General. Obedience to God’s laws makes a Christian worthy of his name. The Eucharist is a sign of God’s love towards humanity, Jesus having given up his body and blood for the redemption and salvation of all mankind even at a time when self-seeking persons were seeking his very life. Jesus was obedient to His Father in accomplishing the mission he was sent for on earth, and we can only walk in his footsteps by being obedient to God’s laws in our normal daily life.

Amos. God is on the poor man’s side, seeking humility from persons not richness and pride. Yet man abides with vain glory and is prepared to travel great lengths to obtain it even if he has to act as homo homini lupus (‘man is wolf to man’ principle of the Romans). God casts His eyes on the poor and humble and punishes anyone who goes against the principles of social equity.

Epistle to Timothy. St Paul urges pure heart-felt prayer to God, for public authorities and all mankind so that peace might reign on earth. As mediator between mankind and God, Jesus gave up himself on the Cross as the price of redemption for all humanity. In realizing this, Paul finds comfort in his vocation of teaching faith and truth to all nations.

St Luke. The Christian cannot take his Baptism forgranted. He has to work further throughout his life to retain the kernel of faith he has and to deepen it. To that end he is duty bound to think and discern between right and wrong, God and money, life everlasting and mundane wealth. There are no half measures in assessing oneself – any small or venial infringement of God’s law is symptomatic of a past or future major departure from that same law. In keeping one’s faith, one should pray for help to avoid such departures.

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