LUKE 10:22-24

22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.

COLOSSIANS 2:13-20

13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. 20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-

[mahayanapilgrim]

When Venerable Atisha came to Tibet he first went to Ngari, where he remained for two years giving many teachings to the disciples of Jangchub Ö.

After two years had passed he decided to return to India, and Jangchub Ö requested him to give one last teaching before he left.

Atisha replied that he had already given them all the advice they needed, but Jangchub Ö persisted in his request and so Atisha accepted and gave the following advice.

How wonderful!

Friends, since you already have great knowledge and clear understanding, whereas I am of no importance and have little wisdom, it is not suitable for you to request advice from me. However because you dear friends, whom I cherish from my heart, have requested me, I shall give you this essential advice from my inferior and childish mind.

Friends, until you attain enlightenment the Spiritual Teacher is indispensable, therefore rely upon the holy Spiritual Guide.

Until you realize ultimate truth, listening is indispensable, therefore listen to the instructions of the Spiritual Guide.

Since you cannot become a Buddha merely by understanding Dharma, practise earnestly with understanding.

Avoid places that disturb your mind, and always remain where your virtues increase.

Until you attain stable realizations, worldly amusements are harmful, therefore abide in a place where there are no such distractions.

Avoid friends who cause you to increase delusions, and rely upon those who increase your virtue. This you should take to heart.

Since there is never a time when worldly activities come to an end, limit your activities.

Dedicate your virtues throughout the day and the night, and always watch your mind.

Because you have received advice, whenever you are not meditating always practise in accordance with what your Spiritual Guide says.

If you practise with great devotion, results will arise immediately, without your having to wait for a long time.

If from your heart you practise in accordance with Dharma, both food and resources will come naturally to hand.

Friends, the things you desire give no more satisfaction than drinking sea water, therefore practise contentment.

Avoid all haughty, conceited, proud, and arrogant minds, and remain peaceful and subdued.

Avoid activities that are said to be meritorious, but which in fact are obstacles to Dharma.

Profit and respect are nooses of the maras, so brush them aside like stones on the path.

Words of praise and fame serve only to beguile us, therefore blow them away as you would blow your nose.

Since the happiness, pleasure, and friends you gather in this life last only for a moment, put them all behind you.

Since future lives last for a very long time, gather up riches to provide for the future.

You will have to depart leaving everything behind, so do not be attached to anything.

Generate compassion for lowly beings, and especially avoid despising or humiliating them.

Have no hatred for enemies, and no attachment for friends.

Do not be jealous of others’ good qualities, but out of admiration adopt them yourself.

Do not look for faults in others, but look for faults in yourself, and purge them like bad blood.

Do not contemplate your own good qualities, but contemplate the good qualities of others, and respect everyone as a servant would.

See all living beings as your father or mother, and love them as if you were their child.

Always keep a smiling face and a loving mind, and speak truthfully without malice.

If you talk too much with little meaning you will make mistakes, therefore speak in moderation, only when necessary.

If you engage in many meaningless activities your virtuous activities will degenerate, therefore stop activities that are not spiritual.

It is completely meaningless to put effort into activities that have no essence.

If the things you desire do not come it is due to karma created long ago, therefore keep a happy and relaxed mind.

Beware, offending a holy being is worse than dying, therefore be honest and straightforward.

Since all the happiness and suffering of this life arise from previous actions, do not blame others.

All happiness comes from the blessings of your Spiritual Guide, therefore always repay his kindness.

Since you cannot tame the minds of others until you have tamed your own, begin by taming your own mind.

Since you will definitely have to depart without the wealth you have accumulated, do not accumulate negativity for the sake of wealth.

Distracting enjoyments have no essence, therefore sincerely practise giving.

Always keep pure moral discipline for it leads to beauty in this life and happiness hereafter.

Since hatred is rife in these impure times, don the armour of patience, free from anger.

You remain in samsara through the power of laziness, therefore ignite the fire of the effort of application.

Since this human life is wasted by indulging in distractions, now is the time to practise concentration.

Being under the influence of wrong views you do not realize the ultimate nature of things, therefore investigate correct meanings.

Friends, there is no happiness in this swamp of samsara, so move to the firm ground of liberation.

Meditate according to the advice of your Spiritual Guide and dry up the river of samsaric suffering.

You should consider this well because it is not just words from the mouth, but sincere advice from the heart.

If you practise like this you will delight me, and you will bring happiness to yourself and others.

I who am ignorant request you to take this advice to heart.

This is the advice that the holy being Venerable Atisha gave to Venerable Jang Chub Ö.

[rucbarthatbowtiesarecooldw]

Saturday Afternoon Session

Conducting: Dallin H. Oaks

Hark All Ye Nations

Consider the Lillies

David A Bednar

After all that has been said the greatest and most important responsibility is to share the gospel

Covenants bind us and are an essential core of the gospel

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30.

Armed with righteousness and power of God in great glory.

The price has already been paid. Would you demand that the price be paid twice?

Covenant promises and blessings are possible only through our Savior Jesus Christ

Ciro Schmeil

“You are called for what you can become”

Keys for Becoming a Disciple of Jesus Christ

Asking through prayer

Acting in faith without knowing for sure what we are to do

Be persistent in acting on the promptings and answers you receive – and act while you wait for those answers

We are all at a different stage at a different pace – righteousness is not a competition

Susan H Porter

How well do you know that you are a child of God?

When you know for sure, it changes your view

Love of God can be pictured as light leaving the tree of life – which permeates all His creations

God’s love is the very power that motivates us to seek the tree

What does this light feel like for you?

How do I then express this light?

God will honor your questions – and having questions shouldn’t stop us from moving forward

God’s love is not found in the circumstances of our lives, but in His presence in our lives.

How do I show my gratitude for God’s love?

Eric W. Kopischke

He knows how to heal people and will give them support

Loved valued and needed

Learning will lead to more understanding

The worth of a soul is far more important than any individual task

Christ will not abandon those who will lean on him

Redeemer of Israel

Ronald A Rasband

Upon these I write the things of my soul

1 love God and Jesus Christ

2 Love your Neighbor - That is not just a good idea it’s the second great commandment

Love thy neighbor means everyone

3 Love thyself (God values the divinity within us, and so must we)

Loving thy neighbor as yourself means you have to love yourself

“Isn’t it curious that loving ourselves seems to come less easily than loving others when the lord has asked us to love our neighbors as ourselves?”

4 Keep the Commandments

5 Always be worthy to attend the temple

6 be joyful and cheerful

7 follow God’s living prophet

Will bring joy hope and healing in our lives

What are some things of your soul?

Christoffel Golden Jr

Are you looking beyond the mark?

Faith in Jesus Christ leads to salvation

The gospel is a message of joy, hope, healing, and progress

Moisés Villanueva

He has compassion on us for our sadness and suffering

Recognize the goodness of God even through trials

The best medicine for despair is service

He wants to ease our burdens and comfort us

Elder Gary E Stevenson

The gospel is plain precious and simple

1 living the gospel of Jesus Christ

2 care for those in need

3 invite all to receive the gospel

4 unite families for eternity

What do you do to serve in the gospel

How do you invite people to the gospel?

First of all by not pushing people to believe or do something they don’t want to do.

Apply the simple gospel principals

This Is The Christ

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

15th July >> Mass Readings (USA)

Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

and

Saint Bonaventure, Bishop, Doctor.

Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the feria (Saturday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Saturday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Genesis 49:29-32; 50:15-26a God will surely take care of you and lead you out of this land.

Jacob gave his sons this charge: “Since I am about to be taken to my people, bury me with my fathers in the cave that lies in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah, facing on Mamre, in the land of Canaan, the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a burial ground. There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, and so are Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and there, too, I buried Leah– the field and the cave in it that had been purchased from the Hittites.”

Now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful and thought, “Suppose Joseph has been nursing a grudge against us and now plans to pay us back in full for all the wrong we did him!” So they approached Joseph and said: “Before your father died, he gave us these instructions: ‘You shall say to Joseph, Jacob begs you to forgive the criminal wrongdoing of your brothers, who treated you so cruelly.’ Please, therefore, forgive the crime that we, the servants of your father’s God, committed.” When they spoke these words to him, Joseph broke into tears. Then his brothers proceeded to fling themselves down before him and said, “Let us be your slaves!” But Joseph replied to them: “Have no fear. Can I take the place of God? Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his present end, the survival of many people. Therefore have no fear. I will provide for you and for your children.” By thus speaking kindly to them, he reassured them.

Joseph remained in Egypt, together with his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years. He saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation, and the children of Manasseh’s son Machir were also born on Joseph’s knees.

Joseph said to his brothers: “I am about to die. God will surely take care of you and lead you out of this land to the land that he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Then, putting the sons of Israel under oath, he continued, “When God thus takes care of you, you must bring my bones up with you from this place.” Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7

R/ Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

R/ Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!

Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! Look to the LORD in his strength; seek to serve him constantly.

R/ Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!

You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! He, the LORD, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

R/ Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!

Gospel Acclamation 1 Peter 4:14

Alleluia, alleluia. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 10:24-33 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body.

Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! “Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

-----------------------

Saint Bonaventure, Bishop, Doctor 

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Saturday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Ephesians 3:14-19 To know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.

Brothers and sisters: I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

How shall a young man be faultless in his way? By keeping to your words.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

With all my heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commands.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Within my heart I treasure your promise, that I may not sin against you.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

In the way of your decrees I rejoice, as much as in all riches.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 23:9b, 10b

Alleluia, alleluia. You have but one Father in heaven; you have one master, the Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 23:8-12 The greatest among you must be your servant.

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples: “Do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[lawrenceop]

HOMILY for 15th Sun after Pentecost (Dominican rite)

Gal 5:25-26, 6:1-10; Luke 7:11-16

Here in the Rosary Shrine, I celebrate Mass both in the reformed Roman Rite, and also in the Dominican rite. Consequently, on most Sundays I would have a different set of Scripture readings to pray and think about, and so I would sometimes write two different sermons. Over the course of the year, as I’ve now read through the whole of the Lectionary in the older form of the Mass, I am frequently struck by the epistles that are appointed to be read during this time after Pentecost. The vast majority of the passages are from the pastoral epistles, which deal with relations among Christians. Hence the epistles read in the Mass are directed ad intra, instruction for the Christian assembled for divine worship, and they tell us how we are to treat one another, how we should behave within Christ’s holy Church, and thus the kind of virtues we should foster as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Consider, for example, this sentence from St Paul’s letter to the Galatians today: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted.” Just before this passage, St Paul has listed the fruits of the Spirit, among which is gentleness. So, here again, he exhorts us to be gentle with one another, particularly when someone has fallen into sin, presumably even serious sin. In the Greek text, the fruit of the spirit, translated as gentleness is prautes, which means mildness of disposition, meekness, just as Christ says in Matthew 11:29 that he is “meek [or gentle] and lowly in heart”; the same Greek word, prautes is used here. The Latin translation by St Jerome, interestingly, uses two different Latin words for prautes. In Galatians 5:23, when St Paul lists the gifts of the Holy Spirit, prautes is translated as mansuetudo, which means tameness, mildness, clemency. And then, when the same Greek word recurs in today’s epistle passage, in Galatians 6:1, the translation of prautes is lenitas, which means softness, tenderness, and leniency. So, how are we to treat a fellow Christian who has fallen into sin? St Paul says that one who has the gifts of the Holy Spirit would behave gently, with mildness just as Christ is mild and un-condemning with us, and with leniency.

Why is this? Because we have clay feet, we are fallible sinful people too, because we too might be tempted and fall into sin. Hence, he says: “look to yourself”, watch out, mind your own business! Hence Our Lord also warns us in St John’s Gospel: “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” (Jn 8:7). Or in St Matthew’s Gospel: “Judge not lest you be judged” (Mt 7:1), which is not a call for us to relinquish any discernment of right from wrong, but rather a warning not to presume to condemn another Christian. For, as St James says in his pastoral epistle: “He that… judges a brother… judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge. There is [but] one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you that you judge your neighbour?” (Jm 4:11-12)

The Holy Spirit, therefore, gives us his gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord, so that we might bear fruit, including the fruit of meekness, gentleness, lowliness of heart. For it is with a spirit of gentleness that we shall be kept from falling into the grave sin of spiritual pride, of judging and condemning a brother or sister in Christ. St Jerome’s use of the word mansuetudo, tameness, suggests that the Holy Spirit is seen to be at work in our lives when he tames us, and so we are held back from harsh judgment of a fellow Christian, and so we exhibit that other fruit of the Holy Spirit, namely, self-control.

Among the gifts of the Holy Spirit are those that affect our knowledge–firstly, knowledge concerning God and the revelations of God and the means to salvation. But also true knowledge about ourselves. So St Paul enunciates a fundamental truth for us in today’s epistle passage: “If any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Those who are wise, who fear God and who have understanding will be able to say, without self-recrimination or self-effacement or without destroying one’s proper sense of self-esteem, that, in truth, “I am nothing”. The great Dominican mystic, St Catherine of Siena, told her confessor, Bl. Raymond of Capua that Jesus appeared to St Catherine in a vision and told her: “You are she who is not.” With these words, this wisdom and knowledge imparted by a supernatural grace to her soul, St Catherine was thus given a remedy for pride.

For as Blessed Raymond of Capua went on to say: “Here is a healing remedy, for what wound of pride can enter into a soul that knows itself to be nothing? Who can glory in anything he does? And thus, all vices are driven out by the words, “You are not”. Then, Bl. Raymond adds: “Here too are many anxieties diminished. For, [as Blessed Raymond says] “whenever I or any of the other friars was afraid of any danger, Catherine would say, “What have you to do with yourselves? Leave it to Divine Providence. However much afraid you are, Providence still has his eyes on you and is always aiming at your salvation.”

This, my friends, is saintly wisdom, given from on high by the Holy Spirit. For many in our age are rapt in pride, and they do not even know it. Many people, for example, appear anxious to save the world, or to save the planet and its environment, or to save the Church, and their anxieties arise not because these causes are not worthy of our attention and care, but because they vaingloriously think that the salvation of the Church, of the world, of other people depends on them and their particular action, and so they become activists and campaigners, and they anxiously can think that the outcome depends on them. But St Catherine and Holy Scripture suggests that this is precisely the dangerous hidden deception of pride: to think that I myself am a saviour. But I am he who is not. So, “look to yourself” says St Paul. “Leave it to Divine Providence” says St Catherine. Hence today’s epistle says: “Let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Our spirit of meekness and gentleness towards our fellow Christians, therefore, overflows into benevolence for all people but especially for those who are also baptised into the true Faith, into the life of grace in Jesus Christ.

Sadly, many interactions among us Christians and particularly between Catholics on social media cannot be said by onlookers to be benevolent or gentle or meek in spirit, and this is true even when the comments are directed towards the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ! Earlier in his letter to the Galatians, before he lists the fruits of the Holy Spirit, St Paul lists the “works of the flesh”. Among them are “anger… dissension, party spirit” (cf Gal 5:20) – a better translation for the latter might be something like tribalism – and I think one has to honestly and prayerfully reflect on how we behave online, how we speak to one another and about one another, and then ask ourselves: do I exhibit the works of the flesh or the fruits of the Holy Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”, says St Paul (Gal 5:22-23).

Now, don’t get me wrong: sometimes we do need to fight for what is right, and to make a stand for the vulnerable as we did at the March for Life yesterday. Where sin abounds, we should do what we can in justice and in charity to stop it. However, we must do so in all humility, with gentleness and meekness, without judging and condemning the other, because we know that but for the grace of God, we too would and could and often do fall. For as Our Lord says: “Without me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5). Indeed, without God, we are nothing, and can do no good.

Therefore, St Paul declared to the Corinthians: “God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; therefore, as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord.’” (1 Cor 1:28-31) So, let us always first look to ourselves in order that in all things we keep looking to the Lord!

[catolinewsdailyreadings]

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

Readings of Saturday, June 29, 2024

Reading 1

ACTS 12:1-11

In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also. ���It was the feast of Unleavened Bread.– He had him taken into custody and put in prison under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. He intended to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on his behalf.

On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison. Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly.” The chains fell from his wrists. The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” So he followed him out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate leading out to the city, which opened for them by itself. They emerged and made their way down an alley, and suddenly the angel left him.  Then Peter recovered his senses and said, “Now I know for certain  that the Lord sent his angel  and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting.”

Responsorial Psalm

PS 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R./ The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad. R./ The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. R./ The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. R./ The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him. R./ The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Reading 2

2 TM 4:6-8, 17-18

I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.

The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Gospel

MT 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”