by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Sep 17, 2021 | Evangelium
Saturday
18
September
St. Joseph of Cupertino
(1603 – 1663)
Green / White
Joseph of Cupertino was an Italian Conventual Franciscan friar who is honoured as a Christian mystic and saint. He was said to have been remarkably unclever, but prone to miraculous levitation and intense ecstatic visions that left him gaping.
Entrance Antiphon Cf. Sir 36: 18
Give peace, O Lord, to those who wait for you, that your prophets be found true. Hear the prayers of your servant, and of your people Israel.
Collect
Look upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things, and, that we may feel the working of your mercy, grant that we may serve you with all our 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: 1 Timothy 6:13-16
Before God the source of all life and before Christ, who spoke up as a witness for the truth in front of Pontius Pilate, I put to you the duty of doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures, until the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who at the due time will be revealed by God, the blessed and only Ruler of all, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal, whose home is in inaccessible light, whom no man has seen and no man is able to see: to him be honour and everlasting power. Amen.
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 99 (100)
R/ Come before the Lord, singing for joy.
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: Ps118:18
Alleluia, alleluia! Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may consider the wonders of your law. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 8:4-15
With a large crowd gathering and people from every town finding their way to him, Jesus used this parable: ‘A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell on the edge of the path and was trampled on; and the birds of the air ate it up. Some seed fell on rock, and when it came up it withered away, having no moisture. Some seed fell amongst thorns and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell into rich soil and grew and produced its crop a hundredfold.’ Saying this he cried, ‘Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!’ His disciples asked him what this parable might mean, and he said, ‘The mysteries of the kingdom of God are revealed to you; for the rest there are only parables, so that they may see but not perceive, listen but not understand. This, then, is what the parable means: the seed is the word of God. Those on the edge of the path are people who have heard it, and then the devil comes and carries away the word from their hearts in case they should believe and be saved. Those on the rock are people who, when they first hear it, welcome the word with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of trial they give up. As for the part that fell into thorns, this is people who have heard, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life and do not reach maturity. As for the part in the rich soil, this is people with a noble and generous heart who have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Look with favour on our supplications, O Lord, and in your kindness, accept these, your servants’ offerings, that what each has offered to the honour of your name may serve the salvation of all. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 35: 8
How precious is your mercy, O God! The children of men seek shelter in the shadow of your wings.
Prayer after Communion
May the working of this heavenly gift, O Lord, we pray, take possession of our minds and bodies, so that its effects, and not our own desires, may always prevail in us. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
One mistake we can make about the parable of the sower is to classify ourselves permanently as a particular kind of soil, producing a particular kind of result. This is not true. The spiritual journey is dynamic and we are never on one spot. At one point, we might be the rocky soil, and at another the edge of the path or the fruitful soil. We need to keep examining our relationship with God and how we respond to his love, striving every day to be the rich soil bearing a rich harvest.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Sep 16, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
17
septembre
Saint Robert Bellarmin, évêque et docteur
de l’Eglise
Vert / Blanc
Jésuite de la deuxième génération, ce Toscan (1542-1621) fut un brillant professeur à Louvain, puis au Collège Romain, où il fut le père spirituel de Louis de Gonzague. A une époque où la controverse avec les protestants battait son plein, il mit ses dons de polémiste au service de l’Église et du pape. Théologien réputé, il se préoccupa aussi de la pastorale des enfants, pour lesquels il composa un Catéchisme. Nommé cardinal en 1589, il fut archevêque de Capoue de 1602 à 1605. Ardent défenseur de la foi catholique, il mourut en récitant le Credo.
Antienne d’ouverture : Si 36,18
Donne la paix, Seigneur, à ceux qui t’espèrent: ne fais pas mentir les paroles de tes prophètes. Exauce la prière de ton peuple.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu créateur et maître de toutes choses, regarde-nous. Et pour que nous ressentions l’effet de ton amour, accorde-nous de te servir avec un cœur sans partage. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : 1 Tm 6, 2c-12
Bien-aimé, voilà ce que tu dois enseigner et recommander. Si quelqu’un donne un enseignement différent, et n’en vient pas aux paroles solides, celles de notre Seigneur Jésus Christ, et à l’enseignement qui est en accord avec la piété, un tel homme est aveuglé par l’orgueil, il ne sait rien, c’est un malade de la discussion et des querelles de mots. De tout cela, il ne sort que jalousie, rivalité, blasphèmes, soupçons malveillants, disputes interminables de gens à l’intelligence corrompue, qui sont coupés de la vérité et ne voient dans la religion qu’une source de profit. Certes, il y a un grand profit dans la religion si l’on se contente de ce que l’on a. De même que nous n’avons rien apporté dans ce monde, nous n’en pourrons rien emporter. Si nous avons de quoi manger et nous habiller, sachons-nous en contenter. Ceux qui veulent s’enrichir tombent dans le piège de la tentation, dans une foule de convoitises absurdes et dangereuses, qui plongent les gens dans la ruine et la perdition. Car la racine de tous les maux, c’est l’amour de l’argent. Pour s’y être attachés, certains se sont égarés loin de la foi et se sont infligé à eux-mêmes des tourments sans nombre. Mais toi, homme de Dieu, fuis tout cela ; recherche la justice, la piété, la foi, la charité, la persévérance et la douceur. Mène le bon combat, celui de la foi, empare-toi de la vie éternelle ! C’est à elle que tu as été appelé, c’est pour elle que tu as prononcé ta belle profession de foi devant de nombreux témoins.
Psaume : Ps 48 (49), 6-7, 8-9, 17-18, 19-20
R/ Heureux les pauvres de cœur, car le royaume des Cieux est à eux ! (Mt 5, 3)
1. Pourquoi craindre aux jours de malheur ces fourbes qui me talonnent pour m’encercler, ceux qui s’appuient sur leur fortune et se vantent de leurs grandes richesses ?
2. Nul ne peut racheter son frère ni payer à Dieu sa rançon : aussi cher qu’il puisse payer, toute vie doit finir.
3. Ne crains pas l’homme qui s’enrichit, qui accroît le luxe de sa maison : aux enfers il n’emporte rien ;sa gloire ne descend pas avec lui.
4. De son vivant, il s’est béni lui-même :« On t’applaudit car tout va bien pour toi ! » Mais il rejoint la lignée de ses ancêtres qui ne verront jamais plus la lumière.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Tu es béni, Père, Seigneur du ciel et de la terre, tu as révélé aux tout-petits les mystères du Royaume ! Alléluia. (cf. Mt 11, 25)
Évangile : Lc 8, 1-3
En ce temps-là, il arriva que Jésus, passant à travers villes et villages, proclamait et annonçait la Bonne Nouvelle du règne de Dieu. Les Douze l’accompagnaient, ainsi que des femmes qui avaient été guéries de maladies et d’esprits mauvais : Marie, appelée Madeleine, de laquelle étaient sortis sept démons, Jeanne, femme de Kouza, intendant d’Hérode, Suzanne, et beaucoup d’autres, qui les servaient en prenant sur leurs ressources. – Acclamons la Parole de Dieu.
Prière sur les offrandes
Sois favorable à nos prières, Seigneur, et reçois avec bonté nos offrandes. Que les dons apportés par chacun à la gloire de ton nom servent au salut de tous. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 35, 8
Qu’il est précieux, ton amour, ô mon Dieu! En lui s’abritent les hommes.
Prière après la communion
Que la grâce de cette communion, Seigneur, saisisse nos esprits et nos corps, Afin que son influence, et non pas notre sentiment, domine toujours en nous. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Quand Jésus parcourait villes et villages pour proclamer la Bonne Nouvelle, il était accompagné par les Douze Apôtres mais aussi par plusieurs femmes. Ces dernières étaient d’horizons et de classes sociales diverses mais avaient toutes fait une expérience personnelle avec le Christ, au point de tout abandonner pour le suivre. Auprès du Christ, leur nouvelle raison de vivre, elles donnaient ce qu’elles sont et ce qu’elles avaient pour servir ces prédicateurs itinérants. Hommage donc à toutes ces femmes d’hier et d’aujourd’hui qui œuvrent jour et nuit dans nos paroisses pour la gloire de Dieu et le service de l’Eglise. Nous les voyons balayant l’extérieur et l’intérieur de nos églises, chargeant même sur leur tête la nourriture chaude pour leurs prêtres, remplissant nos églises dans toutes les célébrations, vidant parfois leurs poches au profit des travaux de leur paroisse. Que Dieu les bénisse et les protège !
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Sep 16, 2021 | Evangelium
Friday
17
September
St. Robert Bellarmine,
Bishop, Doctor
(1542 – 1621)
Green / White
He was born in Montepulciano, in Tuscany, and became a Jesuit. He taught theology in Rome, and was active in disputation against the Protestants, where his effectiveness was increased by his charity and moderation.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Sir 36: 18
Give peace, O Lord, to those who wait for you, that your prophets be found true. Hear the prayers of your servant, and of your people Israel.
Collect
Look upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things, and, that we may feel the working of your mercy, grant that we may serve you with all our 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: 1 Timothy 6:2-12
This is what you are to teach the brothers to believe and persuade them to do. Anyone who teaches anything different, and does not keep to the sound teaching which is that of our Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine which is in accordance with true religion, is simply ignorant and must be full of self-conceit – with a craze for questioning everything and arguing about words. All that can come of this is jealousy, contention, abuse and wicked mistrust of one another; and unending disputes by people who are neither rational nor informed and imagine that religion is a way of making a profit. Religion, of course, does bring large profits, but only to those who are content with what they have. We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it; but as long as we have food and clothing, let us be content with that. People who long to be rich are a prey to temptation; they get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions which eventually plunge them into ruin and destruction. ‘The love of money is the root of all evils’ and there are some who, pursuing it, have wandered away from the faith, and so given their souls any number of fatal wounds. But, as a man dedicated to God, you must avoid all that. You must aim to be saintly and religious, filled with faith and love, patient and gentle. Fight the good fight of the faith and win for yourself the eternal life to which you were called when you made your profession and spoke up for the truth in front of many witnesses.
Psalm 48(49):6-10,17-20
R/ How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1. Why should I fear in evil days the malice of the foes who surround me, men who trust in their wealth, and boast of the vastness of their riches?
2. For no man can buy his own ransom, or pay a price to God for his life. The ransom of his soul is beyond him. He cannot buy life without end, nor avoid coming to the grave.
3. Then do not fear when a man grows rich, when the glory of his house increases. He takes nothing with him when he dies, his glory does not follow him below.
4. Though he flattered himself while he lived: ‘Men will praise me for all my success,’ yet he will go to join his fathers, who will never see the light any more.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps94:8
Alleluia, alleluia! Harden not your hearts today, but listen to the voice of the Lord. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 8:1-3
Jesus made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.
Prayer over the Offerings
Look with favour on our supplications, O Lord, and in your kindness, accept these, your servants’ offerings, that what each has offered to the honour of your name may serve the salvation of all. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 35: 8
How precious is your mercy, O God! The children of men seek shelter in the shadow of your wings.
Prayer after Communion
May the working of this heavenly gift, O Lord, we pray, take possession of our minds and bodies, so that its effects, and not our own desires, may always prevail in us. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today’s Gospel questions us: what have we done for Jesus? What have we sacrificed for the sake of the Kingdom? What have we done for the Church? Like the Twelve and the women mentioned, we are all challenged to accompany Jesus in our states of life and places and to contribute to his work which we carry out by our baptism. Sometimes we are keen on what has (not) been done for us by the Church or some group. We are urged to be available and make our talents and resources available for the mission of Christ.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Sep 15, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
16
septembre
Saints Corneille, pape, et Cyprien, évêque, martyrs
Rouge
Elu en 251, le pape Corneille meurt en exil à Civitavecchia en 253. Dans la lutte qu’il eut à mener contre Novatien, antipape dont le rigorisme refusait la réconciliation des apostats, il fut soutenu par son ami, l’évêque de Carthage. Celui-ci n’était autre que Cyprien (vers 210-258). Ancien avocat, converti du paganisme, il avait été élu évêque en 249. Son action pastorale et ses écrits théologiques lui acquirent un rayonnement qui débordait la province d’Afrique. Personnalité très forte, Cyprien fut même, un moment en désaccord avec Etienne pape de (254 à 257) qui admettait la validité du baptême donné par les hérétiques.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 33, 20-21
Les épreuves affluent sur les justes, mais chaque fois le Seigneur les délivre; il veille sur chacun de leurs os, pas un ne sera brisé.
Prière d’ouverture
Seigneur, tu as donné à ton peuple, dans les saints Corneille et Cyprien, des pasteurs dévoués et d’invincibles martyrs ; à leur prière, fortifie notre courage et notre foi, et accorde-nous de travailler avec empressement pour l’unité de l’Église. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : 1Tm 4, 12-16
Bien- aimé, que personne n’ait lieu de te mépriser parce que tu es jeune ; au contraire, sois pour les croyants un modèle par ta parole et ta conduite, par ta charité, ta foi et ta pureté. En attendant que je vienne, applique- toi à lire l’Écriture aux fidèles, à les encourager et à les instruire. Ne néglige pas le don de la grâce en toi, qui t’a été donné au moyen d’une parole prophétique, quand le collège des Anciens a imposé les mains sur toi. Prends à cœur tout cela, applique- toi, afin que tous voient tes progrès. Veille sur toi- même et sur ton enseignement. Maintiens- toi dans ces dispositions. En agissant ainsi, tu obtiendras le salut, et pour toi- même et pour ceux qui t’écoutent.
Psaume : 110 (111), 7-8, 9, 10
R/ Grandes sont les œuvres du Seigneur ! 110, 2aou : Alléluia !
1. Justesse et sûreté, les œuvres de ses mains, sécurité, toutes ses lois
établies pour toujours et à jamais, accomplies avec droiture et sûreté !
2. Il apporte la délivrance à son peuple ; son alliance est promulguée pour toujours : saint et redoutable est son nom.
3. La sagesse commence avec la crainte du Seigneur. Qui accomplit sa volonté en est éclairé. À jamais se maintiendra sa louange.
Acclamation :
Alléluia. Alléluia. Venez à moi, vous tous qui peinez sous le poids du fardeau, dit le Seigneur, et moi, je vous procurerai le repos. Alléluia. (Mt 11, 28)
Évangile : Lc 7, 36-50
En ce temps-là, un pharisien avait invité Jésus à manger avec lui. Jésus entra chez lui et prit place à table. Survint une femme de la ville, une pécheresse. Ayant appris que Jésus était attablé dans la maison du pharisien, elle avait apporté un flacon d’albâtre contenant un parfum. Tout en pleurs, elle se tenait derrière lui, près de ses pieds, et elle se mit à mouiller de ses larmes les pieds de Jésus. Elle les essuyait avec ses cheveux, les couvrait de baisers et répandait sur eux le parfum. En voyant cela, le pharisien qui avait invité Jésus se dit en lui-même : « Si cet homme était prophète, il saurait qui est cette femme qui le touche, et ce qu’elle est : une pécheresse. » Jésus, prenant la parole, lui dit : « Simon, j’ai quelque chose à te dire. – Parle, Maître. » Jésus reprit : « Un créancier avait deux débiteurs ; le premier lui devait cinq cents pièces d’argent, l’autre cinquante. Comme ni l’un ni l’autre ne pouvait les lui rembourser, il en fit grâce à tous deux. Lequel des deux l’aimera davantage ? » Simon répondit : « Je suppose que c’est celui à qui on a fait grâce de la plus grande dette. – Tu as raison », lui dit Jésus. Il se tourna vers la femme et dit à Simon : « Tu vois cette femme ? Je suis entré dans ta maison, et tu ne m’as pas versé de l’eau sur les pieds ; elle, elle les a mouillés de ses larmes et essuyés avec ses cheveux. Tu ne m’as pas embrassé ; elle, depuis qu’elle est entrée, n’a pas cessé d’embrasser mes pieds. Tu n’as pas fait d’onction sur ma tête ; elle, elle a répandu du parfum sur mes pieds. Voilà pourquoi je te le dis : ses péchés, ses nombreux péchés, sont pardonnés, puisqu’elle a montré beaucoup d’amour. Mais celui à qui on pardonne peu montre peu d’amour. » Il dit alors à la femme : « Tes péchés sont pardonnés. » Les convives se mirent à dire en eux-mêmes : « Qui est cet homme, qui va jusqu’à pardonner les péchés ? » Jésus dit alors à la femme : « Ta foi t’a sauvée. Va en paix ! »
Prière sur les offrandes
Accepte, nous t’en prions, Seigneur, l’offrande que ton peuple te présente pour célébrer la passion de tes martyrs ; qu’elle nous obtienne d’être fermes dans l’adversité, comme elle rendit courageux dans la persécution les saints Corneille et Cyprien. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Mt 20, 21
Le Fils de l’homme n’est pas venu pour être servi, mais pour servir et donner sa vie en rançon pour la multitude. .
Prière après la communion
Par le sacrement que nous avons reçu de toi, Seigneur, accorde-nous cette grâce : puissions-nous, à l’exemple des saints Corneille et Cyprien, être forts de la force de ton Esprit, afin de rendre témoignage à la vérité de l’Évangile. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Que personne n’ait lieu de te mépriser parce que tu es jeune ; au contraire, sois pour les croyants un modèle par ta parole et ta conduite, par ta charité, ta foi et ta pureté. Ces mots de saint Paul mettent en exergue le grand piège destructeur que sont les préjugés dans nos communautés chrétiennes. La personne n’est pas considérée pour ce qu’elle dit et fait, mais bien au contraire, à partir de sa race, de sa famille, de son sexe, de son passé, de sa classe sociale, de sa nationalité, de son ethnie, de son parti politique, de son âge, … Et de là s’ébranle toute une campagne de dénigrement est pour la nuire et la détruire. Saint Paul nous invite donc à nous encourager dans l’œuvre de Dieu, à porter notre intérêt sur la vie de foi, de charité et de vertu de l’autre. Que par l’intercession, des saints Paul, Timothée, Corneille et Cyprien, le Seigneur nous aide à magnifier la grandeur de ses œuvres à travers ses humbles serviteurs.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Sep 15, 2021 | Evangelium
Thursday
16
September
SS Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
Red
Cornelius was made bishop of the church in Rome in the year 251. He fought against the Novatian schismatics, and established his authority with the aid of Cyprian. The emperor Gallus sent him into exile, and he died at Civitavecchia in June 253. He is buried in Rome.
Entrance Antiphon
The souls of the Saints are rejoicing in heaven, the Saints who followed the footsteps of Christ, and since for love of him they shed their blood, they now exult with Christ for ever.
Collect
O God, who gave Saints Cornelius and Cyprian to your people as diligent shepherds and valiant Martyrs, grant that through their intercession we may be strengthened in faith and constancy and spend ourselves without reserve for the unity of the Church. 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: 1 Timothy 4:12-16
Do not let people disregard you because you are young, but be an example to the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity. Make use of the time until I arrive by reading to the people, preaching and teaching. You have in you a spiritual gift which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the body of elders laid their hands on you; do not let it lie unused. Think hard about all this, and put it into practice, and everyone will be able to see how you are advancing. Take great care about what you do and what you teach; always do this, and in this way you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
Psalm 110(111):7-10
R/ Great are the works of the Lord.
1. His works are justice and truth, his precepts are all of them sure, standing firm for ever and ever; they are made in uprightness and truth.
2. He has sent deliverance to his people and established his covenant for ever. Holy his name, to be feared.
3. To fear the Lord is the first stage of wisdom; all who do so prove themselves wise. His praise shall last for ever!
Gospel Acclamation: 2Co5:19
Alleluia, alleluia! God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 7:36-50
One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table, a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has.’ Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Speak, Master,’ was the reply. ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he pardoned them both. Which of them will love him more?’ ‘The one who was pardoned more, I suppose,’ answered Simon. Jesus said, ‘You are right.’ Then he turned to the woman. ‘Simon,’ he said, ‘you see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’ But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, we pray, O Lord, the offerings of your people in honour of the passion of your holy Martyrs Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, and may the gifts that gave them courage under persecution make us, too, steadfast in all trials. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Lk 22: 28-30
It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, says the Lord, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.
Prayer after Communion
Through these mysteries which we have received, we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that by the example of the Martyrs Saints Cornelius and Cyprian we may be strengthened with the fortitude of your Spirit to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The Pharisee, Simon, is thinking to himself. He does not open up to dialogue with Jesus about what is going on in his mind. In the Scriptures, such inner thoughts often depict negativity. As he does with the Pharisee, Jesus often calls us to reflect on what goes on within us. He calls us to dialogue with him. Jesus proves that he is in fact a prophet, knowing not only the one that is touching him, but also the one that is judging secretly. Jesus calls us to purify our thoughts and grow in our love for him, for we are all weak and sinful.
