FIRST READING

“They perceived the grace that was given to me.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 2: 1-2.7-14)

Brethren: After fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up by revelation; and I laid before them (but privately before those who were of repute) the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, lest somehow I should be running or had run in vain. But on the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter for the mission to the circumcised worked through me also for the Gentiles), and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised; only they would have us remember the poor, which very thing I was eager to do. But when Cephas came to Antioch I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And with him the rest of the Jews acted insincerely, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their insincerity. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 117: 1.2 (R. Mark 16:15)

R/. Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel.

Or: Alleluia.

O praise the Lord, all you nations;

acclaim him, all you peoples! R/.

R/. Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel.

Or: Alleluia.

For his merciful love has prevailed over us;

and the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. R/.

Alleluia

Alleluia. You have received the spirit of sonship; in him we cry, “Abba! Father!” Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Lord, teach us to pray.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11:1-4)

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation.”

The Gospel of the Lord

TODAY’S REFLECTION

It could really be difficult sometimes to speak out the truth boldly and also act out the truth. Paul found himself in a circumstance of dispute; but stood his ground on matters of truth. What about you and me? Can we be committed to sincerity and be straightforward in our dealings with everyone? This may appear difficult and impossible, that which makes the impossible possible is prayer.

Jesus prayed and taught his disciples how to pray. Truly prayer is the key that we all need to sustain us on the path of truth. The Lord’s prayer ought to become for us a daily anthem that must be said. It is not just a prayer, it is also a guide to daily living. Jesus invites us to pray the Lord’s Prayer by living it out.

FIRST READING

“He revealed his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 1:13-24)

Brethren: You have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still not known by sight to the churches of Christ in Judea; they only heard it said, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 139:1-3.13- 14.15 (R. 24b)

R/. Lead me, Lord, in the way everlasting.

O Lord, you search me and you know me.

You yourself know my resting and my rising;,

you discern my thoughts from afar.

You mark when I walk or lie down;

you know all my ways through and through. R/.

For it was you who formed my inmost being,

knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I thank you who wonderfully made me;

how wonderful are your works,

which my soul knows well! R/.

R/. Lead me, Lord, in the way everlasting.

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being fashioned in secret

and moulded in the depths of the earth. R/.

ALLELUIA Luke 11 :28

Alleluia. Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Martha received him into her house. Mary has chosen the good portion.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 10:38-42)

At that time: Jesus entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Today, Paul continues with his emphasis on truth. He recounts the true story of how he was enlisted by God to do is work. The story of Paul’s conversion and initial life in Judaism affords us an opportunity to examine our lives. Our story might not be exactly the same as that of Paul, but the bottom line is the invitation to a new life of grace that God gives all of us. Sometimes it is good we examine the passion and energy we put into planning and executing certain evil deeds. We can consciously put this same energy and passion in use for good purposes. The call to use our energy and passion for the greater good is found in the lives of the friends of Jesus we read about in the gospel today. Each had a unique role to play as a disciple of Christ: Martha was passionate about her duty, just as Mary was passionate about the desire to listen to Jesus. We too can put in so much passion about the affairs of God. However, in going about our work for Jesus, we must never leave the feet of Jesus, because that is the fountain of knowledge and the source of our passion.

FIRST READING

I did not receive the Gospel from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Christ.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatian 1:6-12)

Brethren: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel — not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed. Am I now seeking the favour of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ. For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 111:1b-2.7-8.9 and 10c (R. 5b)

R/. The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.

Or: Alleluia.

I will praise the Lord with all my heart,

in the meeting of the just and the assembly.

Great are the works of the Lord,

to be pondered by all who delight in them. R/.

His handiwork is justice and truth;

his precepts are all of them sure,

standing firm forever and ever,

wrought in uprightness and truth. R/.

R/. The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.

Or: Alleluia.

He has sent redemption to his people,

and established his covenant forever.

Holy his name, to be feared.

His praise endures forever! R/.

ALLELUIA John 13:34

Alleluia. A new commandment I give to you, says the Lord, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Who is my neighbour?”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 10:25-37)

At that time: Behold, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

The message of truth is one message that must be re-echoed and sustained. However, we must note that many people long to hear what is pleasing to them, just as many preachers also long to tell people what they desire to hear. This attitude destroys true faith and it is not good. Sincerity to the gospel must be upheld by teachers of the gospel just as followers of Christ must seek the truth and nothing else. Just as Paul draws our attention to the table of truth, Jesus’ teaching on true love for neighbour cannot be undermined. The question who is my neighbour asked by the lawyer in the gospel of today is also being asked by all of us Christians. The simple answer given by Jesus is that our neighbour is every human being created in the image and likeness of God. Consequently, our love must know no bounds whether tribal, religious or cultural. This is the truth we must uphold.

FIRST READING

“The righteous shall live by his faith.”

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Habakkuk (Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4)

O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrongs and look upon trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain upon tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its time; it hastens to the end — it will not lie. If it seem slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Behold, he whose soul is not upright in him shall fail, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 95:1 -2.6-7abc.7d-9 (R. 7d, 8a)

R/. O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.

Come, let us ring out our joy to the Lord;

hail the rock who saves us.

Let us come into his presence,

giving thanks; let us hail him with a song of praise. R/.

O come; let us bow and bend low.

Let us kneel before the God who made us,

for he is our God and we

the people who belong to his pasture,

the flock that is led by his hand. R/.

R/. O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.

O that today you would listen to his voice!

“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,

as on that day at Massah in the desert

when your forebears put me to the test;

when they tried rue, though they saw my work.” R/.

SECOND READING

“Do not be ashamed of testifying to our Lord.”

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6-5. 13- 14)

Beloved: I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but take your share of suffering for the Gospel in the power of God. Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA 1 Peter 1:25

Alleluia. The word of the Lord abides for ever; that word is the good news which was preached to you. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“If you had faith!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 17:5-10)

At that time: The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, ‘Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. “Will any one of you, who has a servant ploughing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and put on your apron and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterwards you shall eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.”’

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

“We are unworthy servants; we have only done what we are supposed to do.” Man wants affirmation and frowns if it does not come. In life, as we grow spiritually, we must learn how to shift our attention from ourselves to God or others. Attention to self makes one the centre of all things. The tendency is to allude to the following: my work; my talent; my house; my person; my wealth; my intelligence; my achievements etc. when we succeed in proclaiming the ‘my litany’, we find it hard to appreciate God, who gives us opportunities to serve him through the gifts and favours he bestows. Again, when misfortunes come to challenge our faith, we easily lose focus; we get disappointed and slacken in our belief. Prophet Habakkuk warns: “For still the vision awaits its time; it hastens to the end; it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not delay” (Habk. 2:2-4). This can only happen smoothly for someone who has God at the centre and not oneself at the centre.

FIRST READING

Have you ever commanded the morning, and entered into the springs of the sea?

A reading from the Book of Job (Job 38:1.12-21;40:3-5)

The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? It is changed like clay under the seal, and it is dyed like a garment. From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken. Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this. “Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home? You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!” Then Job answered the Lord: “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 139:1-3.7-8.9-10.13-14ab (R. 24b)

R/. Lead me, Lord, in the way everlasting.

O Lord, you search me and you know me,

You yourself know my resting and my rising;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

You mark when I walk or lie down;

you know all my ways through and through. R/.

O where can I go from your spirit,

or where can I flee from your face?

If I climb the heavens, you are there.

If I lie in the grave, you are there. R/.

R/. Lead me, Lord, in the way everlasting.

If I take the wings of the dawn or dwell

at the sea’s furthest end,

even there your hand would lead me;

your right hand would hold me fast. R/.

For it was you who formed my inmost being,

knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I thank you who wonderfully made me;

how wonderful are your works. R/.

ALLELUIA Psalm 95:7d and 8a

Alleluia. Today, harden not your hearts, but listen to the voice of the Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“He who rejects me, rejects him who sent me. ”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 10:13-16)

At that time: Jesus said, “Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable in the judgement for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

Angels are messengers of God, counted among heavenly beings saddled with different responsibilities like healing, announcing and defending. Archangels, and guardian angels are within the common rank of angels. It is our belief that every individual on earth has a guardian angel. As Jesus rightly noted in the gospel, when we live righteously, i.e. with a pure heart, our guardian angel who is before God intercedes for us before God. However, when we live sinfully we reduce the effect of that angel because there is no light shining enough to fan into a flame. To be like a child, as Jesus teaches, is to be pure at heart, sincere and to be at peace with one another. The intercession of the guardian angels sees us through life’s hard and dangerous moments. Live righteously to continually kindle the potency of your guardian angel.

FIRST READING

”How can a man be just before God? ”

A reading from the Book of Job (Job 9:1-12.14-16)

Job answered his friends: “Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be just before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength — who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded? — he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger; who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens, and trampled the Waves of the sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; who does great things beyond understanding, and marvellous things without number. Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him. Behold, he snatches away; who can hinder him? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’ “How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him? Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser. If I summoned him and he answered me, I would not believe that he was listening to my voice.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 88: 10bc-11.12-13.14—15 (R. 3a)

R/. Let my prayer come into your presence, O Lord.

I call to you, Lord, all day long;

to you I stretch out my hands.

Will you work your wonders for the dead?

Will the shades rise up to praise you? R.

Will your mercy be told in the grave,

or your faithfulness in the place of perdition?

Will your wonders be known in the dark,

your justice in the land of oblivion? R.

R/. Let my prayer come into your presence, O Lord.

But I, O Lord, cry out to you;

in the morning my prayer comes before you.

Why do you reject me, O Lord?

Why do you hide your face from me? R.

ALLELUIA Philippians 3:8-9a

Alleluia. I count everything as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“I will follow you wherever you go. ”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 9 :57-62)

At that time: As Jesus and his disciples were going along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

“Foxes have holes but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head,” He went about doing good, he healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry and comforted the afflicted. Yet he was homeless and poor, making his home with the wretched of the earth. That was his life and that is the path every believer is called to follow. It is a call to a life of total self-giving and sacrifice; to live for God and for others without counting the cost. And once we say Yes, there is no backing down or turning back, for only cowards do that! How much sacrifice can we make in the service of the Lord?

FIRST READING

“Why is light given to him that is in misery?”

A reading from the Book of Job (Job 3:1-3.11- 17. 20-23)

Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. And Job said: “Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night which said, ‘A man-child is conceived.’ Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire? Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should suck? For then I should have lain down and been quiet; I should have slept; then I should have been at rest, with kings and counsellors of the earth who rebuilt ruins for themselves, or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver. Or why was I not as a hidden untimely birth, as infants that never see the light? There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest. Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul, who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures; who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm88:2-3.4-5a.5b-6.7-8 (R. 3a)

R/. Let my prayer come into your presence, O Lord

O Lord and God of my salvation,

I cry before you day and night.

Let my prayer come into your presence.

Incline your ear to my cry. R/.

For my soul is filled with evils;

my life is on the brink of the grave.

I am reckoned as one in the tomb. R/.

R/. Let my prayer come into your presence, O Lord

I am like a warrior without strength,

like one roaming among the dead,

like the slain lying in their graves,

like those you remember no more,

cut off, as they are, from your hand. R/.

You have laid me in the depths of the pit,

in regions that are dark and deep.

Your anger weighs down upon me;

I am drowned beneath your waves. R/.

ALLELUIA Mark 10:45

Alleluia. The Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“He set his face to go to Jerusalem.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 9:51-56)

When the days drew near for Jesus to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him; but the people would not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to bid fire come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

Jesus’ mission is not to tear down or attack those who think and act differently but to build up the Kingdom of God. However, His disciples understand neither the mission of Christ nor His message of love. John categorically states Christ’s mission of love when he writes: “…God did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (3:17). The disciples are not ready to accept the cross as it does not suit their ambitions and it is clear from their reactions that they have no space for a dying Messiah in their scheme of things. Jesus is ready for His ultimate baptism. Are we?

FIRST READING

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, ‘blessed be the name of the Lord.”

A reading from the Book of Job (Job 1:6-22)

There was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord, “From going back and forth on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself do not put forth your hand.” So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house; and there came a messenger to Job, and said, “The oxen were ploughing and the donkeys feeding beside them; and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them, and slew the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burnt up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, “The Chaldeans formed three companies, and made a raid upon the camels and took them, and slew the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house; and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground, and worshipped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 17:1.2-3.6-7 (R. 6b)

R/. Lord, turn your ear to me; hear my words.

O Lord, hear a cause that is just,

pay heed to my cry.

Turn your ear to my prayer:

no deceit is on my lips. R/.

From you may my justice come forth.

Your eyes discern what is upright.

Search my heart and visit me by night.

Test me by fire, and you will find no wrong in me. R/.

R/. Lord, turn your ear to me; hear my words

To you I call; for you will surely heed me,

O God. Turn your ear to me; hear my words.

Display your merciful love.

By your right hand you deliver from their

foes those who put their trust in you. R/.

ALLELUIA Mark 10:45

Alleluia. The Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“He who! Is least among you all is the one who is great.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 9:46-50)

At that time: An argument arose among the disciples as to which of them was the greatest. But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” John answered, “Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

When we think of children, our first thoughts are of how much trouble they give, how petty and naïve they appear. Think of how bothersome their noise could be around you when you are on an important phone call. Think of the anger when in their innocence they scratch lines on your car. Watch a pack of them yapping, running and jumping, bouncing aimlessly, kicking one another or breaking down a door. Yet in our gospel text of today, Jesus insists that if we must see God, we must look to children. but how are we to understand this? Of course, despite their pettiness, children are highly dependent, trusting, innocent and simple with no sense of self-importance. In which case, to belong to the kingdom of God, we must recognize our dependence and nothingness and yield ourselves to receive the kingdom as a gift of God.