“Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” (Lk 12: 7)

Our God cares about everything, even about little sparrows, because He created the world by love, not by will. He sees our lives, needs and fears in every tiny detail. His love reaches and touches them all, with gentleness and respect.

“May your kindness, Lord, be upon us; who have put our hope in you.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.” (Eph 1: 3-4)

Like a child who is coming over and over again to his/her mom to tell her “I love you” and to hear the same from her, we can read this paragraph all the time: it was no “accident” that I was born, as we were chosen “before the foundation of the world” and we are blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.” And what’s more—we are chosen “to be holy and without blemish before him,” even though He knows everything about our weaknesses, fears and shortcomings. Happy are we!

“I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal 5: 22-23)

God knows perfectly our condition and situation. He became a man, died for us on the cross and sent us His Holy Spirit, who supports us in every situation. His presence in us is very fruitful. Because God is One in Three Persons, His gifts are also intended to unite us and to open our hearts for others. When we look at Him, listen to Him and follow Him, the fruit of the Spirit could “explode” in our lives – for ourselves, our friends and neighbors.

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” (Gal 5: 6)

This is the final test of our every action—love. We believe in God who is love. When our faith drives us into judging, comparing, being “better” or “more pious,” we are in real danger. Our faith, a gift from God, should open our eyes and hearts to others. Our main and only concern is to imitate Our Lord’s love to our brothers and sisters—to make the others happy, not ourselves. This is real happiness.

“Whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me, says the Lord.” (Communion Antiphon)

“For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” (Gal 4:31-5:1)

Two loves: love of God and love of self lead us in two different directions—to freedom or to slavery. Love of self is full of expectations, demands and egoism; love of God brings joy, harmony and a gift of self. We are not between freedom and slavery because “for freedom Christ set us free.”

“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“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)