Moments with the Gospel Series: The Guest without the Wedding Garment Mt 22:1-14

 

Have you ever wondered about the guest without the wedding garment? I was meditating on this Gospel this morning and it occurred to me that even though Matthew 22:1-14 is a parable, Jesus often used imagery drawn from real-life customs so His audience would understand the deeper spiritual meaning. 

Let me explain the cultural context around the wedding garments and why the guest without one stood out

 1. Wedding Customs in the Time of Jesus

In first-century Jewish culture, weddings were major community events, often lasting several days. When a wealthy or prominent host — like the “king” in this parable — held a wedding banquet, it was customary to provide special garments for the guests.

• These garments symbolized honour, joy, and respect for the occasion.
• Guests would be expected to put on these robes upon arrival.
• Failing to wear one would be seen as an insult to the host — effectively saying, “I accept your invitation, but on my own terms.”

This tradition is supported by historical writings (e.g., Josephus, Talmudic references) that describe wedding hosts supplying appropriate attire, especially when the feast was given by someone wealthy, like a king.

 2. Why One Guest Didn’t Wear a Wedding Garment

In the parable, the guest had no excuse for not wearing the garment because:

• The host provided it.
• Other guests were wearing theirs.
• To refuse was an act of defiance or indifference.

In the cultural setting, showing up improperly dressed wasn’t about poverty or inability — it symbolized rejecting the Honor and requirements of the host’s invitation.

 3. The Spiritual Meaning

Jesus’ audience would have understood the cultural point immediately, but He used it to teach a deeper truth:

• The king represents God.
• The wedding banquet represents the kingdom of heaven.
• The garment represents righteousness — the transformation God provides when we accept His invitation.
• The guest without the garment symbolizes someone who wants the benefits of the kingdom but refuses to be changed by God’s grace.

It ties beautifully to passages like Isaiah 61:10:

“He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness.”

4. Why Jesus’ Listeners “Knew” This

Jesus’ audience was very familiar with:

• The expectation of proper garments at weddings.
• The shame associated with being found unprepared.
• The social and religious symbolism of cleanliness and clothing — which was deeply tied to covenant life in Jewish thought.

That’s why this parable would have struck them powerfully. It wasn’t about fashion; it was about acceptance and transformation.

Reflection Questions

1. Receiving the Invitation
• How am I responding to God’s daily invitation to draw closer to Him?
• Are there moments where I’ve been “too busy” with other things to enter into His presence?
2. Wearing the Garment
• In what ways am I allowing God to “clothe me” with His grace, forgiveness, and love?
• Are there areas of my life where I resist transformation — wanting the blessing but not the change?
3. Examining My Readiness
• If God invited me to His banquet today, would I feel ready to enter?
• What might I need to “leave behind” to accept His invitation fully?
4. Living the Gospel Today
• How can I live today as someone who is already seated at God’s table?
• What small act of love, kindness, or forgiveness can I offer that reflects my “wedding garment” to others?
5. Hearing God’s Voice
• What part of this passage stirs something deep within me today?
• Could God be inviting me to take one concrete step — however small — toward Him this week?

 

Come Holy Spirit Series Week 8 Part B Fruit of Gentleness

 Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit 

Come Holy Spirit: The Fruit of Gentleness

Scripture Focus

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
— Philippians 4:5

A Gentle Spirit in a Harsh World

Gentleness is often misunderstood as weakness. Yet in Scripture, gentleness is a sign of strength under control, of a heart that has been softened by grace and shaped by the Spirit. Jesus Himself, our perfect model, describes His heart as “gentle and humble” (Matthew 11:29). Gentleness is not about being passive or timid—it’s about being grounded in peace and led by love.

This fruit of the Spirit enables us to respond with patience when provoked, to restore others with compassion rather than condemnation, and to speak truth in a way that heals rather than harms. Gentleness is both balm and boundary, tenderness and quiet strength.

 

Practicing Gentleness in Daily Life

If we want the fruit of gentleness to grow in our lives, it must be nurtured. This fruit ripens slowly as we learn to listen, to soften our tone, and to see people through God's eyes.

Some gentle practices to consider this week:

• Approach conflict with humility. Ask: What does love require of me right now?
• Choose a kind tone, even when setting boundaries or correcting someone.
• Respond to your own mistakes with grace. Gentleness begins within.
• Practice active listening. Offer presence without rushing to fix or advise.
• Handle creation with care. Gentleness extends to the way we treat animals, nature, and all life.

Gentleness is the quiet courage to remain soft in a world that often feels hard.

Journaling and Reflection Prompts

Take time this week to sit with the Lord and explore these prompts:

1. Where have I witnessed gentleness in someone else’s life?
2. When have I been moved or healed by a gentle word?
3. In what situations am I most tempted to react harshly?
4. What would it look like to be gentle with myself today?
5. Who in my life is in need of a gentle response or gesture?
6. How does Jesus model gentleness for me in the Gospels?

 

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, and shape in me a gentle heart.
Soften the places in me that have become hard or sharp.
Teach me how to speak the truth in love,
to restore rather than wound,
and to carry Your presence with a light touch but great strength.
May Your gentleness in me be a quiet witness to Your nearness.
Amen.

 

 

Collect Series Collect for Twentieth Sunday Year C

 Collect Series

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COLLECT

 

O God, who have prepared for those who love you

Good things which no eye can see,

Fill our hearts, we pray, with the warmth of Your love,

So that, loving you in all things and above all things,

We may attain Your promises,

Which surpass every human desire.

Though our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You in unity of the Holy Spirit,

One God, for ever and ever.

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

 

What are the good things you hope that God has prepared for you?

How is my relationship with God currently? What areas need to change?

What does God’s love look and feel like to you?  What areas in our lives can we emulate God’s love?

How will I love God in all things and above all things this coming week (Name at least one way I can do this with the grace of God helping me).

What are the promises of God which surpass every human desire?

 

 

Gospel: Luke 12:49–53

"I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!"

Today's Gospel from Luke 12:49-53 is another one of those Gospel's that should make us sit up and take notice. Why because in a good proportion of his Gospel, he speaks of peace. 

 However, Jesus is telling his disciples (and us) that peace comes at a price/ a cost.  It has to be gained and it can be anything but peace.  

 Standing up for what is right and holding out when the popular opinion cries something else is often very difficult for people to do. Sometimes they lack courage, they fear what will happen to them. They may be ostracised for their beliefs from those whom they love most and those whom they thought would support them. No, they stand alone it seems.

Even though a stand for the right takes courage, the good news is that Jesus is always with us.  Yes, we may be ostracised, fearful, lack courage and yet, if we know in our hearts that we need to stand up for the truth and/or for the right, we need to, for the sake of our souls, speak up. We cannot allow injustice to have free reign.

In most occasions, we do not have to speak out on the world stage- if that is our calling, then Jesus will give us the courage to fulfil our destiny.

However, battles are lost or won in the day to day-in the family, at work, in the parish, even doing grocery shopping.  Where ever we are, we need to stand up for what is right and be prepared to take the consequences in the full knowledge that we know we have Jesus on our side.  We can then know that we are not alone, that we will have the courage, the words and the disposition to speak up and out when it is necessary not only when it is convenient or will not cause us any harm.

 

A Piercing Gospel

This Sunday's Gospel may feel confronting. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, speaks of fire, division, and not peace. It may seem startling. Hower Jesus is not contradicting Himself—He is revealing the cost of discipleship and the refining nature of the Gospel.

The Fire of the Spirit

When Jesus says, “I have come to bring fire,” He is speaking of the fire of the Holy Spirit, the fire of truth, justice, and transforming love. It is not the fire of destruction, but of purification. Fire in Scripture often represents God’s presence—a fire that burns away what is false and ignites passion for what is true and holy.

Jesus desires this fire to be kindled in every heart, to burn away complacency and lukewarm faith. It is a call to courageous and authentic living—not a watered-down Gospel of comfort, but one of conviction.

A Gospel That Divides

Jesus says that following Him will cause division—even within families. This does not mean He wants conflict, but that truth provokes a response. When we align our lives with Christ, there will be times when others reject that choice. Choosing Jesus means sometimes standing alone, misunderstood, or even opposed—just like He was.

The Gospel disrupts false peace, the kind that comes from avoiding conflict, pleasing everyone, or staying silent in the face of injustice. Jesus brings true peace—but it is the kind that comes after the struggle of truth-telling, not instead of it.

 

Reflect and Respond

• What areas of your life need the purifying fire of the Gospel?
• Where are you called to stand firm in your faith, even if it costs you approval or comfort?
• Are you willing to let Jesus ignite a holy fire within you, even if it means shaking things up?

 

A Prayer to Kindle the Flame

Lord Jesus, set my heart ablaze with the fire of your love.
Burn away my fear, my complacency, and my need to please others.
Give me courage to live your Gospel with conviction,
even when it divides or disrupts.

 

Come Holy Spirit Series Week 7 Part B Fruit of Goodness

 Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit

"Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9

 

What Is the Fruit of Goodness?

The fruit of goodness is more than being "good" in a moral or socially acceptable way. Goodness is a deep, inner integrity shaped by the Holy Spirit and expressed outwardly in our actions. It is the conscious choice to live in alignment with God’s will—doing what is right, just, and compassionate even when no one is watching. It reflects the very nature of God, who is goodness itself (Psalm 34:8).

In the context of the spiritual fruits, goodness is both moral excellence and active benevolence. It is the habit of seeking the best for others without selfish motives. It’s kindness coupled with righteousness. This fruit motivates us to walk with integrity and courage in a world that can often reward self-interest over virtue.

 

How Is Goodness Connected to the Gifts of the Spirit?

The fruit of goodness grows most fully in a soul that cooperates with the Holy Spirit’s gifts. Particularly, the gifts of fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord fuel the growth of goodness:

• Fortitude gives the strength to stand for what is right, even when it is difficult.
• Piety or reverence nourishes our commitment to live in loving obedience to God.
• Fear of the Lord reminds us to walk humbly and righteously, not out of fear of punishment, but out of love and awe for God’s holiness.

The gifts cultivate the soil of our heart so that the fruit of goodness can flourish.

 

Scriptures for Reflection

• "The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works." — Psalm 145:9
• "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." — Romans 12:21
• "For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth." — Ephesians 5:9
• "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." — Psalm 37:3

 

Living the Fruit of Goodness in Daily Life

Practicing goodness means making consistent decisions to live uprightly—not for recognition, but as a reflection of God’s presence in us. Here are some ways to live out this fruit:

• Speak truthfully, even when it would be easier to stay silent or twist the truth.
• Step in to protect or advocate for someone being treated unjustly.
• Take responsibility for your actions, even if it costs you.
• Seek ways to bless others anonymously—doing good for the sake of goodness.
• Reflect regularly on your conscience: "Am I choosing what is truly good, or just what is convenient?"

Goodness doesn’t always feel convenient or comfortable. But when it flows from a Spirit-filled heart, it becomes a beacon of hope and light in the world.

 

Opportunity to Journal

Take time this week to sit quietly with the Holy Spirit and reflect on these questions in your journal:

1. What does "goodness" mean to me spiritually—not just morally?
2. Can I recall a time when someone’s quiet act of goodness impacted me?
3. In what area of my life is God inviting me to grow in goodness?
4. Are there habits or choices that I need to release to allow this fruit to grow more fully?
5. How can I be a quiet witness of God’s goodness in the world this week?
6. How do I discern whether an action is "good" in the eyes of God and not just society?

 

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, fill me with the fruit of goodness.
Teach me to reflect Your holiness in my thoughts, words, and actions.
Give me courage to do what is right even when it’s hard,
and help me to be a living sign of Your love in the world.
Amen.

Collect Series: Nineteenth Sunday of Year C

 Collect Series

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COLLECT SERIES

 

The Collect for the 19th Sunday of the Year Year C is as follows:

 

Almighty ever-living God,

whom taught by the Holy Spirit,

we dare to call our Father,

bring we pray, to perfection in our hearts

the spirit of adoption as Your sons and daughters,

that we may merit to enter into the inheritance

which you have promised.

Through our lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

                                       
In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflections questions emerged:

1.  What is my relationship with God the Father?  

2. What is my relationship with Jesus? 

3.    What is my relationship with the Holy Spirit? 

4.    What are the areas in my life that I need help from God? 

5.    Consider the love with which Christ handed himself over to death?

6. What personal response do I make to Jesus for this enormous love? 

7..    How will I merit the inheritance of the Kingdom this coming week?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION.

 Ready Hearts, Faithful Hands Gospel: Luke 12:32–48

There is a tender reassurance at the start of today’s gospel: "Do not be afraid, little flock." Before Jesus speaks of watchfulness, readiness, and accountability, He reminds us of the Father’s heart — generous, loving, and delighted to give us the kingdom. We do not serve out of fear of losing His love; we serve because we already have it.

Jesus moves quickly from reassurance to responsibility. Readiness in the kingdom is not about having a perfectly organised life or knowing exactly what tomorrow holds — it is about living each day with open hands and a faithful heart. We are called to keep our lamps burning, to be dressed for service, and to respond when He knocks.

This parable presses on an important truth: the kingdom is a gift, but discipleship is a trust. We are stewards — of our time, our resources, our relationships, our faith. And stewardship is not occasional; it is daily, often in the quiet and unseen moments. The faithful servant is not only the one who welcomes the master at the front door, but the one who has been quietly tending the house all along.

Jesus’ words about the servant who knew what to do but failed to act can feel challenging. They remind us that faith is not just belief; it is lived obedience. The more we have been given — in gifts, opportunities, and understanding — the more is expected of us. This is not meant to burden us, but to awaken us. God’s grace equips us for the task. We also need to realise and acknowledge how God has gifted us and use these gifts.  God provides us with gifts not just once but daily.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end

they are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22–23

 

How then do we keep our lamps burning? By living prayerfully, giving generously, forgiving quickly, and loving persistently — even when no one notices. By being attentive to the Spirit’s prompting and responding to the needs in front of us.

The master is coming — perhaps in the unexpected interruption, in the cry for help from someone we did not plan to meet, or in the gentle whisper during prayer. When He comes, may He find our hearts ready, our hands faithful, and our lives lit with the light of His love.

 

So we may wish to pray:

The Lord is our light and guide,
Our hearts will not be afraid.
We watch for His coming in peace,
Faithful in love till He calls.

 

Moments with the Gospel Series: Mt 6:25-34 Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God.

 Moments with The Gospel

Moments with the Gospel Series

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Today's Gospel is Matthew 6:25–34 and  is filled with deep assurance and quiet invitation to trust. As I was meditating on this passage the word righteousness caught my attention.

The word  "righteousness" (Greek: dikaiosynē), in this context—especially verse 33—holds rich meaning:

 What “Righteousness” Means in This Passage

At its heart, righteousness means right relationship—with God, with others, with creation, and even within oneself.

In Matthew’s Gospel, it is not a cold moralism or external rule-keeping. It’s about living in harmony with the heart of God.

When Jesus says, "Seek His righteousness," He invites us to:

• Desire what God desires.
• Live with integrity and trust in God’s providence.
• Let go of anxious striving for control, and instead live in faithful alignment with God’s will.

 

Righteousness as Alignment and Trust

In the flow of this passage—where Jesus says not to worry about food, drink, or clothing—righteousness becomes less about doing “right things” and more about:

• Living rightly in God’s kingdom economy of trust.
• Aligning our values with the generosity and simplicity of God.
• Prioritizing inner transformation over external success.

It is a gentle reorientation:

“If we live in tune with God's reign (Kingdom) and His way of being (righteousness), everything else will follow—not because we have earned it, but because we are living from a place of divine trust.”

 

Journal Prayer Prompts.

As we reflect, here are a few prompts you might use in our journaling or prayer:

• What does God’s righteousness look like in my life today?
• Am I seeking security through worry, or through deeper trust in God’s care?
• In what ways can I embody God’s justice, mercy, and right relationship with others today?
• What would it mean for me to seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness—even in uncertainty?

 

Come Holy Spirit Series: Week 6 Part B The Fruit of Kindness.

 Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit 

Come Holy Spirit – Week 6 – The Fruit of Kindness

As we continue our journey through the fruits of the Holy Spirit, this week we pause to reflect on a virtue that sounds gentle and simple but is often greatly misunderstood in its strength: Kindness.

What is Kindness?

Kindness is more than being nice. It’s not about polite words or a forced smile. Kindness flows from a heart that is rooted in God’s love—a heart that sees the other as someone created in the image of God and responds with tenderness, compassion, and mercy.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1832) lists kindness among the twelve traditional fruits of the Holy Spirit. It’s closely aligned with charity (love) and goodness, but kindness expresses itself in how we treat others moment by moment—with gentleness, patience, and compassion, especially when it is undeserved.

What Does Scripture Say?

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:32

“Love is patient, love is kind...”
— 1 Corinthians 13:4

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...”
— Galatians 5:22

Kindness is an overflow of the Spirit working in us. When we are truly connected to Christ, kindness becomes less of an effort and more of a habit—something that radiates from within.

How Does Kindness Relate to the Gifts?

Kindness is deeply linked to the gifts of the Holy Spirit—especially the gifts of Piety, Wisdom, and Counsel. These gifts help us see others as God sees them and to respond not with judgment or irritation but with a generous spirit. Wisdom helps us discern what is truly needed; Counsel helps us respond appropriately; and Piety moves us with love and reverence for the other.

Kindness is not weakness. In fact, it takes great strength to be kind when circumstances are difficult, when people are rude, or when we ourselves are tired or wounded. But when we lean into the Holy Spirit, we find that kindness is no longer just something we try to do—it’s something we begin to become.

Practicing Kindness in Daily Life

• Pause before reacting – Sometimes, the kindest thing we can do is pause and not speak the first thing that comes to mind.
• Acknowledge others – A warm smile, a greeting, a kind word to someone who feels invisible can be deeply healing.
• Be gentle with people’s faults – Kindness sees weakness but chooses not to punish it. This also applies to our own faults. Acknowledge the fault to God but be kind to yourself just as Jesus is merciful to you. We need to learn that same kindness and mercy.
• Help quietly – A kind act without expecting recognition is the most beautiful expression of this fruit.
• Speak truth with love – Kindness does not avoid truth but delivers it with mercy and tenderness.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you notice the people who need a little more kindness this week.

 

Scripture to Pray With

Take sometime this week to pray with these verses:

• Titus 3:4-5 – “When the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us…”
• Proverbs 31:26 – “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
• Colossians 3:12 – “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

 

Opportunity to Journal

You may like to reflect on one or more of these:

1. How do I understand the difference between being kind and being nice?
2. In what areas of my life do I struggle to be kind?
3. Have I ever been the recipient of unexpected kindness? How did it change me?
4. Which gifts of the Holy Spirit do I need to rely on more in order to grow in kindness?
5. How can I show kindness to myself this week?

 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your fruit of kindness. Let me be a vessel of gentleness, compassion, and strength to those I encounter. Teach me to reflect Your mercy and tenderness in a world so in need of it. Amen.

 

Collect Series: Eighteenth Sunday Ordinary Time Year C

 Collect Series

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COLLECT SERIES

 

The Collect of the Mass for 18^TH Sunday of the Year C reads as follows:

 

Draw near to your servants, O Lord, and answer their prayers with unceasing kindness, that, for those who glory in You as their Creator and guide, You may restore what you have created and keep safe what You have restored. 
Who lives and reign with God the Father in the unity o the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for my life during this week, the following reflection questions emerged: 

1. What is my attitude towards God? Do I truly see God as Creator and myself as the created?

2. How does the attitude of ‘being the creator’ manifest in my life?

3. How will I deliberately make a choice to put God first in my life this week?

4.How will I acknowledge God as Creator this week? Eg become aware of creation around me, take a walk and ponder in both beauty of trees/flowers but God the Creator who made each one.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Certainly! Here's a Gospel reflection post on Luke 12:13–21, the Parable of the Rich Fool:

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📖 Gospel Reflection | Luke 12:13–21
“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is confronted by a man asking Him to settle a family dispute over an inheritance. Rather than involving Himself in legal matters, Jesus goes deeper—He addresses the root issue: greed.

He tells the parable of a rich man whose land yields a bountiful harvest. Instead of sharing his abundance, the man decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store it all for himself. He imagines a life of comfort—“Eat, drink, and be merry.” But God calls him a fool. That very night, his life will be demanded of him, and all his accumulated wealth will be left behind.

This parable is not a condemnation of wealth itself, but of the illusion of control and the idolatry of possessions. The rich man is not a villain because he had a good harvest, but because he placed his security, identity, and future in things rather than in God. He lived with no awareness of his mortality and no thought of others.

The key to this gospel occurs in the last sentence where the invitation to become rich in God is offered. What would that mean for me to become rich in God? What changes would I make to my life right now/ this week/ this month? 

Questions for reflection:

• What “barns” am I building in my own life?
• Do I measure success by what I accumulate or by how generously I live?
• If my life were demanded of me tonight, where would my treasure be?
• What changes do I need to make to become rich in God?  What graces do I need to ask for?  How is my prayer life?  Am I really in relationship with God?

 

This parable cuts to the heart of something many of us wrestle with—not just greed in the obvious sense, but a reluctance to let go. For some, it’s financial fear: What if I need this later? For others, it’s emotional: This item holds a memory, a part of my story. And sometimes it’s simply a quiet resistance to change.

Jesus does not shame us for having things. However He does invite us to reflect: Are our possessions serving our life with God, or distracting us from it? Are they freeing us to love others more deeply, or chaining us to fear, control, or nostalgia?

Reflection Invitation:

Go to a shelf or a cupboard in your home. Take a slow look. Then gently ask yourself:

What do I need?

What do I like?

Why do these things belong here?

 Am I becoming rich in God—or merely comfortable in clutter?

Letting go is rarely just a practical act—it is also spiritual. However, Jesus is there waiting in the sacrament of Reconciliation to help us to become rich in God through His mercy and forgiveness.  As we release, we create space: for simplicity, for trust, and for God.

Prayer:
Lord, You know how I cling to what I see, to what feels familiar and safe. Teach me to hold loosely to the things of this world and cling tightly to You. May my heart become less cluttered and more open to Your voice. Help me become rich—not in possessions—but in You through Your grace and compassion.