Great Faith

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/013115.cfm) reminds me how important to God our faith is.

Hebrews 11:1 gives us a very good definition of faith. It is the realization of what is hoped for, and evidence of things not seen.

In the first reading, we see that God honors our faith. Abraham had great faith in God, obeying what God tells him despite not knowing the purpose, despite feeling unprepared un prepared, and despite the doubts and fears he may have. He just submitted himself to God’s will and obeyed whatever God asked of him. Not only that, he believed so much in the love and power of God. This is the reason he experienced a lot of great things, and that God was able to use him mightily.

In the gospel, we are again reminded of the importance of faith through Jesus. Jesus wants us to have faith in Him. Although we are also reminded that lack of faith will not cause us harm or pain, Jesus will still come to our rescue.

Probably we can relate to the people in the boat. We have experienced God’s goodness and power in our lives, but like them, when things seem to be shaky and scary, we panic. We forget that He is God, we forget how loving and powerful he is. We forget all the good he has done for us, and all the times he has saved us. We let the immediate challenging situation affect us.

May we never forget the times God has been there for us, and may it lead us to remember that he will always be there. May we be inspired to be like Abraham and have a great, surrendered faith in Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Lord, I thank you that this month is over. It seemed that it was yesterday when we were celebrating the new year, now the first month of the year is over. Lord, help me increase my faith. May I never forget the times you have been there for me, especially when I am faced with challenging situations. In my own little way, may I have faith like Abraham. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 31, 2015

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest

Lectionary: 322

Reading 1 Heb 11:1-2, 8-19

Brothers and sisters:

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for

and evidence of things not seen.

Because of it the ancients were well attested.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place

that he was to receive as an inheritance;

he went out, not knowing where he was to go.

By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country,

dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise;

for he was looking forward to the city with foundations,

whose architect and maker is God.

By faith he received power to generate,

even though he was past the normal age

—and Sarah herself was sterile—

for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.

So it was that there came forth from one man,

himself as good as dead,

descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky

and as countless as the sands on the seashore.

All these died in faith.

They did not receive what had been promised

but saw it and greeted it from afar

and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,

for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.

If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come,

they would have had opportunity to return.

But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.

Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God,

for he has prepared a city for them.

By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,

and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son,

of whom it was said,

Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.

He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead,

and he received Isaac back as a symbol.

Responsorial Psalm Lk 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75

R. (see 68) Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior,

born of the house of his servant David.

R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old.

that he would save us from our sins

from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant.

R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the bonds of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear,

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

Alleluia Jn 3:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,

so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:

“Let us cross to the other side.”

Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.

And other boats were with him.

A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,

so that it was already filling up.

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.

They woke him and said to him,

“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

He woke up,

rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”

The wind ceased and there was great calm.

Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified?

Do you not yet have faith?”

They were filled with great awe and said to one another,

“Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

Endurance

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/013015.cfm) reminds me that we should be faithful and loyal to God.

They say that Endurance in not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory. This sums up what God reminds me in the readings.

In the first reading, we see that God wants us to endure the hardships in life and stay loyal to him. We are reminded not to give up. God would not be happy if we give in to the world. We need to endure the world and remain focused on God to be able to experience the joy and reward eternal life with him will bring.

In the gospel, Jesus further demonstrates this through parables concerning seeds. Seeds take time to develop to grow and bear fruit. If a seed will give up, it dies as it is. The seed needs to endure until the promise comes into fruition, until it grows into a tree and bear fruit.

We all have challenges in life. There are times when it is easy to give up our faith. There are times when it is easy to compromise and do what is evil, what will be worldly rewarding. However, the reward we will get will be just that – worldly, temporary. We have to stay focused on God, keep our eyes on him, to be able to enjoy heavenly rewards he has promised us.

As we live in this world and as we experience challenges and hardships, may we be one with the psalmist in praying – the salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder that I need endurance in this world. Help me focus on you. May my eyes be fixed on you and not on the challenges and distractions of this world. Be my strength as I live in this world for you. Amen.

Blessed Friday!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 30, 2015

Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 321

Reading 1 Heb 10:32-39

Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened,

you endured a great contest of suffering.

At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction;

at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.

You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison

and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property,

knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence;

it will have great recompense.

You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.

For, after just a brief moment,

he who is to come shall come;

he shall not delay.

But my just one shall live by faith,

and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him.

We are not among those who draw back and perish,

but among those who have faith and will possess life.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40

R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Trust in the LORD and do good,

that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.

Take delight in the LORD,

and he will grant you your heart’s requests.

R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Commit to the LORD your way;

trust in him, and he will act.

He will make justice dawn for you like the light;

bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.

R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,

and he approves his way.

Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,

for the hand of the LORD sustains him.

R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

The salvation of the just is from the LORD;

he is their refuge in time of distress.

And the LORD helps them and delivers them;

he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

because they take refuge in him.

R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Alleluia See Mt 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;

you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds:

“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;

it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land

and would sleep and rise night and day

and the seed would sprout and grow,

he knows not how.

Of its own accord the land yields fruit,

first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,

for the harvest has come.”

He said,

“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,

or what parable can we use for it?

It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,

is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.

But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants

and puts forth large branches,

so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

With many such parables

he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.

Without parables he did not speak to them,

but to his own disciples he explained everything in private

Stay Together

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012915.cfm) reminds me that we should stay together and encourage everyone to grow in faith.

There is strength in numbers. A  normal pencil would be easy to break, but when 10 pencils are joined together, it is almost impossible to break them. They get strength from each other and make each other stronger. This is how God wants us to behave with our spiritual life.

In the first reading, we are again reminded that Jesus made a way for us to be able to worship God. And we are told to encourage one another as the day (of God’s coming) draws near. We should be helping each other grow and mature in faith. This is what the psalmist tells us, that we should be the people that longs to see God’s face. As we wait for God’s second coming, we should help and encourage one another to prepare spiritually and grow in faith.

To one who has, more will be given.

We all love God, and we are working towards strengthening our relationship with Him. However, the love and support of others can help us to further develop our love and relationship with Jesus Christ. As we obey him and encourage each other, we will attain the words of Jesus in the gospel, that more will be given to us. Our faith will increase. Our relationship with God will deepen. Our love for Him will grow. We just have to encourage and support each other, and grow in faith together.

May we be reminded and encouraged to be faithful and love one another, despite all the challenges that make us want to do otherwise.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for all the love you have been giving me. Thank you for my friends and my community. Help me give of myself more. Help me to inspire and encourage others around me, as you use others to nourish and strengthen my faith and relationship with you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 29, 2015

Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 320

Reading 1 Heb 10:19-25

Brothers and sisters:

Since through the Blood of Jesus

we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary

by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil,

that is, his flesh,

and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,”

let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,

with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience

and our bodies washed in pure water.

Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,

for he who made the promise is trustworthy.

We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.

We should not stay away from our assembly,

as is the custom of some, but encourage one another,

and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;

the world and those who dwell in it.

For he founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?

or who may stand in his holy place?

He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,

who desires not what is vain.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,

a reward from God his savior.

Such is the race that seeks for him,

that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Alleluia Ps 119:105

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A lamp to my feet is your word,

a light to my path.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 4:21-25

Jesus said to his disciples,

“Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket

or under a bed,

and not to be placed on a lampstand?

For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible;

nothing is secret except to come to light.

Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.”

He also told them, “Take care what you hear.

The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,

and still more will be given to you.

To the one who has, more will be given;

from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Your Soil

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012815.cfm) reminds us that our readiness to receive God will determine the effects in our lives.

My fiancé took subjects on agriculture a few years ago, and one interesting fact she shared was that there are different kinds of soil. Not all will be conducive for plants and fruits. It depends on the kind of soil if the seeds will bear fruit. In the gospel today, Jesus uses this in the context of spiritual growth and maturity.

The sower went out to sow. He put out the same seeds to the different soil. It was the same sower, and the same kind of seed. What was different was the kind of soil that received the seeds. The readiness and receptiveness of the soil determines what will happen to the seeds.

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.

We all have the same bible. We all have the same God. We all experience the great, unconditional and forgiving love of God through Jesus. However, we receive it differently. Some chose to prioritize worldly riches over spiritual ones, some allow stress and problems overwhelm us and take the focus away from God, some allow the devil to take away what God gave us, while some keep everything in their hearts and lives and allow God’s seeds of love to bear fruit in their lives.

May we be challenged and inspired by the fact that God gave us all his love, his word, his blessings and protection. May we prepare our hearts to receive him and allow him to bear fruit through us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for all the blessings you have been continuously giving me. Help me prepare my heart to receive you Lord. Help me be good soil, that your word in my life may take effect. May I be able to absorb it, give it its due importance, and allow you to bear fruit through me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 28, 2015

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Lectionary: 319

Reading 1 Heb 10:11-18

Every priest stands daily at his ministry,

offering frequently those same sacrifices

that can never take away sins.

But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,

and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;

now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool.

For by one offering he has made perfect forever

those who are being consecrated.

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying:

This is the covenant I will establish with them

after those days, says the Lord:

“I will put my laws in their hearts,

and I will write them upon their minds,”

he also says:

Their sins and their evildoing

I will remember no more.

Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4R.

(4b) You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand

till I make your enemies your footstool.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:

“Rule in the midst of your enemies.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;

before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:

“You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower;

all who come to him will live for ever.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 4:1-20

On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea.

A very large crowd gathered around him

so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down.

And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land.

And he taught them at length in parables,

and in the course of his instruction he said to them,

“Hear this! A sower went out to sow.

And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,

and the birds came and ate it up.

Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil.

It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.

And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.

Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it

and it produced no grain.

And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit.

It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

And when he was alone,

those present along with the Twelve

questioned him about the parables.

He answered them,

“The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you.

But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that

they may look and see but not perceive,

and hear and listen but not understand,

in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.”

Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable?

Then how will you understand any of the parables?

The sower sows the word.

These are the ones on the path where the word is sown.

As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once

and takes away the word sown in them.

And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who,

when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy.

But they have no roots; they last only for a time.

Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,

they quickly fall away.

Those sown among thorns are another sort.

They are the people who hear the word,

but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches,

and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word,

and it bears no fruit.

But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it

and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold

Sacrifice and Surrender

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012715.cfm) reminds me what kind of sacrifice God wants.

The first reading tells us what God wants. In the earlier times, sacrifices and burnt offerings were offered to God. This tells God that we love Him and we adore Him. However, he wants more than that. He wants something deeper than that. He wants us not to just offer animals, but our very selves to him – not by killing ourselves but by surrendering ourselves to his will. Sacrifice of praise and surrender. God takes away the sacrificing of burnt and sin offerings, and want to establish us surrendering and doing His will.

In the gospel, we see Jesus further enhancing this when he said that his mother and brothers are those who do the will of God. That’s how much God wants us to surrender and do his will. That’s how important that is to Him.

In life, it is not always easy to do this. We all have plans. We have targets and milestones. There are a lot of articles in the internet saying things you should do or have before turning 30, 40 or 50. We have bucketlists of places we want to go and things we want to do and have. We can be so commercialized and lost in the world that we forget God. We forget that his will is always better than ours, though it may not seem so in the sense of the world. We forget who gave us life and who we should live for. It is easy to forget the essentials, the basics in life.

God works is not enough. Sacrifices are not enough. God wants us to surrender and do his will. May we be one with the psalmist and say “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will”

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I forget you and focus on myself. Sorry for the times I forget who you are and I just do what I want and what pleases me. Sorry for the times I become stubborn and do my will instead of yours. Lord, I ask that you help me be humble. Help me remember who you are in my life. Help me surrender my plans and my will to yours, everyday, everytime. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/09/sacrifice-of-praise.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/07/sacrifice-of-praise.html

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January 27, 2015

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 318

Reading 1 Heb 10:1-10

Brothers and sisters:

Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come,

and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect

those who come to worship by the same sacrifices

that they offer continually each year.

Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered,

since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer

have had any consciousness of sins?

But in those sacrifices there is only a yearly remembrance of sins,

for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats

take away sins.

For this reason, when he came into the world, he said:

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

but a body you prepared for me;

in burnt offerings and sin offerings you took no delight.

Then I said, As is written of me in the scroll,

Behold, I come to do your will, O God.

First he says, Sacrifices and offerings,

burnt offerings and sin offerings,

you neither desired nor delighted in.

These are offered according to the law.

Then he says, Behold, I come to do your will.

He takes away the first to establish the second.

By this “will,” we have been consecrated

through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:2 and 4ab, 7-8a, 10, 11

R. (8a and 9a) Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

I have waited, waited for the LORD,

and he stooped toward me.

And he put a new song into my mouth,

a hymn to our God.

R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,

but ears open to obedience you gave me.

Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;

then said I, “Behold I come.”

R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;

I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.

R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

Your justice I kept not hid within my heart;

your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of;

I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth

in the vast assembly.

R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

Alleluia See Mt 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;

you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 3:31-35

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.

Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.

A crowd seated around him told him,

“Your mother and your brothers and your sisters

are outside asking for you.”

But he said to them in reply,

“Who are my mother and my brothers?”

And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,

“Here are my mother and my brothers.

For whoever does the will of God

is my brother and sister and mother

Proclaim God

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012615.cfm) reminds us that we should proclaim God.

Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus. The first reading shows us two options –both written by Paul, one to Timothy and one to Titus. Two different people, but the message is similar – to continue doing God’s work and proclaim God.

We too are called to do that. Probably the reason both readings have the same message is to tell us that the task is not for one person alone. We are all called to proclaim God, to glorify him, to testify as we continue God’s work.

We may have a different calling from Titus and Timothy, but we are called to still do the same. We need not be full time evangelists like them to do God’s work. It does not also mean that because we are not doing full time mission and evangelization, our work means less to God. We are all called differently to do different things – but wherever we are and whatever we do, we are called to serve God, to do his work, and proclaim Him.

Proclaiming God should be an everyday decision and action. We need not speak in front of thousands to tell others about God. The way we live, the way we talk, the way we drive, the way we treat others – they all contribute to our proclaiming God through our lives. May we always remember this and be motivated to be creative and happy, no matter how simple we think our proclamation to God is.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another week. Thank you for another opportunity to do things for you. Lord, thank you for the reminder that you are asking me to proclaim you through my life. Thank you that you gladly accept even the little things I can do for you. Help me Lord to be always aware and sensitive of my purpose, so that in my simple everyday ways, I may proclaim and glorify you through my life. Amen

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 26, 2015

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops

Lectionary: 520/317

Reading 1 2 Tm 1:1-8

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God

for the promise of life in Christ Jesus,

to Timothy, my dear child:

grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father

and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to God,

whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did,

as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.

I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears,

so that I may be filled with joy,

as I recall your sincere faith

that first lived in your grandmother Lois

and in your mother Eunice

and that I am confident lives also in you.

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame

the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice

but rather of power and love and self-control.

So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,

nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;

but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel

with the strength that comes from God.

Or Ti 1:1-5

Paul, a slave of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ

for the sake of the faith of God’s chosen ones

and the recognition of religious truth,

in the hope of eternal life

that God, who does not lie, promised before time began,

who indeed at the proper time revealed his word

in the proclamation with which I was entrusted

by the command of God our savior,

to Titus, my true child in our common faith:

grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.

For this reason I left you in Crete

so that you might set right what remains to be done

and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10

R. (3) Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all you lands.

Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Announce his salvation, day after day.

Tell his glory among the nations;

among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Give to the LORD, you families of nations,

give to the LORD glory and praise;

give to the LORD the glory due his name!

R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Say among the nations: The LORD is king.

He has made the world firm, not to be moved;

he governs the peoples with equity.

R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Alleluia See 2 Tm 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death

and brought life to light through the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 3:22-30

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,

“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and

“By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,

“How can Satan drive out Satan?

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

And if a house is divided against itself,

that house will not be able to stand.

And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,

he cannot stand;

that is the end of him.

But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property

unless he first ties up the strong man.

Then he can plunder his house.

Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies

that people utter will be forgiven them.

But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit

will never have forgiveness,

but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”

For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”