by | Oct 20, 2022 | Evangelium

Friday 21 st october 2022

 

St. John of Bridlington

(1319 – 1379)

 

John Twenge was born near Bridlington, in Yorkshire. In his lifetime he enjoyed a reputation for great holiness and for miraculous powers. After his death the fame of the miracles wrought by his intercession spread rapidly through the land, and he was canonized by Pope Boniface IX in 1404.

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 16: 6, 8

To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me.

 

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, grant that we may always conform our will to yours and serve your majesty in sincerity of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Ephesians 4:1-6

I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, over all, through all and within all.

 

Psalm 23:1-6

R/ Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord.

 

  1. The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, the world and all its peoples. It is he who set it on the seas; on the waters he made it firm.
  2. Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place? The man with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things.
  3. He shall receive blessings from the Lord and reward from the God who saves him. Such are the men who seek him, seek the face of the God of Jacob.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Ps94:8

Alleluia, alleluia! Harden not your hearts today, but listen to the voice of the Lord. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 12:54-59

Jesus said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times? ‘Why not judge for yourselves what is right? For example: when you go to court with your opponent, try to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the bailiff and the bailiff have you thrown into prison. I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant us, Lord, we pray, a sincere respect for your gifts, that, through the purifying action of your grace, we may be cleansed by the very mysteries we serve. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 32: 18-19

Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, who hope in his merciful love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.

 

Prayer after Communion

Grant, O Lord, we pray, that, benefiting from participation in heavenly things, we may be helped by what you give in this present age and prepared for the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

Jesus expects His disciples to read the signs of the times accurately. While modern technology has made weather forecasting extremely easy, our present-day ability to discern and avert spiritual troubles is in desperate need of improvement. Many in Jesus’ days expected the Messiah’s coming to be preceded by extraordinary happenings as some prophets had foretold, but Jesus gave them no sign except Himself and the ultimate proof of His divinity through miracles and His rising from the dead. It is good to apply this gospel to our situations. The ability to be honest with ourselves and stay connected with our heart and mind can provide an excellent opportunity for spiritual growth. But do we often find the time for such introspection?

 

by | Oct 19, 2022 | Evangelium

Wednesday 19 th october 2022

 

StS. John de Brébeuf,

Isaac Jogues

and

Companions

 

Between 1642 and 1649 these eight members of the Society of Jesus, who had travelled to North America to preach the true faith, were killed by the native Huron and Iroquois tribes after horrible tortures. Isaac Jogues died on 18 October 1647, and John de Brébeuf on 16 March 1648.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 16: 6, 8

To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me.

 

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, grant that we may always conform our will to yours and serve your majesty in sincerity of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Ephesians 3:2-12

You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery, as I have just deScribed it very shortly. If you read my word you will have some idea of the depths that I see in the mystery of Christ. This that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the Gospel. I have been made the servant of that Gospel by a gift of grace from God who gave it to me by his own power. I, who am less than the least of all the saints have been entrusted with this special grace, not only of proclaiming to the pagans the infinite treasure of Christ but also of explaining how the mystery is to be dispensed. Through all the ages, this has been kept hidden in God, the creator of everything. Why? So that the Sovereignties and Powers should learn only now, through the Church, how comprehensive God’s wisdom really is, exactly according to the plan which he had had from all eternity in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is why we are bold enough to approach God in complete confidence, through our faith in him.

 

Canticle : Isaiah 12

R/   With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

 

  1. Truly, God is my salvation, I trust, I shall not fear. For the Lord is my strength, my song, he became my saviour. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
  2. Give thanks to the Lord, give praise to his name! Make his mighty deeds known to the peoples! Declare the greatness of his name.
  3. Sing a psalm to the Lord for he has done glorious deeds; make them known to all the earth! People of Zion, sing and shout for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Jn10:27

Alleluia, alleluia! The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice,  says the Lord,  I know them and they follow me. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 12:39-48

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’ Peter said, ‘Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?’ The Lord replied, ‘What sort of steward, then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment. I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns. But as for the servant who says to himself, “My master is taking his time coming,” and sets about beating the menservants and the maids, and eating and drinking and getting drunk, his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful. The servant who knows what his master wants, but has not even started to carry out those wishes, will receive very many strokes of the lash. The one who did not know, but deserves to be beaten for what he has done, will receive fewer strokes. When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant us, Lord, we pray, a sincere respect for your gifts, that, through the purifying action of your grace, we may be cleansed by the very mysteries we serve. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 32: 18-19

Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, who hope in his merciful love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.

 

Prayer after Communion

Grant, O Lord, we pray, that, benefiting from participation in heavenly things, we may be helped by what you give in this present age and prepared for the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

Today’s parable contains a lesson in faithfulness. The Lord loves faithfulness and abundantly rewards those who are faithful to Him. Those who fail to be faithful will be severely punished. Faithfulness is about keeping God’s commandments. Jesus expects us to make good use of the gifts and graces He has given us. The more the Lord gives, the more He demands.Jesus insists on being vigilant because no one knows the exact hour when the Lord will come. The passage is also a call for responsibility. If we know what is expected of us, then we shall be held to greater account. Today we are reminded to pay attention to the importance of our spiritual life and to avoid waking up when it is too late.

by | Oct 18, 2022 | Evangelium

Tuesday 18 th october 2022

 

St. Luke, Evangelist

 

He was a Greek doctor who converted to Christianity. He was a companion of the Apostle Paul, and wrote his Gospel in accordance with Paul’s teaching. He also wrote the Acts of the Apostles, which narrates the early history of the Church up to Paul’s first stay in Rome.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Is 52: 7

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings of peace, bearing Good News, announcing salvation!

 

Collect

Lord God, who chose Saint Luke to reveal by his preaching and writings the mystery of your love for the poor, grant that those who already glory in your name may persevere as one heart and one soul and that all nations may merit to see your salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : 2 Timothy 4:10-17

Demas has deserted me for love of this life and gone to Thessalonika, Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia; only Luke is with me. Get Mark to come and bring him with you; I find him a useful helper in my work. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, and the scrolls, especially the parchment ones. Alexander the coppersmith has done me a lot of harm; the Lord will repay him for what he has done. Be on your guard against him yourself, because he has been bitterly contesting everything that we say. The first time I had to present my defence, there was not a single witness to support me. Every one of them deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

 

Psalm 144:10-13,17-18

R/ Your friends, O Lord, make known the glorious splendour of your reign.

 

  1. All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing. They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your might, O God.
  2. They make known to men your mighty deeds and the glorious splendour of your reign. Yours is an everlasting kingdom; your rule lasts from age to age.
  3. The Lord is just in all his ways and loving in all his deeds. He is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts.

 

Gospel Acclamation : cf.Jn15:16

Alleluia, alleluia! I chose you from the world to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last, says the Lord. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 10:1-9

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.”

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant, through your heavenly gifts, that we may serve you in freedom of heart, we pray, O Lord, so that the offerings we make on the feast day of Saint Luke may bring us healing and give us glory. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Lk 10: 1, 9

The Lord sent out disciples to proclaim throughout the towns: The kingdom of God is at hand for you.

 

Prayer after Communion

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that what we have received from your holy altar may sanctify us and make us strong in the faith of the Gospel which Saint Luke proclaimed. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

When Jesus commissions seventy-two of His disciples to go on a mission to speak and act in His name and with His power, He gives them a wide field ready to be harvested for the Kingdom of God. Jesus frequently uses the image of a harvest to convey the coming of God’s reign on earth. However, the disciples must expect opposition and persecution from those who will oppose the Gospel. He tells them that they must give their full attention to proclaiming God’s Kingdom and not be diverted by lesser or material things. Jesus tells them to do their work freely, without expecting a reward. He wants them to depend on Him and not on themselves or materials things. Do you freely proclaim the Gospel to those around you?

by | Oct 16, 2022 | Evangelium

Monday 17 th october 2022

 

St. Ignatius of Antioch

Bishop, Martyr

 (- 107)

 

He was the second bishop of Antioch after St Peter. He was arrested, condemned to death and transported to Rome to be thrown to the wild beasts in the arena. He was martyred in 107 and his feast was already being celebrated on this day in fourth-century Antioch.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Gal 2: 19-20

I am crucified with Christ, yet I live; no longer I, but Christ lives in me. I live by faith in the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself up for me.

 

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, who adorn the sacred body of your Church with the confessions of holy Martyrs, grant, we pray, that, just as the glorious passion of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, which we celebrate today, brought him eternal splendour, so it may be for us unending protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Ephesians 2:1-10

You were dead through the crimes and the sins in which you used to live when you were following the way of this world, obeying the ruler who governs the air, the spirit who is at work in the rebellious. We all were among them too in the past, living sensual lives, ruled entirely by our own physical desires and our own ideas; so that by nature we were as much under God’s anger as the rest of the world. But God loved us with so much love that he was generous with his mercy: when we were dead through our sins, he brought us to life with Christ – it is through grace that you have been saved – and raised us up with him and gave us a place with him in heaven, in Christ Jesus. This was to show for all ages to come, through his goodness towards us in Christ Jesus, how infinitely rich he is in grace. Because it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God; not by anything that you have done, so that nobody can claim the credit. We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning he had meant us to live it.

 

Psalm 99:1-5

R/  He made us, we belong to him.

 

  1. Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy.
  2. Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock.
  3. Go within his gates, giving thanks. Enter his courts with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.
  4. Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Ps24:4,5

Alleluia, alleluia! Teach me your paths, my God, make me walk in your truth. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 12:13-21

A man in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance.’ ‘My friend,’ he replied, ‘who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.’ Then he told them a parable: ‘There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his land, thought to himself, “What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them, and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time.” But God said to him, “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?.” So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

May this oblation and our homage be pleasing to you, O Lord, just as you accepted Saint Ignatius, the wheat of Christ, made pure bread through his martyrdom and passion. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon

I am the wheat of Christ to be ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may be found to be pure bread.

 

Prayer after Communion

May the heavenly Bread we have received, O Lord, on the feast day of Saint Ignatius renew us, we pray, and make us Christians in name and in deed. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

Jesus does not find fault with being industrious but with egoism and self-centredness. Today’s parable is a warning against covetousness. We must set our heart not on worldly things but on the highest spiritual treasure. We can get caught by our possessions to the extent that it takes over us and leads us away from God. The rich farmer in today’s gospel plans everything except his reckoning with God. Jesus describes him as a fool not because he is wealthy or because he saves for the future, but because he appears to live only for himself, and because he believes that he can secure his life with his abundant possessions. No amount of wealth can secure our lives with God; only a healthy relationship with Him can.

by | Oct 15, 2022 | Evangelium

Sunday 16 th october 2022

 

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalter I

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 16: 6, 8

To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me.

 

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, grant that we may always conform our will to yours and serve your majesty in sincerity of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Exodus 17:8-13

The Amalekites came and attacked Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, ‘Pick out men for yourself, and tomorrow morning march out to engage Amalek. I, meanwhile, will stand on the hilltop, the staff of God in my hand.’ Joshua did as Moses told him and marched out to engage Amalek, while Moses and Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill. As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage; when he let his arms fall, the advantage went to Amalek. But Moses’ arms grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him and on this he sat, Aaron and Hur supporting his arms, one on one side, one on the other; and his arms remained firm till sunset. With the edge of the sword Joshua cut down Amalek and his people.

 

Psalm 120(121)

R/ Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

 

  1. I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
  2. May he never allow you to stumble! Let him sleep not, your guard. No, he sleeps not nor slumbers, Israel’s guard.
  3. The Lord is your guard and your shade; at your right side he stands. By day the sun shall not smite you nor the moon in the night.
  4. The Lord will guard you from evil, he will guard your soul. The Lord will guard your going and coming both now and forever.

 

Second reading : 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

You must keep to what you have been taught and know to be true; remember who your teachers were, and how, ever since you were a child, you have known the holy scriptures – from these you can learn the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and can profitably be used for teaching, for refuting error, for guiding people’s lives and teaching them to be holy. This is how the man who is dedicated to God becomes fully equipped and ready for any good work. Before God and before Christ Jesus who is to be judge of the living and the dead, I put this duty to you, in the name of his Appearing and of his kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience – but do all with patience and with the intention of teaching.

 

 

Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ep1:17, 18

Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”’ And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant us, Lord, we pray, a sincere respect for your gifts, that, through the purifying action of your grace, we may be cleansed by the very mysteries we serve. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 32: 18-19

Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, who hope in his merciful love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer after Communion

Grant, O Lord, we pray, that, benefiting from participation in heavenly things, we may be helped by what you give in this present age and prepared for the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

Jesus recounts the story of a defenceless widow is who is taken advantage of and refused her rights, but through persistence, she pushes an unscrupulous judge until he gives her justice. Persistence pays off, and this is especially true for those who trust in God.   Jesus tells this parable to give His disciples hope and confidence in God’s unfailing care and favour for humanity. Life is full of trials and adversity, but with God there is hope. If we want to grow and persevere in faith until the end of our days, then we must nourish our faith with the Word of God.

 

by | Oct 14, 2022 | Evangelium

Friday 14 th october 2022

 

Pope St. Callistus I

(- 222)

 

From a weakened ex-slave in receipt of an invalidity pension, Callistus rose to be archdeacon, had charge of the Roman catacomb which now bears his name, and ended up as Pope. He lived in a time of peace under the emperor Alexander Severus, whose mother was a Christian, He may have been killed in a riot.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Ps 129: 3-4

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But with you is found forgiveness, O God of Israel.

 

Collect

May your grace, O Lord, we pray, at all times go before us and follow after and make us always determined to carry out good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Ephesians 1:11-14

It is in Christ that we were claimed as God’s own, chosen from the beginning, under the predetermined plan of the one who guides all things as he decides by his own will; chosen to be, for his greater glory, the people who would put their hopes in Christ before he came. Now you too, in him, have heard the message of the truth and the Good News of your salvation, and have believed it; and you too have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit of the Promise, the pledge of our inheritance which brings freedom for those whom God has taken for his own, to make his glory praised.

 

Psalm 32:1-2,4-5,12-13

R/ Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

 

  1. Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just; for praise is fitting for loyal hearts. Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp, with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs.
  2. For the word of the Lord is faithful and all his works to be trusted. The Lord loves justice and right and fills the earth with his love.
  3. They are happy, whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his own. From the heavens the Lord looks forth, he sees all the children of men. Ring out your joy, all you upright of heart.

 

Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ps18:9

Alleluia, alleluia! Your words gladden the heart, O Lord, they give light to the eyes. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 12:1-7

The people had gathered in their thousands so that they were treading on one another. And Jesus began to speak, first of all to his disciples. ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy. Everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. For this reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places will be proclaimed on the housetops. ‘To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Can you not buy five sparrows for two pennies? And yet not one is forgotten in God’s sight. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. There is no need to be afraid: you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Accept, O Lord, the prayers of your faithful with the sacrificial offerings, that, through these acts of devotedness, we may pass over to the glory of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 33: 11

The rich suffer want and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.

 

Prayer after Communion

We entreat your majesty most humbly, O Lord, that, as you feed us with the nourishment which comes from the most holy Body and Blood of your Son, so you may make us sharers of his divine nature. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

 

Meditation

In Today’s gospel, Jesus once again reproaches the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. The Jews considered leaven as a sign of evil and associated fermentation with putrefaction. Jesus warns His disciples against the ways of the Jews who publicly project themselves to be religious but harbour evil intentions. They are full of pretence but the Good News exposes the darkness of evil. The fear that Jesus talks about today is not that which pushes us to panic but that which motivates us to undertake actions that will increase our faith and spiritual maturity- healthy fear, that is. Jesus also lets us know that the greatest harm is not bodily or physical, but spiritual harm that can cause us to lose our soul.