Driving driven by genuine love means leading your actions with authenticity.

Whether in relationships, personal passions, or community building,

operating with pure intentions creates a deeply fulfilling path.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3

The hand of the Lord

Was with them so that a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

News of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

When he arrived and saw the manifest signs of God's favor,

he rejoiced and urged them all to remain firmly faithful to the Lord;

for he, himself, was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.

Thus large crowds came to know the Lord.

 

Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus, to look for Saul; and when he found him,

he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year, they had meetings

with the Church and instructed many people.

It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

There were at Antioch – in the Church which was there – prophets and teachers:

 

Barnabas, Symeon known as Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod,

and Saul. On one occasion, while they were celebrating the Lord and fasting,

the Holy Spirit said to them, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul to do the work for

which I have called them." So, after fasting and praying,

they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

 

Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Matthew 5:20-26

I tell you, if your sense of right and wrong is not keener than

that of the Lawyers and the Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

You have heard that it was said to our people in the past: Do not commit murder;

anyone who murders will have to face trial. But now, I tell you:

whoever gets angry with a brother or sister will have to face trial.

Whoever insults a brother or sister is liable to be brought before the council.

 

Whoever calls a brother or sister "Fool!" is liable to be thrown into the fire of hell.

So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar, and you remember

that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there,

in front of the altar; go at once, and make peace with your brother,

 

and then come back and offer your gift to God.

Don't forget this: be reconciled with your opponent quickly when you are together on the way to court.

Otherwise he will turn you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police,

who will put you in jail. There, you will stay, until you have paid the last penny.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Genuine worship begins with a heart at peace.

Following His pronouncement that He is the fulfillment of the Law, Jesus deepens the commandment,

"You shall not kill," by addressing the anger and resentment that lead to harm.

He teaches us that being His disciple involves avoiding outward sin and cultivating a heart free from grudges and hatred.

Authenticity in our discipleship means that our intentions align with our actions.

 

We may not physically harm others, but if we harbor anger or unforgiveness,

we fail to love as Christ loves. Jesus calls us to seek reconciliation before offering our gifts to God,

emphasizing that genuine worship begins with a heart at peace.

Living with purity of intention means examining what we do and why. Are we motivated by love,

or are there hidden resentments in us? As followers of Christ, may we strive to purify our hearts,

seek forgiveness, and extend mercy, embodying the love and peace that Jesus calls us to share.