When people begged Jesus not to leave after he healed the sick,

Many people focused on the immediate.

Jesus came to preach the message of the kingdom of God and

provide spiritual salvation, not just perform endless physical wonders.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

I could not,

 Vigilance and preparation in our faith journey,

because adversaries seek to distract and derail faith.

Jesus used parables like the wise and foolish virgins to stress

that readiness cannot be borrowed or rushed at the last minute;

it requires maintaining a filled lamp of faith and good works.

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

 1 Corinthians 1:17-25

For Christ

 Authority and power over the evil spirits

Believers receive authority and power over evil spirits

through the delegated victory and Name of Jesus Christ.

The Name of Jesus, which holds supreme power over every force.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊      

1 Corinthians 2:10b-16

The Spirit

 "NOTHING IS FAR FROM GOD."

"Nothing is far from God" is a famous quote by Saint Monica,

the 4th-century mother of Saint Augustine.

Persistent Prayer: Saint Monica prayed for her

pagan husband and her wayward son, Augustine.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

From Paul,

The rejection of Jesus underscores a universal spiritual and historical reality,

proclaiming absolute truth often carries a profound personal cost.

Jesus’s message challenged established religious authorities, disrupted social norms,

and exposed institutional hypocrisy, which ultimately led to his crucifixion.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

When I came to

 Spiritual pride hollows out a person's faith by replacing a genuine,

dependent relationship with God with self-righteousness,

True faith rests on recognizing personal weakness and need for grace.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18

We command you,

In Jesus’ day, the cross was not just a burden or an inconvenience;

it was a symbol of death, a tool of execution used by the Romans.

Deny yourself and take up your cross means to completely surrender

your own selfish desires, ego, and personal will to live in total obedience to God.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Jeremiah 20:7-9

The Lord,

"IF FROM THE VERY EARLIEST YEARS,

A CHILD IS INSTRUCTED IN BOTH RELIGION AND LETTERS,

IT CAN BE REASONABLY HOPED THAT HIS LIFE WILL BE HAPPY."

                                              - Saint Louis of France

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a, 14-17

Brothers and sisters,

 John the Baptist by speaking truth to power and

calling people to a righteous life, stayed completely focused on his mission

to prepare the people's hearts for the arrival of Jesus.

He famously said that Jesus must become greater while he himself must become less.

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Brothers and sisters,

God sees and knows every part of who we are,

understanding our thoughts, actions,

and quiet moments before we even speak.

As Thomas goes from deep doubt to strong belief.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Revelation 21:9b-14

And he (an angel) said,