Friday 1 September
Friday of week 21 in Ordinary Time First reading - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 “What God wants is for you all to be holy”. This holiness is what we achieve by dedicating ourselves to the live a life that is worthy of our call. We have our body that belongs to God. We must use that body in a way that is holy and honorable, not giving way to selfishness. The moment we have selfish interests in our relationships, we are moving away from being holy. With our selfish interests, we take advantage of our brother or sister. We use others. This is what makes us unholy. Using others for our selfishness. We must avoid this and grow in holiness by overcoming selfishness. Let’s reflect: Am I using others for my selfishness?
Thursday 31 August
Thursday of week 21 in Ordinary Time First reading - 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 “Brothers, your faith has been a great comfort to us in the middle of our own troubles and sorrows; now we can breathe again, as you are still holding firm in the Lord”. Our faith in Jesus Christ can be a great comfort for others in their own troubles and sorrows. This is very important aspect of our spiritual communion with others. When we have faith, when we grow in faith, the people around us find in us the strength of faith. The strength of faith which will be manifested in our daily life, in our attitude and in our approaches. This strength of faith in God is a great comfort for others around us because with this strength we generate hope, we radiate light, and we love others. This will become a great comfort for them in the middle of their own troubles and sorrows. Let’s reflect: Is the strength of my faith in the Lord, a comfort for others in the middle of their sorrows?
Wednesday 30 August
Wednesday of week 21 in Ordinary Time First reading - 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 “You can remember how we treated every one of you as a father treats his children, teaching you what was right, encouraging you and appealing to you to live a life worthy of God, who is calling you to share the glory of his kingdom”. In these words of we can see the how the faith in Jesus Christ is bringing a new way of interacting. The people in authority are behaving as a father to everyone, to everyone without exceptions. Teaching what is right and encouraging to live accordingly. The words are exemplary, “our treatment of you, since you became believers, has been impeccably right and fair”. How many of us can say like this? Our treatment of others depends often on the circumstances and on our moods. But here we see that the Apostle is saying that it was impeccably right and fair. This shows how much the message of Gospel has penetrated the behavior of the Apostle. Not only from his side, but he also sees the good in the others, “you accepted it for what it really is, God’s message and not some human thinking; and it is still a living power among you who believe it”. Let’s reflect: Is my treating of others impeccably right and fair?
Tuesday 29 August
The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist Tuesday of week 21 in Ordinary Time First reading - Jeremiah 1:17-19 “Do not be dismayed at their presence, or in their presence I will make you dismayed”. The Lord is the one in action. Are we aware of this fact? The Lord is the one who makes me, “a fortified city, a pillar of iron, and a wall of bronze, to confront all this land: the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests and the country people. They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you, it is the Lord who speaks.’ Let’s reflect: Am I aware of the work of God in me?