FIRST READING
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (1 Timothy3:14-16)
“Great indeed is the mystery of our religion.”
Beloved: I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 111:1b-2.3-4.5-6 (R.2a)
R. Great are the works of the Lord.
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.
Majestic and glorious his work;
his justice stands firm forever.
He has given us a memorial of his wonders.
The Lord is gracious and merciful. R.
He gives food to those who fear him;
Keeps his covenant ever in mind.
His mighty works he has shown to his people
by giving them the heritage of nations. R.
ALLELUIA John 6:63c.68c
Alleluia. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke7:31-35)
“We piped to you, and you did not dance, we wailed, and you did not weep.”
At that time: Jesus said, “To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, ‘We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of man has come eating and drinking; and you say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Jesus expresses his disappointment at the stubbornness and lack of openness in the people of his time. because they have the opportunity to see and listen to both john the Baptist and Christ the Savior, they are the most privileged generation. However, like children, they have one excuse or another for not accepting their teachings and changing their lives. They find fault with the messengers in order to reject the message. Thus they miss the opportunity to welcome the saviour into their lives. Attitudes of pride, stubbornness, ingratitude and lack of openness are serious blocks to our salvation. The man who receives one talent has many excuses for not multiplying it (Mt 25:24-25). But those who take the risk of multiplying the talents are rewarded with more.