| First reading |
|---|
| Wisdom 11:22-12:2 |
In your sight, Lord, the whole world is like a grain of dust that tips the scales,
like a drop of morning dew falling on the ground.
Yet you are merciful to all, because you can do all things
and overlook men’s sins so that they can repent.
Yes, you love all that exists, you hold nothing of what you have made in abhorrence,
for had you hated anything, you would not have formed it.
And how, had you not willed it, could a thing persist,
how be conserved if not called forth by you?
You spare all things because all things are yours, Lord, lover of life,
you whose imperishable spirit is in all.
Little by little, therefore, you correct those who offend,
you admonish and remind them of how they have sinned,
so that they may abstain from evil and trust in you, Lord.
like a drop of morning dew falling on the ground.
Yet you are merciful to all, because you can do all things
and overlook men’s sins so that they can repent.
Yes, you love all that exists, you hold nothing of what you have made in abhorrence,
for had you hated anything, you would not have formed it.
And how, had you not willed it, could a thing persist,
how be conserved if not called forth by you?
You spare all things because all things are yours, Lord, lover of life,
you whose imperishable spirit is in all.
Little by little, therefore, you correct those who offend,
you admonish and remind them of how they have sinned,
so that they may abstain from evil and trust in you, Lord.
| Responsorial Psalm |
|---|
| Psalm 144(145):1-2,8-11,13b-14 |
| Second reading |
|---|
| 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2 |
| Gospel | Luke 19:1-10 |
|---|
Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the town when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance: he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.’ And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully. They all complained when they saw what was happening. ‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house’ they said. But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, ‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.’
By Rosalinda N. Markell
I love this Gospel of Luke, as it reminds me when I was young and had lots of different kinds of friends. I didn't mind who they were before or what they may be now. My mother taught us never to judge anybody and look upon their past. Whether they may be rich, poor, or a sinner, we should welcome and never to look down on them. Though we are all brought up in different ways, we are all children of God. If ever they are in the wrong direction or brought up in a wrong way, maybe we can help them to change their way and go the right way to Christ.
Some of them are lost souls who need someone to love and understand them and lead them out of the "rut" they are in.
Look around us. It is so sad to see what is happening in our world now, most especially, if you listen to politicians. Some politicians would say anything and try to destroy each other by talking or spreading negative information of each other, their previous sins and mistakes. Without looking at themselves first, they judge the past not considering that everyone can realize their past mistakes or sins and would want to change for the better.
This can also be true in some communities. A newcomer arrives and what do some 'old timers' do? They become hostile especially when they know the newcomer's background.
God does not look at us that way. Look at Zaccheus, a tax collector hated by his contemporaries. Touched by Jesus' compassion, he decided to repent. Like Zaccheus, as long as we are sorry for our sins, God will forgive us because He is a forgiving God. The Lord gives each and everyone more chances in life. And we can do the same thing. We can give others a chance to recover from their past and be better.
Some of them are lost souls who need someone to love and understand them and lead them out of the "rut" they are in.
Look around us. It is so sad to see what is happening in our world now, most especially, if you listen to politicians. Some politicians would say anything and try to destroy each other by talking or spreading negative information of each other, their previous sins and mistakes. Without looking at themselves first, they judge the past not considering that everyone can realize their past mistakes or sins and would want to change for the better.
This can also be true in some communities. A newcomer arrives and what do some 'old timers' do? They become hostile especially when they know the newcomer's background.
God does not look at us that way. Look at Zaccheus, a tax collector hated by his contemporaries. Touched by Jesus' compassion, he decided to repent. Like Zaccheus, as long as we are sorry for our sins, God will forgive us because He is a forgiving God. The Lord gives each and everyone more chances in life. And we can do the same thing. We can give others a chance to recover from their past and be better.
Prayer
Dearest Lord, our Father, we confess that sometimes we are tempted to be proud, vain and so full of ourselves. That we look down on some of Your children, judging and avoiding them. We are sorry for this Lord.
Father, You have promised that if we confess our sins and get rid of our pride, You will forgive us and make us new again. Please, Father, grant us that forgiveness now. Please teach us that pride goes before a fall, so please keep us from the foolishness of pride.
Please teach us not to boast about our possessions, or talents, but instead humbly remember that they are all gifts from You. Please let us stop hurting others, by judging them or look down on them, but to try to love, understand and help them. Give us the strength Lord to guide and lead them back to You.
Truly we can already feel Your wonderful promise of help and forgiveness. We can move forward with thoughts of reverence and thankfulness and most of all, love for you Father. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Father, You have promised that if we confess our sins and get rid of our pride, You will forgive us and make us new again. Please, Father, grant us that forgiveness now. Please teach us that pride goes before a fall, so please keep us from the foolishness of pride.
Please teach us not to boast about our possessions, or talents, but instead humbly remember that they are all gifts from You. Please let us stop hurting others, by judging them or look down on them, but to try to love, understand and help them. Give us the strength Lord to guide and lead them back to You.
Truly we can already feel Your wonderful promise of help and forgiveness. We can move forward with thoughts of reverence and thankfulness and most of all, love for you Father. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
