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First reading 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10,16-18
We worked night and day not to be a burden on you
Responsorial Psalm 127(128):1-2,4-5
lessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the Lord,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the Lord.
The Lord bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Gospel Matthew 23:27-32
You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets
God gives us peace all the time
“May the Lord of peace himself give you peace all the time and in every way. The Lord be with you all” (1st reading). St. Paul’s words lead us to recall the ones of Jesus to His disciples: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you…” (John 14:27). God wants us to live in peace even when we struggle through the storms of sickness, loss, betrayal and failure. Difficulties can take away our peace only when we forget that God is with us. The constant call for us is to allow Him to be our firm foundation on which we firmly stand.
“… from the outside you look upright, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness”. In today’s gospel, Jesus pointed out the painful truth to the scribes and the Pharisees. They were so concerned with appearing good to people that they forgot to depend on God and let Him empower and sustain them to live as His humble and faithful servants. Today, let us remember that God is with us and let His loving presence direct our every moment.
Reflective question:
What can I do to remind myself to keep looking at God as the source of peace?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.