General. The Christian is bound to give a constant affirmation to God’s biddings in his regard. These biddings are shown in the commandments which, if obeyed, enhance faith, hope and charity within us. A constant reminder of this perpetual ‘Amen’ to be given by us comes through listening to God’s Word in any possible way provided by the Church other than in the Sunday Liturgy, and to participate in the Eucharist, believing (having faith) that God gives Himself up for us through the Word (Jesus) and His Son’s Body (the Bread of Life).

Book of Sirach. The reading offers a perfect picture of the man who has faith in God and Who is full of mercy towards those who pray Him. The heart of the matter is whether man is humble enough to turn his glance towards God in difficult times or to say that he can face up to difficulties on his own, with his own strength. If only man understands that there is little he can do on his own, then prayer would become a daily means of Christian sustenance in the same manner as food and shelter are to him.

Second Epistle to Timothy. St Paul was a man of faith who accepted God’s grace and had his life set on a course which he adamantly followed. He can now boast at the end of his life that he had accomplished that which he had been given the grace of God to accomplish. What kept him going was his wish to see the Divine countenance of Him for Whom he gave up his life, mainly by safeguarding the faith and passing it on to those whom God gave him to lead in His pathways on earth.

St Luke. Self-righteousness is one of the greatest sins a Christian can fall in. God certainly prefers outright humility to pride which is the root cause of seven deadly sins. No boasting or self-justification are acceptable to God in comparison to the humility deriving from a person’s condition of understanding oneself (gnose eimi, the classical Greek tenet) and humanity. The Publican’s confiteor is the greatest prayer that can be raised to God, opening up the heavens to all kinds of blessings and utter forgiveness.

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