"WE MUST ADORE THE DECREES OF THE ALMIGHTY NOT ONLY IN HAPPY DAYS,

BUT ALSO IN THOSE OF SORROW AND BEREAVEMENT."

                                              - Saint Hedwig

 

"WHAT HAVE I IN HEAVEN AND WHAT DO I DESIRE ON EARTH, BUT THEE ALONE, O MY GOD."

                                                  - Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Ephesians 1:11-14

By a decree of him

Who disposes all things according to his own plan and decision, we, the Jews,

have been chosen and called, and we were awaiting the Messiah, for the praise of his glory.

You, on hearing the word of truth, the gospel that saves you, have believed in him.

And, as promised, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit, the first pledge of what we shall receive,

on the way to our deliverance, as a people of God, for the praise of his glory.

 

Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13 

Blessed be the people the Lord has chosen to be his own

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Gospel: Luke 12:1-7

Meanwhile, such a numerous crowd had gathered that they crushed one another.

Then Jesus spoke to his disciples in this way, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Nothing is covered that will not be uncovered; or hidden, that will not be made known.

Whatever you have said in darkness will be heard in daylight,

and what you have whispered in hidden places, will be proclaimed from housetops.

 

I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who put to death the body and,

after that, can do no more. But I will tell you whom to fear: Fear the one who, after killing you,

is able to throw you into hell. This one you must fear. Don't you buy five sparrows for two pennies?

Yet not one of them has been forgotten by God. Even the hairs of your head

have been numbered. Don't be afraid! Are you less worthy in the eyes of God than many sparrows?

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Inconsistencies in discipleship.

In following Jesus, which means getting to know Him more personally,

one is constantly confronted with inconsistencies in discipleship.

Sometimes, our beliefs do not smoothly translate into our actions.

When people notice this, we might hear accusations of hypocrisy. Examining ourselves,

 

we may recognize our various forms of hypocrisy. What Jesus sternly challenges

is a hypocrisy that inflates the ego. Jesus wants to convey that, as we confront these inconsistencies,

recognizing them is the antidote, and we shouldn't act like the Pharisees,

who tend to live in a world of self-righteousness. Jesus invites us to humbly acknowledge

our inconsistencies, which reflect our struggles, and to find ways to work on and improve them.