FIRST READING
Sirach 44:1, 10-15
Sirach 44:1, 10-15
Now will I praise those godly men, our ancestors, each in his own time: These were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten; Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants; Through God’s covenant with them their family endures, their posterity for their sake.
And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out; Their bodies are peacefully laid away, but their name lives on and on. At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the assembly proclaims their praise.
And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out; Their bodies are peacefully laid away, but their name lives on and on. At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the assembly proclaims their praise.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 132:11, 13-14, 17-18
Psalm 132:11, 13-14, 17-18
R. God will give him the throne of David, his father.
The LORD swore to David a firm promise from which he will not withdraw: “Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.”
R. God will give him the throne of David, his father.
For the LORD has chosen Zion; he prefers her for his dwelling. “Zion is my resting place forever; in her will I dwell, for I prefer her.”
R. God will give him the throne of David, his father.
“In her will I make a horn to sprout forth for David; I will place a lamp for my anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon him my crown shall shine.”
R. God will give him the throne of David, his father.
The LORD swore to David a firm promise from which he will not withdraw: “Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.”
R. God will give him the throne of David, his father.
For the LORD has chosen Zion; he prefers her for his dwelling. “Zion is my resting place forever; in her will I dwell, for I prefer her.”
R. God will give him the throne of David, his father.
“In her will I make a horn to sprout forth for David; I will place a lamp for my anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon him my crown shall shine.”
R. God will give him the throne of David, his father.
ALLELUIA
See Luke 2:25c
See Luke 2:25c
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
They yearned for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested upon them.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
They yearned for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested upon them.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Matthew13:16-17
Matthew13:16-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
“Blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
Meditation: How good are you at listening, especially for the word of God? God is ever ready to speak to each of us and to give us understanding of his word. This parable of Jesus is a warning to those who hear and who preach the word of God. What makes us ineffective and unresponsive to God's word? Preoccupation with other things can distract us from what is truly important and worthwhile. And letting our hearts and minds be consumed with material things can easily weigh us down and draw us away from the treasure that lasts for eternity. God's word can only take root in a receptive heart which is docile and ready to hear what God has to say. One lesson is clear: the harvest is sure.While some seed will fall by the wayside and some fall on shallow ground and never come to maturity, and some be choked to death by the thorns; nonetheless a harvest will come. The seed that falls on good soil, on the heart that is receptive, will reap abundant fruit. Are you teachable and eager to learn God's truth? And do you allow anything to keep you from submitting to God's word with joy and trusting obedience?
"Lord Jesus, help me to guard the word you have planted in my heart that no doubt or temptation may keep me from believing and obeying you. May I be fruitful in your service and may I never fear to speak of you to others and to share with them the good news of the gospel."
No comments:
Post a Comment