SATURDAY- 26^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

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

I Reading: Baruch 4:5-12.27-29: He who brought disaster on you will give you eternal joy.

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 –B

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

I Reading: Baruch 1:15-22: We have sinned in the sight of the Lord and have disobeyed him.

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 –B

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

I Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-12: Ezra opened the Book of the Law and blessed the people, and all the people answered him, “Amen! Amen!”

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 –B

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

I Reading: Nehemiah 2:1-8: It pleases the king, give me leave to go to the city of my ancestors and rebuild it.

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 –B

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

I Reading: Zechariah 8:20-23: Many peoples will come to seek the Lord in Jerusalem.

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 –B

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

I Reading: Zechariah 8:1-8: I am going to save my people from countries of the East and the West.

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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SUNDAY- 26^th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

I Reading: Number 11:25-29: Moses elects the seventy elders

II Reading: James 5:1-6: James condemns the oppressive rich

Gospel: Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48: “You must not stop him…anyone who is not against us is for us.”

There are different types of histories. Today’s first reading and the gospel talk about the salvation history of the humankind. God saved the Israelites through patriarchs, his messengers like Moses and the seventy elders, prophets, kings so on in the Old Testament.

Jesus being the New Moses in the New Testament appointed the twelve disciples to be with him and to be sent out to proclaim the good news and gave them his power and authority to cast out devils, and sent out the seventy others and many followers to continue his mission to establish the kingdom of God to save the humankind.

The salvation history of Jesus still carries on through the succession of the Pope, bishops, priests, and the catechists and the believers. The spirit of God can be given to anyone apart from his disciples or followers; so let us not feel jealousy of others’ inspiring work whereas Joshua in the first reading and John in the gospel were not able to accept the power and spirit of God working through other people. So the power of God is not only in the church but also to anyone whom God endows him/her.

God wants everyone to be saved so He sent His own beloved Son Jesus Christ to save us all from sin and death. St James warns against the rich for their greediness which becomes the obstacle to enter the kingdom of God.  Jesus is very harsh to the sinful acts in today’s gospel which prevent a person to enter into heaven. Being the baptised Christians, believers and followers of Jesus Christ let us try to commit ourselves totally for the salvation of humankind doing good works and glorification of God on this earth.

Thought: Joshua was jealous about Eldad and Medad who were given the spirit of God and they were prophesying in the camp as an ordinary peron and John was also jealous about the outside person who was casting out devils in the name of Jesus. The second sin in the Bible was the sin of jealousy; Cain killed his brother Abel. John the Baptist was not jealous about Jesus rather he said, let him increase and let me decrease and I am not worthy to untie his sandals. We need humility and total commitment and obedience to the commandments of God and try to do God’s plan and mission with his spirit and power.

God can choose anyone from any walk of life or place and can give His power and spirit to carry out his work. Thus the spirit of the Lord is not only based on with the religious or appointed or consecrated persons or chosen ones or baptised Christians or in the church alone but to all whom God wants.

we should not abuse the power, authority, position, wisdom, wealth and riches for our selfishness and worldly life. God endows us with His power and wisdom to save the people of God.

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SATURDAY- 25^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

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: Zechariah 2:5-9. 14-15: I am coming to dwell in the middle of you.

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: Unbelief 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 –B

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

I Reading: Haggai 1:15-2:9: A little while now, and I will fill this Temple with glory.

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 –B

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

I Reading: Haggai 1:1-8: Rebuild the House: I shall then take pleasure in it.

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 Jes

us’ 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 –B

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

I Reading: Ezra 9:5-9: God has not forgotten us in our slavery.

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 –B

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: Ezra 6:7-8.12. 14-20: The Jews finished the temple and celebrated the Passover.

Jesus Teaches the True Kingship, 8:19-21

Jesus teaches how to become a true family of God. There are two kinds of  families: the family of God and the family of a human being. There is a closer tie than the family, the tie (doing the Will of God with obedience and humility) 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 –B

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: Ezra 1:1-6: Whoever is of the Lord’s people, let him go up to Jerusalem to build the Temple of 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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SUNDAY- 25^th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

I Reading: Wisdom 2:12.17-20: Let us condemn him to a shameful death.

II Reading: James 3:16-4:3: Peacemakers, when they work for peace, saw the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness.

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37: The Son of Man will be delivered. If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself servant of all.

The Second Prediction of Death:

Intensive Training in the Death of Christ, 9:30-32

The thrust of this passage is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus drilled the truth of His death and resurrection into His disciples. It is absolutely essential that every person grasp the death and resurrection of Jesus.

1. The preparation: Jesus got along his disciples (v.30)

2. The lesson: Jesus taught his disciples that he was to die and arise (v.31)

3. The response: The disciples rejected what they did not wish to see

The Disciples’ Terrible Ignorance of Messiahship:

A Problem of Ambition, 9:33-37

The disciples were thinking that who would hold the highest position (for recognition and position) in the kingdom of Jesus. It is nice to have a good ambition for the highest gifts or good or service.

1. Jesus returned to Capernaum (v.33)

a. The disciples argued

b. Jesus questioned what they were arguing about

2. Ambition can shame (v.34)

3. Ambition needs instruction (v.35)

4. Ambition is a virtue, but it must be directed toward the right goal: to serve (v.35)

5. Ambition for service proves a person’s discipleship (36-37)

a. The Illustration: welcoming a child

b. The lesson: proves one’s discipleship

          1) Proves one has received Christ

          2) proves one has received God

Thought: Ambition that leads to argument and division is wrong. It must be based on service and highest gifts.

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SATURDAY- 24^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

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 Timothy 6:13-16: Do all that you have been told, with no faults or failures, until the appearing of the Lord.

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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FRIDAY- 24^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 8:1-3: With Jesus went several women who provided for him out of their own resources.

I Reading: 1 Timothy 6:2-12: As a man dedicated to God you must aim to be saintly.

Jesus and the Women who Supported Him, 8:1-3

This is an interesting passage. It shows that Jesus received financial support for his ministry. There were some women, apparently well-off financially, who supported Him.

1. They supported a ministry of preaching (v.1)

a. It reached out

b. It was true to the gospel: the kingdom of God

2. They supported a ministry of discipleship (v.1)

a. Mary Magdalene: A dark past

b. Joanna: A lady of the king’s court

c. Susanna: An unnoticed follower

d. Many others: unknown

Thought: The women supported a ministry of discipleship. Although Jesus appointed the twelve disciples and later on it was soon to be the Great Commission to all His followers.

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THURSDAY- 24^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 7:36-50: Her many sins must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love.

I Reading: 1 Timothy 4:12-16: Always take great care about what you do and what you teach; in this way you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Jesus Contrasts the Attitudes of the Repentant and Self-Righteousness,

Lk 7:36-50

The present passage contrasts the attitudes of the sinful (repentant) and the self-righteous. Self-righteousness is a serious sin. It is both common and damning.

1. Simon, a Pharisee, invited Jesus to dinner and Jesus accepted (v.36)

2. The attitude of the repentant: A woman prostitute (v.37-38)

a. She sensed a desperate need

b. She approached the Lord despite all

c. She surrendered to the Lord in utter humility

d. She loved much giving her most precious possession

3. The attitude of the self-righteous (v.39)

a. He was a considerate man, but self-righteous

b. He considered himself better than others

c. He sensed no need for forgiveness

4. The two attitudes illustrated: The parable of two debtors (v.40-43)

a. One debtor owed much; the other little

b. A free forgiveness of both debtors

c. A piercing question: who appreciated and loved the most?

d. A begrudging answer

5. The need of the self-righteous: To really see Jesus, who the repentant say He is (v.44-50)

a. He is the one who deserves more than common courtesies

1) common vs. worshipful respect

2) common vs. humble greeting

3) common vs. sacrificial gift

b. He is the One who has the power to forgive sins

c. He is the One who people need to  ask about

d. He is the One who saves the repentant

Thought: The person who comes to Jesus Christ must come with a broken and contrite heart.

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WEDNESDAY- 24^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 7:31-35: We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn’t dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn’t cry.

I Reading: 1 Timothy 3:14-16: The mystery of our religion is very deep.

Jesus Reveals God’s Verdict Upon This Generation and Age, 7:29-35

Jesus gave the verdict upon His generation and every generation of people.

1. Reactions to John (v.29-31)

a. The people and tax collectors who were baptised: vindicated John

b. The religionists who were not baptised: rejected God’s purpose

c. Jesus warned His generation and age

2. An age of childishness (v.32)

3. An age of escapism: seeking to escape responsibility (v.33-34)

a. Accused John of conservatism: too denying

b. Accused Jesus of license: too loose

4. An age with only a few wise toward God (v.35)

Thought: The wise (children of wisdom) who accept the ministry of both John and Jesus, both of whom fulfilled the Prophetic Word of God.

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