Presence

My soul longs for Your presence, Lord. When I turn my thoughts to You, I find peace and contentment.

Freedom

Lord, like Saint Ignatius, I offer you my memory, understanding,
my entire will. All I ask for in return is Your love and Your grace – that’s enough for me.

Consciousness

Life is busy, Lord.
Often my best intentions are left undone,
but I know that You are with me in all I say and do,
and in everyone I meet with daily.

The Word of God

⁴²“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. ⁴³Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. ⁴⁴Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves on which people unknowingly walk.”

⁴⁵One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us, too.” ⁴⁶And he said, “Woe also to you experts in the law! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them.

Inspiration

Jesus castigates the Pharisees for their neglect of justice and the love of God. They are zealous in policing the keeping of their own manmade regulations, but refuse to help others in their difficulties. Charity covers a multitude of sins, and we ask that the Lord keep us mindful of his commandment to love one another.

Conversation

What feelings, questions, doubts or inspirations does today’s Gospel stir in me? Can I bring all that I am feeling and thinking to Jesus, in the comforting knowledge that He is really here with me?

Conclusion

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Amen