This gospel text is completely misunderstood if it is taken to recommend an infantile attitude as the only one for us to adopt if we are to draw close to God. Jesus recommends and invites nothing of the kind. What he is simply saying is that we need the vulnerability of a child and the sense of wonder children display so readily if we are to appreciate the starting point we need to find if we are to meet God.

About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica.

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Two quite violent readings today - one from the Gospel and one from the Old Testament. Both show the dire consequences for people seeking to slide out of responsibility for what they do before and sometimes for God. The point is not the violence of the stories much less that the God we worship and the Redeemer whose way we search for are violent people. The point is that our lives are made up of decisions and they all have consequences.

About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica.

For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com

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We have reached a decisive point in Jesus teaching in Matthew’s Gospel - we are at the end of his instruction of his disciples and Jesus is moving back to preaching and teaching all those drawn to hear his message and follow his way. He tells them it is not for the faint hearted or the weak spirited. It is demanding and requires decisiveness and courage and determination.

About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica.

For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit 

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It is hard to believe that God is relying upon me, when I thought I was supposed to rely upon God. But, that's the case. God needs me, needs us, to bring the Good News to a world waiting unawares for it. So, Jesus tells us to wear our shoes, ready to go forth and ready to be ready.

About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.

For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com

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This text from Matthews Gospel puts the choice before us as disciples very plainly: are we ready to allow the God of healing renew, love and reconciliation to be the dominant force in our lives? If we are not, we are on the side of death and darkness. If we are, we will be healed renewed, forgiven and become life enhancing agents of renewal. It’s our choice which way we go but it is God’s grace that makes our going the way of life and renewal possible.

About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica.

For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit 

www.ucanews.com

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Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes.

The tragic death of elderly Indian Jesuit activist Father Stan Swamy has triggered an outpouring of grief and criticism from across India and the globe. In other parts of Asia, Covid-19 and oppressive regimes pose renewed threats to people.  

Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Peter Hill, presented by John Laurenson, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.com

For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com

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Finding the God whom we can worship all our lives and the real person of Jesus whose following becomes the centerpiece of our lives are matters of the utmost importance and actually of the utmost simplicity. Why is it simple? Because it it the Spirit who shows us who and where God is if we will only take the distracting noises out of our lives and let the voice of God become dominant. Surrendering to the promptings of the Spirit and union with God then become the most enriching and life giving experience that grounds our lives.

About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica.

For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com

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While God’s Providential care of us as we do God’s work is assured, that assurance does mean it will be easy or that we are assured of success in what we undertake What we can be assured is that nothing we do for God and the growth of the Kingdom will pass without impact or the attentive grace God brings to anything we do for the Kingdom. God will be with us - in company with Jesus, driven and energized by the Spirit.

About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica.

For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com

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Today’s Gospel contains the simplest description of just hat the mission and message of Jesus’ followers is - the heal people and foster life; to bring peace and to depend on the care and providence of God delivered through his people. But it will also continue disappointments and challenges and a closeness to the Lord is the only way to strengthen ourselves for those reversals.

About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica.

For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com

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In today’s Gospel, we re witnesses to privileged moment in the mission of Jesus. He has just just completed the section in Matthew’s gospel devoted to the core elements of his message and he specifies who it is that the apostles should take the message to -m not just the Jews of Israel but the lost sheep of the House of Israel. That invitation later reaches to the universal boundaries of the human race. Jesus grows in his understanding of what God is asking of him.

About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica.

For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com

For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com

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