Reading 1
Heb 12:18-19, 21-24
Brothers and sisters:
You have not approached that which could be touched
and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness
and storm and a trumpet blast
and a voice speaking words such that those who heard
begged that no message be further addressed to them.
Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said,
“I am terrified and trembling.”
No, you have approached Mount Zion
and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and countless angels in festal gathering,
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,
and God the judge of all,
and the spirits of the just made perfect,
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and the sprinkled Blood that speaks more eloquently
than that of Abel.
Ps 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11
Responsorial PsalmR. (see 10)
O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,”
the city of the great King.
God is with her castles;
renowned is he as a stronghold.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
As we had heard, so have we seen
in the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God;
God makes it firm forever.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
O God, we ponder your mercy
within your temple.
As your name, O God, so also your praise
reaches to the ends of the earth.
Of justice your right hand is full.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Gospel
Mk 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Meditation: Hebrews 12:18-19,21-24
“You have approached Mount Zion.” (Hebrews 12:22)
Blazing fire. Gloomy darkness. A trumpet blast. A voice that caused its hearers to beg for silence. What a rousing, even frightening, picture of God! The author of Hebrews goes so far as to warn us: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Yes, this is our God. He is all-powerful. He is a consuming fire. And he never changes.
But no one can ever reduce God to just one attribute or one set of descriptors. This all-consuming fire is also our heavenly Father who waits patiently for us to come to him (Luke 15:20). This all-powerful world creator is also a mother hen eager to gather us together (Matthew 23:37). And this commanding law-giver is also a lover pursuing his beloved across space and time (Song of Songs 2:8-9).
Can you imagine the awesome privilege we have? Because of Christ, we are invited into a personal relationship with the God of the universe. We can enjoy fellowship—real, warm, personal companionship— with the One who holds the keys to heaven and hell. Because Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel—because his blood speaks a word of mercy and not vengeance—we can be washed clean of all impurity (Hebrews 12:24).
Brothers and sisters, this is what the Father wants for all of us: a relationship of loving surrender and trust! Awe-inspiring as he is, he wants to refresh us and lead us. He wants to wipe every tear from our eyes. He wants to show us the paths of life—the way of obedience, humility, and submission to him.
Even today, God stands at the door of your heart, asking you to let him in (Revelation 3:20). His voice, full of authority and power, won’t overwhelm you. It may convict you or call you to deeper holiness, but it will never condemn you or curse you. No, he is merciful and compassionate. He created you to hear his voice and know his touch.
So welcome him in today. Sit quietly with him. Read Scripture, talk to him, and listen for his voice. Yes, you have come to Mount Zion, but you have come as an honored guest of the King of kings!
“Father, I want to hear your voice today!”
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