Readings: Galatians 2:1-2,7-14, Ps. 117, Luke 11:1-4.
“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.” (Galatians 2:11-12)
Today, we see that God saw something in Paul that would greatly aid the spread of the Gospel worldwide: his courage to stand up for the truth regardless of who was involved. It takes great courage to speak truth to power, especially when the person involved is a man of God. According to Paul, Peter’s two-faced behaviour deserves condemnation.
Pretence is a virus we must delete from our lives. During the Maccabean persecution, Eleazar was given the option of bringing his own meat so that his life may be spared. Still, he said: “Such pretence is not worthy of our time of life, lest many of the young should suppose that Eleazar in his ninetieth year has gone over to an alien religion, and through my pretence, for the sake of living a brief moment longer, they should be led astray because of me, while I defile and disgrace my old age.” (2 Maccabees 6:24-25).
Secondly, when correcting others, avoid speaking behind their backs lest it becomes merely gossip and character assassination. Do not be a coward. On the other hand, we also need the grace of Peter’s personality to listen and make corrections. Peter had no problem owning up to his faults. After he denied Jesus Christ and heard the cock crow, he wept and begged forgiveness from God.
In today’s Gospel passage, one of Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. It takes humility to ask to be taught how to do something, just as it takes humility to take corrections when people point out our faults. The Lord’s prayer appears simple, but it is also very powerful. Let us now highlight some aspects of this prayer:
1. Jesus does not speak in tongues, showing us that we can talk to God even if we do not have the gift of speaking in tongues. You do not need to learn any special language to talk to God because He is your Father.
2. By addressing God as our Father, Jesus shows us that we are God’s children, and this must be reflected in our behaviour. How can we call God our Father if we disregard His commands? Jesus once said: “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:48-50).
3. Jesus prays for our “daily bread,” reminding us how the Israelites were told to gather manna sufficient for each day (Cf. Exodus 16:4, 19-20). Those who thought they were smart gathered more than they needed for the day, but it became bad the next morning. Learn to live for today; let go of yesterday and surrender tomorrow to God.
4. Jesus asks God to forgive our sins on one condition: that we forgive the sins of those indebted to us. Do not be like that servant whose huge debts were forgiven but failed to forgive his fellow servant who owed him less. (Matthew 18:23-35).
5. Finally, Jesus asks God to save us from temptations. Every temptation (or trial) is a spiritual battle; without fortification, we fall. Jesus spent forty days fasting and praying in the wilderness to receive strength to defeat the devil’s temptations. Treasure every minute spent in prayer.
The Holy Rosary originated in 1212, when the Virgin Mary gave Saint Dominic de Guzman the Rosary after praying for help in combating the Albigensian heresy. This heresy was defeated, and the Rosary became a symbol of refuge, comfort, and strength in facing life’s challenges, with its beads serving as a protective “shield” against false teachings. The Rosary’s origin as a gift from the Virgin Mary and its simple practice helped spread this devotion among the faithful, which Pope Francis describes as the “mysticism of the people.”
In 1571, as the Ottoman Turks advanced toward Europe, the Holy League was formed to halt their progress. Pope Pius V, a Dominican deeply devoted to Mary, blessed a banner featuring the Crucifix with Apostles Peter and Paul, surrounded by Emperor Constantine’s motto “In hoc signo vinces” (“By this sign you shall conquer”). Alongside this was the image of the Madonna and the inscription “S. Maria succurre miseris” (“Holy Mary, help those in need”). These were the only two flags among the Holy League forces.
Pope Pius V also called on all Christians to pray the Holy Rosary for victory; this began on 7 October 1571 and was seen as a manifestation of divine intervention. In 1572, he established the feast of Our Lady of Victories, later renamed “Our Lady of the Rosary” by Pope Gregory XIII. Today, those devoted to the Rosary view it as a gift from the Virgin Mary, offering them the opportunity to meditate on Jesus’ life and to love and follow Him. Apparitions at places like Lourdes and Fatima have encouraged daily recitation of the Rosary to overcome division, discord, and heart troubles, benefiting families and communities.
Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Our Lady of the Rosary. Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Galatians 2:1-2,7-14, Ps. 117, Luke 11:1-4)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu