Exodus 22:20-26
Psalm:R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
2nd Reading:1 Thessalonians 1:5-10
Gospel:Matthew 22:34-40
Christ’s response to the false dilemma put to him by the Pharisees reveals that, though we owe obedience to just laws and rightful authority, we must also give to God what belongs to God. And what does belong to God? Our very lives. The effects of original sin entice us to withhold some art of ourselves from God, but Saint Paul reminds us: “You have been chosen.” And the Lord says: “I have called you by name, conferring a title though-you do not know me. I am the Lord, unrivalled.” The one to whom we everything is not tyrannical ruler, but our Creator who loves us.
Isaiah 45:1,4-6
Psalm:R. Give the Lord glory and honour.
2nd Reading:1 Thessalonians 1:1-5
Gospel:Matthew 22:15-21
The gift of freedom that God gifts us entails a terrifying prospect: that we might reject him. God prepares an irresistible wedding feast and invites us to it...but so often we refuse. The human soul can be an impenetrable thing; we are capable of refusing to be moved, even by the most beautiful thing that is put before us. We prefer instead to let ourselves remain closed - we do not let our "I" be touch by anything, even the "You" of God. Nonetheless, God will never stop providing the rich feasts of his Son, and providing all to participate in it. True love is when I realise "there is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength." "We exult and we rejoice that he has saved us."
Isaiah 25:6-10
Psalm:R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
2nd Reading:Philippians 4:12-14,19-20
Gospel:Matthew 22:1-14
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm:R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
2nd Reading:Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel:Matthew 21:33-43