Key:
What these passages tell us about God
What these passages tell us to do
Commentary
Reading 1 AM 7:12-15
Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos, “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”
Responsorial Psalm PS 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD —for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvationto those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truthshall meet; justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase.
Justiceshall walk before him, and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD —for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvationto those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truthshall meet; justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase.
Justiceshall walk before him, and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Reading 2 EPH 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessingin the heavens, as he chose usin him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoptionto himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we have redemptionby his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his gracethat he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.
Alleluia CF. EPH 1:17-18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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. 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.
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. 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.
1. God is sheer goodness; He is “kindness,” He “proclaims peace,” He is “justice,” “kindness and truth.” He is the source of all “wisdom and insight.” He wants to deliver us from what is unhealthy. (psalm, second reading).
2. God is also exceedingly generous; He wants us to know about and share His goodness. That is why He has persistently reached out to, called mankind to Himself. He first did that through the prophets, then through Jesus, and then through Jesus’ followers (first reading, second reading, gospel).
3. The very first sentence of The Catechism well summarizes God’s love and generosity: “God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life.”
4. How do we respond to that wonderful love?
A. Accept it! It’s there, He continues to offer it.
B. Be God’s agent, His instrument, part of His delivery system for His love (first reading, gospel).
C. Do not let naysayers deter you from accepting or delivering that love. Focus on God, not the naysayers (first reading, gospel).
D. Team up with others in delivering God’s love (gospel). You will be more effective, have more support, and receive more joy in the process. See Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.
No comments:
Post a Comment