“Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mt 18:19-20)
Every parent knows how important is unity in the family. Different requirements or expectations, different rules from Mam and Dad can damage family life. Heavenly Father as a father protects us and teaches us to gather together in His name. In this simple way we can invite Him “in the midst” of us.
“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“…whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. ‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.’” (Mt 18:5.10)
God’s love protects everybody, but in a very special way the “little ones”: not only by giving them their Angels in Heaven, but also by identifying with them -“whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me”. Happy is every mother and father when they receive a long awaited child, happy they are even more with receiving with their child also Our Lord himself.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Gospel Acclamation)
“But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.” (Mt 17:27)
Other possible scenario: “Simon, here, take this coin worth twice the temple tax and give it to them for me and for you.”
No, Our Lord, for Whom making a miracle was natural, asked Simon to do what he was able to do and where he was an expert (a fisherman), “and take the first fish that comes up… you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax…” God loves to show His love for us in many different ways, He makes miracles in our life, but not instead of our responsibilities or necessary action. He supports, fulfills and connects us with Him. “Give that to them for me and for you”—team work: together we can change the world. Alone I can do nothing, with Him—everything.
“God has called you through the Gospel to posses the glory or our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“At once Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’” (Mt 14: 27)
God revealed His name as “I am who I am.” The only One who just IS; always and everywhere as a true God. Today Our Lord reminds us to take courage: “it is I”—literally, I am. Today, like everyday, He will take care of us, He will be with us and He will protect us. Why? Because He IS Our Lord.
“Look to your covenant, O Lord, and forget not the life of your poor ones for ever. Arise, O God, and defend your cause, and forget not the cries of those who seek you.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Mt 17: 20)
Big faith and little faith; the little one is “the size of a mustard seed”, and its consequences are incredible—Nothing will be impossible for you. So how does the big one look?
Everyday we can take care of the soil for a “mustard seed”: time for my personal prayer, time with my Bible, several minutes only with my spouse, thanksgiving (one special thing I am really grateful for) and whatever my Guardian Angel will suggest.
The gift of faith comes from GOD, with the Baptism.
“Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“See, upon the mountains there advances the bearer of good news, announcing peace”! (Nah 2:1)
In so many ways can we announce peace – on our face, in our gestures, reactions and words. It will be great to be called “the bearer of good news.” Actually we are. Any person, because created by God’s love, bears on themselves the sign of His presence. And He is the Prince of Peace.
“In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts.” (Jer 31:33)
Only God can write upon our hearts. And He wrote the most beautiful message: you are mine. My answer to this message when I open my eyes in the morning is: “LIKE IT.” And the second one is just natural consequence of the previous – “SHARE IT.”
“It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, says The Lord, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.” (Communion Antiphon)
“When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying,’Rise, and do not be afraid.’ And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.” (Mt 17: 6-8)
“Jesus alone” answers all our needs: our hunger, loneliness and fears. And He does it in a very special, personal way: “Jesus came and touched them, saying”… Theology has called this “verba and gesta Dei” – the words and gestures of God. Not only words, but also gestures, not only gestures, but also words. Message is stronger when we can see, touch and hear. And God’s love for us is human and total. Always.
“When Christ appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him like he is.” (Communion Antiphon)
“Write all the words I have spoken to you in a book… When I summon him, he shall approach me;… You shall be my people, and I will be your God.” (Jer 30: 2. 21-22)
“Words spoken” to you and me are so often about our relationship with us. “I will be your God, you shall be my people”. We belong to Him, but also – at the same moment – He, somehow, belongs to us. I can talk to Him, glorify Him, ask Him, thank Him always. There are no special conditions, places or formulas except one – to talk to Him as His child: chosen, protected and loved. He has given Himself as a Child, too.
“Hail, Holy Mother, who gave birth to the King who rules heaven and earth for ever.” ( Entrance Antiphon)
“After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone”. (Mt 14, 23)
Action and reaction, “after doing… he went… to pray.” It is very natural for us after “doing” to think about some rest. Prayer looks like another activity, but also at the same time it is a quiet time, alone, by ourselves, which brings us back to our full identity. Alone on prayer helps us to recognize Our Lord’s constant presence with me, my vocation and true ‘destination’ of all my actions – to love one another with gentleness, respect and as a gift of self, not a demander.
“Blessed is the servant whom the Lord finds watching when he comes. Amen, I say to you: he will put that servant in charge of all his property.” (Communion Antiphon)
