“Who, though in the form of God, emptied himself, taking the form of a slave.

This is the glory of the Cross of Jesus!” (Pope Francis)

“Being Christian”, “is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event”.

God wants to enter into a relationship of love with everyone. This is offered in His Son, Jesus, lifted up on the Cross.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Numbers 21:4b-9

The people were discouraged

 There are many people who cannot hear God's voice, or do not have the capacity to pray to God for what they need most.

Jesus always gives strength of mind, body or soul when we place ourselves in God's loving presence.

All power in heaven and on earth was entrusted to his hands.

He was doing the will of the Father, and accomplishing the work with which he had been commissioned.

"The Father," he said, "worketh hitherto, and I work;"

 

St. Peter Claver, priest

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

1 Corinthians 5:1-8

You have become news,

 John was born in 347 in Antioch.

John died on 407, on his way to his place of exile.

In the Western Church, he is invoked as one of the Four Greek Doctors..

The following are examples of some of his more trenchant sayings:

-Do you wish to honour the body of Christ? Do not ignore him when he is naked.

Do not pay him homage in the temple clad in silk, only then to neglect him outside where he is cold and ill-clad. He who said:

“This is my body” is the same who said: “You saw me hungry and you gave me no food”,

and “Whatever you did to the least of my brothers you did also to me…”

What good is it if the Eucharistic table is overloaded with golden chalices when your brother is dying of hunger?

Start by satisfying his hunger and then with what is left you may adorn the altar as well.

  

St. John Chrysostom, bishop & doctor

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27

Because I cannot boast of announcing the Gospel:

 After Jesus cured the man's deafness.

Jesus uttered, "Ephphata!"

Which is "Be open." 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Isaiah 35:4-7a

Say to those who are afraid:

 Jesus says:
Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you;

pray for those who mistreat you. Here is totally beyond our capacity.

Probably the most difficult of all to do: “Love your enemies and do good to them.”

To weaken the enemy in ourselves, we have to know it, own it, and outgrow it.

Befriending and outgrowing the bad side of ourselves make us whole and confident against any destruction.

   

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

1 Corinthians 8:1b-7, 11-13

Regarding meat

 The Pharisees their heads are totally buried in the Law, by focusing on the minutiae, they missed the larger picture.

The Pharisees obsessive in following the letter of the law without regard for human welfare.

Jesus insists God is far greater than all these regulations and rituals.

 

Blessed Virgin Mar

  ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

1 Corinthians 4:6b-15

Learn by this example,

 “FORTUNATE ARE YOU WHO ARE POOR.”

The situation might include a deep feeling of emptiness, uncertainty and hopelessness.

One is invited to open up to the power of God and to receive his generosity.

He/she could find comfort in the encounter with God,

which could subsequently lead to the unfolding of a new world of hope and opportunities.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

1 Corinthians 7:25-31

With regard to those who remain virgins,

 All is made new by God who meets us where we are.

The old wineskins of the old Testament did not manage to accommodate the new wine of Jesus’s message.

"But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast." 

Sometimes, it is getting rid of someone, especially the poor,

Jesus wants us to feast with Him through the needy – not get rid of Him.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Let everyone, then,

Before He makes an important decision, Jesus goes up the mountain to pray. He communes with His Father.

Everything he does is in perfect accord with the Father's will.

We are reminded, with a decision especially if it is a hard one, we need to pray and ask for guidance. Sometimes.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

When you have a complaint

 Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Born in 1995,
Died September 5, 1997, Calcutta, India;

Beatified 19 October 2003, by Pope John Paul II
Canonized 4 September 2016, by Pope Francis.

In 1946 Sister Teresa experienced her “call within a call,”

which she considered divine inspiration to devote herself to caring for the sick and poor.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

1 Corinthians 3:18-23

Do not deceive yourselves.