GOSPEL: Luke 12:32-48
'There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom. 'Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it. For wherever your treasure is, that is where your heart will be too. 'See that you have your belts done up and your lamps lit. Be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. In truth I tell you, he will do up his belt, sit them down at table and wait on them. It may be in the second watch that he comes, or in the third, but blessed are those servants if he finds them ready. You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what time the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.' Peter said, 'Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?' The Lord replied, 'Who, then, is the wise and trustworthy steward whom the master will place over his household to give them at the proper time their allowance of food? Blessed that servant if his master's arrival finds him doing exactly that. I tell you truly, he will put him in charge of everything that he owns. But if the servant says to himself, "My master is taking his time coming," and sets about beating the menservants and the servant-girls, and eating and drinking and getting drunk, his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful. 'The servant who knows what his master wants, but has got nothing ready and done nothing in accord with those wishes, will be given a great many strokes of the lash. The one who did not know, but has acted in such a way that he deserves a beating, will be given fewer strokes. When someone is given a great deal, a great deal will be demanded of that person; when someone is entrusted with a great deal, of that person even more will be expected.

REFLECTION
The Gospel for this week opens with Jesus speaking to his disciples. He says to them: “Do not be afraid any longer little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” Jesus then instructs them: “Sell your belongings and give alms.  Provide money bags that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”

Jesus also says to His disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps. Be like a servant who awaits the return of the master from a wedding celebration who is waiting at the door so the door may be opened the moment the master knocks.” Jesus then adds: “Blessed are the servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.” Then Jesus shocks His listeners when He says: “The master will have His servants sit down at the table and the master will wait on them. If the master returns very early in the morning and finds the servants waiting for him, blessed are those faithful servants.” Then Jesus adds: “Be prepared, for the Son of Man will come when you do not expect Him.”

Today Jesus tells us: “Gird your loins and light your lamps. I will be coming to you today in various ways. Be alert! Be vigilant! You may find me in the smallest things that happen to you. Or you may experience a clear sense of my presence with you today. Be awake and alert or you likely will not recognise my Presence. I long to spend time with you today. Open your eyes, your mind and your heart. I will not fail you. 

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION MASS
Monday, 15 August the Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Assumption of Our Lady when according to our faith, the Holy Mother, “having completed her course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”.

Although defined as an article of faith by Pope Pius XII just over half a century ago, the Assumption of Our Lady into heaven has been accepted from back to the earliest of Christian times.

The Assumption signals the end of Mary’s earthly life and marks her return to heaven to be reunited with Jesus. While the bodies of both Jesus and Mary are now in heaven, there is a difference between the Assumption and the Resurrection. Where Jesus arose from the tomb and ascended into heaven by his own power, Mary’s body was taken up to heaven by the power of her Son.

For this reason we use different words to describe each event. One is the Ascension of Christ and the other, the Assumption of Mary.  https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/the-assumption-of-our-lady-15-august/​

​On Thursday, August 15, we will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption through a Parish Mass at St Augustine's Church, commencing at 9:45am. We welcome all members of our community to come and celebrate with us.

​God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator