Capuchin Mission Australia

18/06/2026

18/06/2026

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, MATTHEW 6:19-23
Weekday
(2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20; Psalm 132)
KEY VERSE: "For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be" (v 21).
READ: In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught his disciples to trust God for their daily needs (Mt.6:11). In his sayings on divine providence, Jesus reminded his followers to find their security in God, not in possessions. Material goods were subject to rot and decay, but God was their lasting treasure. Jesus equated the human eye to a window in one's heart. If a person focused on the world and its wealth, that would be the object of their heart's desire. That person was spiritually blind because his or her vision was clouded by greed and selfishness. The one who had healthy sight was the person whose inner being was illuminated by the truth that Jesus came to reveal.
REFLECT: Lord Jesus, fill my heart with the light of your word.
PRAY: Have I shared my spiritual treasures with others?

17/06/2026

“The cross means there is no shipwreck without hope; there is no dark without dawn; nor storm without haven.” ―Pope St John Paul II

17/06/2026

Morning Prayer

17/06/2026

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, MATTHEW 6:7-15
Weekday
(Sirach; Psalm 97)
KEY VERSE: "This is how you are to pray..." (v 9).
READ: Unlike the pagans who sought their god's approval by lengthy repetition, Jesus taught his followers a simple prayer. He told his disciples that they could approach God as "Father," a loving parent who was intimately present and already knew their needs. At the same time, they were to reverence God "in heaven," and to obey the divine will so that God's reign would be established "on earth." Just as Israel had to depend upon God's providence during their wilderness journey (Ex 16:4,15), Jesus' disciples were to put their trust in God on their spiritual journey. They were to imitate God's mercy by extending forgiveness to others. Jesus' disciples should pray that they would not fail God in the final test.
REFLECT: Father God, help me to trust you each day as I journey to your kingdom.
PRAY: How do I need to obey God's will today?

16/06/2026

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, MATTHEW 6:1-6, 16-18
Weekday
(2 Kings 2:1, 6-14; Psalm 31)
KEY VERSE: "Be on guard against performing religious acts for people to see" (v 1).
READ: Jesus asked his disciples to examine their motives when performing virtuous deeds. He gave three examples characteristic of Jewish piety at the time: almsgiving (vs 1-4), prayer (vs 5-15), and fasting (vs 16-18). While good in themselves, they must be carried out in a way to honor God, and not as a means to make a public show of holiness. Jesus contrasted the hypocritical behavior of the religious leaders with the sincere conduct he expected of his followers. Prayer should articulate their relationship with God. Fasting should convey their sorrow for sin. Almsgivers should express their solidarity with the poor. These works had no value if performed only to win others' approval. They already had a reward in their praise. God, the sole judge of all deeds, will reward each according to the true intentions of the heart. Without a willingness to have one's heart changed, salvation could not be experienced.
REFLECT: Lord Jesus, help my good works to give glory to God and my neighbor.
PRAY: Do I work for earthly or eternal reward?

15/06/2026

"O Jesus Christ most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, day by day." – prayer of St Richard of Chichester whose feast is today (16 June)

Orphaned while young children , he received an education at Oxford, Paris, and Bologna where he earned a doctorate in law from the University of Bologna.

He was appointed chancellor of Oxford in 1235 and then chancellor to Edmund Rich, who was archbishop of Canterbury. He was ordained in 1243. St Boniface named Richard Bishop of Chichester. He insisted upon strict adherence to discipline among the clergy, aided the poor, and fearlessly denounced the corruption and vices of the contemporary Church and the royal court.

His death came at Dover, in a home for poor priests. Richard was canonized in 1262, and his tomb became a popular shrine noted for its miracles.

15/06/2026

TUESDAY, JUNE 16, MATTHEW 5:43-48
Weekday
(1 Kings 17:17-29; Psalm 51)
KEY VERSE: "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you" (v 44).
READ: Israel believed that their enemies were the enemies of God (Ps 139:21), but God did not command Israel to hate their enemies. Neither was Israel allowed to mistreat a "neighbor," that is, anyone who dwelled in the land (Lev 19:17-18, 34). But Jesus took the Law further. He said that there was no virtue in only loving those who loved you. Heathens could do as much. Jesus asked his disciples to imitate the perfect love of God, who gave gifts of sun and rain to the just and unjust alike. Jesus' followers must strive to love even those who persecuted them (Mt 5:11). On the cross, Jesus gave us the supreme example of enemy love when he asked God to forgive those who were putting him to death (Lk 23:34). Loving our enemies doesn't mean that we don't have any enemies. Yet the Christian must never seek retaliation for any insult, no matter how hostile.
REFLECT: Lord Jesus, help me to forgive those who have injured me.
PRAY: Do we as individuals or as a nation measure up to Jesus' command and pray for our enemies?