by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jul 11, 2022 | Evangelium
Tuesday 12 th July 2022
- John Jones
(1540-1598)
He was a novice at the Franciscan convent in Greenwich, but when this was dissolved in 1559 he had to move to France, where he took his final vows. Later he went on a mission to England. He was arrested on false charges in 1596 and severely tortured. In 1598 he was tried and convicted of being a priest and on 12 July he was executed.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 16:15
As for me, in justice I shall behold your face; I shall be filled with the vision of your glory.
Collect
O God, who show the light of your truth to those who go astray so that they may return to the right path, give all who, for the faith they profess, are accounted Christians, the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ and to strive after all that does it honour. 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 : Isaiah 7:1-9
In the reign of Ahaz son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Razon the king of Aram went up against Jerusalem with Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, to lay siege to it; but he was unable to capture it. The news was brought to the House of David. ‘Aram’ they said ‘has reached Ephraim.’ Then the heart of the king and the hearts of the people shuddered as the trees of the forest shudder in front of the wind. The Lord said to Isaiah, ‘Go with your son Shear-jashub, and meet Ahaz at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the Fuller’s Field road, and say to him: ‘“Pay attention, keep calm, have no fear, do not let your heart sink because of these two smouldering stumps of firebrands, or because Aram, Ephraim and the son of Remaliah have plotted to ruin you, and have said: Let us invade Judah and terrorise it and seize it for ourselves, and set up a king there, the son of Tabeel. The Lord says this: It shall not come true; it shall not be. The capital of Aram is Damascus, the head of Damascus, Razon; the capital of Ephraim, Samaria, the head of Samaria, the son of Remaliah. Six or five years more and a shattered Ephraim shall no longer be a people. But if you do not stand by me, you will not stand at all.”’
Psalm 47:2-8
R/ God upholds his city forever
- The Lord is great and worthy to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain rises in beauty, the joy of all the earth.
- Mount Zion, true pole of the earth, the Great King’s city! God, in the midst of its citadels, has shown himself its stronghold.
- For the kings assembled together, together they advanced. They saw; at once they were astounded; dismayed, they fled in fear.
- A trembling seized them there, like the pangs of birth. By the east wind you have destroyed the ships of Tarshish.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps118:24
Alleluia, alleluia! Train me, Lord, to observe your law, to keep it with my heart. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 11:20-24
Jesus began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles had been worked, because they refused to repent. ‘Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. And still, I tell you that it will not go as hard on Judgement day with Tyre and Sidon as with you. And as for you, Capernaum, did you want to be exalted as high as heaven? You shall be thrown down to hell. For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have been standing yet. And still, I tell you that it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom on Judgement day as with you.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Look upon the offerings of the Church, O Lord, as she makes her prayer to you, and grant that, when consumed by those who believe, they may bring ever greater holiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 83: 4-5
The sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young: by your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise.
Prayer after Communion
Having consumed these gifts, we pray, O Lord, that, by our participation in this mystery, its saving effects upon us may grow. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
One of the things that gives much sadness to any parent is when a child, in which much has been invested in terms of education, turns out not to be responsible in life. Jesus expresses His regrets and dissatisfaction with Chorazin and Bethsaida. These are towns in which most of His miracles took place, but they refused to repent. It should also be known that these cities hosted the great schools of religion, but they refused to receive the Gospel. God, through the Church, has given us a great treasure. We have the Gospels, we have sacraments to help us believe in God. Sacraments become the outward manifestations of God’ grace. It will be hard on Judgement Day for those who have been given these treasures but who refused to believe in God.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jul 10, 2022 | Evangelium
Monday 11 th July 2022
St. Benedict
(480 – 547)
Benedict was born in Nursia and studied in Rome. Benedict organised various small communities of, drew up a set of rules to guide the communal life of monasteries, and, though not the first monastic rule ever, the Rule of St Benedict has proved so wise and balanced that it has served as the foundation of practically every attempt at communal living ever since.
Entrance Antiphon
There was a man of venerable life, Benedict, blessed by grace and by name, who, leaving home and patrimony and desiring to please God alone, sought out the habit of holy living.
Collect
O God, who made the Abbot Saint Benedict an outstanding master in the school of divine service, grant, we pray, that, putting nothing before love of you, we may hasten with a loving heart in the way of your commands. 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 : Isaiah 1:10-17
Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the command of our God, you people of Gomorrah. ‘What are your endless sacrifices to me? says the Lord. I am sick of holocausts of rams and the fat of calves. The blood of bulls and of goats revolts me. When you come to present yourselves before me, who asked you to trample over my courts? Bring me your worthless offerings no more, the smoke of them fills me with disgust. New Moons, sabbaths, assemblies- I cannot endure festival and solemnity. Your New Moons and your pilgrimages I hate with all my soul. They lie heavy on me, I am tired of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands I turn my eyes away. You may multiply your prayers, I shall not listen. Your hands are covered with blood, wash, make yourselves clean. ‘Take your wrong-doing out of my sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow.’
Psalm 49:8-9,16-17,21,23
R/ I will show God’s salvation to the upright.
- O God, be gracious and bless us and let your face shed its light upon us. So will your ways be known upon earth and all nations learn your saving help.
- Let the nations be glad and exult for you rule the world with justice. With fairness you rule the peoples, you guide the nations on earth.
- Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. May God still give us his blessing till the ends of the earth revere him.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ac16:14
Alleluia, alleluia! Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 10:34-11:1
Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be those of his own household. ‘Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. ‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me. ‘Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man’s reward. ‘If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’ When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.
Prayer over the Offerings
Look kindly, Lord, upon these holy offerings, which we make in honour of Saint Benedict, and grant that, by following his example in seeking you, we may merit the gifts of unity in your service and of peace. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Lk 12: 42
This is the steward, faithful and prudent, whom the Lord set over his household to give them their allowance of food at the proper time.
Prayer after Communion
Having received this pledge of eternal life, we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that, attentive to the teaching of Saint Benedict, we may faithfully serve your designs and love one another with fervent charity. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today’s gospel does fit Jesus who, we know, to be the Prince of peace. Most people consider it harsh and not Christian at all. The peace of the believer comes from the certainty of being loved by God. Jesus gives no peace to the world because the rest of the world is made up of confusion, half-truths, people who live midway between greed and fear of taking risks. In a world like ours, the message of Christ is not accepted, and so there is war in place of peace. The gospel message awakens a critical spirit so the presence of only one Christian living by the truth is enough to change many people.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jul 9, 2022 | Evangelium
Wednesday 10 th august 2022
St.Laurence
(258)
Laurence was one of the seven deacons of the Church of Rome and was executed on 10th August 258, four days after Sixtus II and his companions. He was probably a Spaniard from Toledo.
Entrance Antiphon
This is the blessed Lawrence who gave himself up for the treasure of the Church: for this he earned the suffering of martyrdom to ascend with joy to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Collect
O God, giver of that ardour of love for you by which Saint Lawrence was outstandingly faithful in service and glorious in martyrdom, grant that we may love what he loved and put into practice what he taught. 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 Corinthians 9:6-10
Do not forget: thin sowing means thin reaping; the more you sow, the more you reap. Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver. And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – he will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance, and still have something to spare for all sorts of good works. As Scripture says: He was free in almsgiving, and gave to the poor: his good deeds will never be forgotten. The one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide you with all the seed you want and make the harvest of your good deeds a larger one.
Psalm 111:1-2,5-9
R/ Happy the man who takes pity and lends.
- Happy the man who fears the Lord, who takes delight in all his commands. His sons will be powerful on earth; the children of the upright are blessed.
- The good man takes pity and lends, he conducts his affairs with honour. The just man will never waver: he will be remembered for ever.
- He has no fear of evil news; with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord. With a steadfast heart he will not fear; he will see the downfall of his foes.
- Open-handed, he gives to the poor; his justice stands firm for ever. His head will be raised in glory.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn8:12bc
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the light of the world, says the Lord; anyone who follows me will have the light of life.Alleluia!
Gospel : John 12:24-26
Jesus said to his disciples: I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive with favour, O Lord, the offerings we joyfully make on the feast day of Saint Lawrence and grant that they become a help to our salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Jn 12: 26
Whoever serves me must follow me and where I am there also will my servant be, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these sacred gifts, we humbly implore you, Lord, that the homage of dutiful service, which we render on the feast of Saint Lawrence, may bring us an increase of your saving grace. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“ Unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest”. Christ insists on the link between the death of the seed and bearing “much fruit”. He, Jesus, is the grain of wheat. The fruit is the “abundant life” that He acquired for us through His death on the Cross. This is also the logic and the true fruitfulness of all pastoral work for vocations in the Church: like Christ, the priest or the animator must be a grain of wheat, renouncing himself in order to do the will of the Father.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jul 8, 2022 | Evangelium
Saturday 09 th July 2022
St. Augustine Zhao Rong
and his
Companions, Martyrs
Augustine Zhao Rong was one of the Chinese soldiers who escorted Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse to his execution. Moved by his patience, he asked to be baptized, and later was ordained a priest. He was arrested and savagely tortured. He died in 1815.With him are celebrated 119 of his companions in martyrdom in China between 1648 and 1930.
ntrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 47: 10-11
Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple.Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.
Collect
O God, who in the abasement of your Son, have raised up a fallen world, fill your faithful with holy joy, for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin, you bestow eternal gladness. 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 : Isaiah 6:1-8
In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord of Hosts seated on a high throne; his train filled the sanctuary; above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings: two to cover its face, two to cover its feet, and two for flying. And they cried out to one another in this way, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. His glory fills the whole earth.’ The foundations of the threshold shook with the voice of the one who cried out, and the Temple was filled with smoke. I said: ‘What a wretched state I am in! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of Hosts.’ Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in his hand a live coal which he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. With this he touched my mouth and said: ‘See now, this has touched your lips, your sin is taken away, your iniquity is purged.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: ‘Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’ I answered, ‘Here I am, send me.’
Psalm 92:1-2,5
R/ The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
- The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed; the Lord has robed himself with might, he has girded himself with power.
- The world you made firm, not to be moved; your throne has stood firm from of old. From all eternity, O Lord, you are.
- Truly your decrees are to be trusted. Holiness is fitting to your house, O Lord, until the end of time.
Gospel Acclamation : 1Jn2:5
Alleluia, alleluia! Whenever anyone obeys what Christ has said, God’s love comes to perfection in him. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 10:24-33
Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘The disciple is not superior to his teacher, nor the slave to his master. It is enough for the disciple that he should grow to be like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, what will they not say of his household? ‘Do not be afraid of them therefore. For everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops. ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows. ‘So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven. ’
Prayer over the Offerings
May this oblation dedicated to your name purify us, O Lord, and day by day bring our conduct closer to the life of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 33: 9
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed the man who seeks refuge in him.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, having been replenished by such great gifts, we may gain the prize of salvation and never cease to praise you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The first reading calls us to meditate on the call of the Prophet Isaiah, who encounters God in an intimate and authentic way. Whenever we encounter God or God calls us, He make us His special messengers. When we hold on to God, we will face all sorts of challenges but we shall be safe because He is the only one with authority over us and not any other force. We, therefore need to be afraid of God as the Gospel tells us. Being in God’s presence gives the courage to uncover what has been covered and bring to light what has been hidden. As Disciples of Christ, we must be ready for the worst because the Master never had it easy.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jul 7, 2022 | Evangelium
Monday 08 th august 2022
St. Dominic
(1170 – 1221)
He was born in Castile (part of modern Spain) and became a canon of the cathedral of Osma. In 1216 he founded the Order of Preachers, dedicated to saving souls by preaching and persuasion. Dominic died at Bologna on 6th August 1221.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Sir 15: 5
In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understandingand clothed him in a robe of glory.
Collect
May Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. 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 : Ezekiel 1:2-5,24-28
On the fifth of the month – it was the fifth year of exile for King Jehoiachin – the word of the Lord was addressed to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldaeans, on the bank of the river Chebar. There the hand of the Lord came on me. I looked; a stormy wind blew from the north, a great cloud with light around it, a fire from which flashes of lightning darted, and in the centre a sheen like bronze at the heart of the fire. In the centre I saw what seemed four animals. I heard the noise of their wings as they moved; it sounded like rushing water, like the voice of Shaddai, a noise like a storm, like the noise of a camp; when they halted, they folded their wings, and there was a noise. Above the vault over their heads was something that looked like a sapphire; it was shaped like a throne and high up on this throne was a being that looked like a man. I saw him shine like bronze, and close to and all around him from what seemed his loins upwards was what looked like fire; and from what seemed his loins downwards I saw what looked like fire, and a light all round like a bow in the clouds on rainy days; that is how the surrounding light appeared. It was something that looked like the glory of the Lord. I looked, and prostrated myself.
Psalm 148:1-2,11-14
R/ Your glory fills all heaven and earth.
- Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host.
- All earth’s kings and peoples, earth’s princes and rulers, young men and maidens, old men together with children.
- Let them praise the name of the Lord for healone is exalted. The splendour of his name reaches beyond heaven and earth.
- He exalts the strength of his people. He is the praise of all his saints, of the sons of Israel, of the people to whom he comes close.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps147:12,15
Alleluia, alleluia! O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! He sends out his word to the earth. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 17:22-27
One day when they were together in Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men; they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised to life again.’ And a great sadness came over them. When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel came to Peter and said, ‘Does your master not pay the half-shekel?’ ‘Oh yes’ he replied, and went into the house. But before he could speak, Jesus said, ‘Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do the kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?’ And when he replied, ‘From foreigners’, Jesus said, ‘Well then, the sons are exempt. However, so as not to offend these people, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that bites, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for you.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Attend mercifully to the prayers we offer you, O Lord, by the intercession of Saint Dominic, and through the great power of this sacrifice strengthen by the protection of your grace those who champion the faith. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Mt 24: 46-47
Blessed is the servant whom the Lord finds watching when he comes. Amen I say to you: He will put that servant in charge of all his property.
Prayer after Communion
May your Church, O Lord, receive with wholehearted reverence the power of this heavenly Sacrament, by which we have been nourished on the commemoration of Saint Dominic, and may your Church, having flourished by means of his preaching, be helped through his intercession. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus and the disciples “ were together in Galilee”. In the Gospel, the fact that they were together underlines the closeness of Christ to people. Then He opens His Heart to them to entrust them with the path of His Passion, His Death and His Resurrection, a feeling that He carries in His heart and that He does not want those He loves so much to ignore. The episode of the payment of taxes is then recounted, and here, once again, the evangelist gives us a glimpse of how Jesus settles this question through the distinction between those who are supposed to pay these taxes and those who are not, because having the absolute assurance of their life with them, they are above these taxes. Finally, Christ returns to the established order of men, which must nevertheless be respected so as not to cause an occasion of sin and scandal. He shows them how to get the money they need to pay their dues.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jul 6, 2022 | Evangelium
Thursday 07 th July 2022
- Maelruain
(c.791)
In 769 he founded the monastery at Tallaght, in County Dublin, Ireland. Together with St Aengus he wrote a detailed Rule for the community, which is an important document in the history of early monasticism.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 47: 10-11
Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.
Collect
O God, who in the abasement of your Son, have raised up a fallen world, fill your faithful with holy joy, for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin, you bestow eternal gladness. 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 : Hosea 11:1-4,8-9
Thus says the Lord: When Israel was a child I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called to them, the further they went from me; they have offered sacrifice to the Baals and set their offerings smoking before the idols. I myself taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in my arms yet they have not understood that I was the one looking after them. I led them with reins of kindness, with leading-strings of love. I was like someone who lifts an infant close against his cheek; stooping down to him I gave him his food. Ephraim, how could I part with you? Israel, how could I give you up?How could I treat you like Admah, or deal with you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils from it, my whole being trembles at the thought. I will not give rein to my fierce anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again, for I am God, not man: I am the Holy One in your midst and have no wish to destroy.
Psalm 79:2-3,15-16
R/ Let your face shine on us, O Lord, and we shall be saved.
- O shepherd of Israel, hear us, shine forth from your cherubim throne. O Lord, rouse up your might, O Lord, come to our help.
- God of hosts, turn again, we implore, look down from heaven and see. Visit this vine and protect it, the vine your right hand has planted.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps94:8
Alleluia, alleluia! Harden not your hearts today, but listen to the voice of the Lord. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 10:7-15
Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep. ‘Whatever town or village you go into, ask for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave. As you enter his house, salute it, and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it; if it does not, let your peace come back to you. And if anyone does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town shake the dust from your feet. I tell you solemnly, on the day of Judgement it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom and Gomorrah as with that town.’
Prayer over the Offerings
May this oblation dedicated to your name purify us, O Lord, and day by day bring our conduct closer to the life of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 33: 9
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed the man who seeks refuge in him.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, having been replenished by such great gifts, we may gain the prize of salvation and never cease to praise you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The kingdom of God is close at hand and we need to welcome it as we welcome those who bring the message of peace to us. The messenger of the Good News of the kingdom doesn’t impose the reality of the kingdom on others. Jesus tells us, “If you are not welcomed and your words are not listened to, leave that house or town.” Those for whom it has been prepared welcome it with peace. “If the people are worthy people, your peace will rest on them”. To reject the messenger is to ignore the Father’s message and lose the greatest opportunity in one’s life. The message we are all called to carry about is that of peace. In every town we enter, there are those who will welcome it because they are worthy people as the gospel tells us. We should, therefore, do all it takes to continue to foster and bring peace to God’s children.