Readings and Reflection for February 4 Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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Readings and Reflection for February 4 Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING
“You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God.”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 12:18-19.21-24)

Brethren: You have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers entreat that no further messages be spoken to them. Indeed so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Psalm 48:2-3ab.3cd-4.9-10-11 (R. see 10)
R. We have received your mercy, O Lord,
    in the midst of your temple.

Great is the Lord and highly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain rises in beauty,
the joy of all the earth. R.

Mount Sion, in the heart of the North,
the city of the Mighty King!
God, in the midst of its citadels,
has shown himself its stronghold. R.

R. We have received your mercy, O Lord,
    in the midst of your temple.

As we have heard, so we have seen
in the city of our God,
in the city of the Lord Of hosts,
which God establishes forever. R.

Your merciful love, O God,
we ponder in your temple.
Your praise, O God, like your name,
reaches the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is filled with saving justice. R.



ALLELUIA   Mark 1:15
Alleluia. The kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel. Alleluia.

GOSPEL               
“He began to send them out.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 6:7- 13)

At that time: Jesus called to him the Twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them.” So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

To run an effective ministry, Jesus selects a team of twelve that we call apostles. An apostle is an apprentice who learns the master’s trade. The apostle or apprentice is expected to, after the completion of his/her training, to be proficient in the master’s trade. Jesus selected twelve men for this apprenticeship so that they continue his works when he might have left. Thus he built the foundation of Christianity. He gave them authority over evil spirits, the major enemy of the children of God. He set them forth on a mission and forbade them to take anything, even a purse or spare clothes, they were allowed only a staff. Why?  Because, apostleship demands a life of sacrifice, commitment, and determination, and as the new apostles of today, we should be focused in the purpose of our life, determined in our faith and works and eager to make sacrifice.

Readings and Reflection for February 3 Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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Readings and Reflection for February 3 Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING
“The Lord disciplines him whom he loves.”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 12:4-7.11-15)

Brethren: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? — “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It I for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” spring up and cause trouble, and by it the many become defiled.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm103:1-2.13-14.17-18a (R. see 17ab)
R/. The mercy of the Lord is everlasting
      Upon those who hold him in fear

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all within me, his holy name.
bless the Lord, O my soul,
and never forget all his benefits. R.

As a father has compassion on his children,
the Lord’s compassion is on those who fear him.
For he knows of what we are made;
he remembers that we are dust. R.

But the mercy of the Lord is everlasting
upon those who hold him in fear,
upon children’s children his justice,
for those who keep his covenant. R.

ALLELUIA John 10:27
Alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 6:1-6)

At that time: Jesus came to his own country; and his disciples followed him. And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offence at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.
The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
knowing people so well may hinder us from knowing them truly. We get so used to what we have known of people that we tend to be blind to what they have become or are becoming. For the people of Jesus’ hometown, ‘This is the Carpenter, surely…’ and they would not accept him.’ The wisdom in his teachings and the reports about his power, even those that were before their very eyes did not fit into their initial knowledge and impression of him, and thus were unacceptable to them. They did not know that the Carpenter was also the Messiah they awaited and hence, rejected him and he could work no miracle there. We must be careful not to let our familiarity blind us to the wonders of God’s ways. Being a Christian in this age and time requires great openness to God’s continual action in the church, in the world and in our very own brothers and sisters. We must be careful not to set a boundary as to the extents of God’s wonders and his ways.

Readings and Reflection for February 2 Tuesday Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

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Readings and Reflection for February 2 Tuesday Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

FIRST READING
“The Lord whom you seek will come to his temple.”   
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Malachi 3: 1-4

Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.  But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they present right offerings to the Lord. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm24:7.8.9.10 (R. 10bc)
R/. The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory!

O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory! R.

Who is this king of glory?
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant;
the Lord, the valiant in war. R.

R/. The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory!

O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory! R.

Who is this king of glory?
He, the Lord of hosts,
he is the king of glory. R.

SECOND READING      
“He had to be made like his brethren in every respect.”         
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews 2: 14-18

Since the children share in flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

The word of the Lord

ALLELUIA Luke 2:32
Alleluia. A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. Alleluia.

GOSPEL               
“My eyes have seen your salvation.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 2:22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,  “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word;  for my eyes have seen your  salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” * And his father and his mother marvelled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” And there goes a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
As we celebrate the presentation of the Lord, we are called to present ourselves anew to God. This means to continually worship God in spirit and in truth like Simeon and Anna. The scripture describes Simeon as a very upright and devout man and Anna as a widow who continues to serve God day and night in fasting and prayer. This no doubt earns them the privilege of recognizing the Messiah in the midst of the many children that are brought to the temple that day. One thing to learn at the presentation of the Lord is that he is not just a light to the nations and the glory of Israel but also a sign that is spoken against, a sign of contradiction. Despite all the odds, let us focus on God and daily renew our commitment to him.

Church Building Progress Report for January 2021

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Church Building Progress Report for January 2021
Protective felting, screeding & block works in preparation for back filling ongoing.
Removal of scafold from completed 4th quadrant cast & clearing of the ground floor ongoing
On-going works including Re-enforcement of the 12 pillars representing the 12 Apostles and form works for staircase in preparation for casting ongoing.

Thank you for your generous contributions.

Readings and Reflection for February 1 Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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Readings and Reflection for February 1 Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING
Through faith they conquered kingdoms. God will provide something better for us.
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 11:32-40) 

Brethren: What more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won  strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated — of whom the world was not worthy— wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 31 :20.21.22.23.24 (R. 25)
R/. Be strong, let your heart take courage,
all who hope in the Lord.

How great is the goodness, LORD,
that you keep for those who fear you,
that you show to those who trust you
in the sight of the children of men. R.

You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
secure from human scheming;
you keep them safe within your tent
from disputing tongues. R.

R/. Be strong, let your heart take courage,
all who hope in the Lord.

Blest be the Lord for
he has wondrously shown me
his merciful love in a fortified city! R.

“I am far removed from your sight,”
I said in my alarm.
Yet you heard the voice of my plea
when I cried to you for help. R.

Love the Lord, all you his saints.
The Lord guards the faithful.
But the Lord will repay to the full
the one who acts with pride. R.

ALLELLUIA   Luke 7: 16
Alleluia. A great prophet has risen among us, and God has visited his people. Alleluia

GOSPEL
“Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.’ ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 5: 1-20)

At that time: Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had come out of the boat, there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who lived among the tombs; and no one could bind him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out, and bruising himself with stones.  And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped him; and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” And he   begged him eagerly’ not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him, “Send us to the swine, let us enter them.” So he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. The herdsmen fled, and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus, and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their neighbourhood. And as he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. But he refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for, you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and all men marvelled.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
In the readings of today, we are taught that we should accept the crosses of our lives without grumbling. David does not despair even when events go against him because he realizes that this is the consequence of his sin against God. Thus, as he flees the rebellion of Absalom his son, he accepts everything with a humble and contrite heart. Jesus in the Gospel established the fact that only God has the power to subdue all forces of darkness that no human being has. Also, that no matter the economic importance or nutritional value of any object, the salvation of the human soul is the ultimate. May we, as Christians, always cherish and value the human life above all material things.

Readings and Reflection for Sunday January 31, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Readings and Reflection for Sunday January 31, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Through our Lord..

FIRST READING      
“I will raise up a prophet, and I will put my words in his mouth.”
A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 18:15-20)

Moses spoke to the people, saying, “The Lord your  God will  raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brethren— him you shall heed — just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ And the Lord said to me, ‘They have rightly said all that they have spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not give heed to my words which he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him, But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die. ”’

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM     Psalm 95 : 1-2.6-7abc.7d-9 (R. see 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 me, though they saw my work.” R.

SECOND READING
“The virgin is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (I Corinthians 7:32-35)

Brethren: I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or virgin is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA Matthew 4: 16
Alleluia. The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“He taught them as one who had authority.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 1:21b-28)

[In the city of Capernaum] on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this?  A new teaching!  With authority he commands even the unclean spirit, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. 

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

Today being the Fourth Sunday in the Church’s Liturgical year, the readings outline that the promised messiah is one whose word is authoritative and rightly to be obeyed, Saint Paul emphasizes at holiness remains the yardstick of serving God and worshiping him with undivided attention whether we are priests, religious or married persons. In his ministry Jesus manifested his authority both in words and in deeds as the chosen one of God. Therefore, as Christians, we are enjoined to give our undivided attention to Jesus Christ who is the epitome of authority.

Readings and Reflection for January 30 Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

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Readings and Reflection for January 30 Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING
“He looked forward to the city whose builder and maker is God”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 11:1-2.8-19)

Brethren: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old received divine approval.  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only-begotten son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your descendants be named.” He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence he did receive him back and this was a symbol.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Luke  1:69-70.71-72.73-75 (R. see  68)
R/. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited  his people.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. R.

That we should be saved from our enemies,
and from the hand of all who hate us;
to perform the mercy promised to our fathers,
and to remember his holy covenant. R.

R/. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited  his people.

The oath which he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him
all the days of our life. R.

ALLELUIA   John 3: 16
Alleluia. God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son; that whoever believes in him should have eternal life. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 4:35-41)

On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them, just as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him. And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”

The Gospel  of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

Today’s First Reading teaches us that we should be cautious in passing judgement because we may be condemning ourselves in the final analysis while thinking we are condemning others. It also teaches us that no matter the secrecy involved in any act of sin, nothing can remain concealed from God. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us that if we put our trust in God’s presence with us always we cannot be intimidated by any force. Although David’s sin is condemned, his repentance gain him God’s forgiveness. As Christians, may we always be repentant of our sins so as to win God’s forgiveness and thereby establish a good relationship with him that is based on our trust in Him.

Readings and Reflection for January 29 Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

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Readings and Reflection for January 29 Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

FIRSTREADING
You endured a hard struggle. Therefore do not throw away your confidence.
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 10:32-39)

Brethren: Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. “For yet a little while, and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 37:3-4.5-6.23-24.39-40 (R. 39a)
R/. From the Lord comes the salvation of the just.

Trust in the LORD and do good;
then you will dwell in the land and safely pasture.
Find your delight in the Lord,
who grants your heart’s desire. R.

Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act,
and make your uprightness shine like the light,
the justice of your cause like the noon—day sun. R.

R/. From the Lord comes the salvation of the just.

By the Lord are the steps made firm
of one in whose path He delights.
Though he stumble he shall never fall,
for the Lord will hold him by the hand. R.

But from the Lord comes the salvation of the just,
their stronghold in time of distress.
The Lord helps them and rescues them,
rescues and saves them from the wicked:
because they take refuge in him. 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               
A man scatters seed, and while he sleeps it grows, he knows not how.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 4:26-34)

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, lie knows not how. The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its  shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

The Gospel of the Lord

Today’s Reflection

It is true that the Blood of Jesus saves us.  Yet the readings today tell of our own part in gaining salvation. The Christian exposed to danger should be ready to be insulted because of his faith. He accepts insult cheerfully in the hope of the promises it offers. Endurance is very necessary.  It is one’s faith that proves someone righteous. The Christian is not given a timid spirit; rather, we must remain faithful until our salvation is achieved.  We can do this as we are on a mission to spread the kingdom of God. We must play our part while God achieves perfection for us. Our salvation is wrought by God, but not without our own effort.

Readings and Reflection for January 28 Thursday, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church (M)

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Readings and Reflection for January 28 Thursday, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church (M)

FIRST READING     
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, rind let us consider how to stir up one another to love. ”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 10: 19-25)

Brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let ‘us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with Birr hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodie9 washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

The word of the Lord.



RESPONSORIAL PSALM     Psalm 24:1-2.3-4ab.3-6 (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.

R. These are the people who seek your face, O Lord.

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.
Alleluia. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light to my path. Alleluia.


GOSPEL        
A lamp is brought in to be put on a stand. The measure you give will be the measure you get.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 4:21 -25)

At that time: Jesus said to the crowd, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Take heed what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
Yesterday we noted that Jesus is everything for us and so we must endeavor to prepare a dwelling place for him in our lives. In doing that, we are bound to face some challenges. Nonetheless, we must persevere in Christ; It would be unwise to look for other means of getting solutions when he is the supreme power. If you persevere in him, he will reward you with abundance. St John Bosco faced a lot of challenges during his ministry form both civil and religious leaders (even from his boys). Sometimes it would seem that he had come to a dead end. Yet he continued to thrive through his faith in divine providence. Trust God today and carry on; he will never abandon you.

Readings and Reflection for January 27, Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

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Readings and Reflection for January 27, Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING
“He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 10:11-18)

Every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM     Psalm 110:1.2.3.4 (R. 4cd)
R. You are a priest forever, in the line of  Melchizedek

The Lord’s revelation to my lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your foes your footstool.” R.

The Lord will send from Sion
your sceptre of power:
rule in the midst of your foes. R.

R. You are a priest forever, in the line of  Melchizedek

With you is princely rule
on the day of your power.
In holy splendour,
from the womb before the dawn,
I have begotten you. R.

The Lord has sworn an oath
he will not change:
“You are a priest forever,
in the line of Melchizedek.” R.
 


ALLELUIA
Alleluia, The seed is the word of God, and the sower is Christ; all who find him will abide for ever. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“A sower went out to sow.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 4: 1-20)

At that time: Again Jesus began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And he taught them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it had not much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil; and when the sun rose it was scorched, and since it had no root it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” And when he was alone, those who were about him with the Twelve asked him concerning the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables; so that they may indeed see but  not  perceive,  and may indeed hear but not understand; lest they should turn again, and be forgiven.” And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown; when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word which is sown in them. And these in like manner are the ones sown upon rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns; they are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world, and the delight in riches, and the desire for other things, enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown upon the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

The incomparable and most efficacious nature of Christ’s priesthood is a strong pillar of our faith.  He did what no priest of old could do. Repetition of the sin offering of old shows that what was done in the past was not perfect.  It is only the sacrifice of Christ that achieved eternal perfection and needed no repetition.  In the Sacrifice of the Mass we commemorate what Christ has already finished and need not be repeated.  His sacrifice make the devil a footstool and assured our salvation.  As we come to Jesus in to liturgy, let us allow the word we receive to bear good fruit. May we work to remove any form of inhibition to yielding of the desired fruit.

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