Jesus answered to them, "What did Moses command you?"
And they said, "Moses permitted a man TO WRITE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY."

Jesus says, "Yes, that regulation is in the Law –
but it is there to restrain evil, not as a pointer to God’s character. 

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

James 5:9-12

Beloved, do not fight

"Receive the Holy Spirit!"

The Church is born today.

The Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised to his disciples had finally come,

descending upon the apostolic band in a way they could have hardly imagined.

And it filled them with tremendous power and zeal for the Gospel.

This fire continues to animate and embolden the church.

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 2:1-11

When the day of Pentecost came,

 Do you set a good example for others to follow?

Jesus reminds us not give offense or bad example that might lead another to sin.

As salt purifies, preserves, and produces rich flavor for food,

so the disciple of Christ must be salt in the world of human society to purify, preserve,

and bring the flavor of God's kingdom of righteousness, peace, joy, and mercy.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

James 5:1-6

So, now, for what

Peter, you mind your own journey and simply follow me.”

Lord, when I keep my focus on you, I cannot go astray. You are the Way and the Truth!

Too many times we base our own sense of self-worth and spirituality by comparing ourselves to others.

St. John I, pope & martyr

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Acts 28:16-20, 30-31

Upon our arrival in Rome,

Jesus sees all who act in his name as having much in common.

A genuine believer –this man who was casting out demons is a genuine believer.

Why would the disciples try to stop a man from doing good in the name of Jesus?

Because they aren’t a part of your group?

St. Rita of Cascia, Religious

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

James 4:13-17

Listen now, you who speak like this,

In today’s readings, Paul is about to face martyrdom, and Peter is given the task of caring for the flock Jesus is about to leave behind.

They were about to face the same struggles, Challenges, difficulties, pains and suffering that their master had suffered.

Paul strove to stay close to the Lord, He saw God’s faithfulness and protection.

He experienced Jesus’ love and mercy.

He saw all the people who had never heard the gospel and longed to share it with them.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Acts 25:13b-21

As they were to stay there several days,

Jesus begins to prepare His disciples about His impending passion, death and resurrection but His disciples do not understand.

They were even busy arguing who would be the greatest of them in the coming kingdom of their Master.

They turn to arguing with each other, squabbling among themselves over petty issues of rank and status.

They were caught up, as I am often caught up, in private competitions and jealousies.

“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”  

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

1st Reading: James 4:1-10

What causes

  
The Father sends the Son to humanity precisely '

so that the Son may draw all humanity into the relationship

that exists between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Jesus prays, “As you Father are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us…”

Our “oneness” is to be a sign to the world of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11

The next day,

 Power of Prayer

Why couldn’t the disciples cure the boy?

Jesus is definitive in his answer: “Only prayer can drive out this kind. Nothing else.

The father of the boy says to our Lord, “If Thou canst,”

Lord indirectly rebuking him for his want of faith, “If thou canst believe.”

“All things are possible,” Faith on the part of him who prays, makes all things possible of attainment, from the infinite power of God.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

1st Reading: James 3:13-18

(or Genesis 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14)

If you consider yourself wise

Jesus is like a good friend here. He wants to keep us with him,and being sent in his name.

He raises a plea to the Father, that they may remain united,

safe from the evil one and the machinations of the world, joyful and followers of truth.

Asking the Father to protect them, consecrate them,

and bring them to the kind of union that he shares with the Father….

St. Isidore, farmer

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊       

Acts 20:28-38

Keep watch over yourselves,