“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” (Mk 7: 20-23)
Our beautiful hearts, meeting points with God himself, sources of so many good thoughts and prayers, unfortunately, are also the places where so many evil thoughts can reside. How often our mistaken patterns of interpretation in our inner dialog have their roots in this list. But there is hope; we can always ask: Make my heart like Yours. And we know—Our Lord can do it.
“Your word, O Lord, is truth: consecrate us in the truth.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none.
So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” (Lk 13: 6-9)
God is patient, He can wait; and also He knows that we need help from others–gardener said: “I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it.” Like our Programs. We just cultivate the ground around the tree of marriage and help couples fertilize it; we show them how to bear fruit. Simple steps and support for the soil, to help them open their eyes and see a bigger perspective…
“I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversation that he may live.” (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 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)
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (Jn 1: 51)
Our best friends, and a very special gift from God to protect us. One of the first prayers which my Mom taught me was to my Guardian Angel. We will celebrate their feast soon, too. Today we are thankful for the outstanding service of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Their identity is hidden in their names: Michael means “Who is like God?”, Gabriel means “God is my strength” and Raphael—“It is God who heals.” Different missions, the same service to God. Each of them has in their identity God as a reference point, everything in their lives is connected with God.
“Bless the Lord, all you his angels, mighty in power, fulfilling his word, and heeding his voice.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“When ridiculed, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we respond gently.” (1 Cor 4: 12 – 13)
It is so easy to answer in a way much different from St Paul’s, and with a good excuse—I was ridiculed, persecuted or slandered; it is not my fault that I lost my temper. St. Paul brings us a much wider perspective: we can be ourselves; there is no need to be like a mirror—just a reflection of someone else’s behavior. “For freedom Christ set us free” (Gal 5: 1).
“I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.” (1 Cor 1: 17)
The Cross of Christ became for us a tree of life. His death has brought us life and reconnection with God and made us brothers and sisters of Our Lord. Our mission depends not on understanding the world and human nature but on belief in God, who created this world and human beings for a greater glory—living with God in heaven forever.
“John answered and said: He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Communion Antiphon)
“May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thes 3:16)
Almost every day the media news bring us information about conflicts and wars. Europe, Africa and Asia are in constant danger. We know that only Our Lord himself can give us true “peace at all times and in every way.” We can protect His peace in us also “in every way,” especially in our families by practicing gentleness, respect, gifts of self (do you remember: free, creative and joyful?) and rituals, when we protect time for us to share what we have in our hearts.
“Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him.” (Gospel Acclamation)
