Thursday 29 June
Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles - Solemnity First reading - Acts 12:1-11 ‘The Lord really did send his angel and has saved me from Herod and from all that the Jewish people were so certain would happen to me.’ Today is the solemnity of great Apostles, Peter and Paul. They were so close to the revelation of Jesus Christ and transmitted the very essentials of our faith. The entire episode we read in the first reading is the example of how the salvation brought my Jesus Christ functions in our life. We are enchained by our sins as Peter was enchained. The reading says, “Then suddenly the angel of the Lord stood there, and the cell was filled with light”. Our salvation came as the light to our life and filled up our life. Then the “chains fell from his hands”. This is the effect of the salvation brought by Jesus Christ. We are saved from our sins, big or small. God is healing us from our sins. Our sins fell from our hands by the redemptive act of Jesus Christ. “They passed through two guard posts one after the other, and reached the iron gate leading to the city. This opened of its own accord; they went through it and had walked the whole length of one street when suddenly the angel left him”. The blood of Jesus Christ opens for us all the doors to the eternity. So, in this episode Peter becomes the model of each one of us. Let’s reflect: Am I recognizing the beauty of the freedom gained for me by the blood of Jesus Christ?
Wednesday 28 June
Saint Irenaeus, Bishop, Doctor, Martyr Wednesday of week 12 in Ordinary Time First reading - 2 Timothy 2:22-26 “Fasten your attention on holiness, faith, love and peace, in union with all those who call on the Lord with pure minds”. St. Paul is stressing what is important and on what we should fasten our attention. Our attention should be on holiness, faith, love and peace. This attention must be in unity with all those who call on the Lord with pure minds. So, we must try to make unity with all who call on the Lord with pure minds. Moreover, we must also avoid quarrels along with futile and silly speculations. Futile and silly speculations give rise to quarrels because it makes us to think of only ourselves. Then the unity is gone, so also is love and peace. Let’s reflect: Is our attention fastened on faith and unity or on silly and futile speculations?
Tuesday 27 June
Tuesday of week 12 in Ordinary Time Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop, Doctor First reading - Genesis 13:2,5-18 In this passage we can see something very special of Abram. He was the chosen one. He was the elder. Lot is just his nephew. But when dispute arouse between the servants of Abram and Lot, Abram is giving Lot the possibility to choose. He is not imposing. There was the possibility of Lot taking the irrigated land. And he took it. But Abram is unaffected because he is trusting in the Lord. The whole journey of Abram is a journey with God. He is not trusting the irrigated land but the Lord who accompanies him. The freedom from our possessions comes from our total trust in the Lord. Many times, we are not free to let others choose, because we are afraid that we will lose something important for us. What is important for us is the Lord. Let’s reflect: Am I free from my possessions because of my trust in the Lord?
Monday 26 June
Monday of week 12 in Ordinary Time First reading - Genesis 12:1-9 The journey of Abram is a journey of faith. He listens to God. He acts according to what God tells him. And he maintains a relationship with God. After listening to God, he acts according to the will of God. He leaves his land and moves to the land where God indicated. Moreover, he maintains his relationship with God by building altar for the Lord constantly and invoking His name. These three elements are very important. Listening to God, acting accordingly, and maintaining a constant relationship with God. He lives in relationship with God. This is why, He is a model for us to follow. Listen to God, does God wants and lives in relationship with God. Let’s reflect: Am I following the example of Abram by listening, acting and living with God?