“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3, 27-28)

So often we are focused on our differences, especially recognized as a lack of unity; we do things differently. St. Paul reminds us about real unity: “there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” We are invited not to forget that we have different gifts as men and women but to remember that we have “clothed ourselves with Christ.”

“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Realize that it is those who have faith who are children of Abraham. Scripture, which saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, foretold the good news to Abraham, saying, Through you shall all the nations be blessed. Consequently, those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham who had faith.” (Gal 3: 7-9)

Faith and law—two opposite sides. Faith brings a blessing, law a curse. When we think that our salvation comes through our activity, “the one who does these things will live by them,” we are in danger because our salvation comes from God’s love and depending on Him, not as a result of our actions. There is nothing like self-salvation; “those who have faith are blessed.” When we have faith, we are connected with God; we belong to Him; we are His children; we are blessed and saved by His love: “Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law.”

“Thus says the Lord: Let whoever is thirsty come to me and drink. Streams of living water will flow from within the one who believes in me.” (Communion Antiphon)

“If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Lk 11: 13)

We know “how to give good gifts to our children.” Our Father in heaven also knows how to give, but His gifts are absolutely unique—not things but persons, the most holy Persons: God’s Son (God’s Word) and theHoly Spirit (the Love of the Father for the Son). The Word and the Love are gifts of the Father: to guide us, inspire us and protect us.

“Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.’” (Lk 11: 1)

The Apostles observed Our Lord’s prayer several times. It had to be so different, so unique, that they decided to ask him: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus answered by sharing with them not the important tips but by giving them His Father. The relationship with the Father in heaven goes first—”Our Father”, than—our requests.

“You have received a spirit of adoption as sons through which we cry: Abba! Father!” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Lk 10: 41-42)

Mary and Martha are inside of every one of us. It is easier for us to think that prayer is “doing nothing” and action is something that we really “do.” Our Lord gives us Mary as an example as a person who “has chosen the better part.” This month we are especially invited to pray, together with Our Lady, on the Rosary, where action and contemplation are united, something for Mary and something for Martha at the same time.

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Entrance Antiphon)

“‘Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?’” He answered, ‘The one who treated him with mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” (Lk 10: 36-37)

“Justice” is an element of a civilization of death. On the other side, on the side of a civilization of life, we have “mercy.” Mercy is greater than  “justice,” and gentleness and respect are two wings of mercy – the best things we can share with others.

“I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4: 6 – 7)

Our requests are known to God. He listens to our prayers and petitions. It is very beneficial when we pray with “no anxiety at all” and “with thanksgiving.” Our grateful hearts are especially pleasing to God. Such an attitude shows how close we are to Him, depend on Him and love Him.

“The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to the soul that seeks him.”

“Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Lk 10: 20)

Our final destination is in Heaven – not here, on earth. Even the greatest success here means nothing in comparison with the life in Heaven. Without that perspective of living with God for Heaven, we can be extremely busy but in reality we bear very little fruit. St. John of the Cross used to say: “a very little of this pure love is more precious in the sight of God and the soul, and of greater profit to the Church, even though the soul appears to be doing nothing, than all these other works together”. The saints in heaven can do more for us than they did when they were on earth.

“Francis, the man of God, left his home behind, abandoned his inheritance and became poor and penniless, but the Lord raised him up.” (Entrance Antiphon)