SATURDAY- 26^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 10:17-24: Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

I Reading: Job 42:1-3.5-6.12-17: Having seen you with my own eyes, I retract all I have said.

The Seventy Return: Great Power, Lk 10:17-20

Jesus Christ gives great power to the person who truly works for him.

1. The Seventy returned (v.17)

a. with joy

b. with great results and a testimony of power

2. The Christian labourer has power over Satan (v.18)

3. The Christian labourer has power overall enemies: perfect security (v.19)

4. The Christian labourer is to rejoice in his salvation, not in his power (v.20)

The Seventy Return: Great Privileges, Lk 10:21-24

The Christian labourer has three great privileges. Jesus was filled with joy over these privileges and praised God. The Lord’s heart longs to share these privileges with every person.

1. Jesus rejoiced (v.21)

2. privilege 1: The spiritual insight into truth (v.21)

a. into “these things”

b. God hides truth from the wise and learned

c. God reveals truth to babes

d. such action is well pleasing to God

3. Privilege 2: The knowledge of God and of His only Son (v.22)

a. God and the Son alone know one another

b. The Son reveals God to some

4. Privilege 3: The insight and privilege of learning God’s full revelation (v.23-24).

Thought: God’s power is defeating satan, of delivering people from the power of satan.

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FRIDAY- 26^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 10:13-16: Anyone who rejects me rejects the one who sent me.

I Reading: Job 38:1. 12-21; 40:3-5: Have you given orders to the morning, or journeyed all the way to the source of the sea.

Anyone who rejects me rejects the one who sent me, Lk 10:13-16

1. Walk away from rejecters (v.10-15)

a. any town and people who reject

          1) symbolize God’s rejection by wiping off the very dust of the city

          2) reason: kingdom of God came near, but they rejected it

          3) judgement: shall be greater than Sodom’s

b. any who only profess to be God’s people

          1) illustrated by two Jewish towns

          2) the reason: the works of Christ were seen, yet he was rejected

          3) the judgement: to be more terrible

c. any who have a constant witness but reject: to receive the greatest judgement-hell

2. Know that the Christian labourer presents the Lord (v.16)

Thought: Anyone who rejects the Lord definitely will be condemned.

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THURSDAY- 26^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 10:1-12: Your peace will rest on him.

I Reading: Job 19:21-27: I know that my Avenger lives.

The Seventy Sent Forth : Great Purpose, 10:1-16

Jesus appoints the seventy and sends forth for his mission. This passage tells the Christian labourer how he is to work and tells the hearer how he is to treat the labourer of God.

1. Jesus appointed seventy disciples to prepare the way for Him (v.1)

a. had many disciples

b. two by two

c. saw tremendous need

d. sent as forerunners

2. First, pray for more labourers (v.2)

3. Second, go into an antagonistic world (v.3)

4. Third, trust God and sense the hour’s urgency (v.4)

5. Fourth, guard the message-do not force it upon people (v.5-6)

6. Fifth, accept compensation, but do not seek luxury (v.7)

7. Sixth, be accommodating and adaptable (v.8-9)

a. indentify with people

b. minister to people

c. proclaim the kingdom of God

8. Seventh, walk away from rejecters (v.10-15)

a. any town and people who reject

          1) symbolize God’s rejection by wiping off the very dust of the city

          2) reason: kingdom of God came near, but they rejected it

          3) judgement: shall be greater than Sodom’s

b. any who only profess to be God’s people

          1) illustrated by two Jewish towns

          2) the reason: the works of Christ were seen, yet he was rejected

          3) the judgement: to be more terrible

c. any who have a constant witness but reject: to receive the greatest judgement-hell

9. Eighth, , know that the Christian labourer presents the Lord (v.16)

Thought: Anyone who rejects the Lord definitely will be condemned.

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WEDNESDAY- 26^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 9:57-62: I will follow you wherever you go.

I Reading: Job 9:1-12.14-16: How can man be in the right against God?

The Great Cost of Discipleship, Lk 9:57-62

Many people want to follow Jesus Christ without knowing the great price of discipleship. True discipleship costs everything a person is and has.

1. A person must count the cost (v.57-58)

a. The man offered himself

b. Jesus offered no luxury, no materialism-only self-denial and sacrifice

2. A person must follow immediately (v.59-60)

a. Jesus invited the man

b. The man had divided attention

c. Jesus’ demand

          1) A sense of urgency

          2) Go now and preach

3. A person must not look back (v.61-62)

a. Another man offered himself

b. The man’s double allegiance

c. Jesus’ judgement: Looking back disqualifies a person

Thought: Every person who is called by Jesus Christ to “preach the gospel/Word of God” must take heed and respond immediately. The Lord’s call is to be the primary thrust of a person’s life.

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TUESDAY- 26^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 9:51-56: Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem.

I Reading: Job 3:1-3. 11-17. 20-23: Why give light to a man of grief?

The Son of Man’s Mission: Jesus’ Mission Misunderstood, 9:51-56

Jesus set out for Jerusalem and death as his ministry and mission of God. This is one of the turning points in his life.

1. His mission: to secure salvation (v.51)

a. By the ascension

b. By death: he set his face toward Jerusalem

2. His mission misunderstood (v.52-54)

a. He sent forerunner to prepare the way

b. He was rejected by the Samaritans

c. The disciples reacted against the Samaritans

3. His mission explained (v.55-56)

a. He did not come to use his power to destroy people’s lives

b. He came to use his power to save people

Thought: Jesus Christ proclaimed clearly the day of salvation is today and he pronounced about the day of judgement of every individual after his/her death is to come.

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MONDAY- 26^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 9:46-50: The least among you all, that is the one who is great.

I Reading: Job 1:6-22: The Lord gave, the Lord has taken back. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

The Way of Greatness: Humility, 9:46-50

Jesus teaches the way of greatness is the humility in life. People crave for greater recognition, privilege, respect, honour, power, position and wealth in the society and some time they abuse, misuse and mislead people by exploitation, corruption, injustice and inequality. A true greatness must be based on humility and total commitment for the kingdom of God.

1. The desire for greatness: Wanting position, recognition and power (v.46)

2. The picture of greatness (v.47)

a. Jesus took a child

b. Jesus held the child

3. The right concept of greatness (v.48)

a. Welcoming a child in Jesus’ name

b. Reward

          1) Will receive Jesus

          2) Will receive God

          3) Will be the greatest

4. The right to greatness: Not an exclusive right (v.49-50)

Thought: It is difficult to admit that we are full of self, that is, self-centredness and selfish. The fact hurts; we revolt against it. But the truth has to be faced before we can become what we should be.

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26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-A

I Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28: When the sinner renounces sin, he shall certainly live.

II Reading: Philippians 2:1-11: In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.

Gospel: Mt. 21: 28-32: John came, but it was the sinners who believed in him.

The Parable of Two Sons: What It Takes to Enter God’s Kingdom

God wants us all to be saved on this earth and in heaven too. The basic demand that God makes of us to do the will of God/Father in heaven (Mt 7:21). In the seconding reading, Jesus saved us through his perfect obedience to the plans of his Father. The parable of the two sons narrated in today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us that doing his Father’s will is not a matter of words but of deeds.

The first reading tells us that God condemns no one; it is man himself who chooses to be lost by committing sin and refusing to repent. God saves everyone who does His will; but we must say “yes” to God, but so much with lips but with our deeds. Jesus is the Son who always said “yes” to his Father by total obedience and humility until death on the cross, as a result God raised him high and gave him the name…that all beings should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What does it take to enter God’s kingdom? Not only profession and righteousness, but also repentance and belief. In this passage Jesus wanted to convey a critical message to the Jewish leaders by saying a parable of two sons and asking a question, “What do you think?” that would determine their eternal destiny. Now we analyse the parable of two sons:

1.     The Parable is simple and clear. It concerns a man had two sons. Notes several facts.

a.     Commands first son to go and work in his vineyard is an emphatic imperative. There is no other alternative choice to excuse.

i.                   He says “I will not.”

ii.                 He later changes his mind and goes to work.

b.    Commands second son.

i.                   He says, “I will, sir.”

ii.                 He never goes to work.

c.      The first son did what his father wanted.

2.     Jesus gave the point of the parable: Sinners enter the kingdom before religionists (the self-righteous and those who make a false profession).

i.                   Jesus identified the man and the two sons in the parables.

ii.                 Jesus identified the vineyard and work that was to be done. The vineyard is the kingdom of God and the work is “entering the kingdom of God.”(Mt 19: 23-24).

iii.              Jesus clearly stressed the point of the parable. “I tell you the truth.” “Sinners, the tax collectors and prostitutes entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.”

iv.              Jesus shocked his audience. He declared that people’s idea of religion is wrong.

3.     The reason: Religionists do not believe John-that Jesus is the Son of God.

a.     Yet John was righteousness

b.    Sinners believed John

c.      The religionists’ problem: See changed lives but still do not repent and believe.

Thought: The great tragedy of religionists is this: they stand aloof. They reject the counsel of God. They do not go and work in His vineyard.

Jesus opened the way to salvation for everyone by submitting to the plans his Father had laid down for him to save the world. God saves all who does his will and obeys Him with humility.

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SATURDAY- 25^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 9:43-45: The Son of Man is going to be handed over. They were afraid to ask him about what he had said.

I Reading: Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8: Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the dust returns to the earth, and the breath to God.

The Second Prediction of Death: A Rebuke of Present Generation, 9:37-45

Jesus was rebuking his generation because of their unbelief and a perverse heart.

1. The next day after the transfiguration (v.37-40)

2. Rebuke 1: Ubelief and a perverse heart (v.40)

3. Rebuke 2: A lack of God’s power (v.42-43)

a. Jesus rebuked the disciples’ lack of power by his own act of healing

b. The people were amazed

4. Rebuke 3: A slowness/dullness to grasp the Messiah’s death (v.44-45)

Thought: Powerlessness is inexcusable. Why? Because Christ has revealed how the believer can possess the power and strength of God (Mt 17:20; Jn 3:27; 5:15; 2Cor 3:5; Acts 1:8; Rom 8:1-17).

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FRIDAY- 25^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 9:18-22: You are the Christ of God, The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously.

I Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11: There is a time for every occupation under heaven.

The First Prediction of Death: Who Jesus Really is, 9:18-22

Who is Jesus? The most critical time in a man’s life is when he answers this question.

1. Jesus was alone praying (v.18)

2. The people’s belief: Jesus was only a great man (v.18-19

3. The disciples’ conviction: Jesus was Messiah (v.20)

4. The full meaning of the conviction (v.21-22)

a. The full meaning: was not yet grasped

b. The full meaning: Jesus was the suffering and conquering Saviour

Thought: There will be the same false confession about Jesus Christ exist in every generation (Mk 6:3; Jn 1:10-11; 1Jn 2:22-23; 4:3).

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THURSDAY- 25^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 9:7-9: I beheaded John, so who is this I hear such reports about?

I Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11: There is nothing new under the sun.

Jesus Commissions His Disciples, 9:7-9

Jesus sent out his disciples for the first time with commission to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

1. Their effect (v.7-9)

a. Herod was disturbed by their message

b. The people speculated about Jesus’ identity

c. Herod desired to know Jesus’ identity

Thought: The Most ideal from of evangelism is probably this method given by Christ : a selected home and family serving as the centre of witness within a community or town. The early church was definitely centred in the homes of committed believers (Acts 5:42; 12:12; 16:40; 20:20; 1Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Philemon 2).

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WEDNESDAY- 25^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 9:1-6: Jesus sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

I Reading: Proverbs 30:5-9: Give me neither poverty nor riches, grant me only my share of bread to eat.

Jesus Commissions His Disciples, 9:1-9

Jesus sent out his disciples for the first time with commission to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

1. Their call: To come together for ministry (v.1)

2. Their equipment: Power and authority (v.1)

3. Their mission: To preach and minister (v.2)

4. Their method (v.3-5)

a. Not to seek success through personal appearance and materialism

b. To minister in the homes, to the interested and the hospitable

c. To warn rejecters

5. Their obedience: They went forth preaching and ministering (v.6)

6. Their effect (v.7-9)

a. Herod was disturbed by their message

b. The people speculated about Jesus’ identity

c. Herod desired to know Jesus’ identity

Thought: The Most ideal from of evangelism is probably this method given by Christ : a selected home and family serving as the centre of witness within a community or town. The early church was definitely centred in the homes of committed believers (Acts 5:42; 12:12; 16:40; 20:20; 1Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Philemon 2).

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TUESDAY- 25^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 8:19-21: My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.

I Reading: Proverbs 21:1-6.10-13: Various proverbs

Jesus Teaches the True Kingship, 8:19-21

Jesus teaches there is a closer tie than the family, the tie that binds him and his followers together.

1. Jesus’ family sought him (v.19)

2. True kingship is not based upon relationships (v.20)

3. True kinship is based upon the Word of God: Hearing and doing it

Thought: True kinship is not based upon human relationships but those who do the Will of God obeying and listening to the Word of God.

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MONDAY- 25^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 8:16-18: A lamp I put on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in.

I Reading: Proverbs 3:27-34: The wilful wrong-doer is abhorrent to the Lord.

Jesus Teaches Three Fundamental Principles of Life, 8:16-18

Jesus gives three fundamental principles of life to all believers both layperson and preacher.

1. A lamp (life) is for the purpose of giving light (v.16)

a. it is not covered, not hid

b. it is made conspicuous

2. Secrecy is impossible: All things shall be found out (v.17)

3. Truth is very narrow (v.18)

a. a person must watch how he/she hears

b. the reason: truth shall be rewarded; but the seemingly true shall be stripped away.

Thought: It is great encouragement to the faithful and a realistic and understandable threat to the lazy and close-minded.

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25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-A

I Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9: My thoughts are not your thoughts.

II Reading: Philippians 1:20-24.27: Life to me is Christ.

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16 : Why be envious because I am generous?

The Parable of Workers in the Vineyard: God’s Glorious Grace

Jesus shows the marvellous grace of God in salvation, in giving eternal life in this passage.

1. God’s grace provides work for man-a field to tend or look after (v.1)

2. God’s grace seeks and calls men to work (v.1-7)

a. The early call: To the willing and eager

          1) Shown grace: promised a full wage

          2) Sent into the field

b. The late-comer call: to the idle-slothful-self-seeking-complacent

          1) Shown grace: A forceful challenge and a promise of a just wage

          2) Some responded

c. The constant call: to all-shows constant grace

d. The final call: the eleventh hour call-to the idle

          1) He strongly rebuked

          2) They excuse themselves

          3) They showed grace: a forceful challenge and the promise of a just wage

3. God’s grace pays the promised wages: at the appointed time, at the end of the day (v.8-15)

a. Paid through his foreman

b. Paid out of a heart of care and grace

          1) Cared and showed grace to the late comers: a full wage

          2) Cared and showed grace to the eager workers: a full wage

c. Pay is not based on works and energy: illustrated by the eager workers who murmured over the same pay

          1) Pay is gracious and just: a full wage as promised

          2) Pay is based on God’s care for all: for the last as well as for the first

d. Pay is not as man sees (evil, selfish eyes): Pay is as God’s wills-He is good

4. God’s justice will reign in paying what he promised (v.16).

Thought: Jesus not only condemns riches, unbelievers, Pharisees, Sadducees, but also he condemns the ordinary workers those who are full of envy, jealousy, pride, self-righteous, lazy, idle, hatred and complains etc.

God calls everyone to work in His Kingdom to be saved receiving the eternal life at the end of life. This is called the real unconditional love, forgiveness of sins and faithful love and the mercy of God for His people.

Let us experience the true joy, peace and happiness while praying, following, helping, proclaiming and working in the kingdom of God on earth and let Christ become our centre of life as Paul experienced and said “For me to live means just one thing: Christ! While death will bring me a fabulous gain!” (Phil 1:21)

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SATURDAY- 24^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 8:4-15: The part in the rich soil is people who take the word to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.

I Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35-37.42-49: The things that is sown is perishable but what is raised is imperishable.

Jesus Teaches the Sure Fate of the Word: How People Receive the Word, 8:14-15

Jesus wanted people to know that hearing the Word of God was not enough but need to bear fruits. Those who hear the Word of God and obey accordingly definitely they will bear fruit. It is great encouragement to the preacher and teacher and to the lay witnesses. The seed they sow shall bear fruit (Mt 13:1-9; Mk 4:1-20).

1. Crowds thronged Jesus came from every town (v.4)

2. The parable: A farmer sowed seed (v.5-8)

a. some fell by the path

          1) were trampled

          2) were devoured

b. some fell upon rock

          1) were withered and scorched

          2) had no moisture or depth

c. some fell among thorns: were choked

d. some fell on good ground: were fruitful

3. The reason why Jesus spoke in parables (9-10)

a. to reveal the truth to open hearts

b. to conceal the truth from closed minds

4. The interpretation (v.11-15)

a. the seed is the Word of God

b. some are by the path

          1) they do hear

          2) the devil snatches the word away

c. some are on rock

          1) they do hear

          2) they are choked with materialism and pleasure

e. some are on rich soil

          1) the keep the word

          2) they have honest and good hearts

          3) they bear fruit

Thought: The success of the seed depends upon one thing alone; the condition of the soil (heart) to receive the seed (Word). If the ground (heart) is soft and rich (good qualities) then will bear much fruit.

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