Alleluia MK 10:45
R. Alleluia, alleluia. The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 9:51-56
When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.
REFLECTION
“He loves me, He loves me not…” How many of you have plucked the petals from a daisy and as you plucked one said, “He loves me,” and then next petal, “He loves me not…” As you continue you become anxious about the outcome. Will the last petal tell “He loves me” or will it be “He loves me not?” There was no doubt in St. Therese` the Child Jesus and the Holy Face’s mind that God loves her. She wanted desperately to prove that she loved Him back.
Did you know that St. Therese` of Lisieux along with St. Francis Xavier was known as “co-patrons of missionaries?” The strange thing about this title is that she never left her cloister! Why? St. Therese` had many aspirations to do great things for Jesus. She longed to quench the “thirst” that Jesus cried out about for the salvation of souls while he was dying on the cross. Even though she could not leave her convent, “She wanted to be an ‘apostle of apostles,’ sharing in the apostolic labors of the missionaries, with her prayers and sacrifices. Not satisfied with sharing in their labors, successes and failures in this life alone, she promised to support them from heaven.” Therese wrote to two missionary priests who would share with her their trials and triumphs. She wrote to them before she died telling them, “I will not be inactive in heaven, my desire is to continue working for the Church and souls. I ask this of the Good Lord and I am sure he will grant me my wish.” *
This missionary spirit of St. Therese` of Lisieux is a model for PAPA members and all Catholics and Christians. Why? Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, he gives us a mission, “Go into the world and preach the Gospel to all men” (Mark 16:15).
Let us pray for all Priests who work in the mission fields for St. Therese` of Lisieux to intercede for them to "reap a bountiful harvest of souls." *
Join together in praying the PAPA Prayer for Priests.
Reference
* St. Therese` Doctor of The Little Way, by Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate
