11th Week of Pentecost

Acts 24:1-2a,3b,5-6,9-13,17-21
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an advocate, a certain Tertullus, and they presented formal charges against Paul to the governor. When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “most excellent Felix, we found this man to be a pest; he creates dissension among Jews all over the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazoreans. He even tried to desecrate our temple, but we arrested him.” The Jews also joined in the attack and asserted that these things were so. Then the governor motioned to him to speak and Paul replied, “I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years and so I am pleased to make my defense before you. As you can verify, not more than twelve days have passed since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city did they find me arguing with anyone or instigating a riot among the people. Nor can they prove to you the accusations they are now making against me. After many years, I came to bring alms for my nation and offerings. While I was so engaged, they found me, after my purification, in the temple without a crowd or disturbance. But some Jews from the province of Asia, who should be here before you to make whatever accusation they might have against me– or let these men themselves state what crime they discovered when I stood before the Sanhedrin, unless it was my one outcry as I stood among them, that ‘I am on trial before you today for the resurrection of the dead.'”

Luke 12:32-34
Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

Life is not about money and power, but rather about the love found in the flock of Christ. If we live in the love of God others will be unable to take that love away from us. Yet, many do not know this love as a real love, but only as a slogan. Others do not even know of love as a slogan, but know only obligation devoid of even the imitation of love. The love of God is a real and encounterable love.

Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
Lord,
grant peace to the world.
May wars and battles cease throughout the earth;
protect the churches and monasteries;
unite them in the unity of the true faith.
Support and care for the people you have acquired
through your precious blood.
Thus, strengthened by your calm and peace,
we shall render glory and thanksgiving to you,
now and forever.
Amen.