Blessed Virgin Mary /St. Hedwig. religious!

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊ 

Romans 4:16-18

 If God promised Abraham,

Or rather his descendants, that the world would belong to him, this was not because of his obeying the Law, but because he was just and a friend of God through faith.   For that reason, faith is the way and all is given by grace; and the promises of Abraham are fulfilled for all his descendants, not only for his children according to the Law, but also for all the others who have believed.

 Abraham is the father of all of us,   as it is written: I will make you father of many nations. He is our father in the eyes of Him who gives life to the dead, and calls into existence what does not yet exist, for this is the God in whom he believed.

 Abraham believed and hoped against all expectation, thus becoming father of many nations, as he had been told: See how many will be your de­scendants.

 

Ps 105:6-7, 8-9, 42-43

The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

 

   ＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊  　

Luke 12:8-12

 I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before people, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But the one who denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.

 There will be pardon for the one who criticizes the Son of Man, but there will be no pardon for the one who slanders the Holy Spirit.

 When you are brought before the synagogues, governors and rulers, don’t worry about how you will defend yourself or what to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you have to say.”

 

 Gospel Reflection：

Committing oneself openly to a person or a cause is not always easy. In the same way, sometimes it is difficult to declare oneself openly for Jesus in the presence of others.

We feel that it is out of style especially in a society that diminishes authority, especially the supreme authority of God. Radical individualism is extolled, and feelings are the new canon of what is right or wrong.

We are not prohibited from questioning our faith from time to time. God has all the patience in the world to lead us to the truth. And many times, Jesus indulges the doubts of His disciples. It is not the problem.

Everyone who says a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But he or she who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Jesus means that if we continually resist the promptings of the Holy Spirit we will end up hardening our hearts to an extent that we are closed even to receive forgiveness.