THE SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR THE SAINTS…

Romans 8:26-30

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
27 And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren.
30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Luke 13:22-30

22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.23 And some one said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them,24 “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
25 When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’
27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!’
28 There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.
30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

MEDITATION

St PAUL DESCRIBE God’s loving mercy that He showers on a repentant sinner who humbly present and submit him or herself to be scrutinized by the Holy Spirit.To be sure, the urge to ‘so to speak’ come clean, is a sure sign that the Holy Spirit is operating in us, spurring us on to seek Gods mercy, forgiveness and to rightly order our lives with Him and those whom we have injured or seperated from.

The Sacrament of confession is indeed the place where the Holy Spirit searchers mans heart, aiding us to empty our subconscious minds; storehouses of baggage wherein sin regret and remorse are hiding! God’s act of mercy displaces sadness with joy, tiredness with relief and regret with restitution!

THE GOSPEL READING: An anonymous disciple’s curiosity got the better of him, such that he wanted to know how many people would be saved on the last day! If the truth be told this questioner may have realized that it is certainly not as easy as One Two Three to be a righteous disciple of Christ Jesus! 

Jesus’ answer should cause all of us to pause and review our relationship with Him, which must rightly be adjudged by our relationships with our loved ones, children, spouse, family, friends and acquaintances. Whilst we may have a moral certainty that God will save us on the last day, we surely do not have an absolute certainty that our bed is made in heaven! Jesus points to saintly men such as father Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the prophets who are able to intercede for us whilst we are here on earth. Alas, if we refuse to repent of our wicked ways and seek to be a saintly people, a gnashing of teeth and weeping will be our ever cry! 

LET US PRAY:  Psalms 13:4-6

4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him”; lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.5 But I have trusted in thy steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.