1.10 Wed 26th OT (Teresa of the Infant Jesus)
Job 9,1-12,14-16; Psalm 88; Luke 9,57-62

Go and announce the kingdom of God! Luke 9,60

Today we remember St Teresa of the Infant Jesus, patron saint of missions. She never went to distant lands, she "just" prayed for a missionary and offered her suffering for him. Close to death, she wrote: "I hope very much not to be inactive in heaven; my wish is to continue to work for the Church and for people's souls" (letter 225).

2.10 Thurs (The Guardian Angels)
Exod 23,20-23; Psalm 91; Matt 18,1-5,10

They have their angels in heaven who look continuously on the face of my Father. Matt 18,10

Have you ever spoken to your guardian angel? Do you remember that you have one? It is a gift from the Father so that you know that you are always loved! Jesus warns us never to put obstacles in the way of children's faith. Their angels have a direct line to God! I would like to thank my angel today; who knows how often he has defended me, shown me the way and guided me …

3.10 Fri 26th OT (Bavo)
Job 38,1,12-21; 40,3-5; Psalm 139; Luke 10,13-16

Whoever listens to you, listens to me. Luke 10,16

This statement of Jesus' gives priests great confidence, but also great trepidation. Their word is so important that whoever listens to them must be open to them if they do not want to deny obedience to Jesus: they must always be careful to speak in the Holy Spirit! And those who listen must also be alert when our priests speak.

4.10 Sat (Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Italy)
Gal 6,14-16; Psalm 16; Matt 11,25-30

The world is crucified to me. Gal 6,14

The life of Francis mirrors these words. After meeting with Jesus he left the comfort and wealth of this world with it's honours and vanities, superficialities and arrogance. Italy has a patron who desired poverty because of his love for Jesus, was despised by the wealthy and announced Jesus' name powerfully and joyfully in the public squares and before the ruling classes.

5.10 Sun 27th OT Year A (Placid and Maurus)
Isa 5,1-7; Psalm 80; Matt 21,33-43

They will respect my son. Matt 21,37

Jesus wishes to help God's people find a living relationship with him. Prophets had been sent, but nobody listened to them. Jesus was sent to meet the leaders and deliver the fruit of the vineyard to the Father. In the words of the master of the vineyard we can see the patience and the mercy of the Father and sense what Jesus' sacrifice will be.

6.10 Mon 27th OT (Bruno)
Gal 1,6-12; Psalm 111; Luke 10,25-37

That is the right answer; do that and you will have life. Luke 10,28

Jesus, please often remind me of this! The lawyer knew how important it was to love God with all his heart and his neighbour as himself. I know this too, so why don't I do it? Jesus, make me both humble and strong so that I can overcome my ego!

7.10 Tues The Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary
Acts 1,12-14; Psalm: Luke 1,46-55; Luke 1,26-38

Greetings, most favoured one! The Lord is with you. Luke 1,28

These words addressed to Mary are a condensation of several prophecies made to the people of Israel. Rejoice! Daughter of Zion! She realised that this invitation to rejoice referred to the coming of the Messiah: why is this addressed only to her? She understands the solemnity of the moment and replies in trepidation. Thank you, Mary: your willingness became the joy of the world.

8.10 Wed 27th OT (Demetrius)
Gal 2,1-2,7-14; Psalm 117; Luke 11,1-4

Thy kingdom come! Luke 11,2

Human kingdoms whether democratic or not are disappointing and cause suffering. There is always violence and injustice. Whatever men do they are always influenced by sin. Our prayer is in expectation of another kingdom, the Father's! In that kingdom we will finally consider each other brothers and sisters and we will be able to collaborate and see everything in the light of love.

9.10 Thurs 27th OT (Denis of Paris)
Gal 3,1-5; song: Luke 1,6-75; Luke 11,5-13

The heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11,13

Jesus is still teaching his disciples how to pray. What should we ask God? What is truly necessary? The Holy Spirit is our daily bread without which our lives are empty, without which the Church cannot grow. This is the gift the Father wishes to give us and it is so precious that he will only give it to those who appreciate so much that they will ask for it with great insistence!

10.10 Fri 27th OT (Francis Borgia)
Gal 3,7-14; Psalm 111; Luke 11,15-26

Who does not gather with me, scatters. Luke 11,23

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that what I do may be pleasing to the Father and a blessing for others. Without you nothing is good, with you all is grace!

If you wish to order the calendar for 2009, please do not wait to order it. The form can be found after 8th September.

11.10 Sat 27th OT (Bruno the Great of Cologne)
Gal 3,22-29; Psalm 105; Luke 11,27-28

You are all one person in Christ Jesus. Gal 3,27

We belong to Jesus and we expect everything from him. St Paul wishes to remind us about this for it is so easy to think we are deserving because of something we have done thanks to our strength or our intelligence. We are all one in Jesus and the Father appreciates us for what can be seen of him in us!

12.10 Sun 28th OT (Wilfrid)
Isa 25,6-10; Psalm 22; Phil 4,12-14,19-20; Matt 22,1-14

For many are invited, but few are chosen! Matt 22 14

What a disappointment for God! He has done everything to fill people's lives with joy. He has prepared a banquet, but those who were invited have refused. Perhaps the situation has not changed. So many are invited by God to the joy of fraternal communion with Jesus! Few step out from the masses to accept!

13.10 Mon 28th OT (Edward the Confessor)
Gal 4,22-24,26-27,31 - 5,1; Psalm 113; Luke 11,29-32

It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Gal 5,1

True freedom comes from love and true love is that of Jesus. He freed us from living like slaves with rules and trying to win God's admiration with ritual gestures: this is what Paul tells the Galatians who are tempted to take up Jewish practices. Jesus saved us by his death and in gratitude to him we live to share the joy of this Good News!

14.10 Tues 28th OT (Callistus)
Gal 5,1-6; Psalm 119; Luke 11,37-41

…and all is clean. Luke 11,41

Jesus teaches that inner cleanliness is more important than outer cleanliness. When, free of egoism and immersed in love, we offer our lives, then we will be able to see all things from a spiritual perspective! And God who created them, loves them all!

15.10 Wed 28th OT (Teresa of Avila)
Gal 5,18-25; Psalm 2; Luke 11,42-46

Alas for you who neglect justice and the love of God. Luke 11,42

Jesus tells us to be aware of what goes on in our hearts! He is not happy when we mortify ourselves for his sake unless these are accompanied by gentleness and compassion for those near us.

16.10 Thurs 28th OT (Hedwig)
Eph 1,1-10; Psalm 98; Luke 11,47-54

He has made known to us his secret purpose. Eph 1,9

God's purpose is a secret: he wishes to save us with the death and resurrection of Jesus! This is a mystery: we can have some intuition of it only through the light of the Holy Spirit! If he lets us have this, it is a sign and gift of his true friendship! Thank you, Father, that you treat me as a son: you do not hide even the most difficult things from me!

17.10 Fri 28th OT (Ignatius of Antioch)
Eph 1,11-14; Psalm 33; Luke 12,1-7

You are worth more than any number of sparrows. Luke 12,7

I was worried about my health and have to thank one of my brothers who said; "you are worth more than the sparrows in the courtyard". He reminded me of Jesus' words when he reassures us of the Father's love for us. He knows what is good for me and for his kingdom! If he permits my illness, it is a sign that he is using it to convert me and to talk to someone else!

18.10 Sat 28th OT (Luke)
II Tim 4,10-17; Psalm 145; Luke 10,1-9

The kingdom of God has come upon you. Luke 10,9

I am a man with a variety of infirmities, signs of the sin that makes my virtues rusty! When a person greets me with kindness or appreciates what I say, when someone helps me or says something which enlightens my faith, I feel the kingdom of God has come! There are no bureaucrats in his kingdom, only brothers and sisters who help and love each other!

19.10 Sun 29th OT Year A (Frideswide)
Isa 45,1,4-6; Psalm 96; I Thess 1,1-5; Matt 22,15-21

You hypocrites! Why are you trying to catch me out? Matt 22,18

Jesus did not fall into the trap of those who wear masks for he was always aware of the Father and spoke and acted in his light. The Father does not betray those who listen to him! This is what I hear Jesus say to me amidst my worries and duties: "give to God what belongs to God". This is the secret of wisdom for everyone, even for politicians.

20.10 Mon 29th OT (Acca)
Eph 2,1-10; Psalm 100; Luke 12,13-21

It is by grace you are saved through faith. Eph 2,8

I need to be saved from the fear of others, from the haste that causes mistakes, from pride, from stupidity, from the incapacity to accept criticism, from the conviction that I know more than God, my Father! A little faith is the medicine. I believe in you, Father; I trust you for you do everything for my good and you want me to be of help in your kingdom!

21.10 Tues 29th OT (Ursula)
Eph 2,12-22; Psalm 85; Luke 12,35-38

Happy are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Luke 12,37

Today this statement reminds me of married couples who watch over their feelings. They are alert and do not give up on the task they have been given. They know they have a holy mission to love their spouse faithfully as an example of how Jesus loves his Church! When they meet other people who are attractive and pleasant they remember the task God gave them! So their love becomes real love and a blessing for their children and many others!

22.10 Wed 29th OT (Donatus of Fiesole)
Eph 3,2-12; Isa 12,2-6; Luke 12,39-48

Christ Jesus … in whom we have freedom of access to God with confidence. Eph 3,12

How frightening to be afraid of God! Those who are afraid of God cannot trust people, even those closest to them! Thank you, Jesus, for giving us the courage to approach the Father and transforming our lives so that the beauty of being together nourishes our hope for today and for eternity.

23.10 Thurs 29th OT (Severinus Boethius)
Eph 3,14-21; Psalm 32; Luke 12,49-53

I have come to set fire to the earth! Luke 12,49

Jesus, your fire has already burnt many idols on the earth and our lives have greatly benefited. But now there are other idols and many people have become slaves to them. May your word touch the hearts of many, of everybody, so that they will be saved!

If you wish to order the calendar for 2009, please do not wait! Fill in the form and send it to us. You will find it after 8th September.

24.10 Fri 29th OT (Mark and Senoch)
Eph 4,1-6; Psalm 24; Luke 12,54-59

I implore you, live up to your calling! Eph 4,1

I have received a calling, a vocation, that is, I have been called to be a saint, a son of God. The apostle Paul does well to implore me. If I am arrogant, if I lose my patience, if I quarrel with others, what light is shed on my Lord? I will try to behave in a way that is worthy of my calling.

25.10 Sat 29th OT (Crispin and Crispinian)
Eph 4,7-16; Psalm 122; Luke 13,1-9

Unless you repent you will all come to an end like theirs. Luke 13,5

Let us convert! If I do not convert my death will be terrible, like those who are murdered or crushed. I will try to do the Father's will, thinking beyond the things that pass, to those that help me live in communion with him. I will continue or begin to convert to you, Jesus!

26.10 Sun 30th OT Year A (Evaristus)
Exod 22,21-27; Psalm 18; I Thess 1,5-10; Matt 22,34-40

Love the Lord your God with all your heart! Matt 22,37

Jesus you are our example. You loved the Father with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. As a boy you loved his Word and when he asked for your suffering, you loved him and when you realised that he was asking you to sacrifice yourself for us, for our sins, you loved him.

27.10 Mon 30th OT (Frumentius)
Eph 4,32 - 5,8; Psalm 2; Luke 13,10-17

You are rid of your trouble! Luke 13,12

How grateful that woman was! For eighteen years she had been infirm. Jesus gave her the most wonderful gift, to be able to smile at others and enjoy their company. He healed her on the Sabbath, the Lord's day.

28.10 Tues (Simon and Jude)
Eph 2,19-22; Psalm 19; Luke 6,12-16

He called his disciples to him and chose twelve. Luke 6,13

Jesus knew that the Chief Priests would not accept him, so he had no illusions about working with them. New people had to be chosen and he chose twelve just as God had chosen Jacob's twelve sons. Thus he started the Church. The ones he chooses are not perfect, they are men not angels! Do not complain when you notice the shortcomings of priests or bishops and other Christians: pray for them!

29.10 Wed 30th OT (Narcissus of Jerusalem)
Eph 6,1-9; Psalm 145; Luke 13,22-30

I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Luke 13,27

Jesus is good but not ingenuous. He does not wish to deceive anyone. Who does not follow him and does not enter by the narrow doorway will stay outside, away from the kingdom of joy. Jesus, my Lord, save me!

30.10 Thurs 30th OT (Alphonsus Rodriguez)
Eph 6,10-20; Psalm 144; Luke 13,31-35

Today and tomorrow I shall be driving out demons and working cures. Luke 13,32

This is what Jesus replied when he was told that Herod wanted him dead! He was doing the will of the Father and was, therefore, afraid of no-one. Herod was to know that he was doing nothing wrong, if anything, he was helping those citizens, whom Herod used and caused to suffer, those whose work procured him food and drink.

31.10 Fri 30th OT (Wolfgang)
Phil 1,1-11; Psalm 111; Luke 14,1-6

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil 1,2

St Paul desires nothing more than that his Christians keep their eyes on Jesus and through him, on the Father. The greatest gifts come from above! I also wish you nothing more than the grace and peace of God, that peace that Jesus spreads in the hearts of all who accept him. Tell the people who are close to you and love you!

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