Sunday - June 25, 2017
“If the heart wanders or is distracted, bring it back to the point quite gently and replace it tenderly in its Master's presence. And even if you did nothing during the whole of your hour but bring your heart back and place it again in Our Lord's presence, though it went away every time you brought it back, your hour would be very well employed.”
-- St. Francis de Sales
TODAY'S READINGS
June 25, 2017
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 94
Reading 1JER 20:10-13
Jeremiah said:"I hear the whisperings of many:
'Terror on every side!
Denounce! let us denounce him!'
All those who were my friends
are on the watch for any misstep of mine.
'Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail,
and take our vengeance on him.'
But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion:
my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.
In their failure they will be put to utter shame,
to lasting, unforgettable confusion.
O LORD of hosts, you who test the just,
who probe mind and heart,
let me witness the vengeance you take on them,
for to you I have entrusted my cause.
Sing to the LORD,
praise the LORD,
for he has rescued the life of the poor
from the power of the wicked!"
Responsorial PsalmPS 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.For your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my children,
Because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness;
in your great mercy turn toward me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.
Let the heavens and the earth praise him,
the seas and whatever moves in them!''
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Reading 2ROM 5:12-15
Brothers and sisters:Through one man sin entered the world,
and through sin, death,
and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned—
for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world,
though sin is not accounted when there is no law.
But death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over those who did not sin
after the pattern of the trespass of Adam,
who is the type of the one who was to come.
But the gift is not like the transgression.
For if by the transgression of the one the many died,
how much more did the grace of God
and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ
overflow for the many.
AlleluiaJN 15:26B, 27A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord;
and you also will testify.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 10:26-33
Jesus said to the Twelve:"Fear no one.
Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;
what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;
rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy
both soul and body in Gehenna.
Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?
Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Everyone who acknowledges me before others
I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
But whoever denies me before others,
I will deny before my heavenly Father."
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Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for this day in which we celebrate your resurrection. I believe that my life will one day be victoriously united to yours. I hope in your mercy and infinite kindness. Today as I receive you in the Eucharist may I be caught by the fire of your love.
Petition: Lord, let me be a light to those around me.
1. No Fear: “So have no fear of them.” Christ opens a new perspective for us by his words. He gives us the assurance that we are safe even when the world threatens and tries to deceive us. He shows us that we are building on solid ground by preaching the Gospel. The truth about God and man we proclaim corresponds to what is deepest in man’s heart and witnessing to this truth always carries a special grace that resonates in the world. And Christ’s promise of eternal life “protects” us as we engage in his mission.
2. God’s Amplifiers: “What you have heard whispered, proclaim from the housetops.” Christ has made a special effort in our lives to make his good news penetrate us, whispering gently in our ears and hearts. He is confident that he is sparking something that will change us deeply. The quiet, intimate message and the first flames of love will blaze into a fire that will touch those around us. We bring to others what we have contemplated in prayer, in those intimate moments where Christ speaks to us of his love and truth. We should allow our hearts to resonate powerfully during prayer so as to be the instruments Christ will use to reach others.
3. Safe in Our Father’s Arms: “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” The paradox of our lives is that we have been sent on a great adventure whose goal is to get back home, back to our Father’s house. The Father asks us, accompanied by his Son, to discover the paths in our heart that lead to him and to invite all those around us to come home. Christ assures us that we are safe on this journey, that our trials and risks are but a small -- yet very precious -- contribution to the love that is awaiting us. Our Father waits for us. Our home is only a step away at each minute. We know that when we bravely put him above our fears, he will reward us with a love that no one can take away.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, I know that you have the last word. You are the Lord of life and history. Help me not to be afraid to build your kingdom around me. I realize today that my desire to tell the world about you is your grace. Help me to remember that with you I can bear fruit that will last forever.
Resolution: I will invite a friend or acquaintance to join me for Mass or in praying the rosary this week.
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God Bless You.....
KONKANI PRAYER GROUP - Abu Dhabi
"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone" Mark 16:15
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