Reading 1
Heb 9:2-3, 11-14
A tabernacle was constructed, the outer one,
in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering;
this is called the Holy Place.
Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies.
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be,
passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands,
that is, not belonging to this creation,
he entered once for all into the sanctuary,
not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own Blood,
thus obtaining eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes
can sanctify those who are defiled
so that their flesh is cleansed,
how much more will the Blood of Christ,
who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.
Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
Responsorial PsalmR. (6)
God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
For king of all the earth is God:
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
Gospel
Mk 3:20-21
Jesus came with his disciples into the house.
Again the crowd gathered,
making it impossible for them even to eat.
When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him,
for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Meditation: Hebrews 9:2-3,11-14
“How much more will the blood of Christ … cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.” (Hebrews 9:14)
Today is the thirty-eighth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, Roe vs. Wade, which paved the way for legalized abortion in the United States. Today, thousands of people will be marching in Washington, D.C., and throughout the country, voicing their opposition to abortion. We here at The Word Among Us want to add our voice as well, upholding the dignity of life in all its stages.
To all who are marching today, know that many more are with you in spirit. May the Lord grant you peace and courage, prudence and patience as you speak out for the unborn. May your voices blend with the saints and angels, who are praying in a special way today that life be protected and honored.
To all who have been affected by abortion, know that you are in our prayers as well. The Father of mercies and the God of all consolation has not abandoned any of his children. No sin is too great for him to forgive. No wound is too great for him to heal. May you come to know the warmth of his touch and the light of his smile as he looks upon you in unconditional love and compassion!
While abortion is a great evil, we must all remember that every person who participates in this evil is still a child of God, deeply loved by their heavenly Father and endowed with great dignity. It was Jesus’ unbounded mercy that melted the heart of the sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50). It was the father’s extravagant love that welcomed the prodigal son back home (Luke 15:11-24). And it was the look of love in Jesus’ eyes that moved Peter to repentance after he denied the Lord (Luke 22:60-62). May we look upon everyone as our brother or sister—even those who call us their enemies. And may the witness of our humble love, our peace in every circumstance, and our joy in life help soften hardened hearts everywhere!
“Father, you know our hearts and our needs. You know our hopes and fears, our triumphs and our frustrations. We ask you to give us hearts of peace and mercy as we seek an end to abortion. Turn the tide, Lord, so that every child can be welcomed into life!”
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