All people are guided, protected and preserved by the angels of God.
Invitation
May I draw your attention to
the daily Gospel reading
This invitation wants to share with you the joy of the Gospel.
Everyone, without exception
can experience that joy by opening his or her heart
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day.
Consideration
A lot is written about angels these days. Compared to some sometimes very imaginative authors who detail the types of angels, today’s scripture readings seem very discreet. What is particularly striking is the belief that God makes his loving protection and closeness known to us in the angels. On the way through the wilderness of our lives, God wants to stay close to his children, protecting and guiding them. The one who reflects God’s face on this journey can be an angel in human form.
FIRST READING Ex 23, 20-23a
My angel will go out for you
From the book of Exodus
Thus speaks the Lord:
‘Behold, I am sending my angel before you
to protect you on the way
and to bring you to the place I have appointed for you.
‘Be attentive to him and listen to his word.
‘Do not rebel against him
For he will not forgive your rebellion.
‘For in him My name is present.
‘If you obey his word
and do what I tell you,
then I am the enemy of your enemies,
the oppressor of your oppressors.
‘My angel will go before you.
Interludium Ps 91(90), 1-2, 3-5a, 5b-6, 10-11
The Lord has instructed his angels
On all your ways to guard you.
You who enjoy the protection of the Most High
and who dwell in the shadow of the Almighty
to you is the Lord, my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.
For he delivers you from the snare of the hunters,
He saves you from deadly danger.
He protects you with his wings,
under his wings you will find refuge,
His faithfulness is your armour and shield.
No mischief by night you need fear,
No arrow in broad daylight;
No disease creeps in the dark,
Nor evil in the shining sun.
Evil shall not beset you,
Mischief will stay far from your tent.
He has commanded his angels
On all your ways to watch over you.
Alleluia Ps. 103(102), 21
Alleluia.
Glorify the LORD, all his hosts
faithful servants who do what he wills;
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt 18, 1-5.10
They have angels
and they constantly see the face
of my Father who is in the heavens.
From the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Matthew
At that moment, the disciples asked Jesus the question:
‘Who is really the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
He called a little child,
put him in their midst and said:
‘Truly, I say to you :
If you do not become like little children ,
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, whoever is as little as this child ,
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
‘And whoever in My Name takes such a child in his arms, take Me.
take Me.
‘Be careful not to despise one of these little ones ,
for I say to you
They have angels in heaven
and they constantly see
the face of My Father who is in the heavens’.
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Fratelli tutti
Encyclical of
POPE FRANCISCUS
On brotherhood and social friendship
Hope
54. Despite these dark shadows, which must not be ignored, in the pages that follow
I want to give lots of ways to express hope.
After all, God continues to sow the seeds of good in mankind.
The recent pandemic has allowed us to find a lot of very many travel companions back
and appreciate those who in the midst of fear
have responded by giving their own lives. We have been able to
recognise that our lives are intertwined and sustained
by ordinary people who undoubtedly wrote decisive events in our shared history:
doctors, nurses, pharmacists, supermarket staff, cleaners, carers,
transport workers, men and women who provide essential services and safety,
volunteers, priests, religious….they understood that no one is saved alone.
To be continued
Every day at 1 am
The Bible text in this issue is taken from The New Translation of the Bible,
©Dutch Bible Society 2004/2007.
Reflections on liturgical suggestions for weekdays and Sundays
Fratelli tutti Official English Translation
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