At first reading of this Sunday’s Gospel, we might be seriously wondering what Jesus is talking about. We all thought that Jesus came to this world as a “Prince of Peace”.

Today, all the three readings are well linked and invite us to trust in God, who in fact cares for us day and night. And the Gospel text for this 19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time speaks of the importance of living without fear and always trusting in God.

A contractor needed one more man to chop down trees for export. One day, two men appeared willing to do the job but only one could be employed so what the contractor did was to put the two men to a test, they were to chop down as many trees as they could in an eight-hour shift and the man who chopped down more trees got the job.

To borrow a story from a good friend of mine, Fr Bel San Luis, SVD, there was a man who wanted to have a lot of money so badly that he promised the devil to do his work in exchange for a copy of the newspaper a day ahead before it was published so that he could get the winning Lotto number in advance.

This Sunday’s Gospel is surely at the heart of Jesus’ teaching. It begins with Jesus instructing his followers how to pray. He says those words that Christians cherish, the Our Father, and then he talks about asking for things and receiving what we need.

It seems that Pope Leo XIV has already endeared himself to the world, with his warm smile, calm demeanour and steady influence.

But if we listen carefully to his words, we find that behind that serene exterior, he is calling us to step up as Christians and missionaries and launch a revolution! Not a revolution of arms or violence, but a revolution of love.

The first reading today is from the Book of Deuteronomy and in fact is well linked with today’s Gospel reading, which urges us to listen to the voice of the Lord and keep His commandments and statutes throughout our lives. 

A good master teaches his apprentice how a work is done so that if ever the master goes, he knows that at any time the apprentice could take over and continue the work.

In almost all cultures, we show our hospitality by offering people food. For many of us, we see food as a way to connect, we see food as a way forge relationships.

It is a moment of extreme Joy as Christians that we commemorate the Pentecost after 50 days of Easter, as the fulfilment of Jesus’ Mission on earth.