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We are sad to hear in the News that the death toll caused by the Ebola virus has exceeded 4900 and now there are close to 10,000 people being infected. Researchers have been racing with time to come out with the vaccines and cures but till this day, it is still an uphill task. While we Engineers always look for proofs for everything, there seems to be a quick fix to this virus: the Healing Water from Lourdes, France has in the past and present healed millions of people all over the World of many incurable diseases such as cancer and paralysis. Due to the massive number of cures every year, no one has kept all the records and Ebola could be one of them. Click here for more details. Let the France Authorities coordinate with the United Nations to have the Healing Water transported from Lourdes to West Africa to heal our Beloved Brothers and Sisters. The water is supposedly FREE unless France wants to charge a premium for bulk collection and transport by air. We will leave it to the Authorities to decide. Let’s pray with the Mother for the healing to take place quickly: Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Let’s remain optimistic as “with God all things are possible.” (cf. Matthew 19:26). See what’s happening in Lourdes now > TV Lourdes direct . 26 October 2014 |
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PASTORAL VISIT TO THE PARISH HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II Sunday, 10 October 1999
1. "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast" (Matthew 22: 2).
In the Gospel just proclaimed, Jesus describes the kingdom of God as a great marriage feast, with an abundance of food and drink, in a joyous and festive atmosphere for all the guests. At the same time, Jesus emphasizes the need for the "wedding garment" (cf. ibid., v. 11), that is, the need to respect the conditions required for taking part in this solemn feast.
The image of the feast is also present in the first reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah, which stresses the universality of the invitation "for all peoples" (cf. Isaiah 25: 6), and the disappearance of all suffering and pain: "God will wipe away tears from all faces" (cf. ibid., v. 8). These are God's great promises, which were fulfilled in the redemption brought by Christ and which the Church proclaims in her evangelizing mission and offers to all mankind. Communion of life with God and our brethren, which the action of the Holy Spirit brings to believers' lives, is centred on the Eucharistic banquet, the source and summit of all Christian experience. The liturgy reminds us of this every time we prepare to receive Christ's Body. Before Communion the priest says to the faithful: "Happy are those who are called to his supper". Yes! We are truly happy because we are invited to the eternal banquet of God's salvation, prepared for the whole world.
2. Dear brothers and sisters of St Catherine of Siena Parish! In coming among you today, I am resuming my customary pastoral visits to the parishes of Rome. I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to talk to your parish community which is dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. As you know so well, at the opening of the Synod of Bishops for Europe a few days ago, I had the joy of proclaiming her co-patroness of Europe, together with Bridget of Sweden and Edith Stein. To her and to the other holy patronesses of Europe I again entrust the work of the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops and its commitment to the new evangelization of our continent.
While I hope that you will grow under St Catherine's constant protection, I joyfully greet you all. I greet the Cardinal Vicar, the Vicegerent, your beloved parish priest, Mons. Aldo Zega, and the assistant priests. I extend a cordial greeting to the communities twinned with your parish, especially the one in Trieste, represented here today by a significant delegation. I greet the members of the many parish groups and everyone involved in its various formative, sociocultural and charitable activities.
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2 November 2014 |
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Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, First Reading: Extracted from the prophet Isaiah 25:6-10 On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. On this mountain he will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples, and the shroud enwrapping all nations, he will destroy Death for ever. The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth, for the Lord has said so. That day, it will be said: See, this is our God in whom we hoped for salvation; the Lord is the one in whom we hoped. We exult and we rejoice that he has saved us. |
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Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Responsorial: Psalm 23:1-6 Response: In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.
You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever. |
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Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Second Reading: Extracted from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians 4:12-14,19-20 I know how to be poor and I know how to be rich too. I have been through my initiation and now I am ready for anything anywhere: full stomach or empty stomach, poverty or plenty. There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength. All the same, it was good of you to share with me in my hardships. In return my God will fulfil all your needs, in Christ Jesus, as lavishly as only God can. Glory to God, our Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Acclamation John 1:14, 12 Alleluia, alleluia! The Word was made flesh and lived among us: to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God. Alleluia! Or cf. Ephesians 1:17,18 Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. Alleluia! |
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Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Gospel Reading: Extracted from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 22:1-14 Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a feast for his son’s wedding. He sent his servants to call those who had been invited, but they would not come. Next he sent some more servants. “Tell those who have been invited” he said “that I have my banquet all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, everything is ready. Come to the wedding.” But they were not interested: one went off to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them and killed them. The king was furious. He despatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding is ready; but as those who were invited proved to be unworthy, go to the crossroads in the town and invite everyone you can find to the wedding.” So these servants went out on to the roads and collected together everyone they could find, bad and good alike; and the wedding hall was filled with guests. When the king came in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment, and said to him, “How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?” And the man was silent. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’
Sharing: It was the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time on 12 October 2014.
The Readings that were read in the Eucharistic Celebrations all over the world on that day are shown above:
First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10, Responsorial: Psalm 23:1-6, Second Reading: Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20 & Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:1-14.
We have extracted the Homilies of Saint Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI & Pope Francis I based on the aforesaid Readings to share with you, so that you could similarly be encouraged: |
