Thursday, December 10, 2015

Everyone who does the will of the Father enters the Kingdom of Heaven


December 3, 2015

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest

Reading 1

1On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: “A strong city have we; He sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. 2Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. 3A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.”

4Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock. 5He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city He brings down; He tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. 6It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.

Responsorial Psalm

R. (26a) Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. OR: 
R. Alleluia.

1Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. 8It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. 9It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. OR: 
R. Alleluia.

19Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD. 20This gate is the LORD’s; the just shall enter it. 21I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my Savior.

R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. OR:
R. Alleluia.

25O LORD, grant salvation! O LORD, grant prosperity! 26Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD; we bless you from the house of the LORD. 27aThe LORD is God, and he has given us light.

R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. OR:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Isaiah 55:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call Him while He is near.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

21Jesus said to His disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.[1]

24“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.[2] 25The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.

26And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. 27The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” 




Notes on readings:

[1] Matthew 7:21-23 - The attack on the false prophets is continued, but is broadened to include those disciples who perform works of healing and exorcism in the name of Jesus (Lord) but live evil lives. Entrance into the kingdom is only for those who do the will of the Father. On the day of judgment (on that day) the morally corrupt prophets and miracle workers will be rejected by Jesus.

[2] Matthew 7:24-27 - The conclusion of the discourse (compare with Luke 6:47-49). Here the relation is not between saying and doing as in Matthew 7:15-23 but between hearing and doing, and the words of Jesus are applied to every Christian (everyone who listens).

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Dear Humanity,

I personally encourage everyone to emulate JESUS' values on LOVE, FAITH, HOPE
and CHARITY, as the humanity has been a failure; which resulted to the more than two (2) years of pandemic and its after-effects on economy, not only here in the Philippines but worldwide.

And the saddest part of it, is that, it affected the POOREST of the POOR to even extremely be more poorer, in exchange of the affluent to be more richer.

Thank you and may GOD bless you and the whole family to have an enjoyed life's journey at home, Church, schools/universities, corporate commitments, public and places of interest.