It is 30th October 2019. The readings are from Romans 8:26-30; and the Gospel from Luke 13:22-30. Some of pray incessantly when we are going through a difficult time physically and mentally. Most of us never pray when we are soaked in glory, fame and in abundance. As we are reflecting at the end of the extraordinary missionary month, we need to pray for our missionaries with gratitude and for the new missions to happen by grace and the existing missions to be supported and strengthened by our economical and prayerful support. In the first reading St. Paul reiterates that the Spirit of God assists us to communicate with God even in a moment when we feel that it is not worth talking to God. And God calls us for a purpose and God does everything for good through the ones God called us. “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom.8:28). Indeed, God’s love and support is always there for us who genuinely love God and God’s people. The responsorial Psalm prays, “Lord, I trust in your mercy.” (Ps.12:6). The Gospel invites us to be humble provider and builder not a destroyer and dominator. When we are not to able change something internally, we rush to change the outside swiftly so as to divert the attention and to appease our minds that we have achieved something. The Gospel suggests that most of us choose the easiest way of dominating, criticising and controlling others just because we have the opportunity and invested power to do so. The path of righteousness is full of respect for the other, appreciating the other for their contribution and dialoguing and discussing in a milieu of mutual understanding without the dust of destroying the goodness of the other. God is looking for honest people without any secret agenda of their own. “Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” (Luke 13:30). We all be saved when we are willing to enter through a narrow gate that is used by a few people. The conditions to enter Heaven needs to be fulfilled. Charity and compassion are the conditions to enter the narrow gate not being insensitive to others and living a corrupted life, going after cheap popularity and power mongering. May you have a good day. God bless you.