Seventh Sunday after the feast of the cross
Last Sunday of the Maronite Liturgical Year
Reflection 1
In His Service: The Value of Small Deeds
It is the last Sunday of the Season of the Exaltation of the Cross and the last Sunday of the Maronite Syriac Liturgical Year, in which we read the Gospel of Judgment.
This Gospel reading focuses our attention on the connection between the last days and our own life. This passage describes the Son of Man coming in glory to separate the righteous from the unrighteous based on their actions toward those in need. This passage invites us to reflect on how we live out our faith daily, reminding us that our actions toward others are, in fact, actions toward Him. It calls us to cultivate a heart of compassion, transforming our faith into a lived reality that makes a difference in our communities.
The goats are condemned because of what they didn’t do.; they failed to recognise that passing up opportunities to do good for others was the same as passing up opportunities to serve their King. This cost them their inheritance. In contrast, the King commends the sheep for their deeds, from feeding the hungry to clothing the naked, even noting that something as simple as a drink given to the thirsty is significant. The key takeaway is that there is no act of service too small for Jesus to remember, highlighting the importance of every act of kindness in our walk of faith.
We are doing these things to Him
Jesus tells us that whenever we practice works of mercy, forgiveness, kindness, we are doing these things to Him. He fully identifies Himself with the needy, the marginalized and the dependent; the hungry, the thirsty, the strangers, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned. Everyone is included in the Royal Kingdom of the humble Jesus. His reign completely overturns our notions of earthly kingship. The kingship and royalty of Jesus are of ultimate service, even to the point of laying down his life for others.
By Father Thomas Rosica
Thought for the week-One Life to Live
I shall not pass this way again.
Any good thing I can do or any kindness I can show
Let me do it now for I shall not pass this way again. By Etienne De Grollet
Challenge for this week
Take time this week to examine your conscience and honestly assess the depth and extension of your charity towards others.
Reflection 2
Service and love
The Gospel reading for the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year focuses our attention on the connection between the last days and our own life. It contains one of the most well-known and powerful parables spoken by Jesus. It focuses on the final judgment when Jesus separates the righteous (the sheep) from the unrighteous (the goats).
This parable teaches us that our faith is not merely a matter of belief but is also reflected in our actions. Our actions include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned and other acts of charity. What truly matter is not a theoretical love but compassion that helps those in need. When we neglect to love and assist those who are vulnerable and in need, we are, in fact, neglecting to love the Lord.
Lord, You told us to minister to the needy around us and made this the sole criterion of judgment. May I recogonise your face in those in need.
Both groups were surprised
The surprise expressed by both groups, those who cared for the people in greatest need and those who did not, shows that they had no awareness of who they were really dealing with in responding or failing to respond to those in need. The righteous were not seeking recognition or anticipating rewards for their actions; they were driven by genuine love, performing acts of kindness from the sincerity of their hearts.
Some Key points from today’s Gospel
-This parable is a warning to us to give priority to show mercy and care for those who are less fortunate.
-This parable serves as a call to self-examination and conversion.
-The kingdom belongs only to those who love Him and love to serve others.
-Our choices reveal the kingdom to whom we belong.
A thought for the week
Jesus will judge us not only for the wrong we have done but also for what we have failed to do.
"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.” Saint Mother Teresa
Loving and serving are inseparable. Such service, too, is self-denying and ego-effacing. To continue helping day after day in the midst of reproach and opposition and rejection means that one is governed by a higher law than the desire of applause of one's fellow human being. Such service cannot be bought, for no gold could purchase it, neither does it need to be bought, for it is freely rendered.
Gwen Simon
Last Sunday of the Maronite Liturgical Year
Reflection 1
In His Service: The Value of Small Deeds
It is the last Sunday of the Season of the Exaltation of the Cross and the last Sunday of the Maronite Syriac Liturgical Year, in which we read the Gospel of Judgment.
This Gospel reading focuses our attention on the connection between the last days and our own life. This passage describes the Son of Man coming in glory to separate the righteous from the unrighteous based on their actions toward those in need. This passage invites us to reflect on how we live out our faith daily, reminding us that our actions toward others are, in fact, actions toward Him. It calls us to cultivate a heart of compassion, transforming our faith into a lived reality that makes a difference in our communities.
The goats are condemned because of what they didn’t do.; they failed to recognise that passing up opportunities to do good for others was the same as passing up opportunities to serve their King. This cost them their inheritance. In contrast, the King commends the sheep for their deeds, from feeding the hungry to clothing the naked, even noting that something as simple as a drink given to the thirsty is significant. The key takeaway is that there is no act of service too small for Jesus to remember, highlighting the importance of every act of kindness in our walk of faith.
We are doing these things to Him
Jesus tells us that whenever we practice works of mercy, forgiveness, kindness, we are doing these things to Him. He fully identifies Himself with the needy, the marginalized and the dependent; the hungry, the thirsty, the strangers, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned. Everyone is included in the Royal Kingdom of the humble Jesus. His reign completely overturns our notions of earthly kingship. The kingship and royalty of Jesus are of ultimate service, even to the point of laying down his life for others.
By Father Thomas Rosica
Thought for the week-One Life to Live
I shall not pass this way again.
Any good thing I can do or any kindness I can show
Let me do it now for I shall not pass this way again. By Etienne De Grollet
Challenge for this week
Take time this week to examine your conscience and honestly assess the depth and extension of your charity towards others.
Reflection 2
Service and love
The Gospel reading for the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year focuses our attention on the connection between the last days and our own life. It contains one of the most well-known and powerful parables spoken by Jesus. It focuses on the final judgment when Jesus separates the righteous (the sheep) from the unrighteous (the goats).
This parable teaches us that our faith is not merely a matter of belief but is also reflected in our actions. Our actions include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned and other acts of charity. What truly matter is not a theoretical love but compassion that helps those in need. When we neglect to love and assist those who are vulnerable and in need, we are, in fact, neglecting to love the Lord.
Lord, You told us to minister to the needy around us and made this the sole criterion of judgment. May I recogonise your face in those in need.
Both groups were surprised
The surprise expressed by both groups, those who cared for the people in greatest need and those who did not, shows that they had no awareness of who they were really dealing with in responding or failing to respond to those in need. The righteous were not seeking recognition or anticipating rewards for their actions; they were driven by genuine love, performing acts of kindness from the sincerity of their hearts.
Some Key points from today’s Gospel
-This parable is a warning to us to give priority to show mercy and care for those who are less fortunate.
-This parable serves as a call to self-examination and conversion.
-The kingdom belongs only to those who love Him and love to serve others.
-Our choices reveal the kingdom to whom we belong.
A thought for the week
Jesus will judge us not only for the wrong we have done but also for what we have failed to do.
"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.” Saint Mother Teresa
Loving and serving are inseparable. Such service, too, is self-denying and ego-effacing. To continue helping day after day in the midst of reproach and opposition and rejection means that one is governed by a higher law than the desire of applause of one's fellow human being. Such service cannot be bought, for no gold could purchase it, neither does it need to be bought, for it is freely rendered.
Gwen Simon