Our first reading is from the prophet Isaiah who reminds the Jewish people that the Lord is in charge in all that happens to them. Their sacred city of Jerusalem is under threat of attack but the Lord guards the city, his Holy Place. The prophet tells the king not to be afraid as long as he is faithful to the Lord using these words,
"If you do not stand firm in the faith, you shall not stand firm at all". We are encouraged also to be firm in our faith. Trust in the Lord.
In the Gospel Jesus reminds his disciples of all the signs and wonders he did in the various towns and villages. But again, if they do not have faith in Him and live by his words and teachings, they will not be part of the kingdom of God. Just because Jesus worked miracles in those towns does not mean they are saved.
Today is the feast day of Saint Camillus de Lellis, the patron of nurses and of the sick. He founded the nursing congregation of the Ministers of the Sick, the Camillians, who run hospitals and take care of the sick, a vary difficult job during this time. Let us pray to Saint Camillus to intercede for us all and protect us from this pandemic.
God bless all of you.
Fr. Tom