SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER

September 25, 2026September 25, 2026

27 SEPTEMBER 2026

What does Matthew 21:28-32 mean? | Bible Art

SUNDAY, TWENTY SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Ez 18: 25-28; Ps 25: 4-9; Phil 2: 1-11; Mt 21: 28-32

WHEN A HEART TURNS BACK TO GOD

Many people believe that once a person has failed, there is no hope left. They think that one mistake defines a whole life. Sometimes we also judge others in the same way. We remember their past more than their present. But today’s first reading from Ezekiel 18:25–28 gives us a different picture of God. God is not interested in condemning people. He is interested in changing hearts. He always gives a person another chance. The people of Israel complained that God was not fair. They thought God judged them harshly. But God answered them with a simple question. Is God unfair, or are people walking on the wrong path? God reminds them that every person is responsible for his or her own choices. A good person can choose to turn away from goodness. A sinner can also choose to leave sin behind and return to God. What matters is the direction of the heart today. This message is full of hope. Our past does not have to control our future. God never closes the door to repentance. He waits patiently for us. He rejoices when even one sinner comes back. This shows us the greatness of God’s mercy.

The Gospel (Mt 21:28–32) gives us a practical example of this truth. Jesus tells the story of two sons. The first son refuses to work in the vineyard. Later he changes his mind and goes to work. The second son politely says yes, but he never goes. Jesus teaches that actions speak louder than words. God is pleased not by beautiful promises alone but by faithful obedience. The first son reminds us of many people who have made mistakes but later changed their lives. Tax collectors and sinners listened to John the Baptist. They accepted God’s call. They repented. Their past did not stop them from becoming new people. The religious leaders, however, knew the right words. Yet many refused to change their hearts. They appeared holy, but they did not respond to God’s invitation. This Gospel also invites us to examine ourselves. How often do we promise God many things? We promise to pray every day. We promise to forgive someone. We promise to help those in need. But many a time, those promises remain only as words. God is not looking for perfect people. He is looking for honest people. He wants people who are ready to change and to follow His will.

St. Augustine once said that God who created us without us, will not save us without us. God gives grace freely. Yet He respects our freedom. We must respond. We must choose every day to walk with Him. Conversion is not only one moment. It is a daily decision. Our daily life gives us many opportunities to live this message. A husband who begins to care for his family after years of neglect is living this Gospel. A student who decides to stop cheating and study honestly is turning back to God. A young person who leaves harmful habits and begins to pray is choosing the right path. A Christian who forgives an old wound is saying “yes” to God through action. These small decisions please God more than empty words. Over its history, the Church has very many times reminded us that God never grows tired of forgiving us. It is we who grow tired of asking for forgiveness. This is an encouraging thought. No matter how far we have gone, God is always ready to welcome us back. We only need the courage to take the first step.

Today’s readings invite us to look into our own hearts. Am I like the second son, saying the right things but failing to act? Or am I ready to become like the first son, who had the humility to change? True discipleship is not about appearing good before others. It is about allowing God to transform our hearts. Let us ask the Lord for the grace of a humble and faithful heart. May we never lose hope because of our failures or judge others by their past mistakes. Instead, let us trust completely in God’s endless mercy and respond generously to His call through our daily actions. Then our “yes” will not remain only on our lips but will be clearly evident in the way we live.

Response: Remember your compassion, O Lord!

September 25, 2026September 25, 2026

26 SEPTEMBER 2026

A Loving Heart is the Truest Wisdom – Mother Earth News

SATURDAY, TWENTY FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Eccl 11:9–12:8; Ps 90: 3-6, 12-14, 17; Lk 9: 43-45

WISDOM OF HEART

The book of Ecclesiastes invites us to reflect deeply on the shortness and fragility of life. “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth” is not merely advice for the young; it is a call for every person to live with a wise and discerning heart before the passing of time. Human life, with all its beauty, energy, and achievements, quickly fades like grass in the morning. The Psalmist highlights this truth: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” Wisdom of heart is the ability to see life from God’s perspective — to recognize what truly lasts and what is temporary.

The Catholic Church teaches in the Catechism: “Wisdom is a breath of the power of God” (CCC 1831). True wisdom is not merely intelligence or knowledge; it is a gift of the Holy Spirit that helps us choose what leads us closer to God. The Catechism also reminds us that “man’s life has a limit” and that death gives urgency to our conversion (CCC 1007). Therefore, every moment becomes precious when lived in the light of eternity.

St Edith Stein, beautifully wrote, “The more deeply a person is drawn to God, the more he must go out of himself in love toward others.” Wisdom of heart leads us away from selfishness and toward loving surrender. Edith Stein understood that earthly success alone cannot satisfy the soul; only union with God gives lasting peace. Likewise, Teresa of Ávila reminds us, “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you; all things are passing, God never changes.” These words perfectly reflect the message of Ecclesiastes: worldly pleasures fade, but God remains forever.

Jesus Himself teaches, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” (Mark 8:36). Wisdom of heart helps us treasure what is eternal: faith, love, mercy, and communion with God. When we remember our Creator daily, our lives gain direction and meaning. May the Lord fill our hearts with true wisdom, so that amidst the passing realities of life, we may remain rooted in His eternal love and walk faithfully toward Him each day.

Response: O Lord you have been our refuge, from generation to generation.

September 24, 2026September 24, 2026

25 SEPTEMBER 2026

Gospel Reflection Luke 9:18–22 26 September 2025 “But who do you say that I am?” There comes a point in every person's faith journey when Jesus asks the same question He asked

FRIDAY, TWENTY FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Eccl 3: 1-11 Ps 144: 1-4 Lk 9: 18-22

PARTICIPATION IN DIVINE IDENTITY

We humans grow gradually in time. There is nothing that can happen overnight in the historic realm. Our physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth is but normal and a gradual happening in time. When one grows beyond nature’s laws, we call it abnormality and such cases require medical or psychological treatment. The first reading of today speaks extensively about how everything in life happens in the realm of time. There is time for everything, and by chance if one goes to mutate things outside the usual time sequence of nature then one may end up ruin everything.

Having said that about the realm of time and history, something quite distinct happens when one enters the realm of prayer and contemplation, where one is able to experience the bond of love between the divine heart and the human. Here the human person enters the sphere of the spiritual or mystical and experiences things beyond time and season. This is what we call the transforming effect of prayer and contemplation.

The Gospel of today speaks of one such experience of St. Peter. To begin with, Jesus spends the entire night in prayer with deep intimacy with the Father where he experiences his divine identity and oneness with the Father being the Son of God. At the same time Jesus wanted to see whether his close disciples who prepared for the same divine intimacy could understand his divine identity. Thus, he asks Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” It is heartening to see when Peter answers Jesus rightly, saying that He was the Christ Son of the living God. Jesus immediately declares that flesh and blood has not revealed this to him but His heavenly Father, because he too was able to enter the realm of the spiritual. In other words, it is the grace of the Holy Spirit alone that can help us transcend time and history and make us understand who truly Jesus is on one hand and what our true identity is as the disciples of Jesus.

Response: Blest be the Lord, my rock

September 23, 2026September 23, 2026

24 SEPTEMBER 2026

LET CHRIST BE THE CENTER OF EVERY RELATIONSHIP ❤️ As the world celebrates Valentine's Day, we are reminded that authentic love is not merely affection or fleeting romance. True love is rooted

THURSDAY, TWENTY FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Eccl 1: 2-11 Ps 90: 3-6, 12-14, 17 Lk 9: 7-9

ONLY CHRIST GIVES LASTING MEANING

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on a profound question: What gives true meaning to our lives? The Book of Ecclesiastes opens with the striking words, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” The sacred author is not saying that life is meaningless. Rather, he reminds us that everything in this world is temporary. Wealth, success, fame, and even human achievements are like a passing mist. Generations come and go, but nothing on earth can fully satisfy the deepest longing of the human heart. A life centered only on worldly pursuits eventually leaves us empty.

The Gospel presents Herod, a man who seemingly had everything: power, influence, and wealth. Yet he was deeply disturbed when he heard about Jesus. People had different opinions about Jesus: some believed He was John the Baptist raised from the dead, others Elijah, or one of the prophets. Herod’s question, “Who then is this?” is one that every person must answer. The tragedy is that Herod’s curiosity never became faith. His guilty conscience over the death of John the Baptist prevented him from opening his heart to Christ. He wanted to see Jesus, but not to change his life. Many of us are like Herod: we know about Jesus, admire His teachings, and even participate in religious practices, but hesitate to let Him transform their hearts.

The message of today’s readings is clear: life finds its true meaning only in God. When Christ becomes the center of our lives, our daily work, sacrifices, and relationships gain eternal value. Without Him, even great achievements remain incomplete. Today, Jesus asks each one of us, “Who am I for you?” Is He simply a figure from history, or is He the Lord who guides our choices, our priorities, and our future? Our answer is given not merely by our words but by the way we live. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask the Lord for the grace to seek not the passing things of this world but the eternal treasures of His Kingdom. May our lives bear witness to the joy and peace, which Christ alone can give.

Response: O Lord, you have been our refuge,
from generation to generation.

September 22, 2026September 22, 2026

13 SEPTEMBER 2026

Your Word is a Lamp to my feet… | A LAMP TO MY FEET. A LIGHT FOR MY PATH.

WEDNESDAY, TWENTY FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Prv 30: 5-9 Ps 119: 29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163 Lk 9: 1-6

LIVING BY GOD’S WORD

Today’s liturgy invites us to reflect on the power of God’s Word and the trust that every disciple is called to place in Him. They remind us that God never fails in His promises and that those who rely on Him will always find the strength they need, to carry out His mission.

In the first reading from the Book of Proverbs, we are reminded that the Word of God is true and trustworthy. Human words can sometimes disappoint us, but God’s Word never deceives. It remains firm in every situation and gives protection to those who place their hope in Him. This reading at the end offers a humble prayer, asking not for riches or poverty but for a life that is honest, content, and close to God. This prayer teaches us that what matters most is not how much we possess but how faithfully we live. Too often, we ask God for more success, more comfort, or more security. Yet true peace comes when our hearts are satisfied with God’s presence. A life rooted in His Word helps us avoid both pride and hopelessness and leads us to live with gratitude each day.

In the Gospel, Jesus sends His disciples on mission with very little. They are asked to depend on God’s providence rather than on their own preparations. This beautifully reflects the message of the first reading. The disciples are able to preach, heal, and serve because they trust in the Lord who sends them. Their strength comes not from what they carry but from the One who walks with them. Jesus invites us to have the same confidence today. Whether we serve in our families, our parish, or our workplaces, He asks us to place our trust in Him before we place our trust in our own abilities.

Today, the Church commemorates the memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio). His life reminds us that holiness grows through complete trust in God, faithful prayer, and humble obedience even in times of suffering. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask the Lord for hearts that treasure His Word above everything else.

Response: You word is lamp for my feet, Lord.

September 21, 2026September 21, 2026

22 SEPTEMBER 2026

God Sees the Heart" - The Abundant Life Center

TUESDAY, TWENTY FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Prv 21: 1-6, 10-13 Ps 119: 1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44 Lk 8: 19-21

GOD SEES THE HEART NOT THE HANDS

Each one of us has a natural tendency toward self-justification. We like to evaluate ourselves by our outward, visible actions, especially our religious deeds. We at times keep a count of the Mass intentions we request, the prayers we recite, the rosaries we pray, or the donations we drop into the collection basket. When we do these things, we often feel a quiet sense of satisfaction. We pat ourselves on the back and think, “I am doing great; God must be very pleased with me.” In the first reading today from the Book of Proverbs, we are met with a quiet, piercing truth. Proverbs tells us: “All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the Lord who weighs the heart.”

Human beings look at the hands, but God inspects the heart. We measure religious performance, but God measures inner integrity. This is a reminder for anyone who tries to live a spiritual life. God is never impressed by showy religious rituals when they are used as a mask to cover up unfairness, greed, dishonesty, or a lack of love in our daily relationships. A lavish “sacrifice” offered on an altar means very little to God if the hands offering it were dishonest at work on Monday, or cold, angry, and unfeeling toward a family member on Tuesday. To God, genuine integrity in our daily living must always come before religious ceremony.

We are called to stop using our “religious duties” to excuse bad behaviour. It is remarkably easy to fall into the subtle trap of thinking: “I went to Mass on Sunday, I said my prayers, so it is okay if I gossip about my coworker, act dishonestly in business, or yell at my family.” God does not take bribes. True worship on Sunday must translate into honesty, patience, and fairness on all weekdays. God does not ask us to abandon our sacrifices, our prayers, or our worship. He asks us to ensure that our worship flows from a heart that is clean, honest, and just.

Response: Guide me, Lord, in the path of your commands.

September 20, 2026September 20, 2026

21 SEPTEMBER 2026

Jesus Calls Matthew and Eats with Tax Collectors and Sinners

MONDAY, TWENTY FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Feast of St. Matthew, the Evangelist

Eph 4: 1-7, 11-13 Ps 19: 2-5 Mt 9: 9-13

THE MERCIFUL GAZE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING

After years of pursuing wealth, respect, and success, a young businessman was deeply moved when his daughter asked, “Dad, when will you have time for me?” He realized that he had gained many things but was losing what mattered most. From that day, he chose to place God and family at the centre of his life.

A similar turning point unfolds in the Gospel through the call of Matthew. Jesus passes by the tax collector’s booth and sees a man whom society had already judged and dismissed. Tax collectors were considered public sinners, as symbols of greed and betrayal. Yet Jesus does not see Matthew through the eyes of condemnation. Looking upon him with love, He simply says, “Follow me.” Without hesitation, Matthew rises, leaves behind his tax booth, and follows Christ. The Fathers of the Church remind us that the encounter between Jesus and Matthew was far more than an ordinary meeting. They speak of the merciful gaze of Christ that penetrates beyond appearances and sees the core of every human heart. Jesus did not define Matthew by the reputation he carried. Instead, He saw the person Matthew could become through the transforming power of divine grace. God’s mercy always sees a future where we often see only a past. St. John Chrysostom observes that Matthew responded immediately because the call of Christ always carries within it the grace necessary to answer. God’s invitation is never given without also providing the strength to embrace it. Whenever the Lord calls, He also enables.

Every disciple has a personal “tax booth”—those attachments, habits, or attitudes that quietly prevent Christ from becoming the centre of life. For some, it may be pride or resentment; for others, an excessive attachment to comfort, wealth, technology, success, or the approval of others. The forms differ, but the invitation remains the same. Christ continues to pass through our lives each day, looking upon us with mercy and gently repeating the words He once addressed to Matthew: “Follow me.” Every day offers a fresh opportunity to rise, leave behind whatever enslaves the heart, and walk more closely with Him.

Response: Their sound goes forth through all the earth.

September 18, 2026September 18, 2026

20 SEPTEMBER 2026

Vangelo del Giorno 19 Agosto 2026 Dal Vangelo secondo Matteo Mt 20,1-16 In quel tempo, Gesù disse ai suoi discepoli questa parabola: «Il regno dei cieli è simile a un padrone di

SUNDAY, TWENTY FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Is 55: 6-9 Ps 145: 2-3, 8-9, 17-18 Phil 1: 20-24, 27 Mt 20: 1-16

THE SURPRISING GENEROSITY OF GOD

One of the greatest spiritual challenges for human beings is to understand the way God thinks and acts. Our natural tendency is to measure everything according to human standards. Yet the Scriptures repeatedly remind us that God’s ways are far greater than our calculations. Prophet Isaiah calls the people to seek the Lord. The context of this passage is a message of hope addressed to people who had experienced exile and suffering. Isaiah announces that God is inviting His people back into a renewed relationship with Him. The call is urgent.

What stands out in this message is the boundless mercy of God. The prophet does not present God as reluctant to forgive or hesitant to welcome the sinner. Instead, he portrays God as one who is eager to show compassion. The initiative comes from God Himself. Even when human beings stray far from Him, God’s heart remains open, waiting for their return. God’s forgiveness seems so surprising. The reason lies in the difference between God’s ways and human ways. We naturally believe that good people should be rewarded and bad people should be punished. God’s justice, however, is deeply rooted in mercy. His perspective is broader, wiser and more compassionate than ours.

In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, the landowner hires labourers at different times of the day but gives each one the same wage at the end. Those who worked longer feel that the plan is unfair. They compare their effort with that of others and conclude that they deserve more. Their reaction reflects a very human way of thinking. We often measure our lives by comparison. We compare our sacrifices, our efforts and even our faithfulness with those of others. When someone receives blessings that seem equal or greater than ours despite less effort, we feel uneasy. But the parable reveals something deeper about God. The landowner’s generosity does not diminish justice; rather, it reveals a love that goes beyond human calculation. The same truth echoes the message of Isaiah: God’s ways are not limited by our narrow understanding of fairness. His mercy extends further than we expect.

In the kingdom of God, grace is not distributed according to human competition. Instead, it flows from the generous heart of God. The workers who came late into the vineyard represent those who encounter God’s mercy later in life, perhaps after years of wandering or failure. Yet when they respond to God’s call, they too receive the fullness of His grace. This message carries a profound spiritual lesson. Sometimes those who have been faithful for many years may struggle to accept that God can show equal mercy to those who come later. Yet the Gospel reminds us that salvation is not a wage earned by human effort, but a gift offered by divine love.

Throughout the history of the Church, many saints have recognized the mystery of God’s generous love. St. Therese of Lisieux beautifully expressed this when she wrote that God’s mercy is like an elevator that lifts the soul upward, even when it feels weak and incapable. She understood that holiness is not achieved through personal strength alone but through trusting surrender to God’s loving mercy. Similarly, St. Augustine having experienced conversion after years of searching and wandering, he recognized that God’s mercy can reach people at unexpected moments. His own life became a testimony that God never stops inviting the human heart back to Him.

In a world often governed by competition and comparison the readings encourage us to respond to God’s invitation without delay. Every moment of grace is precious. God’s invitation is always present, but our hearts must remain open to it. The readings challenge us to rejoice in God’s generosity toward others. Instead of comparing ourselves with others, we are called to celebrate the fact that God’s mercy reaches everyone.

The mystery of God will always surpass human understanding. His thoughts rise above our thoughts just as the heavens rise above the earth. Instead of trying to reduce God’s generosity to our limited expectations, we are invited to trust in the vastness of His mercy. When we learn to see the world through this divine perspective, our hearts gradually change. We begin to rejoice not only in the blessings we receive but also in the blessings given to others. In doing so, we reflect the very heart of God, a heart rich in compassion, overflowing with generosity and always ready to welcome those who seek Him.

Response: The Lord is close to all who call him.

September 18, 2026September 18, 2026

19 SEPTEMBER 2026

Responding Rightly to the Word of God (Luke 8:4-15) | Brandon's Desk

SATURDAY, TWENTY FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

1 Cor 15: 35-37, 42-49 Ps 56: 10-14 Lk 8: 4-15

FROM SEED TO ETERNAL LIFE

If there is one truth that singles out Christianity to be unique and exclusive, it is the hope of the resurrection from the dead. It is a revelation and a gift God has given to the chosen ones. St Paul would make this truth emphatic, and make it the purpose of his life, ministry and death. This truth contradicts all human knowledge but reveals God in ultimate terms of who he really is.

This revelation continues in the Gospels and specially in the account of St John, Jesus is not just teaching about God’s kingdom but reveals God the Father. So, all the teaching and works of Jesus are manifestation of God and his glory. Jesus’ mission then, is to lead all humanity to union with our Creator God who is our Father and whom we meet at resurrections. God’s glory is seen in the words and works of Jesus, but above all, his full glory when the Father raised him from the dead (ref. Jn 17:20).

In today’s gospel, the parable of the Sower speaks about God’s word producing fruit in individual lives. Jesus is the Sower as well the seed, bearing fruit of holiness in proportion to his own grace and human cooperation with the grace received. It is worth noting that Jesus himself is the Eternal Word of God that falls to the ground like a grain of wheat and dies (ref Jn 17:24) and after the resurrection produces abundant fruit through the Holy Spirit. So, Jesus shows whole of humanity that the only pathway to glory is through death. Our being grounded in Jesus, and our daily dying with him, prepares the way to our glorious rising like him.

Christian life is primarily a spiritual journey. We work and toil in this world but our goal is to reveal Jesus to humanity through our presence, preaching and activities, and then to embrace him at resurrection. Our hope of resurrection is the fruit of our faith in Jesus. This hope is the assurance of our life of union with God in Christ. May God’s grace help us embrace this truth!

Response: I will walk in the presence of God, in the light of the living.

September 17, 2026September 25, 2026

28 SEPTMBER 2026

No photo description available.

MONDAY, TWENTY SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Job 1: 6-22; Ps 17: 1-3, 6-7; Lk 9: 46-50

TRUSTING GOD WHEN WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND

Today’s first reading presents the story of a faithful man whose life suddenly changed. In a single day, he lost his possessions, his servants, and even his beloved children. The pain was overwhelming. Yet, in the midst of such darkness, he did not turn away from God. Instead, he bowed down in worship and entrusted everything to the Lord, in whom he trusted.

This passage reminds us that faith is not tested when everything is going well. But the depth of our faith is tested when life becomes difficult and confusing. There are moments when we too face unexpected losses, disappointments, sickness, broken relationships, or unanswered prayers. During such times, we often ask, “Why is this happening to me?” Like the man in the reading, we may not receive immediate answers. It is his humility before God that should touch our hearts. He recognized that everything he had was a gift. He came into the world with nothing and would leave with nothing. This awareness gave him the strength to surrender what he could not control. His trust did not depend on the blessings he received from God, but it rested on God Himself.

This reading challenges us to examine our own faith. Do we love God only when He grants our desires? Can we still praise Him when our plans fail? True faith remains steady not because life is easy, but because God remains faithful. Today let us pray for the grace to trust God more deeply. When we experience struggles, help us not to lose hope. When we do not understand Your ways, teach us to lean on Your wisdom rather than our own. Give us a heart that continues to pray, believe, and worship even in moments of sorrow. May we remember that God never abandons His children. Even when everything seems lost, His presence remains. In every trial, He walks beside us, strengthening us and leading us toward a greater good that we may not yet see. Lord, help us to trust You completely, in joy and in suffering alike. Amen.

Response: Lord, turn your ear to me; hear my words.