Powerful Word

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062615.cfm) reminds me how powerful God’s word is.

Nowadays, power is equated to something – a strong military, fast processing, clear images, top speed. all these things are associated with power. However, we see in the gospel and first reading how different God’s powerful is. More simple, but more powerful.

God’s word is powerful.

In the first reading, it was simply a word from God that Abraham would have a child in his old age, and would have numerous descendants. That came true. And in the gospel, we see a leper being healed with just Jesus’ words. That’s how powerful God’s word is.

When he says he has great plans for us, we should believe it. When he says he is watching over us, we should believe it. God’s word is true and powerful, and we should hold on to it, especially when situations are tough. Abraham and Sarah were old when God told them they would have a son. The leper has been living in a difficult situation before he got a chance to go to Jesus. We are probably in a tough situation right now, but we should remember that God’s word is more powerful than the situation we are in.

May we be comforted in the love of God and the power of his word.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another Friday. Lord, thank you for always loving me. thank you for always looking after me, especially when I do not feel it and when I do not appreciate it. Lord, help me have faith in you, your love and your powerful word. I know that whatever situation I may be in, your love is greater and your word more powerful than it. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ

-g-

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June 26, 2015

Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 375

Reading 1 Gn 17:1, 9-10, 15-22

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him

and said: “I am God the Almighty.

Walk in my presence and be blameless.”

God also said to Abraham:

“On your part, you and your descendants after you

must keep my covenant throughout the ages.

This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you

that you must keep:

every male among you shall be circumcised.”

God further said to Abraham:

“As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai;

her name shall be Sarah.

I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her.

Him also will I bless; he shall give rise to nations,

and rulers of peoples shall issue from him.”

Abraham prostrated himself and laughed as he said to himself,

“Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old?

Or can Sarah give birth at ninety?”

Then Abraham said to God,

“Let but Ishmael live on by your favor!”

God replied: “Nevertheless, your wife Sarah is to bear you a son,

and you shall call him Isaac.

I will maintain my covenant with him as an everlasting pact,

to be his God and the God of his descendants after him.

As for Ishmael, I am heeding you: I hereby bless him.

I will make him fertile and will multiply him exceedingly.

He shall become the father of twelve chieftains,

and I will make of him a great nation.

But my covenant I will maintain with Isaac,

whom Sarah shall bear to you by this time next year.”

When he had finished speaking with him, God departed from Abraham.

Responsorial Psalm PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R. (4) See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,

who walk in his ways!

For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;

blessed shall you be, and favored.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

in the recesses of your home;

Your children like olive plants

around your table.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Behold, thus is the man blessed

who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion:

may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Alleluia Mt 8:17

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Christ took away our infirmities

and bore our diseases.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 8:1-4

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.

And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said,

“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”

He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,

“I will do it. Be made clean.”

His leprosy was cleansed immediately.

Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one,

but go show yourself to the priest,

and offer the gift that Moses prescribed;

that will be proof for them.”

Solid Foundation

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062515.cfm) reminds me how important having a solid foundation is.

Jesus in the gospel reminds us how important having a solid foundation is. Life on earth is temporary. Yes, it may be enjoyable because it appeals to our worldly senses. However, nothing in this world will last forever, therefore we should not build our foundation on these things. We should not build our foundation on earthly riches and power, from worldly fame and success, because all these can be taken away in an instant.

Only Jesus gives us a strong foundation. Only he is the rock on which we should build our house.

Building on Jesus may not seem interesting at first. He may not give us the desires of this world. He may not give us money, power or fame. However, he gives us much more than that. He gives us something we can take into eternity. He gives us something to hold on to when things around us crumble and fall. He gives us life to the fullest through his redeeming love.

In the first reading, we see someone who we should take inspiration from. Hagar was a maidservant and was subjected to abuse – first to let her sleep with Abram, then to be subjected to abusive treatment when she got pregnant. She did not want any of these. She was just doing what was asked of her by her master. However, when the Lord’s messenger appeared to her, she returned home and just trusted in God. And God kept his word.

May we be willing to build a solid foundation on Jesus, and focus on him when life’s challenges come our way.

Where am I building my life upon? Do I see the importance of building it on Christ’s strong foundation, or am I enticed with what the world has to offer? How can I strengthen the foundations of my faith?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for being my rock. Thank you for giving me strength during the most trying times of my life. Thank you for being constant in my life. Lord, help me build my faith and my life around you and not on any other thing. I know that this world easily entices me, and I ask that you keep me focused on you as I live my life on earth. May I build a strong foundation in you, so that with it, I can withstand whatever the world will send my way. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/06/strong-foundation.html

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June 25, 2015

Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 374

Reading 1 Gn 16:1-12, 15-16

Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children.

She had, however, an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar.

Sarai said to Abram:

“The LORD has kept me from bearing children.

Have intercourse, then, with my maid;

perhaps I shall have sons through her.”

Abram heeded Sarai’s request.

Thus, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan,

his wife Sarai took her maid, Hagar the Egyptian,

and gave her to her husband Abram to be his concubine.

He had intercourse with her, and she became pregnant.

When she became aware of her pregnancy,

she looked on her mistress with disdain.

So Sarai said to Abram:

“You are responsible for this outrage against me.

I myself gave my maid to your embrace;

but ever since she became aware of her pregnancy,

she has been looking on me with disdain.

May the LORD decide between you and me!”

Abram told Sarai: “Your maid is in your power.

Do to her whatever you please.”

Sarai then abused her so much that Hagar ran away from her.

The LORD’s messenger found her by a spring in the wilderness,

the spring on the road to Shur, and he asked,

“Hagar, maid of Sarai, where have you come from

and where are you going?”

She answered, “I am running away from my mistress, Sarai.”

But the LORD’s messenger told her:

“Go back to your mistress and submit to her abusive treatment.

I will make your descendants so numerous,” added the LORD’s messenger,

“that they will be too many to count.

Besides,” the LORD’s messenger said to her:

“You are now pregnant and shall bear a son;

you shall name him Ishmael,

For the LORD has heard you,

God has answered you.

This one shall be a wild ass of a man,

his hand against everyone,

and everyone’s hand against him;

In opposition to all his kin

shall he encamp.”

Hagar bore Abram a son,

and Abram named the son whom Hagar bore him Ishmael.

Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

Responsorial Psalm PS 106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5

R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his mercy endures forever.

Who can tell the mighty deeds of the LORD,

or proclaim all his praises?

R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Blessed are they who observe what is right,

who do always what is just.

Remember us, O LORD, as you favor your people.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Visit me with your saving help,

that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,

rejoice in the joy of your people,

and glory with your inheritance.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Whoever loves me will keep my word,

and my Father will love him

and we will come to him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 7:21-29

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’

will enter the Kingdom of heaven,

but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

Many will say to me on that day,

‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?

Did we not drive out demons in your name?

Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’

Then I will declare to them solemnly,

‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them

will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.

The rain fell, the floods came,

and the winds blew and buffeted the house.

But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.

And everyone who listens to these words of mine

but does not act on them

will be like a fool who built his house on sand.

The rain fell, the floods came,

and the winds blew and buffeted the house.

And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

When Jesus finished these words,

the crowds were astonished at his teaching,

for he taught them as one having authority,

and not as their scribes.

What Will you Be?

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062415-day.cfm) makes me think what will my participation be in the kingdom of God.

Today, we celebrate the solemnity of the Nativity of St John the Baptist. We know that he is a cousin or a relative of Jesus, and he did great things for God’s kingdom. He preached about the kingdom and the Messiah, but was consistent in denying that he was the chosen one. he prepared the way for Jesus, and worked hard doing so.

Supporting cast can be great too.

John the Baptist was not talking about himself. He was preparing the way for Jesus. He directed all attention to Jesus, never to himself. This reminds us that we need not be overachievers to be great in God’s eyes. What matters to him is our hearts – that we point to him all the time.

When John was born, holy fear came to his town. They were thinking that he would be a mighty person, since his birth is a special occasion. And indeed he did great. This reminds me that we too should strive to be great and do great things for God. No matter where we are right now, no matter what we have done in the past, all the sins we have committed, is not as important as what lies ahead of us.

God’s plans for us are greater than our past.

In the same way that John allowed himself to be used by God, we too just need to allow ourselves to be used by God. He will use us mightily, we just have to surrender and submit to his will. May we be ready to surrender to God, and like John, let God lead our lives for his greater glory.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another reminder. Lord, I am sorry for the times I only think of myself. Sorry for the times I just do what I want, regardless of the implications or the moral issues of my actions. Help me be like John. Help me to always submit to you and allow you to use me to build your kingdom here on earth. May I be able to do great things for you and through you. amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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June 24, 2015

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist - Mass during the Day

Lectionary: 587

Reading 1 Is 49:1-6

Hear me, O coastlands,

listen, O distant peoples.

The LORD called me from birth,

from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.

He made of me a sharp-edged sword

and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.

He made me a polished arrow,

in his quiver he hid me.

You are my servant, he said to me,

Israel, through whom I show my glory.

Though I thought I had toiled in vain,

and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,

yet my reward is with the LORD,

my recompense is with my God.

For now the LORD has spoken

who formed me as his servant from the womb,

that Jacob may be brought back to him

and Israel gathered to him;

and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,

and my God is now my strength!

It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,

to raise up the tribes of Jacob,

and restore the survivors of Israel;

I will make you a light to the nations,

that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

Responsorial Psalm PS 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15

R. (14) I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.

O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:

you know when I sit and when I stand;

you understand my thoughts from afar.

My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,

with all my ways you are familiar.

R. I praise you for I am wonderfully made.

Truly you have formed my inmost being;

you knit me in my mother’s womb.

I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;

wonderful are your works.

R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.

My soul also you knew full well;

nor was my frame unknown to you

When I was made in secret,

when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.

R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.

Reading 2 Acts 13:22-26

In those days, Paul said:

“God raised up David as king;

of him God testified,

I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;

he will carry out my every wish.

From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,

has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.

John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance

to all the people of Israel;

and as John was completing his course, he would say,

‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.

Behold, one is coming after me;

I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’

“My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham,

and those others among you who are God-fearing,

to us this word of salvation has been sent.”

Alleluia See Lk 1:76

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High,

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 1:57-66, 80

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child

she gave birth to a son.

Her neighbors and relatives heard

that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,

and they rejoiced with her.

When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,

they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,

but his mother said in reply,

“No. He will be called John.”

But they answered her,

“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”

So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.

He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”

and all were amazed.

Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,

and he spoke blessing God.

Then fear came upon all their neighbors,

and all these matters were discussed

throughout the hill country of Judea.

All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,

“What, then, will this child be?”

For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.

The child grew and became strong in spirit,

and he was in the desert until the day

of his manifestation to Israel.

Narrow Gate

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062315.cfm) reminds me that the gate to God’s kingdom is narrow.

In the movie facing the giants, there is a scene which explains the verse in the gospel, relating it to football. It is easy to enter the wide gate and broad road, just like it is easy to throw a football in the air. However, merely throwing it does not count. You need to make the football enter the goal, which is narrow compared to everything else. In the same way, the road to God’s kingdom is narrow and difficult to pass through, but that road is where it counts.

Everyone can enter the narrow gate, but not everyone is willing.

God tells us how to live. he tells us how we can get to his kingdom. Yes, it is difficult, and sometimes painful, but doable. However, not all people are up for the challenge. Not all people are willing to step out of their comfort zones and do the right thing, live the right way. not everyone is willing to let go of some worldly comfort to prepare for heavenly ones. Not everyone is ready and willing to live for God.

Let us pray for a ready and willing heart, that would let go of worldly comfort to be able to focus on God as we live on earth preparing for heaven.

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. Lord, sorry for the times I shy away from the narrow gate. Sorry for the times I am not willing to walk through the narrow road and enter the narrow gate. Sorry for the times I love myself more than I love you. give me a heart that would always yearn for you, that would be ready and willing to let go of worldly concerns that hinder me from living the way you want me to. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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June 23, 2015

Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 372

Reading 1 Gn 13:2, 5-18

Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.

Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents,

so that the land could not support them if they stayed together;

their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together.

There were quarrels between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock

and those of Lot’s.

(At this time the Canaanites and the Perizzites

were occupying the land.)

So Abram said to Lot:

“Let there be no strife between you and me,

or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are kinsmen.

Is not the whole land at your disposal?

Please separate from me.

If you prefer the left, I will go to the right;

if you prefer the right, I will go to the left.”

Lot looked about and saw how well watered

the whole Jordan Plain was as far as Zoar,

like the LORD’s own garden, or like Egypt.

(This was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

Lot, therefore, chose for himself the whole Jordan Plain

and set out eastward.

Thus they separated from each other;

Abram stayed in the land of Canaan,

while Lot settled among the cities of the Plain,

pitching his tents near Sodom.

Now the inhabitants of Sodom were very wicked

in the sins they committed against the LORD.

After Lot had left, the LORD said to Abram:

“Look about you, and from where you are,

gaze to the north and south, east and west;

all the land that you see I will give to you

and your descendants forever.

I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth;

if anyone could count the dust of the earth,

your descendants too might be counted.

Set forth and walk about in the land, through its length and breadth,

for to you I will give it.”

Abram moved his tents and went on to settle

near the terebinth of Mamre, which is at Hebron.

There he built an altar to the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm PS 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5

R. (1b) He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

He who walks blamelessly and does justice;

who thinks the truth in his heart

and slanders not with his tongue.

R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who harms not his fellow man,

nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;

By whom the reprobate is despised,

while he honors those who fear the LORD.

R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who lends not his money at usury

and accepts no bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things

shall never be disturbed.

R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Alleluia Jn 8:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

whoever follows me will have the light of life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 7:6, 12-14

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine,

lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.

This is the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate;

for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction,

and those who enter through it are many.

How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.

And those who find it are few.”

Judge

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062215.cfm) reminds me that we should not judge others.

IT is easy to judge others. It is easy to tell what is wrong with others. It is easy to talk about the sins or imperfections of others. Sometimes, when the person is annoying, it can even be fun to talk about these things. However, Jesus in the gospel tells us we should not.

Judging others is usually a sign of our own insecurities.

We sometimes see and focus on the wrong of others instead of improving ourselves because it is easier to. Improving ourselves is painful and difficult, and it is easy to just focus and magnify the imperfections of others to prevent the attention be on us. When we talk about others, we feel that we can shun away the criticism that our own shortcomings bring.

We do not know what another person is going through.

Sometimes, we judge based on just what we see. However, there are a lot of times that we just see a very small amount of the real story. In the first reading, Abram was seventy five years old when God asked him to travel. Other people seeing his group might think he is crazy for travelling at such an old age where should just settle down. They can judge him, but they do not know his story – that God was the one who told him to set out at his age. When we judge, we most probably do not know the whole story, and thus we are not in a position to do that.

May we follow Jesus’ command not to judge others, and instead focus on improving ourselves.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another week. thank you for all the blessings. Lord, thank you for the reminder. Sorry for the times I am quick to judge others. Sorry for the times I look past my own shortcomings. Help me see others the way you see me, the way you see them. May I be loving and accepting like you. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

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June 22, 2015

Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 371

Reading 1 Gn 12:1-9

The LORD said to Abram:

“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk

and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.

“I will make of you a great nation,

and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

so that you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you

and curse those who curse you.

All the communities of the earth

shall find blessing in you.”

Abram went as the LORD directed him, and Lot went with him.

Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

Abram took his wife, Sarai, his brother’s son Lot,

all the possessions that they had accumulated,

and the persons they had acquired in Haran,

and they set out for the land of Canaan.

When they came to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land

as far as the sacred place at Shechem,

by the terebinth of Moreh.

(The Canaanites were then in the land.)

The LORD appeared to Abram and said,

“To your descendants I will give this land.”

So Abram built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him.

From there he moved on to the hill country east of Bethel,

pitching his tent with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east.

He built an altar there to the LORD and invoked the LORD by name.

Then Abram journeyed on by stages to the Negeb.

Responsorial Psalm PS 33:12-13, 18-19, 20 and 22

R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.

From heaven the LORD looks down;

he sees all mankind.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,

upon those who hope for his kindness,

To deliver them from death

and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Our soul waits for the LORD,

who is our help and our shield.

May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us

who have put our hope in you.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Alleluia Heb 4:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The word of God is living and effective,

able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 7:1-5

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Stop judging, that you may not be judged.

For as you judge, so will you be judged,

and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.

Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,

but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?

How can you say to your brother,

‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’

while the wooden beam is in your eye?

You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first;

then you will see clearly

to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.”

Be Still

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062115.cfm) reminds me that in times of trouble, we should be still and have faith In God.

There was a time when I was applying for a job that I felt so scared. I did not feel confident because I was applying for a job different from what I was doing then, then I was told that I would be interviewed not only by the immediate head, but her head as well. I was new to community at this time, and while I was waiting to be interviewed, I suddenly remembered the song “still.” It was one of the new songs I learned, and at that time, it just meant to much to remember how God is in control of everything, and we just have to be still and trust in him.

Being still in times of trouble is a sign of great faith in God.

In the gospel, Jesus was on a boat with his disciples when they encountered a violent storm. It must be so strong, since the disciples were mostly fishermen, yet they were so afraid they woke up Jesus. They may have lacked faith, but they had faith in him, since they knew Jesus can help them in the situation they are in. and eventually, Jesus calmed the storm.

Jesus is asking us the same question he asked his disciples – why are you terrified? Do you not have faith?

Sometimes, we get overwhelmed by problems in this life. Sometimes we get stressed with the things happening around us. Jesus is telling us to be still and have faith in him. If we have faith, we will not have time to be terrified or troubled. If we know how much God loves us, and how powerful he is, then no storm in life can bother us.

May we be inspired by the gospel, and be challenged and moved to build and strengthen our relationship with Jesus. Our relationship with Jesus directly affects our faith. As we get to know him more, as we experience his love and power, then our faith will be stronger. May we do our part, and seek him in prayer, bible reading and the sacraments to solidify our faith and relationship with him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for reminding me of your great love and power. Sorry for the times I act like the disciples. Sorry for the times I get so stressed and scared of what is happening around me. sorry for the times that I know you are there beside me, but I still feel scared and stressed. Sorry for not having enough faith in you. help me strengthen my faith and relationship with you. I will do my part and read the bible, pray more, and take the sacraments, and I ask you to help me. strengthen my faith in you. may I always be still in times of trouble, knowing that you are always there protecting me. amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

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June 21, 2015

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 95

Reading 1 Jb 38:1, 8-11

The Lord addressed Job out of the storm and said:

Who shut within doors the sea,

when it burst forth from the womb;

when I made the clouds its garment

and thick darkness its swaddling bands?

When I set limits for it

and fastened the bar of its door,

and said: Thus far shall you come but no farther,

and here shall your proud waves be stilled!

Responsorial Psalm Ps 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31

R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.

or:

R. Alleluia.

They who sailed the sea in ships,

trading on the deep waters,

These saw the works of the LORD

and his wonders in the abyss.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.

or:

R. Alleluia.

His command raised up a storm wind

which tossed its waves on high.

They mounted up to heaven; they sank to the depths;

their hearts melted away in their plight.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.

or:

R. Alleluia.

They cried to the LORD in their distress;

from their straits he rescued them,

He hushed the storm to a gentle breeze,

and the billows of the sea were stilled.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.

or:

R. Alleluia.

They rejoiced that they were calmed,

and he brought them to their desired haven.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his kindness

and his wondrous deeds to the children of men.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 2 Cor 5:14-17

Brothers and sisters:

The love of Christ impels us,

once we have come to the conviction that one died for all;

therefore, all have died.

He indeed died for all,

so that those who live might no longer live for themselves

but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh;

even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh,

yet now we know him so no longer.

So whoever is in Christ is a new creation:

the old things have passed away;

behold, new things have come.

Alleluia Lk 7:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A great prophet has risen in our midst,

God has visited his people.

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?”