June 13 Gospel Luke 2:41-51 Mary stored up all these things in her heart Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.     Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’     ‘Why we...

June 12 Gospel Matthew 11:25-30 You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to little children Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.     ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’ Reflection In this passage, Jesus invites those who feel burdened to find rest in him. He contrasts human wisdom with childlike trust, showing that the deepest revelations of God come not to the proud or highly learned, but t...

June 11 Gospel Matthew 5:20-26 Anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.     ‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he ...

June 10 Gospel Matthew 5:17-19 I have not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to complete them Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’ Reflection Jesus clarifies that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. The commandments remain binding and true to their purpose. Our task is not to pick and choose what to follow, but to live the integrity of God’s law with love, letting it shape our actions and teachings. When we keep and teach these comman...

June 9 Gospel Matthew 5:13-16 Your light must shine in the sight of men Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.     ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’ Reflection As followers of Christ, we are called to be both salt and light in everyday life. Salt seasons and preserves, preventing decay; light reveals truth and dispels darkness. If our faith remains private or bland, it loses its impact and purpose. When our good works shine openly—through acts of kindness, integrity, and mercy—others are drawn to God, ...

June 8 Gospel Matthew 5:1-12 How happy are the poor in spirit Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them: ‘How happy are the poor in spirit;     theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy the gentle:     they shall have the earth for their heritage. Happy those who mourn:     they shall be comforted. Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:     they shall be satisfied. Happy the merciful:     they shall have mercy shown them. Happy the pure in heart:     they shall see God. Happy the peacemakers:     they shall be called sons of God. Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:     theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in ...