Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17
Mk 12:28-34 Full Readings
Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17
Mk 12:28-34 Full Readings
LENT SERIES DAY 23: THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT (Fasting According to God's Instructions) (https://youtu.be/cP7nU1CjDvs)
PS 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Lk 11:14-23 Full Readings
Dear brethren, listening is a virtue in itself, for it is only when we listen that we can learn and understand. Listening to the voice of God keeps us informed, wise, and safe. Rebellious people never listen because they are stubborn. The Lord rejects those who harden their hearts and rebuff His voice, but He blesses those who listen and adhere to His voice. Today, God calls us to believe in Him and to gather with Him. Let us therefore heed the voice of God and lead holy lives as a people. The Jews in the first reading did not heed the voice of God and what he was telling them, and finally their temple was destroyed, and many were taken to exile. “O that today you would listen to His voice, harden not your hearts!
Psalm 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11.
1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12
In the First Reading, we continue to review some of the most important moments in the history of salvation. Last week, we heard the story of how God elevated one of his promises to Abram to a covenant: Abram would become the father of a great nation. This week, we learn about God’s plan to save the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from slavery in Egypt and lead them to the land promised to Abram. When Moses asks God what his name is, God responds: “I am who am” (Exodus 3:14). This name reveals something about God’s nature as well as his fidelity. He is without beginning or end. He is eternal and the creator of all that exists. He will be there for his children and accompany Moses on the mission to save his people. God is faithful to his covenant promises and wills that through Abraham’s descendant, all people can enjoy the merciful blessing of the forgiveness of their sins and become his sons and daughters.
LENT SERIES DAY 17: FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT (How can we pray better during this lent?) (https://youtu.be/-eKX2Hn3bmo)
Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21
Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Full Readings
Brethren, the Patriarch Joseph, presented in the first reading, was a dreamer. He incurred the wrath of his brothers by telling them his dreams and because their father showed him greater love than he showed them. They retaliated by selling him into slavery. Jesus incurred the wrath of his fellow Jews because he was the Son of God and told them so. They retaliated by getting him crucified. Great good came out of the evil done to Joseph and Jesus. God used Joseph to save his people from famine. The same God used the death of Jesus for the salvation of the world. That is what always happens when we are made to suffer unjustly, and we refuse to respond with hatred or bitterness. God always writes straight on crooked lines.
Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
Lk 16:19-31 Full Readings
Brethren, what would you prefer: to be rich only physically and miss heaven, or to be rich spiritually and attain eternal life? In the Gospel reading today, we are presented with the contrast of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man enjoyed life here on earth with his riches without thinking of the others, while Lazarus suffered and even longed to eat from the leftovers of the rich man, which the rich man refused him. When they died, Lazarus attained eternal life and the rich man eternal fire. The only happiness the rich had was here on earth—the happiness that did not last. Let us endeavour to look for everlasting happiness by enriching our spiritual life.
Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27,
Romans 4: 13, 16-18, 22,
Saint Joseph, the Husband of Mary
Brethren, what a Great Man, St Joseph is! He was made great not because of any privileges but because of the choices he made in life. Today’s Gospel refers to him as a “righteous man” and as a man who “did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.” Thus, his greatness is primarily on account of his moral righteousness and obedience to the will of God. The first reading proclaims an everlasting kingdom and how God decided to grant it to a “son of David.” The Gospel proclaims the accomplishment of the promise made to David: one of his descendants has fulfilled the words of Nathan beyond all expectations. The second reading speaks of Abraham, the man who placed his trust in God. Like Abraham, Joseph too believed that the dreams of God would be fulfilled. Abraham and Joseph prove that whoever puts their trust in God will never be disappointed.