"Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come. The glory of the Lord shines upon you." Be radiant! Be a light for your classmates, for your friends, and for your family through your enthusiasm for life and kindness to those around you.

"But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself." As we begin the school year with much uncertainty, we trust that God holds us and our future in his loving hands.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Oneness with Christ lies at the heart of those who choose God's kingdom!

"If you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest." Weeds and wheat in our lives and in the Church grow side-by-side. God will make all things right at the harvest.

"But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear." We are to prepare our hearts to receive the Word of God in order for it to take deep root in our lives.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." Humility lies at the heart of Jesus and is the key for being a faithful disciple.

"Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me... Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me." In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us that discipleship is a challenging life. But when we give our whole self to Jesus, God will provide for our needs.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Our cares and concerns are known by the Father and his care is always a single breath away.

"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me." In the Eucharist, we are united in Christ Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, and sent to bear fruit.

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you." Saint Paul's iconic Trinitarian greeting expresses how the Christian community can live together in God's love.