Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37 / Matthew 13:54-58
Let us just say that a very rich close relative has this request of us.
After he has passed on, he will leave a big sum of money with us on one condition.
And that is that we will go to his tomb on a particular day every month and tidy up the tomb and offer a prayer for him.
That sounds rather simple considering the amount of money we are going to get if we can commit ourselves to do that.
So we might think that it would be easy to do that. After all it is just once a month on a particular day. So we would agree to it.
And so the eventuality finally happens, the relative passes on, and we receive this big sum of money.
And from then on, we faithfully go to the tomb on the particular day every month to tidy up the tomb and offer a prayer for the deceased relative.
So month after month, and year after year, we will perform our duty. But there will come a time when conditions are not too favourable and our commitment will be put to the test.
Under such circumstances, we will come up with reasons, and even excuses, to skip a month or to change the day, and whatever.
So what sounds simple may not be that easy. What we begin with fervour may slowly fizzle away, as monotony and routine set in.
In the 1st reading, we heard of the Lord giving Moses a list of solemn festivals to observe, with these instructions: These are the solemn festivals of the Lord to which you are to summon the children of Israel, sacred assemblies for the purpose of offering burnt offerings, holocausts, oblations, sacrifices and libations to the Lord, according to the ritual of each day.
These solemn festivals have the purpose of keeping the people connected to the Lord in worship and offering sacrifice. It was to be a time of thanksgiving to the Lord for the blessings and the wonders the Lord has done for His people.
We have come for the 1st Friday Mass in honour of the Sacred Heart, offering worship and thanksgiving for prayers answered and blessings received.
Whether we are keeping to a promise for 9 First Fridays or just wanting to give thanks to the Sacred Heart of Jesus or to offer up prayers and intentions, it is a commitment on our part and an expression of faith in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Whether we have received material or spiritual blessings, let us commit ourselves to honouring and thanking the Sacred Heart of Jesus on every 1st Friday of the month.
And let us also bring others along for them to know and love the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
With more thanksgiving and prayers, may more blessings flow from the Sacred Heart of Jesus so faith will be renewed, hope will be strengthened and may we experience the healing mercy from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.