It is 9th December 2017. We celebrate the memorial of Saint Juan Diego who had the privilege to have the vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe on four occasions. The first indigenous saint from Mexico. The readings are from Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26; and the Gospel from Matthew 9:35-38, 10:1, 5-8. In the first reading, prophet Isaiah presents us with the compassionate face of God. God wants us not to weep or shed tears for the past, the present and the future however painful and sorrowful it could be. God is so gracious and merciful to God’s people. God is our Teacher who guides our soul with the voice of assurances and guidance right within each one of us. At times, God wants us to educate us from the painful learning corners of our lives sending us regularly to the schools and the learning spots of suffering. The school is only a place everyone must go through for a stipulated time for the development of a person. “When the Lord has given you the bread of suffering and the water of distress, God who is your Teacher will hide no longer, and you will see your Teacher with your own eyes.” (Is.30:21). The responsorial Psalm praises, “Happy are all who hope in the Lord.” (Ps.146:18). In the Gospel, we are assured that Jesus cares for the people who are harassed and dejected. Jesus wants trustworthy, hard-working, committed messengers to continue the show the compassionate face of God by teaching and healing ministry. There is so much of work available in the vineyard of the Lord. So much need to be done by all those who believe in Him. We are all invited by Jesus to provide the needful guidance to God’s people in curing, raising the dead, cleansing the lepers and casting the evil. May we be generous to the Lord by accepting sufferings and inconveniences as the means to our personal salvation. May you have a good day.