What is your Weapon against Temptation?

 Gospel

Matthew 4:1-11

Reading

One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes comes forth from the mouth of God. (Matthew 04 : 11)

Revelation

God's word as written in the scriptures is our most powerful weapon against temptation. Temptation is inevitable, but victory is possible through faith and Scripture. Jesus’ example encourages us to remain steadfast, to seek God’s guidance, and to respond to challenges with humility and trust. Personal growth stems from recognizing the subtlety of temptation and the importance of anchoring oneself in God’s Word.

Reflection

Each and every word that comes from the Giver of Life is predestined to happen and nothing can ever change or prevent it from happening. Jesus as the true Son of God fulfills what Israel could not. Each temptation—turning stones to bread, testing God’s protection, and seizing worldly power—challenges Jesus’ trust in God and His mission. His responses, grounded in Scripture, affirm His reliance on the Father and His rejection of shortcuts to glory. 

Response

Lord Jesus,

You faced temptation and overcame, showing us the way to victory. Guide my steps today when trials come and strengthen me with Your truth. Help me to trust in Your Word and resist anything that leads me astray. May Your Spirit fill me with courage and peace as I walk in faith. Thank You for Your love and example. 

Amen.

Source: Conversation with Copilot

Having Hesitations?

 

Gospel

Luke 5:27-32

Reading

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed Him. - Luke 5:27-28

Revelation

God's work comes first before anything else. He comes and calls upon us to leave everything behind and follow Him. He knows our state of mind and heart, our willingness or hesitations, and the things that pushes us to move forward or hold back. To Him, our sins does not define who we are. We can be the person He wants us to be. We may be in a state of guilt or sin but this would not prevent the saving grace of the Lord to come upon us. While we are in sin, God already loved us.

Reflection

Today, we are called by grace to embrace transformation and the Heart of Jesus. Christ’s invitation is extended to all who are willing to respond regardless of who they are and what they are. God’s mercy is not reserved for the perfect, but poured out upon those who recognize their need for healing and change. Repentance is more than sorrow—it is a turning toward Christ, a willingness to accept His invitation and follow Him despite our imperfections.

Response

Lord Jesus, 

Thank You for seeing me as I am and loving me anyway. Like Levi, help me to leave behind what holds me back and follow You with a willing heart. Teach me to extend Your grace to others, embracing those who are hurting or lost. Transform me by Your mercy, and guide my steps each day. May Your love shine through me, drawing others closer to Your saving presence. 

Amen.

Is our Faith Relational or Ritualistic?

Gospel

Matthew 9:14-15

Reading

Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:15)

Revelation

Today, the Lord calls us to set our priorities straight. Jesus is with us all the way. He wants us to enjoy life to the full and this means going out of our way from traditional beliefs and rituals to follow His ways. Fasting is about emptying up ourselves so that the Lord can fill us up.

Reflection

In this metaphor, Jesus refers to Himself as the “bridegroom” and His disciples as the “wedding guests”. He suggests that while He is present with His disciples, it’s a time for joy, not mourning or fasting. However, a time will come when He will be taken away (a reference to His death and ascension), and then His disciples will fast. This passage is often interpreted as Jesus introducing a new covenant, where the old practices (like ritual fasting) are not necessary when one is in the direct presence of God (Jesus). However, in His absence, these practices can be a way to express longing for His return.

Response

Lord Jesus, our Bridegroom, thank You for the gift of Your presence. In moments of joy, help us to celebrate Your love. In seasons of longing, teach us to seek You with sincere hearts. Let our spiritual practices be expressions of our desire to know You more. Guide us to live in relationship, not ritual, and fill us with hope while we await Your return. Amen.

Have you considered the Cost?

Gospel

Luke 9:22-25 

Reading

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9:25)

Revelation

Consider what it means to truly follow Christ and the cost associated with discipleship. Faithfulness to Jesus often involved sacrifice, struggles, suffering and rejection.

Jesus teaches that genuine discipleship requires surrendering personal ambitions and embracing God’s will, even when it leads to suffering. This passage reminds us that life’s ultimate value is found not in worldly gain, but in following Christ, who offers true life through His sacrifice and resurrection.

Reflection

Today, reflect on Jesus’ words: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Consider where you are called to surrender, and what “taking up your cross” looks like in your own life. Let this passage inspire you to trust in God’s promise, knowing that losing yourself for Christ ultimately leads to finding your true purpose and life in Him.

Response

Lord Jesus, 

You have suffered greatly in the hands of man but was raised to receive all the glory and praise. You have chosen to give up Your very own life so that we may all be saved. 

I humbly come before You today and acknowledge that all I have are Yours. Truly, You have enriched me in every way and made my joy full and complete. Help me to stay simple and carry on with the works that You give me each day. Be my wisdom and guide O Lord in everything I say and do.

Thank You so much for always being with me through thick and thin. All glory and honor are Yours now and forever!

Amen.

Do you not yet Understand or Comprehend?

 

Gospel

Mark 8:14-21

Reading

Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” (Mark 8:15)

Revelation

Today, he Lord enjoined us to guard against those who has the influence and ability to corrupt the truth. We should avoid making the same mistakes. Let us watch out and guard against any wrongful doings. Be wise, faithful and prudent in all the resources that the Lord gives us. God wants our focus to be on truth and goodness, not sin and evil.

Reflection

In this context, “leaven” is used metaphorically to represent influence and growth, either for good or evil. For the Pharisees, it could be a misconception or misrepresentation of what Jesus said or did. 

The Pharisees were devoted to their study of the Mosaic law, while Herod Antipas was anything but devout. Despite their differences, both were content with Roman rule. However, the core of the “leaven” they spread was unbelief in Christ, motivated in part by fear of Roman reprisal against the Jews if Jesus were acclaimed as Messiah. 

This unbelief was ultimately due to their hard hearts. Jesus’ warning implies that it takes only a small amount of this “leaven” to ruin a person, just as a small amount of yeast can leaven an entire lump of dough. 

Therefore, the warning is against allowing even a small amount of such negative influence to enter one’s life. It’s a call to guard one’s heart and mind against false teachings and unbelief.

Response

Lord Jesus, 

You warn us to be vigilant and aware of the subtle influences that corrupt and ensnare. Help us to guard our hearts and minds with care, and to seek Your truth, in Your love to share. Protect us from the leaven of false teachings and pride, guide us in Your wisdom, with You as our guide. 

May we remain steadfast in our faith so pure, in Your Word and Spirit, let us always endure. Grant us discernment to see what is right, to follow Your path, shining bright. For in Your love, we find our strength, and in Your truth, we go to any length.

Amen.

Source: Conversation with Copilot

Give or Take?

 

Gospel 

Mark 7:14-23

Reading

“Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” - Mark 7:14-15

Revelation

It is not what you take but what you give that matters. Where your heart goes, your body follows. Being healthy is not just physical. It requires a life of righteousness and discipline. We should guard our hearts and minds and strive for righteousness knowing that we are accountable for the thoughts and intentions that come from within us.

Reflection

Man is more cautious on the health of his body than on the condition of his soul. The life bearer is the soul and not the body. We may be of sound health in terms of physical fitness but if we do not focus on what is more essential in our lives by way of guarding our hearts and minds from evil thoughts and doings, we may find ourselves outside of God's kingdom.

Response

Lord Jesus, 

You call us to understand and hear Your truth, that nothing from outside can defile us, but what comes from within our hearts can lead us astray. Help us to guard our hearts and minds, and to seek purity and righteousness in our thoughts and actions.

Grant us the grace to let go of external distractions, and focus on cultivating a heart filled with Your love and goodness. May Your Spirit guide us in our daily lives, so that what flows from within us reflects Your light and truth.

Amen.

Are there Traditions or Habits in us that have become Empty Rituals?

 

Gospel

Mark 7:1-13

Reading

You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.” (Mark 7:13)

Revelation

True purity comes from within, not from external rituals. It is important for us to have inner righteousness and sincerity over merely following religious rituals or traditions. Jesus’ words challenge us to move beyond mere ritual or tradition and to focus on the heart of God’s law—justice, mercy, and love. This passage calls attention to the importance of authenticity in our relationship with God, reminding us that true worship is not about outward conformity but about aligning our hearts with God’s will.

Reflection

Jesus invites us to return to the heart of worship, where love for God and neighbor takes precedence over mere rule-following. We should prioritize God's commandments above human traditions and to avoid using religious practices as an excuse to neglect our responsibilities. Our actions should align with our words and that our faith is genuine. May we seek a faith that is not just outwardly visible but deeply rooted in sincere devotion and compassion. Today, let us pray for the wisdom to discern what truly honors God and the courage to let go of anything that keeps us from wholehearted discipleship.

Response

Lord Jesus, 

You remind us to prioritize Your word, above all human traditions we hold dear. Grant us the wisdom to discern and follow, the path of righteousness, ever clear.

Help us to honor Your commandments, and to align our hearts with Your will. May we cast aside empty rituals, and seek Your truth, our spirits to fill.

Guide us to live with integrity, in faithfulness to Your holy name. For Your word is our eternal foundation, and in Your love, we find our aim.

Amen.