St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek
the LORD, til He comes and rains righteousness on you.” Hosea 10 v 12
Surely we can see, if we are to abide by this decree,
How urgently we need to come to Jesus; we need to act!
And the most evident place to find Him
Is definitely in the Eucharist, that ceremony richly blessed
Because we can become possessed of Jesus.
When He says ‘This is My body,’ it is!
When He adds ‘This is My blood,’ it is!
“The love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him. His salvation extends to the children’s
children of those...who obey His commandments!” Psalm 103 v 17, 18 NLT
So we are invited to share in Jesus’ holiness,
The starting point of course, being the † of forgiveness,
Which is now being re-presented to us in the Eucharist.
It is by the gift of righteousness made by Jesus,
Our right standing before the throne of mercy,
Which is so important to us, highly relevant, happening.
For indeed there is much we need to put behind us.
The forgiveness of the Lord Jesus is essential to make progress in true happiness.
“You have ploughed wickedness; you have repeated iniquity, you have eaten the fruit of lies because
you trusted in your own ways, in the multitude of your mighty men.” Hosea 10 v 13

“Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy because You defend them,
let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. For You O LORD, will bless the righteous; with
favour You will surround him (her) as with a shield.” Psalm 5 v 11
Lord Jesus, strengthened by Your presence, Your person, Your promise in the Eucharist, please
may Your Spirit come to our aid.
We need to become more reverent and that requires a greater obedience, for this virtue indicates
our desire to build a meaningful relationship with You.
We cannot develop our friendship with You if we ignore what You say and all that You do to
give witness to holiness, inviting us to follow You, so as to delight and honour our Father.
But filled by Your presence, in righteousness, blessed by the call to holiness, we learn to recognise
what is best for us, what it is You are showing us by the Spirit to lead us to enjoy a better life.
This better life is always in sharing with You, Lord Jesus, sharing the everyday everything, all
joys and sorrows, woes, worries and successes. May we learn to do this.
We are called to sow righteousness, to plant seeds of faith wherever we are, so as to increase the
chances of a fruitful harvest. May Your Spirit prompt us.
Where there is sadness let us sow joy, where discontentment, replace this by happiness because
You have made us Your brothers and sisters.
Therefore let us respond to Your bidding, asking us to “ ‘Let Your light so shine before men,
Matthew 5 v 16 that they may see Your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.’”
May we have a real influence for good as Your Sprit enables us to impact upon secular society
in a positive, beneficial way.
As we plant righteousness, may kindness increase amongst us, a part of the fruit of the Spirit of
love, peace and gentleness.
And especially let us help each other in the matter of wrongs done and forgiveness required.
Psalm 126 v 5 “Those who sow in tears”, expressing repentance, “Shall reap in joy,” Your joy, Lord Jesus.
“(S)he who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless
v6 come again with rejoicing, bringing sheaves with him (her).” May this be the godly result of
sharing with You in the Eucharist. Amen.

10.10.18