When one comes to know Christ better, it transforms the heart, mind。

Experiencing the power of His resurrection changes a person from within,

fostering sanctification, humility, and a desire to turn away from sin.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Philippians 1:1-11

From Paul and Timothy,

Servants of Christ Jesus, to the saints in Philippi, with their bishops and deacons;

to you all in Christ Jesus: May grace and peace be yours from God, our Father, and Christ Jesus the Lord.

I give thanks to my God, each time I remember you, and when I pray for you, I pray with joy.

I cannot forget all you shared with me in the service of the gospel, from the first day, until now.

Since God began such a good work, in you, I am certain that he will complete it in the day of Christ Jesus.

 

This is my hope for you, for I carry you all, in my heart: whether I am in prison,

or defending and confirming the gospel, you are with me and share the same grace.

God knows, that I love you dearly, with the love of Christ Jesus, and in my prayers,

 I ask that your love may lead you, each day, to a deeper knowledge and clearer discernment,

that you may have good criteria for everything. So you may be pure of heart, and come,

blameless, to the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of holiness,

that comes through Christ Jesus, for the glory and praise of God.

 

Ps 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 

How great are the works of the Lord!

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Luke 14:1-6

One Sabbath Jesus had gone to eat a meal in the house of a leading Pharisee, and he was carefully watched.

In front of him was a man suffering from dropsy; so Jesus asked the teachers of the law and the Pharisees,

"Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" But no one answered.

Jesus then took the man, healed him, and sent him away. And he said to them,

"If your lamb or your ox falls into a well on a Sabbath day,

who among you doesn't hurry to pull it out?" And they could not answer.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Grow in the ways of Christ.

With the threat of antagonism and internal division among the followers of Jesus Christ in Philippi,

Paul exhorts the community to remember their love for the Lord, which would lead to

a deeper understanding and a clearer way of making decisions within the community.

Embracing the standards of Christ, whom they love, Paul reminds them of this essential point.

When one comes to know Christ better, it is also essential that one grows in the ways of Christ.

 

Hence, a deeper knowledge of Christ is meant to shape the person who knows Him deeply.

Paul's message still re-echoes to us today, especially since we are challenged by a growing ignorance of Christ.

It may be good to ask ourselves how we can make Christ known to others in our own way

so that we may draw others to the person of Christ and be transformed by Him.