Pope's Christmas 2024 Urbi et Orbi Message: May we become pilgrims of hope, peace, and unity

 Pope's Christmas 2024 Urbi et Orbi Message: May we become pilgrims of hope, peace, and unity https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51385

Pope speaks on the gift of motherhood

 Pope speaks on the gift of motherhood https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51367

Pope begins catchesis tied to Jubilee: “Jesus Christ, our hope" - Vatican News

 Pope begins catchesis tied to Jubilee: “Jesus Christ, our hope" - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-catechesis-jubilee-hope-general-audience.html

Pope challenges bankers to invest in hope, not speculation and war

 Pope challenges bankers to invest in hope, not speculation and war https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51322

Pope Intercedes with Biden for Those Sentenced to the Death Penalty. - ZENIT - English

Pope Intercedes with Biden for Those Sentenced to the Death Penalty. - ZENIT - English: Given that the United States was one of the five countries with the most executions carried out in 2023, along with China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Somalia, Vaillancourt Murphy pointed out: “If President Biden took this step, it would have repercussions not only in the United States, but in the whole world. The Jubilee Year is the perfect moment for this Catholic President to take this historic step.”

Words of the Holy Father=He had compassion-12-04-24

 Words of the Holy Father=He had compassion-12-04-24

It is noteworthy how close the link is between the Eucharistic bread, nourishment for eternal life, and daily bread, necessary for earthly life. Before offering Himself to the Father as the Bread of salvation, Jesus ensures there is food for those who follow Him and who, in order to be with Him, forgot to make provisions. At times the spiritual and the material are in opposition, but in reality spiritualism, like materialism, is alien to the Bible. It is not biblical language.

(…) And we are called to approach the Eucharistic table with these same attitudes of Jesus: compassion for the needs of others, this word that is 

repeated in the Gospel when Jesus sees a problem, an illness or these people without food… “He had compassion.” “He had compassion”. Compassion is not 

a purely material feeling; true compassion is patire con [to suffer with], to take others’ sorrows on ourselves. Perhaps it would do us good today to ask ourselves: Do I feel compassion when I read news about war, about hunger, about the pandemic? So many things… Do I feel compassion toward those people? 

Do I feel compassion toward the people who are near to me? Am I capable of suffering with them, or do I look the other way, or “they can fend 

for themselves”? Let us not forget this word “compassion,” which is trust in the provident love of the Father, and means courageous sharing. (Angelus, 2 August 2020)

date04/12/2024

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint John of Damascus https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51236 

Pope: Religious life is a total gift of self to God through others - Vatican News

 Pope: Religious life is a total gift of self to God through others - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-canoness-sisters-holy-spirit-saxony.html

Role of women, synodality and nuncios: topics addressed by the Pope and his Council of Cardinals - ZENIT - English

Role of women, synodality and nuncios: topics addressed by the Pope and his Council of Cardinals - ZENIT - English: Pope Francis' Council of Cardinals Discusses Synodality, Women's Role, and Global Challenges

Pope to Nicaraguan faithful: Trust in God even in darkest times - Vatican News

 Pope to Nicaraguan faithful: Trust in God even in darkest times - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-pastoral-letter-nicaragua-catholics-immaculate-conception.html

Words of the Holy Father-Jesus is the door that opens us to this dialogue with God-12-02-24

 Words of the Holy Father-Jesus is the door that opens us to this dialogue with God-12-02-24

Not all prayers are equal, and not all are convenient: the Bible itself attests to the negative outcome of many prayers, which are rejected. Perhaps God at times is not pleased with our prayers and we are not even aware of this. God looks at the hands of those who pray: to make them pure it is not necessary to wash them; if anything, one should refrain from evil acts. Saint Francis prayed: “Nullu homo ène dignu te mentovare ”, that is, “no man is worthy to mention Your name” (Canticle of the Sun ).

But perhaps the most moving acknowledgment of the poverty of our prayer came from the lips of the Roman centurion who one day begged 

Jesus to heal his sick servant (cf. Mt 8:5–13). He felt totally inadequate: he was not a Jew, he was an officer in the detested occupying army. But his concern for his servant emboldens him, and he says: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (v. 8). It is the phrase we also repeat in every Eucharistic liturgy. To dialogue with God is a grace: we are not worthy of it, we have no rights to claim, we “limp” with every word and every thought... But Jesus is the door that opens us to this dialogue with God. (General audience, 3 March 2021)

Date02/12/2024

Monday of the First Week of Advent

Gospel in Art: Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51219

Words of the Holy Father-God is love-11-26-24

 Words of the Holy Father-God is love-11-26-24

The destruction of the Temple foretold by Jesus is not so much a metaphor of the end of history as of the purpose of history. Indeed, before the listeners who want to know how and when these signs will happen, Jesus responds with the typical apocalyptic language of the Bible. (…)

And what is the attitude of the Christian? (…) Christ’s disciples cannot remain slaves to fear and anxiety; instead they are called to live history, 

to stem the destructive force of evil, with the certainty that the Lord’s action of goodness is always accompanied by His providential and reassuring tenderness. This is the eloquent sign that the Kingdom of God is approaching us, that is, the realization of the world as God wants it. It is He, the Lord, who guides our existence and knows the ultimate purpose of things and events.

The Lord calls us to cooperate in the construction of history, becoming, together with Him, peacemakers and witnesses of hope in a future of 

salvation and resurrection. Faith makes us walk with Jesus on the very often tortuous roads of this world, in the certainty that the power of His Spirit will bend the forces of evil, subjecting them to the power of God’s love. Love is superior, love is more powerful, because it is God: God is love.  (Angelus, 17 November 2019)

Date26/11/2024

Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: The destruction of the Temple foretold https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51174

Words of the Holy Father-men who responded generously to Jesus’ call-11-30-24

 Words of the Holy Father-men who responded generously to Jesus’ call-11-30-24

Jesus is always on the road! His first missionary appearances take place along the lake of Galilee, in contact with the multitude, in particular with the fishermen. There Jesus does not only proclaim the coming of the kingdom of God, but seeks companions to join in his salvific mission. In this very place he meets two pairs of brothers: Simon and Andrew, James and John. He calls them, saying: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (v. 19). The call reaches them in the middle of their daily activity: the Lord reveals himself to us not in an extraordinary or impressive way, but in the everyday circumstances of our life. There we must discover the Lord; and there he reveals himself, makes his love felt in our heart; and there — with this dialogue with him in the everyday 

circumstances of life — he changes our heart. The response of the four fishermen is immediate and willing: “Immediately they left their nets and followed 

him” (v. 20). (…) We, today’s Christians, have the joy of proclaiming and witnessing to our faith because there was that first announcement, because there were those humble and courageous men who responded generously to Jesus’ call. (…) May the knowledge of these beginnings give rise in us to the desire to bear Jesus’ word, love and tenderness in every context, even the most difficult and resistant. To carry the Word to all the peripheries! (Angelus, 22 January 2017)

Date30/11/2024

Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

St. Andrew - Information on the Saint of the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/11/30/st--andrew--apostle.html 

Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51205

Words of the Holy Father-Praying, awaiting Jesus, opening oneself to others-11-28-24

 Words of the Holy Father-Praying, awaiting Jesus, opening oneself to others-11-28-24

To be mindful and to pray. Inner listlessness comes from always turning around ourselves and being blocked by our own life, with its problems, its joy, and suffering, but always turning around ourselves. And this is wearying; this is dull, this closes us off to hope. (…)

Arise, “look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (v. 28), the Gospel of Luke cautions. It is about standing up and praying, turning our thoughts and our hearts to Jesus who is about to come. One stands when awaiting something or someone. We await Jesus and we wish to await him in prayer which is closely linked to vigilance. Praying, awaiting Jesus, opening oneself to others, being mindful, not withdrawn in ourselves. (Angelus, 2 December 2018)

Date28/11/2024

Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Words of the Holy Father-the Church is faithful 11-25-24

 Words of the Holy Father-the Church is faithful 11-25-24

In a certain sense the Church is “a widow somewhat, because she is waiting for her Bridegroom to return...”. Of course, “she has her Spouse in the Eucharist, in the Word of God, in the poor: but she is waiting for Him to return”. What of “the figure of the Church can be seen in this woman”? She wasn’t important, her name didn’t appear in the newspapers, no one knew her. She had no degree... nothing. Nothing. She did not shine of her own light. Likewise, the great virtue of the Church is not shining of her own light, but rather reflecting the light that comes from her Spouse. Especially since over the centuries, when the Church wanted to have her own light, she was wrong. (…) The Church receives light from there, from the Lord, and all the services we do in the Church help her to receive that light. When a service is lacking this light, it’s not good because it causes the Church to become rich, or powerful, or to seek power, or to lose her way, as has happened so many times in history and, as it happens in our life when we want to have another light: our own light, which is not really that of the Lord. (…)

When the Church is humble and poor, and even when the Church confesses her misfortunes — we all have them — the Church is faithful. It’s as if the Church were saying: I am darkened, but light comes to me from there! and this does us so much good. Thus, let us pray to this widow who is surely in heaven that she may teach us to be like the Church, renouncing all we have and keeping nothing for ourselves but instead giving all for the Lord and for our neighbour. Always humble and without boasting of having our own light, but always seeking the light which comes from the Lord. (Santa Maria, 24 November 2014)

Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: A poverty-stricken widow put in two small coins https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51166 

What can we do to keep our hearts from becoming heavy? Pope Francis answers with the Gospel - ZENIT - English

What can we do to keep our hearts from becoming heavy? Pope Francis answers with the Gospel - ZENIT - English: Allocution on the occasion of the recitation of the Angelus on Sunday, December 1, 2024

Joy explained by the Pope as a fruit of the Holy Spirit - ZENIT - English

Joy explained by the Pope as a fruit of the Holy Spirit - ZENIT - English: Pope's General Audience, November 27, 2024 on Joy as Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Pope to Orthodox leader: Let's celebrate Nicaea anniversary together amid global challenges

Pope to Orthodox leader: Let's celebrate Nicaea anniversary together amid global challenges: The letter was delivered by Cardinal Kurt Koch during his visit to Istanbul for the patronal feast of the Orthodox Church.

Pope: Church needs theological reflection on synodality centered on Christ - Vatican News

 Pope: Church needs theological reflection on synodality centered on Christ - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-11/pope-francis-plenary-pontifical-theological-commission.html

Pope Francis explains how Jesus is king - ZENIT - English

Pope Francis explains how Jesus is king - ZENIT - English: Allocution on the occasion of the recitation of the Angelus on Sunday, November 24, 2024

Words of the Holy Father-death stands behind us, not before us-11-23-24

Words of the Holy Father-death stands behind us, not before us-11-23-24

Our pilgrimage goes from death to life: the fullness of life! We are on a journey, on a pilgrimage toward the fullness of life, and that fullness of 

life is what illumines our journey! Therefore death stands behind us, not before us. Before us is the God of the living (…) Before us stands the final defeat of sin 

and death, the beginning of a new time of joy and of endless light. But already on this earth, in prayer, in the Sacraments, in fraternity, we encounter Jesus and 

his love, and thus we may already taste something of the risen life.  (Angelus, 10 November 2013)

Date23/11/2024

Saturday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Some Sadducees, those who say that there is no resurrection https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51155

What are the charisms of the Holy Spirit? This is the Pope's answer - ZENIT - English

What are the charisms of the Holy Spirit? This is the Pope's answer - ZENIT - English: Pope's General Audience, November 20, 2024 on the personal gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to each person

Pope Francis sparks debate with call to investigate Gaza genocide allegations - ZENIT - English

Pope Francis sparks debate with call to investigate Gaza genocide allegations - ZENIT - English: Francis reflects on contemporary global conflicts, including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Words of the Holy Father-the gift of a new outlook on ourselves and on others-11-19-24

 Words of the Holy Father-the gift of a new outlook on ourselves and on others-11-19-24

Brothers, sisters, let us remember this: the gaze of God never stops at our past, full of errors, but looks with infinite confidence at what we can become. And if at times we feel we are people who are “small of stature”, not up to the challenges of life and far less of the Gospel, mired in problems and sins, 

Jesus always looks at us with love. As with Zacchaeus, he comes towards us, he calls us by name and, if we welcome him, he comes to our home. Then we might ask ourselves: how do we look at ourselves? Do we feel inadequate, and resign ourselves, or precisely there, when we feel down, do we seek 

the encounter with Jesus? And then: what gaze do we have towards those who have erred, and who struggle to get up again from the dust of 

their mistakes? Is it a gaze from above, that judges, disdains, that excludes? Let us remember that it is legitimate to look down on someone 

only to help them get up again: nothing more. Only then is it legitimate to look down from above. But we Christians must have the gaze of Christ, who embraces from below, who seeks those who are lost, with compassion. This is, and must be, the gaze of the Church, always, the gaze of Christ, not the condemning gaze. Let us pray to Mary, whose humility the Lord looked upon, and ask her for the gift of a new outlook on ourselves and on others. (Angelus, 30 October 2022)

Date19/11/2024

Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Salvation comes to the house of Zacchaeus https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51123

Words of the Holy Father-when Jesus passes by-11-18-24

 Words of the Holy Father-when Jesus passes by-11-18-24

The blind in those times — but also not so long ago — were able to live only by alms. The figure of this blind man represents the many people who, today too, are marginalized because of a disability, be it physical or of another kind. He is separated from the flock, sitting there while people pass by: busy, lost in their thoughts and in so many things.... And the road, which could be a place of encounter, for him is instead a place of solitude. Crowds pass by ... and he is alone. (…) The evangelist says that someone in the crowd explained to the blind man the reason why all those people had gathered, saying: “Jesus of Nazareth 

is passing by!” (v. 37). Jesus’ passing by is indicated with the same verb with which the Book of Exodus speaks of the passing of the Angel of Death, who saves the Israelites in the land of Egypt (cf. Exodus 12:23). It is the “passage” of Easter, the beginning of the liberation: when Jesus passes by there is always liberation, there is always salvation! (…) Brothers and sisters, the Lord’s passing by is an encounter of mercy that unites everything around him to enable us

 to recognize one who is in need of help and of consolation. Jesus also passes by in your Life; and when Jesus passes by, and I realize it, it is an invitation to draw near to him, to be better, to be a better Christian, to follow Jesus. (General audience, 15 June 2016

Date18/11/2024

Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51115

Words of the Holy Father-on what are we investing our lives-11-17-24

 Words of the Holy Father-on what are we investing our lives-11-17-24

And we, brothers and sisters, let us ask ourselves: on what are we investing our lives? On things that pass, such as money, success, appearance, 

physical well-being? We will take away none of these things. Are we attached to earthly things, as if we were to live here forever? When we are young and healthy, everything is fine, but when the time comes to depart, we have to leave everything behind. The Word of God warns us today: this world will pass away. And only love will remain. To base one’s life on the Word of God, therefore, is not an escape from history, but an immersion into earthly realities in order to make them solid, to transform them with love, imprinting on them the sign of eternity, the sign of God. Here then is some advice for making important choices. When I 

do not know what to do, how to make a definitive choice, an important decision, a decision that involves Jesus’ love, what must I do? Before 

deciding, let us imagine that we are standing in front of Jesus, as at the end of life, before he who is love. And imagining ourselves there, in his presence, at the threshold of eternity, we make the decision for today. We must decide in this way: always looking to eternity, looking at Jesus. It may not be the easiest, it may not be the most immediate, but it will be the right one that is certain. (Angelus 14 November 2021)

Date17/11/2024

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Gospel in Art: The stars will come falling from heaven https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51106

Words of the Holy Father-when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth-11-16-24

 Words of the Holy Father-when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth-11-16-24

God invites us to pray insistently not because he is unaware of our needs or because he is not listening to us. On the contrary, he is always listening and he knows everything about us lovingly. On our daily journey, especially in times of difficulty, in the battle against the evil that is outside and within us, the Lord is not 

far away, he is by our side. We battle with him beside us, and our weapon is prayer which makes us feel his presence beside us, his mercy and also his help. 

But the battle against evil is a long and hard one; it requires patience and endurance, like Moses who had to keep his arms outstretched for the 

people to prevail (cf Ex 17:8-13). This is how it is: there is a battle to be waged each day, but God is our ally, faith in him is our strength and prayer is the expression of this faith. Therefore Jesus assures us of the victory, but at the end he asks: “when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Lk 18:8). If faith is snuffed out, prayer is snuffed out, and we walk in the dark. We become lost on the path of life. (Angelus, 20 October 2013)

Date16/11/2024

Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: The parable of the unjust judge https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51102

Words of the Holy Father-God our Father today weeps-10-31-24

 Words of the Holy Father-God our Father today weeps-10-31-24

Someone said that God was made man in order to be able to mourn for what had been done to his children. Thus, the “tears before the tomb of Lazarus are the tears of a friend”. However, the tears recounted in the passage from Luke’s Gospel are the “tears of the Father”. Even today, faced with disasters, wars which are conducted out of the worship of the god of money, of many innocent people murdered by bombs which are launched by worshippers of the idol of money. Thus, “even today the Father weeps, and even today says: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, my children, what are you doing?”. And “he says this to the poor victims, as well as to arms traffickers, and all those who sell the lives of people”. Think about how God was made man in order to be able to weep. And we would do well to think that God our Father today weeps: he weeps for this humanity which does not end, to understand the peace which he offers us, the peace of love. (Santa Marta, 27 October 2016)

Date31/10/2024

Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Gospel in Art: A call to action - Make your voice heard against Assisted Suicide https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50984

Words of the Holy Father-narrow doorway-ove God and neighbour-10-30-24

 Words of the Holy Father-narrow doorway-ove God and neighbour-10-30-24

With these words, Jesus makes it clear that it is not a matter of numbers, there is no “limited number” in Paradise! Rather, it is a case of taking the right way from now, and this right way is for everyone, but it is narrow. This is the problem. Jesus does not want to give us false hopes by saying: “Yes, do not worry, it is easy, there is a beautiful highway with a large gate at the end ....”. He does not say this. He tells us things as they truly are: the doorway is narrow. In what sense? In the sense that, in order to save oneself, one has to love God and neighbour, and this is uncomfortable! It is a “narrow doorway” because it is demanding. Love is always demanding. It requires commitment, indeed, “effort”, that is, a determined and persevering willingness to live according to the Gospel. Saint Paul calls it “the good fight of the faith” (1 Tim 6:12). It takes a daily, all-day effort to love God and neighbour. (…)

No, claims do not count, they do not count. The Lord will recognize us only for our humble life and a good life, a life of faith that resulted in good works. (Angelus, 25 August 2019)

Date30/10/2024

Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Gospel in Art: Try your best to enter by the narrow door https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50976 

Words of the Holy Father-ask everything to the One who can give us everything, -10-27-24

 Words of the Holy Father-ask everything to the One who can give us everything, -10-27-24

Bartimaeus’ faith is evident from his prayer. It is not a timid and standard prayer. First and foremost, he calls the Lord “Son of David”: that is, he acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah, the King who would come into the world. Then he calls Him by name, confidently; “Jesus”. He is not afraid of Him, he does not stay at a distance. And thus, from the heart, he shouts out his entire drama to God, his friend: “Have mercy on me”! Just that prayer: “Have mercy on me”! He does not ask for some loose change as he does with passers-by. No. He asks for everything from the One who can do everything. He asks people for loose change; he asks everything from Jesus who can do everything. “Have mercy on me, have mercy on all that I am”. He does not ask for a grace, but presents himself: he asks for mercy on his person, on his life. It is not a small request, but it is very beautiful because it is a cry for mercy, that is, compassion, God’s mercy, his tenderness. (…) Let us ask everything to the One who can give us everything, like Bartimaeus, who was a great teacher, a great teacher of prayer. May Bartimaeus, with his genuine, insistent and courageous faith, be an example for us. And may Our Lady, the prayerful Virgin, teach us to turn to God with all our heart, confident that he listens attentively to every prayer. (Angelus, 24 October 2021)

Date27/10/2024

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Gospel in Art: Christ healing the blind beggar Bartimaeus https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50951 

Words of the Holy Father-the fig tree-possibility of conversion is not unlimited-10-26-24

 Words of the Holy Father-the fig tree-possibility of conversion is not unlimited-10-26-24

What does this parable symbolize? What do the characters in this parable symbolize?

The master represents God the Father and the vinedresser is the image of Jesus, while the fig tree is the symbol of an indifferent and insensitive humanity. Jesus intercedes with the Father in favour of humanity — and he always does so — and implores him to wait and to give it more time so that it may bring forth the fruits of love and justice. The fig tree that the master in the parable wants to uproot represents a sterile existence that is incapable of giving, incapable of doing good. It is the symbol of one who lives for himself, sated and calm, enjoying his own comforts, incapable of turning his gaze and his heart to those beside him who find themselves in conditions of suffering, poverty and hardship. This attitude of selfishness and spiritual barrenness, is compared to the vinedresser’s great love for the fig tree. He asks the master to wait. He is patient, knows how to wait, and devotes his time and his work to it. He promises the master to take special care of that unfortunate tree.

And this vinedresser’s likeness manifests the mercy of God who leaves us time for conversion. We all need to convert ourselves, to take a step forward; and God’s patience and mercy accompanies us in this. Despite the barrenness that marks our lives at times, God is patient and offers us the possibility to change and make progress on the path towards good. However, the deferment requested and received in expectation of the tree bearing fruit also indicates the urgency of conversion. The vinedresser tells the master: “Let it alone, sir, this year also” (v. 8). The possibility of conversion is not unlimited; thus, it is necessary to seize it immediately; otherwise it might be lost forever. (Angelus, 24 March 2019)

Date26/10/2024

Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Gospel in Art: Looking for fruit on the fig tree https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50946 

Words of the Holy Father-knowing the signs of the times’-With silence, reflection and prayer-10-25-24

 Words of the Holy Father-knowing the signs of the times’-With silence, reflection and prayer-10-25-24

We have the freedom to judge what happens around us. He warned, however, that in order to judge we must really know what is happening around us. How can one do this, what the Church calls ‘knowing the signs of the times’?”. Times change, and it is truly Christian wisdom to recognize these changes, to be familiar with the different times, to know the signs of the times, to distinguish between “the meaning of one thing and another”. It is a call to act without fear, with freedom. We are free through the gift of freedom that Jesus Christ gave us. But our task is to examine what is happening within us, to discern our feelings and our thoughts, and to analyze what is happening around us, to discern the signs of the times. How can we do this? “With silence, reflection and prayer”. (Santa Marta, 23 October 2015)

Date25/10/2024

Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: How is it you do not know how to interpret these times? https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50939

Words of the Holy Father- fire of the Holy Spirit-working in us from the day of our Baptism.10-24-24

 Words of the Holy Father- fire of the Holy Spirit-working in us from the day of our Baptism.10-24-24

The Gospel for this Sunday (Lk 12:49-53) is part of Jesus’ teachings to the disciples during his journey to Jerusalem, where death on the cross awaits him. (…)  The fire that Jesus speaks of is the fire of the Holy Spirit, the presence living and working in us from the day of our Baptism. It — the fire — is a creative force that purifies and renews, that burns all human misery, all selfishness, all sin, which transforms us from within, regenerates us and makes us able to love. Jesus wants the Holy Spirit to blaze like fire in our heart, for it is only from the heart that the fire of divine love can spread and advance the Kingdom of God. It does not come from the head, it comes from the heart. This is why Jesus wants fire to enter our heart. If we open ourselves completely to the action of this fire which is the Holy Spirit, He will give us the boldness and the fervor to proclaim to everyone Jesus and his consoling message of mercy and salvation, navigating on the open sea, without fear.

In fulfilling her mission in the world, the Church — namely all of us who make up the Church — needs the Holy Spirit’s help so as not to let herself be held back by fear and by calculation, so as not to become accustomed to walking inside of safe borders. These two attitudes lead the Church to be a functional Church, which never takes risks. Instead, the apostolic courage that the Holy Spirit kindles in us like a fire helps us to overcome walls and barriers, makes us creative and spurs us to get moving in order to walk even on uncharted or arduous paths, offering hope to those we meet. (Angelus, 14 August 2016)

Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time  Date24/10/2024

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: I have come to bring fire to the earth https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50931

Words of the Holy Father-definitive encounter with Christ-10-23-24- did for his Mother, Mary Most Holy;

 Words of the Holy Father-definitive encounter with Christ-10-23-24- did for his Mother, Mary Most Holy;

This (…) Gospel (Lk 12:32-48) speaks to us about the desire for the definitive encounter with Christ, a desire that keeps us ever ready, alert in spirit, for we anticipate this encounter with all our heart, with all our being. This is a fundamental aspect of life. It is a desire that we all share, whether explicit or secret, we have hidden in our heart; we all harbour this desire in our heart. It is also important to see Jesus’ teaching in the actual context in which he transmitted it. In this case, Luke the Evangelist shows us Jesus walking with his disciples to Jerusalem, walking to his death and resurrection at Easter, and on this journey he teaches them, confiding to them what he himself carries in his heart, the deep attitude of his heart: detachment from earthly possessions, his trust in the Father’s Providence and, indeed, his innermost watchfulness, all the while working for the Kingdom of God. For Jesus it is waiting for his return to the Father’s house. For us it is waiting for Christ himself who will come to take us to the everlasting celebration, as he did for his Mother, Mary Most Holy; he took her up to Heaven with him. (Angelus, 11 August 2013)

Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Words of the Holy Father-constant commitment, for our sanctification-10-22-24

 Words of the Holy Father-constant commitment, for our sanctification-10-22-24

With these words the Lord reminds us that life is a journey towards eternity; (…). In this perspective, every instant becomes precious, and thus we must live and act on this earth, while longing for Heaven: our feet on the ground, walking on the ground, working on the ground, doing good on the ground and the heart longing for Heaven. (…) We cannot truly understand in what this supreme joy consists. However, Jesus lets us sense it with the analogy of the master who, finding his servants still awake on his return: “will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them” (v. 37). The eternal joy in heaven is manifested this way: the situation will be reversed and it will no longer be the servants, that is, we who will serve God, but God himself will place himself at our service. And Jesus does this as of now: Jesus prays for us, Jesus looks at us and prays to the Father for us. Jesus serves us now. He is our servant. And this will be the definitive joy. The thought of the final encounter with the Father, abundant in mercy, fills us with hope and stirs us to 

constant commitment, for our sanctification and for the building of a more just and fraternal world. (Angelus, 11 August 2019)

Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Gospel in Art: Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50914

Words of the Holy Father- love God with all one’s being, and love one’s neighbour-10-21-24

 Words of the Holy Father- love God with all one’s being, and love one’s neighbour-10-21-24

The end of the parable as recounted by the Evangelist is uniquely effective: “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (v. 21). It is a warning which reveals the horizon towards which we are called to look. Material goods are necessary — they are goods! —, but they are a means to live honestly and in sharing with the neediest. Today, Jesus invites us to consider that wealth can enslave the heart and distract it from the true treasure which is in heaven. (…)

It is understood that this does not mean estranging oneself from reality, but rather seeking the things that have true value: justice, solidarity, 

welcome, fraternity, peace, all things that make up the true dignity of mankind. It is a case of leading a life that is fulfilled not according to a worldly manner, but rather according to the style of the Gospel: to love God with all one’s being, and love one’s neighbour as Jesus loved him, that is, in service and in giving oneself. (…)

Love that is understood and lived in [the style of the Gospel] is the source of true happiness, whereas the exaggerated search for material goods and wealth is often a source of anxiety, adversity, abuse of power, war. Many wars begin from covetousness. (Angelus, 4 August 2019)

Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50906 

Marriage explained with the Holy Spirit by Pope Francis - ZENIT - English

 Marriage explained with the Holy Spirit by Pope Francis - ZENIT - English https://zenit.org/2024/10/23/marriage-explained-with-the-holy-spirit-by-pope-francis/?eti=18410

Pope at General Audience: Invite Holy Spirit to protect your marriage and children - Vatican News

 Pope at General Audience: Invite Holy Spirit to protect your marriage and children - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-10/pope-at-general-audience-23-october-2024.html

Words of the Holy Father-the strength of Baptism-the service of others-10-20-24

 Words of the Holy Father-the strength of Baptism-the service of others-10-20-24

Let us look at the Crucified Lord, completely immersed in our wounded history, and we will discover God’s way of doing things. We see that he did not remain above in heaven to look down on us from up there, but he lowered himself to wash our feet. God is love and love is humble, it does not exalt itself, but comes down like the rain that falls to earth and brings life. But how can we adopt the same direction as Jesus, going from raising ourselves up to immersing ourselves, from the mentality of prestige, worldly prestige, to that of service, Christian service? Dedication is needed, but that is not enough. It is difficult alone, but not impossible, for we have a strength within that helps us. It is the strength of Baptism, of that immersion in Jesus  that all of us have already received through grace that directs us, moving us to follow him instead of seeking our interests, but to put ourselves at the service of others. It is a grace, a fire that the Spirit has kindled in us that needs to be nurtured. Today, let us ask the Holy Spirit to renew the grace of Baptism in us, that immersion in Jesus, in his way of being, to be more like servants, to be servants like he has been with us. (Angelus, 17 October 2021)

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Gospel in Art: I did not come to be served but to serve https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50898 

Words of the Holy Father-The Spirit is the Gift of God.-given us in Baptism-10-19-24

 Words of the Holy Father-The Spirit is the Gift of God.-given us in Baptism-10-19-24

The Holy Spirit guides us; He leads us to discern, to discern what we must do now, which is the right path and which is the wrong one, even in small decisions. If we ask for the light of the Holy Spirit, He will help us to discern so as to make the right decisions, the little everyday ones and the big ones. He will accompany us and support us in this discernment. Therefore, the Spirit teaches us: He will teach us everything, that is, He will make us grow in faith, He introduces us to the mystery. The Spirit reminds us: He reminds us of faith, He reminds us of our life; it is the Spirit who in this teaching and in this memory teaches us to discern the decisions we must make. And the Gospels give a name to this, to the Holy Spirit - yes, Paraclete, because He supports you, but another more beautiful name: the Gift of God. The Spirit is the Gift of God. The Spirit is indeed the gift. He will not leave you alone, He will send you a Paraclete who will sustain you and help you to progress, to remember, discern and grow. The Gift of God is the Holy Spirit. May the Lord help us to keep this Gift that He has given us in Baptism, and which we all have within. (Santa Marta, 11 May 2020)

Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Gospel in Art: The Son of Man will declare himself in the presence of the angels https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50895

Words of the Holy Father-characteristics of the mission-10-18-24 returned with joy

 Words of the Holy Father-characteristics of the mission-10-18-24 returned with joy

In sending out the 72 disciples, Jesus gives them precise instructions which express the characteristics of the mission. The first, as we have already seen, is: 

pray; the second: go; and then: carry no purse, no bag...; say, ‘Peace be to this house’ ... remain in the same house... do not go from house to house... heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’”. And if they do not receive you, go out into the streets and take your leave (cf. vv. 2-10). These imperatives show that the mission is based on prayer; that it is itinerant: it is not idle; it is itinerant; that it requires separation and poverty; that it brings peace and healing, signs of the closeness of the Kingdom of God; that it is not proselytism but proclamation and witness; 

and that it also requires frankness and the evangelical freedom to leave while highlighting the responsibility of having rejected the message of salvation, but without condemnation and cursing. If lived in these terms, the mission of the Church will be characterized by joy. And how does this passage end? The 72 “returned with joy” (cf. v. 17). It is not an ephemeral joy, which flows from the success of the mission; on the contrary, it is a joy rooted in the promise 

that — as Jesus says: “your names are written in heaven”. (Angelus, 7 July 2019)

Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50885 

Words of the Holy Father- Authority arises from a good example-10-16-24

 Words of the Holy Father- Authority arises from a good example-10-16-24

Brothers and sisters, a frequent flaw of those in authority, whether civil or ecclesiastic authority, is that of demanding of others things — even 

righteous things — that they do not, however, put into practise in the first person. They live a double life. Jesus says: “They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger (v. 4). This attitude sets a bad example of authority, which should instead derive its primary strength precisely from setting a good example. Authority arises from a good example, so as to help others to practise what is right and proper, sustaining them in the trials that they meet on the right path. Authority is a help, but if it is wrongly exercised, it becomes oppressive; it does not allow people to grow, and creates a climate of distrust and hostility, and also leads to corruption. (…) May the Virgin Mary, “humble and exalted more than any creature” (Dante,  Paradiso, xxxiii:2), help us, with her motherly intercession, to spurn pride and vanity, and to be meek and docile to the love that comes from God, for the service of our brothers and sisters and for their joy, which will also be our own. (Angelus, 5 November 2017)

Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Alas for you Pharisees who like taking the seats of honour https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50868 

Words of the Holy Father-ask for grace of proceed “quietly, doing good”, and doing so “freely 10-15-24

 Words of the Holy Father-ask for grace of proceed “quietly, doing good”, and doing so “freely 10-15-24

Words of the Holy Father

People who follow the religion of makeup: the appearance, to appear, pretending to seem a certain way “while inside...”. The  “very powerful image” that Jesus evokes: “‘You are whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanliness’”. (…) Let us ask the Lord that we never tire of going down that path; that we never tire of rejecting this religion of appearances, this religion of seeming, of pretending.... We must instead be committed to proceed “quietly, doing good”, and doing so “freely as we have freely received our interior freedom”. Let us ask for this grace. (Santa Marta, 11 October 2016)

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art:  Feast of Saint Teresa of Avila https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50860

Words of the Holy Father-works without merciful love mean nothing. The Jonah Syndrome-10-14-24

 Words of the Holy Father-works without merciful love mean nothing. The Jonah Syndrome-10-14-24

Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights. This refers to Jesus in the tomb, to his death and resurrection. This is the sign that Jesus promises: against hypocrisy, against the attitude of perfect religiosity, against the attitude of the Pharisees. The sign which Jesus promises, is his forgiveness, through his death and resurrection. Therefore, the true sign of Jonah is the one that gives us confidence in being saved by the blood of Christ. There are many Christians who think they are saved on the basis of what they do, on the basis of their works. Works are necessary, but they are a consequence, a response to the merciful love that saves us. These works without merciful love mean nothing. The “Jonah Syndrome” is work without this love. We should take advantage of today’s liturgy to ask ourselves and make a choice. (Santa Marta, 14 October 2013)

Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.htm

Gospel in Art: Memorial of Saint Callistus https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50852

Words of the Holy Father-Eternal life-10-13-24

 Words of the Holy Father-Eternal life-10-13-24

 “What must I do to inherit eternal life”, in other words, happiness (v. 17). “Eternal life” is not only the afterlife, but is a full life, fulfilled, without limitations. What must we do to achieve it? Jesus’ answer restates the commandments that refer to loving one’s neighbours. In this regard the young man has nothing to reproach; but clearly, observing the precepts is not enough. It does not satisfy his desire for fulfillment. (…) Only by accepting with humble gratitude the love of the Lord do we free ourselves from the seduction of idols and the blindness of our illusions. Money, pleasure, success dazzle but then disappoint: they promise life but procure death. The Lord asks us to detach ourselves from these false riches in order to enter into true life, the full, authentic, luminous life. (Angelus, 11 October 2015)

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle... https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50844 

Last Stage of The Synod on Synodality

 Last Stage of The Synod on Synodality https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50854

Words of the Holy Father-The merit of faith is receiving Jesus-10-12-24

 Words of the Holy Father-The merit of faith is receiving Jesus-10-12-24

In the passage we heard, Paul says that the Law was like a pedagogue. (…) In the school system of antiquity, the pedagogue did not have the function we attribute to him today, namely that of supporting the education of a boy or a girl. At the time he was instead a slave whose task was to accompany the master’s son to the teacher and then bring him home again. He was thus to protect him from danger and watch over him to ensure he did not behave badly. His function was rather disciplinary. When the boy became an adult, the pedagogue ceased his duties. (…) Referring to the Law in these terms enables Saint Paul to clarify the role it played in the history of Israel. The Torah, that is, the Law, was an act of magnanimity by God towards his people. After the election of Abraham, the other great act was the Law: laying down the path to follow. It certainly had restrictive functions, but at the same time it had protected the people, it had educated them, disciplined them and supported them in their weakness… (…) What does this mean? That after the Law we can say, “We believe in Jesus Christ and do what we want”? No! The Commandments exist, but they do not justify us. What justifies is Jesus Christ. The Commandments must be observed, but they do not give us justice; there is the gratuitousness of Jesus Christ, the encounter with Jesus Christ that freely justifies us. The merit of faith is receiving Jesus. The only merit: opening the heart. So what do we do with the Commandments? We must observe them, but as an aid to the encounter with Jesus Christ.

This teaching on the value of the law is very important, and deserves to be considered carefully so as not to fall into misunderstandings and take false steps. (General audience, 18 August 2021)

Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50838

Pope opens Synod General Assembly with Mass in St Peter’s Square - Vatican News

 Pope opens Synod General Assembly with Mass in St Peter’s Square - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-10/pope-opens-synod-general-assembly-with-mass-in-st-peter-s-square.html

Words of the Holy Father-become like children=09-02-24

 Words of the Holy Father-become like children=09-02-24

God has no difficulty in making Himself understood by children, and children have no difficulty in understanding God. It is not by chance that in the Gospel there are several very beautiful and powerful words of Jesus regarding the “little ones”. This term, “babes”, refers to all the people who depend on the help of others, and to children in particular. For example, Jesus says: (…)  “See that you do not despise one of these little ones: for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 18:10).

Thus, children are in and of themselves a treasure for humanity and also for the Church, for they constantly evoke that necessary condition for entering the Kingdom of God: that of not considering ourselves self-sufficient, but in need of help, of love, of forgiveness. We all are in need of help, of love and of forgiveness! (…) But there are so many gifts, so many riches that children bring to humanity. I shall mention only a few. They bring their way of seeing reality, with a trusting and pure gaze. A child has spontaneous trust in his father and mother; he has spontaneous trust in God, in Jesus, in Our Lady. At the same time, his interior gaze is pure, not yet tainted by malice, by duplicity, by the “incrustations” of life which harden the heart. We know that children are also marked by original sin, that they are selfish, but they preserve purity, and interior simplicity. (…) For all these reasons Jesus invited his disciples to “become like children”, because “the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like them” (General audience, 18 March 2015)

Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50765

Pope Francis WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2024

 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2024   "We all have an angel who is always beside us, who never abandons us and helps us not to lose our way. And if we know how to be like children we can avoid the temptation of being self-sufficient, which leads to arrogance and even to extreme careerism."

Pope Francis

This is the prayer intention that Pope Francis commends to all Catholics - ZENIT - English

This is the prayer intention that Pope Francis commends to all Catholics - ZENIT - English: In his prayer intention for the month of October, Pope Francis invites us to pray for a “a synodal lifestyle as a sign of co-responsibility"

Pope Francis reaffirms that “priests are not the bosses of the laity, but their pastors” and that “Jesus called us, one and others – not one above others, or one on one side and others on another side, but complementing each other.”

This is the prayer intention that Pope Francis commends to all Catholics | ZENIT - English

Words of the Holy Father-decision-ask Jesus for the strength to be like him-10=02-24

 Words of the Holy Father-decision-ask Jesus for the strength to be like him-10=02-24

When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51). Thus he begins his “great journey” toward the Holy City which required a special decision because it was his last one. Filled with a still too worldly enthusiasm, the disciples dream that the Master is going to meet with triumph. Instead, Jesus knows that rejection and death await him in Jerusalem (cf. Lk 9:22, 43b-45); he knows he will have to suffer a great deal. This is what demands a resolute decision. And so, Jesus goes forward taking decisive steps toward Jerusalem. This is the same decision we must make if we want to be disciples of Jesus. What does this decision consist of? For we must be serious disciples of Jesus, truly decisive, not “lukewarm”, as an old woman I knew used to say. No! Decisive Christians. (…) Now let us ask ourselves: At what point are we? What point are we at? In the face of opposition, misunderstanding, do we turn to the Lord? Do we ask him for his steadfastness in doing good? Or do we rather seek confirmation through applause, ending up being bitter and resentful when we do not hear it? (…) Let us thus ask Jesus for the strength to be like him, to follow him resolutely down the path of service, not to be vindictive, not to be intolerant when difficulties present themselves, when we spend ourselves in doing good and others do not understand this, 

or even when they disqualify us. No, silence and onward. (Angelus, 26 June 2022)

Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Pope Francis TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2024

 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2024   "Pay close attention to this: this son is a sinner, but he is not corrupt. And there is always hope of redemption for a sinner. For the corrupt on the other hand, it is much more difficult. In fact, the corrupt person’s false “yesses”, elegant but hypocritical façades and habitual false pretences, are like a thick “rubber wall”, behind which to take cover from qualms of conscience. And these hypocrites do so much evil! Brothers and sisters, sinners yes — we all are — corrupt no! Sinners yes, corrupt no!"

Pope Francis

Pope: 'True beauty is caring for others' - Vatican News

 Pope: 'True beauty is caring for others' - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-09/pope-true-beauty-is-caring-for-others.html

Words of the Holy Father-the true that is done-09-30-24

 Words of the Holy Father-the true that is done-09-30-24

It is good for us to reflect on this episode and to perform a small examination of conscience. The disciples’ attitude is very human, very common, and we can observe this in Christian communities throughout history, probably in ourselves as well. In good faith, indeed with zeal, one would like to protect the authenticity of a certain experience, safeguarding the founder or leader from false impersonators. (…) God’s great freedom in giving himself to us represents a challenge and an exhortation to modify our behaviours and our relationships. (…) It is a matter of being more attentive to the authenticity of the good, the beautiful and the true that is done, rather than to the name and the origin of the one who does it. (Angelus, 30 September 2018)

Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Jerome https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50748 

Pope Francis MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024   "Actually, before God we are all sinners and in need of forgiveness. All of us. Indeed, Jesus told us not to judge. Fraternal correction is a mark of the love and communion which must reign in the Christian community; it is, rather , a mutual service that we can and must render to one another is a service, and it is possible and effective only if each one recognizes oneself to be a sinner and in need of the Lord's forgiveness that enables me to recognize the fault of another, even before that, reminds me that I have likewise made mistakes and I am often wrong."

Pope Francis

Words of the Holy Father-the fulfilment of God’s plan-09-29-24

 Words of the Holy Father-the fulfilment of God’s plan-09-29-24 

The Gospel of today’s Liturgy recounts a brief dialogue between Jesus and the Apostle John, who speaks on behalf of the entire group of disciples. They saw a man who was casting out demons in the name of the Lord, but they stopped him because he was not part of their group. At this point, Jesus invited them not to hinder those who do good, because they contribute to the fulfilment of God’s plan (cf. Mk 9:38-41). (…) In short, Jesus’ words reveal a temptation, and offer an exhortation. The temptation is to be “closed off”. The disciples would like to hinder a good deed simply because it is performed by someone who does not belong to their group. They think they have the “exclusive right over Jesus”, and that they are the only ones authorised to work for the Kingdom of God. But this way, they end up feeling that they are privileged and consider others as outsiders, to the extent of becoming hostile towards them. Brothers and sisters, every closure tends in fact to keep us at a distance from those who do not think like we do, and this — we know —  is the root of many great evils in 

history: of  absolutism that has often generated dictatorships and of great violence towards those who are different. (Angelus, 26 September 2021)

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Do not be an obstacle https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50741

Pope Francis SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2024

 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2024   "The Cross would seem to decree Christ’s failure, but in reality it signals His victory. On Calvary, those who mocked him said to him, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (cf. Mt 27:40). But the opposite was true: it was precisely because Jesus was the Son of God, that He was there, on the Cross, faithful to the end to the loving plan of the Father. And for this very reason God “exalted” Jesus (Phil 2:9), conferring universal kingship on Him."

Pope Francis

Words of the Holy Father-pray for the grace not to fly from the Cross-09-28-24

 Words of the Holy Father-pray for the grace not to fly from the Cross-09-28-24

They were afraid of the Cross. Peter himself, after that solemn confession in the region of Caesarea Philippi, when Jesus again said the same thing, reproaches the Lord: ‘No, Lord! Never! Not this! [said Peter]. He was afraid of the Cross. Not only the disciples, however, not only Peter: Jesus Himself was afraid of the Cross! He could not fool Himself, He knew. So great was Jesus’ own fear that, on that Thursday evening He did sweat blood. So great was Jesus’ fear that He almost said the same as Peter – almost: ‘Father, take this chalice from me. Thy will be done!’ This was the difference. (…) We must pray for the grace not to fly from the Cross when it comes: with fear, eh! That is true. That scares us. (…) Nearest to Jesus, on the Cross, was His mother – His dear mother. Perhaps today, this day in which we pray to her, it would be good to ask her not for the grace to take away our fear – that must come, that fear of the Cross… but the grace we need not to fly from the Cross in fear. She was there and she knows how to be near the Cross. (Santa Marta, 28 September 2013)

Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel in Art: They were afraid to ask him what he meant https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50737

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Pope Francis SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024

 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024   "The Word of God makes things grow, it gives life. And here, I would like to remind you once again, of the importance of having the Gospel, the Bible, close at hand. A small Gospel in your purse, in your pocket and to nourish yourselves every day with this living Word of God. Read a passage from the Gospel every day, a passage from the Bible. Please don’t ever forget this. Because this is the power that makes the life of the Kingdom of God sprout within us."

Pope Francis

Words of the Holy Father-Jesus is alive-09-27-24

 Words of the Holy Father-Jesus is alive-09-27-24

It is a question we too can ask ourselves: what do people say about Jesus? In general, good things. Many see him as a great teacher, as a special person: good, righteous, consistent, courageous… But is this enough to understand who He is, and above all, is it enough for Jesus? It seems not. If He were simply a person from the past. (…)  He would merely be a good memory of a bygone time. And for Jesus, this will not do. Therefore, immediately afterwards, the Lord asks the disciples the decisive question: “But who do you — you! — say that I am?” (v. 15). Who am I for you, now? Jesus does not want to be a key figure from the past; He wants to be an important person for you today, of my today; not a distant prophet: Jesus wants to be the God who is close to us!

Christ, brothers and sisters, is not a memory of the past, but the God of the present. If He were merely an historical figure, to imitate Him today would be impossible: we would find ourselves faced with the great chasm of time, and above all, faced with his example, which is like a very high, unscalable mountain; (…) Instead, Jesus is alive: let us remember this. Jesus is alive, Jesus lives in the Church, He lives in the world, Jesus accompanies us, Jesus is by our side, He offers us His Word, He offers us His grace, which enlighten and refresh us on the journey. (Angelus, 27 August 2023)

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50729

Pope Francis FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024   "Jesus satiates not only material hunger, but the most profound one, the hunger for the meaning of life, the hunger for God. Before the suffering, loneliness, poverty and difficulties of so many people, what can we ourselves do? Complaining doesn’t resolve anything, but we can offer the little that we have, like the lad in the Gospel."

Pope Francis