FIRST READING
Our forefathers are men of mercy, and their name lives on from generation to generation.
A reading from the Book of Sirach (Sirach 44:1.9-13)
Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers in their generations. There are some who have no memorial, who have perished as though they had not lived; they have become as though they had not been born, and so have their children after them. But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgot- ten; their prosperity will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance to their children’s children. Their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also, for their sake. Their posterity will continue for ever, and their glory will not be blotted out.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 149:lb-2.3-4.5-6a and 9b (R. 4a)
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Or: Alleluia.
Sing a new song to the Lord,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its Maker;
let Sion’s children exult in their king. R.
Let them praise his name with dancing,
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lone takes delight in his people;
he crowns the poor with salvation. R.
Let the faithful exult in glory,
and rejoice as they take their rest.
Let the praise of God be in their mouths.
This is an honour for all his faithful. R.
ALLELUIA John 15: 16
Alleluia. I chose you from the world that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, says the Lord. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations. Have faith in God. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 11 : 11-25)
Jesus entered Jerusalem [amid acclamations from the crowd,] and went into the temple; and when he had looked round at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons; and he would not allow any one to carry anything through the temple. And he taught, and said to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and sought a way to destroy him; for they feared him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city. As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Master, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea, ’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, what- ever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any one; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
It is divine providence that, in every age, God raises up distinguished men and women with talents and efforts suited to the times and their exigencies. These people walked the sands of time and contributed tremendously to the history of man’s existence and salvation. It is in this light that the first reading praises these illustrious people, our ancestors, in their successive generations; those whose good works will never be forgotten. As a matter of fact, as stated by the psalmist, the Lord takes delight in His people. God created us for Himself and made us stewards of His creations. An account of our stewardship and how well we used our talents will be demanded of us at the end. Forgive our transgressions, O Lord, and increase Your faith in us.