The breath of charity, widens the narrow heart, of the sinner.

Charity is the soul of faith and makes it alive without love, faith dies.

 

St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊                                                                                                                                                                  

2 Corinthians 4:7-15

However, we carry

This treasure in vessels of clay, so that this all surpassing power may not be seen as ours,

but as God's. Trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged. We are left without answer,

but do not despair; persecuted but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed.

At any moment, we carry in our person the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in us.

For we, the living, are given up continually to death, for the sake of Jesus,

so that the life of Jesus may appear in our mortal existence.

And as death is at work in us, life comes to you.

 

We have received the same spirit of faith referred to in Scripture that says: I believed and so I spoke.

We also believe, and so we speak. We know that he who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus,

and bring us, with you, into his presence. Finally, everything is for your good,

so that grace will come more abundantly upon you, and great will be the thanksgiving for the glory of God.

 

Ps 116:10-11, 15-16, 17-18 To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 5:27-32

You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery.

But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent,

has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

 

So, if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away!

It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away!

 

It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

It was also said: Anyone who divorces his wife, must give her a written notice of divorce.

But what I tell you is this: if a man divorces his wife, except in the case of unlawful union, he causes her to commit adultery.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"We need God's grace and mercy."

Human beings are fragile. We are capable of many things,

and yet a microscopic virus can still leave us bed-ridden, and a harsh word can reduce us to tears.

Our emotions can have a powerful effect on us, for good or for ill,

and so we need to train our emotions so that they prompt us to deeds of justice and mercy rather than to making self-centred choices,

careless of the consequences.

 

Jesus focuses on fidelity in relationships and on keeping mind and heart pure,

rather than filling our minds with lust, which pulls us away from being centred on God and on our vocation,

whether that be married life, priesthood, consecrated life or a single life of service.

 

But we are fragile, and so we need God's grace and the example of others to maintain a true path,

and we need God's mercy to repair us once more when cracks begin to appear in our integrity.

Saint Anthony of Padua commented on integrity when he taught, "Do not try to hold back any part of yourself."

May we place the earthenware vessel of our lives into the hands of Jesus. May he keep us safe, and whole and holy.＿