"PRAY WITHOUT CEASING ON BEHALF OF OTHER MEN..

Kingos FOR CANNOT HE THAT FALLS RISE AGAIN?"

                              - Saint Ignatius of Antioch

 
Ignatius urges Christians not to isolate their faith or give up on people around them,

reminding them to intercede constantly for others.

Even when someone falls into sin, error, or hardship,

there is always room for grace, change, and turning back to God.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Ephesians 1:15-23

I have been

Told of your faith and your affection toward all the believers,

so I always give thanks to God, remembering you in my prayers.

May the God of Christ Jesus our Lord, the Father of glory,  reveal himself

to you, and give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, that you may know him.

May he enlighten your inner vision, that you may appreciate

the things we hope for, since we were called by God.

May you know how great is the inheritance, the glory, God sets apart for his saints;

may you understand, with what extraordinary power, he acts in favor of us who believe. 

He revealed his almighty power in Christ when he raised him from the dead,

 

and had him sit at his right hand in heaven, far above all rule,

power, authority, dominion, or any other supernatural force that could be named,

not only in this world, but in the world to come as well.

Thus has God put all things under the feet of Christ and set him above all things,

as head of the church, which is his body, the fullness of him, who fills all in all.

 

Ps 8:2-3ab, 4-5, 6-7

You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Luke 12:8-12

"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before people, the Son of Man will also acknowledge

before the angels of God. But the one who denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.

There will be pardon for the one who criticizes the Son of Man,

but there will be no pardon for the one who slanders the Holy Spirit.

When you are brought before the synagogues, and before governors and rulers,

don't worry about how you will defend yourself, or what to say;

for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you have to say."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

One is always confronted with a choice.

Jesus has faced opposition from the people around him, particularly the religious leaders of his time.

In all these instances of opposition, one is tested on where one stands.

Jesus leaves a promise for his disciples. He promises an abiding presence until the day of judgment.

Our Christian values are challenged today. We may experience how difficult

 

it is to stand by the values of Christ in our daily lives. With so many temptations and greater options available

that are not of Christ, one is always confronted with a choice. When these moments arise,

may we always find consolation in the promise of Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit

to guide us in making decisions and choosing options.