Words of hope from today's Mass texts

Excerpts....

First reading:

" ... work out your salvation with fear and trembling ... Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life ..."

Responsorial psalm:

"The LORD is my light and my salvation;whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?"

Gospel:

“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple ... everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."

"Sophia" at Metaphysical Musings provides us with a reflection.