Today is the feast of St Bartholomew, one of the Twelve apostles.

Saint Bartholomew, He is also venerated as one of the twelve apostles.

Jesus finds in Nathanael the purity and honesty of the Jewish faith.

Nathanael was startled by Jesus’ uncanny knowledge.

“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

The apostle is said to have been martyred by flaying.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Revelation 21:9b-14

And he (an angel) said,

  “What do I still lack?”

We are obedient and faithful.

that is, for him to mold and shape according to his will.

Jesus can be the only one we have.

the only one we depend on, This means Jesus takes on the first place, before anything else,

or the center, around which everything else revolves.

St. John Eudes, priest/ St. Ezekiel Moreno, priest

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Ezekiel 24:15-23

The word of Yahweh

St. Rose：

“Lord, increase my sufferings, and with them increase Your love in my heart.”

“Know that the greatest service that man can offer to God is to help convert souls.”

“Without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace.

　The gift of grace increases as the struggles increase.”

“Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.”

St. Rose of Lima, virgin

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Ezekiel 37:1-14*

The hand of Yahweh was upon me....

 "The bread I shall give is my flesh, and I will give it for the life of the world."

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Proverbs 9:1-6

Wisdom has built her house

 Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954.

she is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship.

Mary deserves the title because she is Mother of God,

because she is closely associated as the New Eve with Jesus’ redemptive work.

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Ezekiel 36:23-28

I will make known the holiness

Children have no shame in making their requests and demands known.

It means to be poor in spirit.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

The least of all in the eyes of the world is as important as the greatest of all in the eyes of Jesus.

This reminds us that the weaker people are, the more they require our care and concern. 

Blessed Virgin Mary

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32

The word of Yahweh

They don’t deserve the same as we get, do they? we are often covetous and jealous

Entry into God’s kingdom is not gained by our work or action, but by the God's forgiveness.

In the kingdom – a deeper justice anointed with compassion.

St. Pius X, pope

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Ezekiel 34:1-11*

The word of Yahweh

 “THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE BODY.”

There are two essential elements of life-long faithfulness in marriage,

namely: The offering of one’s self and sacrifice.

Was it not through offering/giving and sacrifice that God’s saving plan in Jesus proceeded? 

St. Stephen of Hungary/ St. Roch

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63*

The word of Yahweh

 “What then, will there be for us?” Peter personifies typical human mindset.

Thus, Jesus answered Peter’s question understandingly and positively.

Jesus promised them judges’ seats with him in the Kingdom, and did promise them great returns.

St. Bernard, abbot and doctor

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Ezekiel 28:1-10

The word of Yahweh

 “YOU ARE MOST BLESSED AMONG WOMEN.”

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary both body and soul is a defined teaching of the church.

The Blessed Virgin is our singular boost to heaven.

What made her “most blessed among women”?

God himself chose her;

She said “yes” to the announcement of the angel Gabriel.

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

Ps 45:10, 11, 12, 16 The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.