These days we have been listening to some pretty strong words from Jesus directed specifically at the Pharisees and the teachers of the law.

Jesus knew what was in their hearts.

As leaders of the people, they had greater responsibility to live according to God’s heart

and be an inspiration for the people, but they chose otherwise.

In the sacred chamber of their souls, they should have recognized the truth of Jesus’ words and repented;

instead, they hardened their hearts, refusing to accept their guilt and deciding to eliminate Jesus.

St. Paul of the Cross, priest

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Romans 3:21-30

But, now it has been revealed

 Jesus' mother is blessed because she is first docile to the word of God.

Before He became man in the womb of Mary,

She conceived Him in her ears. Her capacity to listenand obey God’s word.

She is the hearer of the word par excellence.

Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Callistus I, pope & martyr

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Joel 4:12-21

Rise up, O peoples,

 October 18th is the Feast of Saint Luke, the Evangelist.

Saint Luke is one of the Four Evangelist,

the four traditionally ascribed authors of the canonical gospels.

He is identified as the author of the third “Synoptic Gospel,”

The Early Church Fathers ascribed to him authorship of both

the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

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2 Timothy 4:10-17b

You must know

Simon was  called “the Zealot.”

he was supposedly martyred by being cut in half with a saw.

Jude is the patron saint of hopeless cases.

He was a brother of St. James the Lesser, and a relative of Jesus.

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Ephesians 2:19-22

 Now you are no longer

 In the Holy Land, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa,

is calling for a day of fasting, abstinence and prayer for peace and reconciliation.

Cardinal Pizzaballa,  has urged all parishes and religious communities to mark this day of prayer on Tuesday, October 17.

He went on to warn that the long-standing hatred

in the region will increase even more and the ensuing spiral of violence will create more destruction.

St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop & martyr

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Romans 1:16-25

For I am not ashamed

Jesus had a special love for Jerusalem.

Jesus longs to shelter the children of Israel like a mother hen does for her brood.

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Ephesians 6:10-20

 Finally, be strong in the Lord

St. Hedwig, religious

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin

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Romans 1:1-7

From Paul,

Salvation is a gift offered by the Lord who desires to include all.
Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God.

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Ephesians 6:1-9 Children,

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 Isaiah 25:6-10a

On this mountain

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel”
The kingdom of God is like a small seed that grew and became a large tree.
“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”

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Ephesians 5:21-33

 Let all kinds of submission to one another