FIRST READING
“We are not children of the slave but of the free woman.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 4:22-24.26-27.31-5:1)
Brethren: It is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not with labour pains; for the desolate has more children than she who has a husband.” So, brethren, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 113: 1b-2.3-4.5a and 6-7 (R. See 2)
R/. May the name of the Lord be blest forevermore.
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!
May the name of the Lord be blest
both now and forevermore! R/.
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
praised be the name of the Lord!
High above all nations is the Lord,
above the heavens his glory. R/.
R/. May the name of the Lord be blest forevermore.
Who is like the Lord, our God,
who lowers himself to look down
upon heaven and earth?
From the dust he lifts up the lowly,
from the ash heap he raises the poor. R/.
Alleluia Psalm 95:7d.8a
Alleluia. Today, harden not your hearts, but listen to the voice of the Lord. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“No sign will be given to this generation, except the sign of Jonah.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11:29-32)
At that time: When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the South will arise at the judgement with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgement with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Seeking wisdom and going after true repentance are great tools that every Christian must seek on this pilgrim journey of faith. Jesus condemns the generation of his time that ran after miraculous signs rather than seeking him in spirit and in truth. Is this generation any different? If one may ask himself or herself sincerely; why do I seek Jesus? One may be surprised at the answer that may come forth. Surely we may seek Jesus for many material gains, but that which truly brings peace and everlasting freedom is wisdom and repentance. True wisdom is a sure path to right living.