One of the greatest mystics. Patron saint of Europe. Born 1303 Died 1393
Invitation
May I take this opportunity to draw your attention to the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation aims to share with you the joy of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception, can experience that joy by opening their hearts to the healing power of God’s Word.
Available every day
CONSIDERATION To say that Christ lives within you is a profound profession of faith. It also implies acknowledging that one is crucified with Christ. Suffering and opposition are inevitable if one wishes to follow the Lord consistently. But one may be certain of one day sharing in his resurrection. It was with this realisation that Saint Birgitta lived. In all circumstances of life, she opposed war and strife and sought reconciliation. She became one of the patron saints of Europe because of her appreciation of diversity amongst peoples and her commitment to unity within the Church and across our continent.
FIRST READING Gal. 2:19–20 I no longer live, Christ lives in me.
From the letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Galatians
Brothers and sisters,
I am dead to the Law;
through the Law I have died,
so that I might live for God.
I have been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live,
but Christ who lives in me.
Insofar as I now live in the flesh,
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself up for me.
RESPONSORIAL Ps. 34(33), 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, 8–9, 10–11
I will praise the Lord every day.
I will praise the Lord every day,
his praise is ever on my lips.
My spirit rejoices in the Lord’s favour,
let all who hear it rejoice.
Glory the Lord together with me,
and let us honour His Name in unity.
I turned to the Lord and He answered me,
He has delivered me from all that I feared.
Put your trust in Him, and you shall be happy,
for He will not let you down.
Those who cry out in distress, the Lord hears them
and rescues them from their misery.
The angel of God encamps round them,
to protect all who fear God.
Take heed and see how gracious the Lord is,
blessed is he who seeks his salvation in Him.
Honour the Lord, you who are devoted to Him,
for those who honour Him shall never lack anything.
The rich have become poor and needy;
those who come to the Lord shall never lack anything.
GOSPEL John 15:1–8
Whoever abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I am the true vine,
and my Father is the vine-grower.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit,
He cuts off;
and every branch that does bear fruit,
He prunes, so that it may bear more fruit.
You are already clean,
thanks to the word I have spoken to you.
Remain in me,
and I will remain in you.
Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself,
but only if it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine; you are the branches.
Whoever remains in Me whilst I remain in him,
that one bears much fruit,
for apart from Me you can do nothing.
If anyone does not remain in Me,
he is cast away like a branch and withers;
they are gathered together, thrown into the fire and burnt.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you wish and you will receive it.
This is how my Father is glorified:
that you bear abundant fruit;
in this way you will be my disciples.”
Laudato Si’ Encyclical of Pope Francis On Care for Our Common Home
185. In any discussion concerning a business initiative, one should ask a series of questions in order to discern whether it leads to genuine integral development: to what end? why? where? how? who is it aimed at? what are the risks? at what cost? who will bear the costs and how will they do so? In this examination, there are issues that must take precedence. We know, for example, that water is a scarce and indispensable resource, and, moreover, it is a fundamental right that underpins the exercise of other human rights. This is beyond dispute and transcends any analysis of any environmental impact on a region. To be continued Every morning at 1 am The Bible passage in this edition is taken fromThe New Bible Translation, ©Dutch Bible Society 2004/2007. Reflections from Liturgical Suggestions for Weekdays and Sundays Laudato Si English translation ______________________________________________________________