FIRST READING
One body, one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:1-6)
Brethren: I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 24: 1-2.3-4ab.5-6 (R. see 6)
R/. These are the people who seek your face, O Lord.
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,
the world, and all who dwell in it.
It is he who set it on the seas;
on the rivers he made it firm. R.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The clean of hands and pure of heart,
whose soul is not set on vain things. R.
Blessings from the Lord shall he receive,
and right reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the people who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. R.
ALLELUIA Matthew 11:25
Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke l2:54-59)
At that time: Jesus said to the multitudes, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
St Paul, from his prison experience, passionately appeals to the Christians to live a life that is worthy of their calling. He enumerates variety of virtues that match our lofty Christian vocation: “…. Lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.” Jesus elaborates on the same virtues as he asks his disciples to make peace with our opponents and offenders. God never count our offences, and we too need to reach out to others in love and kindness. Another important quality for Christians is to be wise in judging and interpreting the signs of the times. This is the time of the visitation of God in Christ, but the people have failed miserably to read his presence. How worthy are we for the name Christian?