1.6 Sun 9th OT (Justin Martyr)
Deut 11,18.26-28; Psalm 30; Rom 3,21-25.28; Matt 7,21-27

… he is like a man who had the sense to build his house on rock! Matt 7,24

Listening to your word and living it, Lord Jesus, gives stability to our lives. We wish to draw closer to you even when your wisdom and your instructions seem so difficult. There are so many examples of people who have tried so hard, but in vain because they did not know how to trust you!

2.6 Mon 9th OT (Erasmus)
II Peter 1,1-7; Psalm 91; Mark 12,1-12

They will respect my son! Mark 12,6

In spite of the sins and ingratitude of men, the Father never stops believing in them and sends them his Only Son thinking: "they will respect my son!" In the face of so much goodness and unmerited trust, I wish to respond today by accepting that son, Jesus, as "the foundation stone" of my life.

3.6 Tues 9th OT (Martyrs of Uganda)
II Peter 3,12-15.17-18; Psalm 89; Mark 12,13-17

Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! II Peter 3.18

St Peter's encouragement to the early Christians could apply to us too: encouragement not to become complacent, not to believe we are perfect in faith, but to try and grow in the knowledge of Jesus and the Father by going to the services and catechism offered by the Church. The ignorance and lukewarmness of many Christians is a serious danger in the face of philosophies and doctrines which spread falsehood but are often, unfortunately, intriguing.

4.6 Wed 9th OT (Francis Caracciolo)
II Timy 1,1-3.6-12; Psalm 123; Mark 12,18-27

He is not God of the dead but of the living! Mark 12,27

When the Father called to him one of my closest friends, I did not despair and was asked why. My friend had given me an example of faith and love and he was not "lost". I am sure he lives with the Lord and is waiting for me!

5.6 Thurs 9th OT (Boniface)
II Tim2,8-15; Psalm 25; Mark 12,28-34

God is one and beside him there is no other. Mark 12,32

The people of Israel were certain that the God revealed to them by the prophets was one and that there were no other beside him. When people believed differently, it was only ignorance. Now we know God more clearly, because after his prophets he sent his Son, Jesus to reveal his true face! It is because there is only one God that it is so important to get to know him!

6.6 Fri 9th OT (Norbert)
II Tim 3,10-16; Psalm 119; Mark 12,35-37

There was a large crowd listening eagerly! Mark 12,37

Jesus' words were full of the love and wisdom of the Father: whoever listened to him met something of that love which caused great joy. I will also be careful that my words originate in the love of the Father so they may be a source of joy for those who listen.

7.6 Sat 9th OT (Meriadoc)
II Tim 4,1-8; Psalm 71; Mark 12,38-44

I have run the great race… I have kept the faith. II Tim 4,7

You and I can both repeat these words of St Paul's: through grace we have kept the faith and are still close to him and to his Church, although at times it has been hard. Let us offer everything to the Father with joy: Jesus chose us and will never abandon us!

8.6 Sun 10th OT Year A (William of York)
Hos 6,3-6; Psalm 50; Rom 4,18-25; Matt 9,9-13

I require mercy not sacrifice. Matt 9,13

The Father wishes us to show mercy towards everyone, this is preferable to him than sacrifice or good deeds. If we try to live this aspect in every day life, if we try to live in the love that understands, forgives, accepts, offers itself … we will always be very busy, not perfect, but trusting and in peace; in patience and trust that the Father will claim us as his own.

9.6 Mon 10th OT (Columba)
I Kings 17,1-6; Psalm 121; Matt 5,1-12

Blessed are those whose hearts are pure; they shall see God! Matt 5,8

It is the pure heart that is open to God, that does not have ulterior interests, decisions or ambitions which are more important than God. There is nothing between a pure heart and God, nothing that can prevent seeing and experiencing God's love.

10.6 Tues 10th OT (Landry of Paris)
I Kings 17,7-16; Psalm 5; Matt 5,13-16

You are light for all the world. Matt 5,14

Jesus knows that those who accept him and live his word are a light for the world. Living in peace and love they reveal the Father and his love for everyone, his waiting for all to come to him. Thank you, Jesus, that I too, may be a little light that might illumine one of your children who has yet to know you!

11.6 Wed 10th OT (Barnabas)
I Kings 18,20-39; Psalm 16; Matt 5,17-19

Let it be known today that you are God in Israel! I Kings 18,36

Elijah had invoked the Lord that he answer his prayer with a sign of his presence, of his truth, of his Lordship: he sent fire from heaven that consumed the offering and the altar. The Father sent an even greater sign to us on which to found our faith: he raised his Son from the dead, thus placing a seal on all that Jesus revealed to us.

12.6 Thurs 10th OT (Leo III)
I Kings 18,41-46; Psalm 65; Matt 5,15-26

If you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs that you have done.
Matt 5,15

Jesus calls us to the perfection of love: a new perfection that the world does not hold in great consideration. The world seeks outer glory and fame, but you, Jesus, want me to listen to my heart and for it to become similar to yours, patient, meek and merciful.

13.6 Fri 10th OT (Anthony of Padua)
I Kings 19,9.11-16; Psalm 27; Matt 5,27-32

Go and stand on the mount before the Lord! I Kings 19,11

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for often calling us out from our work and worries which tire us and weigh down our hearts. When we listen to you and come to you; when we seek your shelter, when we find a quiet place to pray we always receive the strength to continue our walk as God's children with joy!

14.6 Sat 10th OT (Methodius)
I Kings 19,19-21; Psalm 16; Matt 5,33-37

Oaths sworn to the Lord must be kept! Matt 5,33

Here the Lord instructs his people of the Old Testament: instructions that taught faith and uprightness. Jesus invites us not to swear oaths, but to be truthful and plain in speech so as to grow in humility; our words are the words of men, only God has eternal words.

15.6 Sun 11th OT Year A (Vitus)
Exod 19,2-6; Psalm100; Rom 5,6-11; Matt 9,36 - 10,8

The crop is heavy but the labourers too few! Math 9,37

The labourers of the Lord are not only priests, monks or nuns: every true child of God carries the love of the Father for the world and this love becomes a serious, joyful commitment to the Kingdom of God. Unfortunately today, Jesus could also say that the labourers are few! Let us pray therefore and be the first to welcome the Holy Spirit to make true children of God of us, capable of bearing fruit!

16.6 Mon 11th OT (Cyricus and Julitta)
I Kings 21,1-16; Psalm 6; Matt 5,38-42

Give to anyone who asks! Matt 5,42

To give is a sign of true love; to go without something that gives joy and is important to us in order to help the person who asks for it. This love is similar to God's love who gave his son, similar to Jesus who gave his life on the cross; loving in this way, through the grace of the Holy Spirit we can become children of God.

17.6 Tues 11th OT (Rainerius of Pisa)
I Kings 21,17-29; Psalm 51; Matt 5,43-48

Love your enemies and pray for your persecutors! Matt 5,44

Sometimes we might feel in people close to us a certain negativity towards us. It is not really surprising; perhaps we were the reason, even unconsciously, with our sins and weaknesses; perhaps it was the weakness or the sin of the other that is making us suffer … The Holy Spirit reminds us: the Father continues to love us and invites us to keep loving, a love not necessarily accompanied by feelings, but by benevolence and blessing.

18.6 Wed 11th OT (Gregory Barbarigo)
II Kings 2,1.6-14; Psalm 31; Matt 6,1-6.16-18

Pray to your Father in secret! Matt 6,6

This is not to say that communal prayer is not very important, but that it receives depth and is enriched by that prayer that the Holy Spirit continually prays to the Father in the secret of my heart. Of this prayer I wish always to be aware .

19.6 Thurs 11th OT (Romuald)
Ecclesiasticus 48,1-14; Psalm 97; Matt 6,7-15

Thy will be done! Matt 6,10

When Jesus was faced with the greatest test of his life in Gethsemane, where the love of the Father offered him the cup of suffering and of death on the cross, his prayer was very short: "Abba, Father, not my will but thine!" In the Our Father, we obey Jesus and make the same supplication every day; the Father listens to us, even in those moments when we are only able to say "Abba".

20.6 Fri 11th OT (Adalbert of Magdeburg)
II Kings 11,1-4.9-18.2;: Psalm 132; Matt 6,19-23

For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also. Matt 6,21

You are our treasure, Lord Jesus, you who bless us with your love. You are already ours, but still we long for you. You are the only treasure that gives freedom and generosity of heart.

21,6 Sat 11th OT (Aloysius)
II Chr 24,17-25; Psalm 89; Matt 6,24-34

Set your mind on God's kingdom and his justice before everything else. Matt 6,33

This is true also if you have a family and are a father or mother. You are, above all, a child of God and that is why you do everything earnestly, but peacefully and are careful to be of service to your Father in all you do. Your serenity and freedom are an example for many others; I would like to thank you and bless the Father, source of all holiness, for you.

22.6 Sun 12th OT Year A (John Fisher and Thomas More)
Jer 20,10-13; Psalm 69; Rom 5,12-15; Matt 10,26-33

Even the hairs of all your head have been counted. Matt 10,30

If I truly believed how precious I am in the eyes of the Father, the humiliations and wrongs I have been done, the unkindness of men and the suffering in life would not be able to take away the hope, patience, strength and courage of my heart. May the Resurrection of the Lord that we celebrate in our weekly Easter be the light that casts out every fear of being a witness for Jesus!

23.6 Mon 12th OT (Etheldreda)
II Kings 17,5-8.13-15.18; Psalm 60; Matt 7,1-5

As you judge others so you will yourselves be judged. Matt 7,2

Poor me…! Who will free me from this hard, closed, selfish heart? Come Holy Spirit, give me a heart that is wide open to others in the joyful awareness that I am embraced in the love of the Lord.

24.6 Tues 12th OT (John the Baptist)
Isa 49,1-6; Psalm 139; Acts 13,22-26; Luke 1,57-66.80

As the child grew up he became strong in spirit. Luke 1,80

The child was John the Baptist, whose birthday we celebrate today. This great Saint whose life was so similar to Jesus' is a model for us. Advice from him to children and those who bring them up: let the attention of Christians from the very first phases of existence be primarily on the spirit: if this is healthy, the entire person will benefit in health and harmony.

25.6 Wed 12th OT (Prosper of Reggio)
II Kings 22,8-13; 23,1-3; Psalm 119; Matt 7,15-20

You will recognise them by their fruit. Matt 7,20

When the Holy Spirit is in a person, the fruit is clear to see; love and joy, peace, patience, goodness, benevolence, meekness, faithfulness, self control. Only those who love you, Jesus, bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit! I will try to stay close to you always and to trust only those in whose hearts you live!

26.6 Thurs 12th OT (John and Paul)
II Kings 24,8-17; Psalm 79; Matt 7,21-29

He taught with a note of authority. Matt 7,29

Jesus taught with authority because he was one with the Father: he spoke of what he, himself knew from experience. Thus in the face of acceptance or in the face of denial, he remained in the peace and communion of the Father. This same authority can be heard in the teachings of those who truly live in Jesus.

27.6 Fri 12th OT (Cyril of Alexandria)
II Kings 25,1-12; Psalm 137; Matt 8,1-4

When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. Matt 8,1

Jesus spoke the Sermon on the Mount with the authority given him by the Father. When he came down, the crowds followed him and among them was a leper who approached him and was healed. Thank you, Lord Jesus! You are my Master, my shepherd, you tend my wounds!

28.6 Sat 12th OT (Irenaeus of Lyons)
Lam 2,2.10-14,18-19; Psalm 74; Matt 8,5-17

Go home! As you have believed, so let it be! Matt 8,13

Jesus, you praised the centurion's faith, you found it greater than that of your people and you rewarded him. I too, would like to offer you a little prayer, an obedience to your new commandment … I am certain you will be pleased and will reward these little acts of faith.

29.6 Sun (Peter and Paul)
Acts 12,1-11: Psalm 34; II Tim 4,6-8.17-18; Matt 16,13-19

You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God! Matt 16,16

This is Peter's profession of faith shared by Paul and of which his life of trials and tribulations for the Kingdom of God was an expression. Now it is my turn and yours to say to the Lord Jesus: you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!
Saint Peter and Paul the Apostles, pray for us!

30.6 Mon 13th OT (Martial of Limoges)
Amos 2,6-10.13-16; Psalm 50; Matt 8,18-22

The Son of man has nowhere to lay his head Matt 8.20

Lord Jesus, when I began to follow you, I understood - thanks to the Holy Spirit - that in following you I would have had fullness of life and love. Now, after many years, thank you, for not misleading me: I have known moments of poverty and solitude, but your love sustained me and amply rewarded me. I continue to follow you and trust only in you.

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