“Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?” (Mt 21:42).

The rejected stone. How often does it happen in our life. Rejected by the others, and even rejected by ourselves:“it’s not for me,” “I shouldn’t even try,” “I’ve done really nothing,” “there is nothing to talk about,”  and many others. Maybe my parents failed to tell me how wonderful I am, because their parents had failed to tell it to them, because their parents…

God recognizes in us our dignity, talents, potential and the beautiful things He can build with us as stones. In His eyes  I can always find the truth about me. Only He can look at me not through my limitations, but through my origin – I am His child.

“God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son; so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.” (Verse before the Gospel)

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD.” (Jer 17:7)

Trust in the Lord. It sounds like something OBVIOUS. The problem is when we have a wrong idea of who the Lord is: a prosecutor? Executor? Avenger? Suspicious?… This is the devil’s work from the beginning of the world: “turns heart away from the LORD” (Jer 17:5).

We need to keep our hearts focused on Him. Listen to His words. Trust Him and His words.

“Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.” (Verse before the Gospel)

“…took his wife into his home” (Mt 1:24)

Simple words and a simple action. “Took his wife into his home”. Such a special moment in every couple’s life. New beginning, new responsibility, new identity. His home will be home for the Holy Family, a place where Jesus spend 30 years enjoying simple family life based on love, respect, devotion and work. Celebrating feast of St. Joseph we think about simplicity, dedication, humility and closeness beyond imagination. The Holy Family life. Home, where we are invited.

I found in my “Magnificat”: “To other saints our Lord has given power to help in one sort of need, but this glorious saint, as I know by experience, helps us in every need” (according to St. Teresa of Avila).

“Blessed are those who dwell in your house, o Lord; they never cease to praise you”. (Verse before the Gospel)

“Learn to do good” (Is 1:17)

“Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they may become white as wool.” (Is 1:18).

Learn from Him. He has the right perspective. He is not interested in your sins, weakness, wounds, bad experience, nightmares. He is always looking for the good things. And His only concern is how to change your life into something which not just better, but into something which is totally new. Scarlet – for snow, red like crimson – white as wool.

“Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit”. (Verse before the Gospel)

“We have sinned, been wicked and done evil;

we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws. We have not obeyed your servants the prophets… O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against you.

But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!” (Dan 9:5-6. 8-9).

A long list of our sins. We have … and … and … . A long list. And always only one reaction for that: compassion and forgiveness. Always. No matter how big my sin is. His love is always bigger. No matter how far I have escaped from Him, He’s always looking for me.

“Be merciful, as your Father is merciful, says the Lord” (Lk 6:36)

“Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.” (2 Tim 1:8b).

Our Father takes care of everything in our life. We are His children. His thoughtful love covers all the aspects of our life. Even if we are asked to proclaim the Gospel – the strength comes from Him.

“Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.” (Ps 33, 22)

“…with all your heart and with all your soul” (Dt 26:16).

No more, no less. All your heart. All your soul. It is a waste of time to do a thing from which your heart or soul are missing. How often do we have to work just for the salary, to have the money to cover our bills. So sad.

We are His children and if we have no chance to put all our heart into action – it is far below our dignity.

“Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect, says the Lord” (Mt 5:48) – Communion Antiphon

“You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Mt 5:21-22) 

Practice makes one perfect. Such an easy beginning, such simple steps: first just “angry”, and later just a simple comment – “you fool”. After all, it’s not a big deal, is it? For us. Not for Him. He knows the consequences: a damaged child, then – a teenager hungry for love and acceptance, later – a demanding husband/wife, and in the end – a parent dissatisfied with the progress of his child. And the training for the next generation of professional killers starts again.

Or… send a text message to your child(ren) – how happy you are being a parent of the best child ever. 

“Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit” (Verse before the Gospel).

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” (Mt 7:12)

The simple rule. The Golden Rule. And here we are. Surrounded by people: smiling, kind, respectful, gentle, more givers then demanders, listening with understanding, having time to listen to my stories of simple things that have happened, nice and protective.

And the first person that I meet today is me in the mirror. Smiling, kind, gentle…

“A clean heart create for me, o God; give me back the joy of your salvation” (Versus before the Gospel)

“… no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” (Lk 11:29).

“Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but single day’s walk… when the people of Nineveh believed God… When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had treated to do to them; he did not carry it out.” (Jonah 3:3-5. 10).

How difficult was this mission for Jonah. Assyrians were enemies. Jonah really liked God’s plan to destroy Nineveh. Especially because it was God’s plan. Jonah, the Israelite, was chosen to deliver the message about the chance to repent they’d been given.

Our enemies are also God’s children. Without His grace – and the opportunity to repent – they will die.

“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart for I am gracious and merciful.” (Verse before the Gospel).