Saint Helena was the mother of the emperor Constantine the Great. She is traditionally credited with a pilgrimage to Syria Palaestina, during which she is claimed to have discovered the True Cross. She is the patroness of archaeologists, converts, difficult marriages and divorced people.

 

First Reading: (Ezek 18:1-10, 13, 30-32)

 

The word of the Lord came to me again: “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins shall die. “If a man is righteous and does what is lawful and right -- if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbour’s wife or approach a woman in her time of im­purity, does not oppress any one, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, does not lend at interest or take any increase, withholds his hand from iniquity, executes true justice between man and man, walks in my statutes, and is careful to observe my ordinances -- he is righteous, he shall surely live, says the Lord God. “If he begets a son who is a robber, a shedder of blood, shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominable things; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself. “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord God. Re­pent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of any one, says the Lord God; so turn, and live.”

 

Ps 50:12-15, 18-19

R./ A pure heart create for me, O God.

 

Gospel: (Mt 19:13-15)

Some children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.

 

Reflection:

Family Life is an important component of every society. The Gospel presents to us an occasion to dwell on some of the basic essentials that needs to be part of every family. We see four different sets of people in the passage - three positive and one negative - and we can learn some aspects from each of those sets. (1) The parents or the guardians who brought the children to Jesus- they teach us the Spirit of Responsibility! (2) The Little Children who received the touch of the Lord - they teach us the Spirit of Receptivity! (3) The Disciples who refuse to accept the children - they teach us to avoid the negative attitude of the Spirit of Rejection! (4) Jesus, who blessed the children - He teaches us the Spirit of Restoration and Re­demption. On this Saturday, let us seek the intercession of Mother Mary that we may avoid the tendency to reject people, and instead, be responsible towards others, receptive to others and thus, redeem and restore the lives of others!