Christ’s death for us, while we were still sinners, is the greatest display of God’s unconditional love. We are reminded that we cannot gain salvation through good works or observing the laws alone. Having faith in Christ, allows us to be open to receive the Holy Sprit which will transform our lives.

For those of us who have encountered the Lord and received the Holy Spirit, have we gone back to our old way of life and forgotten our first love?

We are bound to encounter individuals who differ in opinions, thoughts, and perspectives in our everyday life. Differences occur within the Church too, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. The tension that we experience when these surface can help us grow in understanding, faith, fruitfulness, and more.

What is most notable in today’s Scripture readings is the way that St. Paul engaged in difficult dialogues with the leaders of Jerusalem while seeking to preserve unity among the communities. We are invited to consider how we too, can have difficult conversations without fragmenting relationships in our own communities. How can we get better at having “conversations in the spirit”, seeking to understand and to grow in union with one another through the differences that surface along the way?

When faced with sufferings and mysteries in our lives, how do we respond?

Do we place God on trial and demand for answers and explanations? Or do we recognise God’s omnipotence and accept our crosses in humility – placing our trust in the Lord and surrendering our lives to His infinite care, love and mercy.

As we celebrate the memorial of the Guardian Angels, we are called to guide and guard the weak and vulnerable, especially the young and elderly.

Let us be the light by being good witnesses of the Gospel, and to protect them from lies, abuse and violence.

Instead of trying to plan and control every detail of our lives, we are invited to discern God’s will for us and to respond to it courageously, just as Christ did. After all, all things in our lives are work of grace. Very often, our meticulous plans fail to turn out the way we intend them to – year long friendships can be broken over just one misunderstanding, lives lost due to illnesses, dreams shattered due to mistakes made, and so forth.

Of course, this does not mean that we should be negligent and imprudent. How can we remain responsible by making plans in our lives, while consciously living a life that seeks to be open to God’s plan and to respond to these courageously?

Our history and that of others must be viewed in a constructive and holistic manner. While we might be tempted to view our bad memories as mistakes and tainted parts of our lives, we are invited today to consider how even these can be a way in which God’s goodness prevails. Let us pray for the grace to look at our history with the eyes of God so that we would be more keenly aware of His holy presence and power in all facets of our lives – good and bad.

The authority that we have – regardless of circumstance – is not one that belongs to us or is earned by merit, but one that is delegated and bestowed by God. We do not appoint ourselves or send ourselves. Therefore, each of us have the responsibility to use the authority bestowed upon us for its precise intention, seeking to continue Christ’s ministry on earth in our workplaces, schools, homes, and communities, instead of abusing it by exercising the authority in a frivolous or selfish manner.

In many ways, like the mother and brothers of Jesus, we want to come close to the Lord. But we are unable to due to one or several reasons.

It could be due to the conditioning of our society and upbringing or we may have the wrong or inadequate notions of Jesus. Else, it could be because we are observers of faith instead of building a relationship with the Lord. For those of us who hear and read the Word of God, do we practice it?

What is preventing you from drawing close to the Lord?

To live in the presence of the Lord does not mean that we are free from the trials and sufferings of life, but it means that we can go through all these with joy and peace of mind. How does one live in the presence of the Lord?

In today’s first reading, St Paul speaks about the importance of our belief in Christ’s resurrection. With the confession of faith in the Risen Christ, we know for certain that death has been overcome and that we do not just live for this world but for the life that is to come. 

Do I truly believe in the resurrection of Christ and that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life? How am I witnessing to this faith?