Tuesday 26 September
Tuesday of week 25 in Ordinary Time Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs First reading - Ezra 6:7-8,12,14-20 “The elders of the Jews prospered with their building, inspired by Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished the building in accordance with the order of the God of Israel and the order of Cyrus and of Darius”. The rebuilding of the Temple of Jerusalem continues to be theme of the reading of today also. The rebuilding of the Temple is inspired by the prophets. It’s also done in accordance with the order of the God and also of the kings. So we can see that there is the inspiration from the prophets and the order of God and king. We must connect the reconstruction of our spiritual life to the inspiration of the Word of God. But not only the Word of God but also the earthly realities. The construction of the Temple involves both divine and human elements. These both elements are blended by the inspiration of the Word of God. Let’s reflect: Do I manage to blend both the divine and human elements in my reconstruction of spiritual life inspired by the Word of Go
Monday 25 September
Monday of week 25 in Ordinary Time First reading - Ezra 1:1-6 “Then the heads of families of Judah and of Benjamin, the priests and the Levites, in fact all whose spirit had been roused by God, prepared to go and rebuild the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem”. This is the way the Lord intervenes in our life. The damages of our past, the destructions of our past, God himself takes the initiative to repair it. Then He gives the inspiration to rise to the occasion to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. We are the temple of Christ. When we do sins, we destroy that temple. When we move away from God, we damage the temple of God. But God tries always to bring us back. The Lord prepares all the necessary help to rebuild the temple. We inspired by His spirit must respond to that call. Whatever damages are there, the Lord will find a way to repair that. Let’s reflect: am I prepared to rebuild the temple of God damaged by our sins?
Sunday 24 September
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time First reading - Isaiah 55:6-9 “my thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways not your ways”. This must be the principle of our thoughts. Our thoughts could be not the thoughts of the Lord. When we are convinced, when we are adamant, when we feel exclusive, when we speak as the sole carriers of truth, we must remember this Word of God. This very thought which I think as the truth could be not the thought of God. This very way which I think as the only way could be not the way of the Lord. This thought, this Word of God must make us humble and open to the light of the Gospel. Because the ways of the Lord are above our ways and the thoughts of the Lord are above our thoughts. So, we must seek the Lord by abandoning our selfish ways and by giving up our egoistic thoughts. Let’s reflect: Am I constantly aware of the fact that the way of the Lord could be above my ways?
Saturday 23 September
Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Priest First reading - Galatians 2:19-20 “The life I now live in this body I live in faith: faith in the Son of God who loved me and who sacrificed himself for my sake”. To have a life in faith is something very fundamental. Faith in the Son of God who loved us and who sacrificed himself for our sake. This faith is the basis of our commitment to Jesus. This faith is the basis of our relationship with Jesus. Faith in the second person of the Trinity who loved us and who sacrificed himself for us. When you feel the love of God and understand the value of His Sacrifice, you can be ready to be crucified with Christ. Faith in the love of God and in the sacrifice of Christ prepares us to live a life with God. In such a life, we will be living the life of Christ who lives in us. Let’s reflect: Am I letting the life of Christ who lives in me to lead my way?