The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." Faith is God's gracious gift, unmerited by anything that we can say or do. We are merely servants, empowered by faith, to serve God and serve others.

"The Lord raises up those who are bowed down." In the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Jesus challenges us to care for the poor who are so close to his heart.

"Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor." Today's readings challenge us to act more compassionately on behalf of the poor by placing God above the values of the world.

"We must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found." The Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us that God loves us more than we could ever imagine.

"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." If we want to follow Christ, it means facing opposition and carrying a difficult cross. We are strengthened by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

"When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you." The Eucharist is the heavenly banquet here on Earth. Who do we invite to the table of the Lord?