Radio Maria Uganda - Mbarara

18/07/2025

18/07/2025

18/07/2025

We pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of our trusted donor, Francis Rugarwana of Kitura parish to rest in eternal peace!

18/07/2025

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15/07/2025

15/07/2025

*TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025*

*TUESDAY OF THE FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME: YEAR C.*

*MEMORIAL OF SAINT BONAVENTURE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.*

*Blessed Roland of Chézery, Monk.*

*Saint Valentina of Nevers, Religious.*

*Saint Edith of Tamworth, Widow.*

*Saint Evette of Brittany, Virgin.*

*Saint Joseph Studita of Thessalonica, Bishop.*

*Saint Gumbert of Ansbach, Abbot.*

*Saint Apronia / Evronie, Nun.*

*Saint Donald (Donivald), Confessor.*

*Saint David of Sweden, Monk.*

*FIRST READING*

_"She named him Moses, for she said, “Because I drew him out of the water”; and when he had grown up, he went out to his people."_

*A Reading from the Book of Exodus 2: 1-15a.*

In those days: A man from the house of Levi went and took to wife a daughter of Levi. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could hide him no longer she took for him a basket made of papyrus, and daubed it with bitumen and pitch; and she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds at the river’s brink. And his sister stood at a distance, to know what would be done to him. Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, and her maidens walked beside the river; she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to fetch it. When she opened it, she saw the child; and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. And, the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son; and she named him Moses, for she said, “Because I drew him out of the water.” One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to’ his people and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together; and he said to the man that did the wrong, “Why do you strike your fellow?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh, and stayed in the land of Midian.

_The Word of the Lord._

*RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps. 69: 3, 14, 30-31, 33-34.*

_R/. *You who are poor, seek God, and your hearts will revive.*_

I have sunk into the mud of the deep, where there is no foothold. I have entered the waters of the deep, where the flood overwhelms me.

_R/. *You who are poor, seek God, and your hearts will revive.*_

But I pray to you, O Lord, for a time of your favour. In your great Mercy, answer me, O God, with your Salvation that never fails.

_R/. *You who are poor, seek God, and your hearts will revive.*_

As for me in my poverty and pain, let your salvation, O God, raise me up. Then I will praise God's Name with a song; I will glorify Him with thanksgiving.

_R/. *You who are poor, seek God, and your hearts will revive.*_

The poor when they see it will be glad, and God-seeking hearts will revive; for the Lord listens to the needy, and does not spurn His own in their chains.

_R/. *You who are poor, seek God, and your hearts will revive.*_

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*

_R/. *Alleluia Alleluia*_
Today, harden not your hearts, but listen to the Voice of the Lord.
_R/. *Alleluia Alleluia*_

*GOSPEL*

_"It shall be more tolerable on the day of judgement for Tyre and S***m than for you.”_

*A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 11: 20-24.*

At that time: Jesus began to upbraid the cities where most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day ofJudgement for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to Heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in S***m, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of Judgement for the land of S***m than for you.”

_The Gospel of the Lord._

*REFLECTION ON TODAY'S WORD OF GOD*

_Theme: *Becoming Lukewarm*_

Jesus reminds the people in the Cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum, that they deserve God’s punishment because they have forgotten the responsibilities which their numerous meetings with the Messiah in their midst have laid upon them. They should have listened to His message, put it into practice and borne witness to the miracles He had worked for them.

Nothing is mentioned in any of the Gospels about the “wonders” Jesus worked in the Cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Bethsaida was a fishing village on the West bank of Jordan at the Northern end of the lake. Chorazin was a town one hour’s walking distance North of Capernaum. Jesus expresses His holy anger and sorrowful pity from a broken heart at the irresponsible disregard and indifference these three ungrateful Cities have shown to the Good News.

Jesus warns them, “it shall be more tolerable on the Day of Judgment for Tyre and Sidon the land of S***m” than for them, because Tyre, Sidon, and S***m were not fortunate enough to hear Jesus and to receive the opportunity for conversion given to Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum.

Privileges always carry responsibilities:
●We are privileged to have the holy Bible, so we have the responsibility of making use of it.

●We are privileged to have the Eucharistic celebration every day in our Churches, so we have the responsibility of participating in it when we are able to do so.

●We are privileged to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so we have the responsibility of using it to be reconciled with Jesus and his Church.

●We are blessed to have the Holy Spirit guiding the teaching authority in the Church, so we have the responsibility of studying and following the Church’s directives and teachings.

●We have the inestimable gift of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as our Heavenly Mother, and the company of numerous Saints who serve as our role models, so we have the responsibility of following Jesus in their footsteps.

_My passionate Jesus, You poured out Your heart and soul through Your preaching to the people of Israel. Although many accepted You, many others rejected You. I thank You for the privilege I have been given to hear Your holy Word preached to me. Help me to respond to You with all my heart so that I will be counted among those who listen and believe._

14/07/2025

*MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025*

*MONDAY OF THE FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME: YEAR C.*

*Saint Camillus of Lellis Priest and Founder.*

*Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin.*

*Saint Francis Solano, Missionary.*

*Saint Vincent Madelgaire, Monk.*

*Saint Donatus of Africa, Martyr.*

*Saint Deusdedit of Canterbury, Monk.*

*Saint Liebert / Liberto, Monk and Martyr.*

*Saint Justus of Rome, Soldier and Martyr.*

*Saint Cyrus of Carthage, Bishop.*

*Saint Just, Martyr.*

*FIRST READING*

_Let us deal shrewdly with Israel, lest they multiply._

*A Reading from the Book of Exodus 1: 8-14, 22.*

In those days: there arose a new King over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the sons of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply and if war befall us, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens; and they built for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the Sons of Israel. So they made the people of Israel serve with rigour and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick and in all kinds of work in the field; in all their work they made them serve with rigour. And Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”

_The Word of the Lord._

*RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps. 124: 1b-3, 4-6, 7-8.*

_R/. *Our help is in the Name of the Lord.*_

“If the Lord had not been on our side,” let Israel say, “If the Lord had not been on our side when men rose against us, then would they have swallowed us alive when their anger was kindled.”

_R/. *Our help is in the Name of the Lord.*_

“Then would the waters have engulfed us, the torrent gone over us; over our head would have swept the raging waters.” Blest be the Lord who did not give us a prey to their teeth!

_R/. *Our help is in the Name of the Lord.*_

Our life, like a bird, has escaped from the snare of the fowler. Indeed, the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the Name of the Lord, who made Heaven and earth.

_R/. *Our help is in the Name of the Lord.*_

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*

_R/. *Alleluia Alleluia*_
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
_R/. *Alleluia Alleluia*_

*GOSPEL*

_“I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”_

*A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 10: 34—11: 1.*

At that time: Jesus said to His Apostles, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his Father, and a Daughter against her Mother, and a daughter-in-law against her Mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves Father or Mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves Son or Daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you received Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a Prophet because he is a Prophet shall receive a Prophet’s reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” And when Jesus had finished instructing His Twelve Disciples, Ge went on from there to teach and preach in their Cities.

_The Gospel of the Lord._

*REFLECTION ON TODAY'S WORD OF GOD*

_Theme: *"Authentic Love"*_

At first read, this appears to be a difficult teaching of our Lord. But when properly understood, it is clear that it helps us keep our relationships with God and with our family properly ordered in charity and truth. Following this command will never result in a lack of love for family; rather, it will help us to love solely with the heart of Christ.

What does this teaching of Jesus require of us? Simply put, if a family member, or anyone else, imposes expectations on us that are contrary to the Will of God, then we must choose the Will of God over those other expectations. To understand this more clearly, think about how one might choose to love “Father or Mother” or “Son or Daughter” more than God. Say, for example, that a child chooses to go astray in their moral or Faith life, and they want their parents to support them in their sin. But the parents remain firm in their moral convictions and, out of love, offer no support for the immoral lifestyle their child has chosen. This would become especially difficult for the parents if the child becomes angry and criticizes the parents, with the claim that the parents are being judgmental and are lacking in love. What the child is actually requesting is “Mom and Dad, you must love me more than God and His Laws.” And if the parents do not support their child’s misguided lifestyle, the relationship may be deeply wounded. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that Jesus followed this command by saying, “and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” Love always involves the Cross. At times, it is a cross of personal self-sacrifice and self-giving. And at other times, it is a cross by which our love is misunderstood, and we are deemed as “unloving” by those we actually love the most. When parents truly love their child, they will care first and foremost for their child’s eternal salvation and moral living, and they will not choose “friendship” with their child over truth.

Of course this same truth applies to every relationship we will have and even to our “relationship” to society as a whole. More and more, there are those who demand of us all that we support them in behaviours that are objectively disordered and contrary to the Will of God. We are told that if we oppose these choices that some make, then we are judgmental and hateful. But this is exactly what Jesus is speaking about. If we choose to “love” others more than God and His holy Will, meaning, if our first priority is to make people “feel” supported in the immoral and confused decisions they make, then we are not actually loving them at all. At least not with the love of God. Instead, we are prioritizing their sin over the truth they so deeply need to know so as to be set free and to enter into an authentic relationship of love with the God of Truth.

Reflect, today, upon true love. _Love is only true love when it is grounded and centred in God and every moral law He has set forth._ Reflect upon your own relationships, especially with family and those closest to you. Do you love them with the pure love of God? Does your love remain firmly rooted in the will of God? Or do you, at times, choose to compromise the truths of faith and morality so as to appease the misguided expectations of others. Kindness, gentleness and compassion must always be present. But moral truth must also be just as present and must be the foundation of every virtue we exercise in our relationships with everyone. Do not be afraid to love others exclusively with the mind and Heart of God. Doing so is the only way to have true love for everyone in your life so as to help save their souls.

_Lord of All, You call all people to love You with all of their mind, heart, soul and strength. You call us all to adhere to every truth that You have spoken. Give me the courage and love I need to not only love You above all but to also love others with Your love alone. Help me to embrace Your Cross when this is difficult so that I will be a better instrument of the love You have for all._

12/07/2025

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12/07/2025

*SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025*

*SATURDAY OF THE FOURTEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME: YEAR C.*

*Saint John Gualbert, Abbot and Confessor.*

*Saint John Jones, Priest and Martyr.*

*Saint Jason of Tarsus, Martyr.*

*Saint Veronica, Confessor.*

*Saint Paulinus of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr.*

*Saints Felix and Nabor of Milan, Soldiers and Martyrs.*

*Saint Marie-Azélie Guérin Martin, Mother of St.Teresa of Lisieux.*

*Saint Louis Martin, Father of St.Teresa of Lisieux.*

*Saint Leo of Cava, Monk.*

*Saint Epiphana, Martyr.*

*Saint Andreas the Soldier, Martyr.*

*FIRST READING*

_“God will visit you, and bring you up out of this land.”_

*A Reading from the Book of Genesis 49: 29-33; 50: 15-26a.*

In those days: Jacob charged his sons, and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my Fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the East of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah — the field and the cave that is in it were purchased from the Hittites.” When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed, and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. When Joseph’s brothers saw that their Father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your Father gave this command before he died, ‘Say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’ And now, we beg you, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your Father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Fear not, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Then he reassured them and comforted them. So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his Father’s house; and Joseph lived a hundred and ten years. And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation; the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were born upon Joseph’s knees. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die; but God will visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph took an oath of the sons of Israel, saying, “God will visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” So Joseph died, being a hundred and ten years old.

_The Word of the Lord._

*RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps. 105: 1-2. 3-4. 6-7*

_R. *You who are poor, seek God, and your hearts will revive.*_

Give thanks to the Lord; proclaim His Name. Make known His deeds among the peoples. O sing to Him, sing His praise; tell all His wonderful works!

_R/. *You who are poor, seek God, and your hearts will revive.*_

Glory in His holy Name; let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice. Turn to the Lord and His strength; constantly seek His Face.

_R/. *You who are poor, seek God, and your hearts will revive.*_

O children of Abraham, His servant, O descendants of the Jacob He chose, He, the Lord, is Our God; His judgements are in all the earth.

_R/. *You who are poor, seek God, and your hearts will revive.*_

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*

_R/. *Alleluia Alleluia*_
If you are reproached for the Name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of God rests upon you.
_R/. *Alleluia Alleluia*_

*GOSPEL*

_“Do not fear those who kill the body.”_

*A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 10: 24-33*

At that time: Jesus said to His Apostles, “A Disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above His master; it is enough for the Disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s Will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven; but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in Heaven.”

_The Gospel of the Lord._

*REFLECTION ON TODAY'S WORD OF GOD*

_Theme: *You are of more value than many sparrows.*_

Today’s Gospel passage comes from the end of Jesus’ instruction to the Apostles, sending them forth to carry on the mission of preaching and healing and instructing them to live simple lives, expecting opposition and rejection. Predicting future opposition and persecution, Jesus encourages the Apostles to stand firm, three times urging them, and us, “Do not fear!” “Do not be afraid!” Thus, we know that we, too, will be successful despite the opposition we encounter.

Have no fear: Jesus gives three reasons why the Apostles, and we, should not be frightened. The first reason is that their mission will succeednand opponents will not be able to prevent Jesus’ Followers from succeeding in their mission because God will expose their evil plans and deeds: _“Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered.”_ The Lord _“will bring to light the hidden things of darkness”_ (1Cor 4:5), will vindicate the faithful, and will not permit evil to win (v. 26).

The second reason not to be afraid is the limited power of our opponents. They can kill the body, which dies all too soon anyway, but they have no power over the soul.

The third reason we should not be afraid is that the providential care and protection of their Heavenly Father who cares for all His creatures will never fail.

Jesus tells us that we are more important to God than sparrows “sold at two for a penny.” The God Who cares for a trivial bird like the sparrow also cares about our smallest problems – even counting the hairs on our heads. While this is an encouraging assurance, we may find it difficult to believe in the midst of persecution.

Be not afraid: We can suffer from many fears: Fear of loss especially loss of life by illness or accident; Loss of dear ones – spouse, children, parents; loss of belongings and property or savings; loss of job; loss of good name and reputation by slanderers.

Baseless fears due to mental illness. Global fears about terrorist attacks, nuclear holocaust, plagues, like Covid-19, war etc.

When we are afraid let us remind ourselves that God cares – we are each a dear child of His and He cares for each of us. _“Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”_

We see ourselves as unworthy of the Splendid Holiness and Awesome Majesty of God. But, let us also see how God looks at each one of us. Let us become aware of how valued and treasured we are to the Lord!

We need to hear the words of Prophet Isaiah to “allow the Lord to touch our lives” (Is. 6:7).

Are we listening? *St. Padre Pio* says: _“Even if the world were to capsize, if everything were to become dark, hazy, tumultuous, God would still be with us!”_ Yes, We need to, Listen,Trust and Walk!

_My good Jesus, You desire to speak to me and all Your children in ways that are deep, profound and beyond words. Please do draw me deeper into these communications of Your love so that I may see beyond the veil and come to know You as You are. Please also use me, dear Lord, to speak to others as You choose._

10/07/2025

*THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025*

*THURSDAY OF THE FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME: YEAR C.*

*Seven Holy Brothers, Martyrs.*

*Saint Victoria, Martyr.*

*Saint Anatolia of Thora, Martyr.*

*Saint Rufina and Secunda of Rome, Nuns and Martyrs.*

*Saint Peter Vincioli, Monk.*

*Saint Amalburga / Amelia / Amalia of Mauberge, Nun.*

*Saint Knud / Canute IV, King and Martyr.*

*Blessed Faustino Villanueva, Priest and Martyr.*

*FIRST READING*

_“God sent me before you to preserve life,”_

*A Reading from the Book of Genesis 44: 18-21, 23b-29; 45: 1-5.*

In those days: Judah went up to Joseph and said, “O my lord, let your servant, I beg you, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not your anger burn against your servant; for you are like Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’ And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children; and his father loves him.’ Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes upon him. Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’ When we went back to your servant my father we told him the words of my lord. And when our father said, ‘Go again, buy us a little food,’ we said, ‘We cannot go down. If our youngest brother goes with us, then we will go down; for we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; one left me, and I said, Surely he has been torn to pieces; and I have never seen him since. If you take this one also from me, and harm befalls him, you will bring down my grey hairs in sorrow to Sheol.”’ Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him; and he cried, “Make every one go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, I beg you.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”

_The Word of the Lord._

*RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps. 105: 16-17, 18-19, 20-21.*

_R/. *Remember the Wonders the Lord has done.*_

But he called down a famine on the land; and ruined the crop that sustained them. He had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, sold as a slave.

_R/. *Remember the Wonders the Lord has done.*_

His feet were weighed down in chains, his neck was bound with iron, until what he said came to pass, and the Word of the Lord proved him true.

_R/. *Remember the Wonders the Lord has done.*_

Then the King sent orders and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free. He made him master of his house and ruler of all his possessions.

_R/. *Remember the Wonders the Lord has done.*_

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*

_R/. *Alleluia Alleluia*_
The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel.
_R/. *Alleluia Alleluia*_

*GOSPEL*

_“You received without pay, give without pay.”_

*A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 10: 7-15.*

At that time: Jesus said to His Apostles, “Preach as you go, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay. Take no Gold, nor Silver, nor Copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the labourer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. As you enter the house, salute it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgement for the land of S***m and Gomorrah than for that town.”

_The Gospel of the Lord._

*REFLECTION ON TODAY'S WORD OF GOD*

_Theme: *"You received without pay, give without pay."*_

Joseph had been unjustly treated, first by his brothers who wanted to kill him; then by Potiphar who chose to believe a lie rather than discern the truth concerning Joseph who had served him so faithfully; then by his co-prisoner, Pharaoh’s Chief cup-bearer, whose dream Joseph interpreted and asked that he speak to Pharaoh for his release from prison. Innocent though Joseph was, he was punished. Yet despite all this he did not grow bitter, resentful or revengeful. On the contrary, he became the means of salvation to some of the very ones who had wronged him (First Reading).

We too may face situations wherein we are unjustly treated. Because of this we may feel bitter and resentful, or even blame God. But it is the very things that go contrary to our desires and which God in His Wisdom permits in our life, that can become a source of grace to others.

God has His own exchange policy when it comes to giving and receiving gifts.
"Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give," Jesus says in our Gospel Reading today. God has freely given us His Mercy, His Kindness, many blessings, our talents that can be turned into income, our homes, our families, and best of all, His salvation; even though we have not deserved it. But that is only half of the equation. Whatever gifts we have received from the Lord we are to give as gifts to others without stopping to consider whether or not they deserve it.

Reflect on your talents, the knowledge and insights you have gained, the skills you have learned, the maturity that grew out of your sufferings and so on. These blessings have made you rich in non-material ways. They have lifted your spirit, graced you with joy, provided healing and filled you with a satisfying peace.

Consider also the material goods that he has provided. Even if you worked hard to get them, God is the original source of everything that you own. If what you have purchased is good and does not lead to sin, God is very pleased with His investment, but it is meant to be shared.

We are distributors of His blessings. If a gift from God sits quietly unused in the closet of our selfishness, the good feelings that came with it dissipate rather quickly. But in passing it on to others, the blessings take deeper root and expand. We experience more of God's loving, generous bundance.
That is the first half of God's exchange policy. The second half is to allow others to pass on to us the gifts that God has given to them. Just as we are to be generous, so too are we to allow others to be generous toward us when God says to them, "Distribute this to my dear friend!"

Jesus told His Disciples to travel unpacked. Even when we can take care of our own needs, God wants us to experience the blessing of community life. He wants us to allow others to feel good about sharing what God has given to them. By graciously accepting what they offer, they experience more of God's loving abundance in exchange. God's gift exchange policy can be summed up like this: Freely give _and_ freely receive. This is how the blessings spread and multiply throughout the world. What if someone refuses to accept what you try to give them, or what if they abuse it? Don't wallow in unforgiveness. Move on, shaking the dirt from your shoes. This is yet another way to gift them with your love. It gives them more time to become ready to receive the blessings, which, by the way, most likely will come from someone else, not you. We all work together, even when we never meet the stranger who finally delivers the gift.

_My most generous Lord, You have bestowed upon me blessings beyond my imagination. I realize that I will never fully understand how good You have been to me and will never be able to express my gratitude adequately enough. Please do fill me with a grateful heart. Help me to see Your action in my life and to respond to You always by being kind to others._