Repent

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012515.cfm) reminds me that we should not forget to repent and live right.

During the Christmas season, a lot prepared spiritually for Christ’s coming. Novena masses were always full. And come new year, a lot made resolutions on improving themselves and their lives. Today, we are reminded not to forget those things, and remember that one day, we would face God, so we should repent and live right.

In the first reading, we see Jonah sent to the people of Nineveh to tell them to repent, which they did. This caused God to change his mind on the evil intended for them. In the second reading, we are reminded that the world is passing away and we should repent and prepare. And the gospel shows us Jesus directly telling us that God’s kingdom is at hand, and we should repent and believe in the gospel.

Everything of this world will pass away. The world will pass. This is why it is important not to forget our souls. May we be reminded to repent and live right, and may we echo the words of the psalmist – Teach me your ways, Lord.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for the reminder today. Lord, help me live right. Give me a humble and repentant heart. Help me see the evil in my life, and help me change my ways. May I have a heart like yours what would hate evil and sin. As I try to repent, help me live right for you. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 25, 2015

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 68

Reading 1 Jon 3:1-5, 10

The word of the LORD came to Jonah, saying:

“Set out for the great city of Nineveh,

and announce to it the message that I will tell you.”

So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh,

according to the LORD’S bidding.

Now Nineveh was an enormously large city;

it took three days to go through it.

Jonah began his journey through the city,

and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing,

“Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed, “

when the people of Nineveh believed God;

they proclaimed a fast

and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way,

he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them;

he did not carry it out.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (4a) Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;

teach me your paths,

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my savior.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Remember that your compassion, O LORD,

and your love are from of old.

In your kindness remember me,

because of your goodness, O LORD.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Good and upright is the LORD;

thus he shows sinners the way.

He guides the humble to justice

and teaches the humble his way.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Reading 2 1 Cor 7:29-31

I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out.

From now on, let those having wives act as not having them,

those weeping as not weeping,

those rejoicing as not rejoicing,

those buying as not owning,

those using the world as not using it fully.

For the world in its present form is passing away.

Alleluia Mk 1:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent and believe in the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 1:14-20

After John had been arrested,

Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:

“This is the time of fulfillment.

The kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,

he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;

they were fishermen.

Jesus said to them,

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.

He walked along a little farther

and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.

They too were in a boat mending their nets.

Then he called them.

So they left their father Zebedee in the boat

along with the hired men and followed him

Crazy

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012415.cfm) reminds me that sometimes other people would see our service to God as something crazy.

We all work to have a living, and for most of us, to succeed in life. We want to be successful, accomplished and respected. That’s why a lot of people are very focused on what they are doing and where they want to go. They have steps to follow, with dates and all, so they would know they are on track. Anything that will delay or distract them would not be entertained. This is why for some people, serving God is not necessary in life. It does not add value to work or career, plus is takes time off that can be used instead for chasing one’s dreams.

Jesus was told he was crazy for doing God’s work, so the opinion of others should not matter to us, because it did not matter to Jesus.

No matter what other people think, Jesus kept going. He was focused on accomplishing what God wanted him to do. In the same way, despite opposition or ridicule that we encounter, we should be like Jesus and continue on, not allowing those things to distract us. We should keep our eyes on the prize and continue to do the work God wants us to do.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for another time to rest and relax. Lord, I am sorry for the times I give undue importance on the opinion of others. Sorry if their opinion make me question what I am doing for you. Help me be focused like Jesus as I do you work. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 24, 2015

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Lectionary: 316

Reading 1 Heb 9:2-3, 11-14

A tabernacle was constructed, the outer one,

in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering;

this is called the Holy Place.

Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies.

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be,

passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands,

that is, not belonging to this creation,

he entered once for all into the sanctuary,

not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own Blood,

thus obtaining eternal redemption.

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes

can sanctify those who are defiled

so that their flesh is cleansed,

how much more will the Blood of Christ,

who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God,

cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

All you peoples, clap your hands,

shout to God with cries of gladness,

For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,

is the great king over all the earth.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;

the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.

Sing praise to God, sing praise;

sing praise to our king, sing praise.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

For king of all the earth is God:

sing hymns of praise.

God reigns over the nations,

God sits upon his holy throne.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

Alleluia See Acts 16:14b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Open our hearts, O Lord,

to listen to the words of your Son.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 3:20-21

Jesus came with his disciples into the house.

Again the crowd gathered,

making it impossible for them even to eat.

When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him,

for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

He Needs You

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012315.cfm) reminds me that God needs my help to proclaim his message and further his kingdom.

There are a lot of things in this world that seem unfair. We see poverty everyday. We see innocent people, especially children suffering from poverty, sickness and violence. We sometimes ask, why God is allowing these things to happen. Why is he not doing anything about it? Well, sometimes we fail to see that God did something. God created you and me, and we are supposed to do something about these situations. God needs our help.

In the gospel, Jesus chose twelve people to help him in his mission. Jesus cannot be everywhere and cannot heal everyone. That’s why he needs the help of his apostles to proclaim God’s kingdom and drive out demons. And we know that later on, he instructed everyone to be part of this great commission, to be physical representations of God in this world.

Just as Jesus called his apostles, he too is calling us to be with him in doing God’s work. Are we willing?

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 you need me and you are actually commanding me to do your work. Sorry for the times I blame you, or expect you to do all the work that need to be done in this world. Help and equip me Lord that I may be able to do my part, and do something about the issues that I see everyday. Amen.

Blessed Friday!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 23, 2015

Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 315

Reading 1 Heb 8:6-13

Brothers and sisters:

Now our high priest has obtained so much more excellent a ministry

as he is mediator of a better covenant,

enacted on better promises.

For if that first covenant had been faultless,

no place would have been sought for a second one.

But he finds fault with them and says:

Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord,

when I will conclude a new covenant with the house of

Israel and the house of Judah.

It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers

the day I took them by the hand to lead

them forth from the land of Egypt;

for they did not stand by my covenant

and I ignored them, says the Lord.

But this is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israel

after those days, says the Lord:

I will put my laws in their minds

and I will write them upon their hearts.

I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

And they shall not teach, each one his fellow citizen and kin, saying,

“Know the Lord,”

for all shall know me, from least to greatest.

For I will forgive their evildoing

and remember their sins no more.

When he speaks of a “new” covenant,

he declares the first one obsolete.

And what has become obsolete

and has grown old is close to disappearing.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 85:8 and 10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (11a) Kindness and truth shall meet.

Show us, O LORD, your mercy,

and grant us your salvation.

Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,

glory dwelling in our land.

R. Kindness and truth shall meet.

Kindness and truth shall meet;

justice and peace shall kiss.

Truth shall spring out of the earth,

and justice shall look down from heaven.

R. Kindness and truth shall meet.

The LORD himself will give his benefits;

our land shall yield its increase.

Justice shall walk before him,

and salvation, along the way of his steps.

R. Kindness and truth shall meet.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,

and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 3:13-19J

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted

and they came to him.

He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,

that they might be with him

and he might send them forth to preach

and to have authority to drive out demons:

He appointed the Twelve:

Simon, whom he named Peter;

James, son of Zebedee,

and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,

that is, sons of thunder;

Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,

Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus;

Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,

and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him

Always Able

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012215.cfm) reminds me that God is always able to save us so we should always come to Him.

Nowadays, people are into specializing. They want to be specialized in something and not be knowledgeable in a lot of things. They want in depth knowledge and not a jack of all trades type. A specialized person will only accept tasks related to the specialization, and will not be comfortable taking tasks not related to the specialty. This results to people giving different tasks to different people, instead of giving a lot of tasks to one person.

The readings remind us that unlike people, Jesus has no specific specialty. He is good in everything, and is able to heal and cure anything.

Jesus is a master of everything. He does not specialize on healing cancer patients, or those with kidney or heart problems, or children with sickness. Jesus has power over all and he can heal all. This should remind us that whatever our concern is, we should come to Jesus. He is willing and able to heal everything.

May we be reminded of Jesus’ love and power, and may It lead us to continually come to Jesus everytime for anything

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to experience your love. Thank you for the reminder of how great and powerful you are. Lord, sorry for the times I do not come to you for whatever reason. Sorry for the times I act that I can handle everything, or for feeling that the situation is very helpless and you cant do anything to help me. Give me faith to believe your word and live it. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 22, 2015

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

Lectionary: 314

Reading 1 Heb 7:25—8:6

Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him,

since he lives forever to make intercession for them.

It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:

holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners,

higher than the heavens.

He has no need, as did the high priests,

to offer sacrifice day after day,

first for his own sins and then for those of the people;

he did that once for all when he offered himself.

For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests,

but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law,

appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever.

The main point of what has been said is this:

we have such a high priest,

who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne

of the Majesty in heaven, a minister of the sanctuary

and of the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up.

Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices;

thus the necessity for this one also to have something to offer.

If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest,

since there are those who offer gifts according to the law.

They worship in a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary,

as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tabernacle.

For God says, “See that you make everything

according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

Now he has obtained so much more excellent a ministry

as he is mediator of a better covenant,

enacted on better promises.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17

R. (8a and 9a) 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.

“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,

To do your will, O my God, is my delight,

and your law is within my heart!”

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.

May all who seek you

exult and be glad in you,

And may those who love your salvation

say ever, “The LORD be glorified.”

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

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 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.

A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.

Hearing what he was doing,

a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,

from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,

and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.

He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,

so that they would not crush him.

He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases

were pressing upon him to touch him.

And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him

and shout, “You are the Son of God.”

He warned them sternly not to make him known.

No Compromising

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012115.cfm) reminds me the importance of not compromising our values.

If you quit ONCE, it becomes a habit. Never quit.

This is a quote from one of the greatest, if not the greatest basketball player – Michael Jordan. It actually makes sense. All it takes to start something is one small step, and doing something even for just once can cause it to become normal, to become a habit. This is why it is important to never compromise your values.

In the gospel, we see Jesus healing a sick man. He knew that people would take it against him If he healed the man. They would witness firsthand him doing that and breaking the Sabbath law, and he could get in trouble for that. However, Jesus did not compromise his values and his mission. No matter what other people may think or do, he just did what he knew God is asking him to do.

Can we say we have the same attitude as Jesus? There are times when it’s easy to compromise. We think that we can, once in a while, and we will just double the effort next time. But we may not know that this is leading us to make compromising a habit, that we are unknowingly changing our standards just because of a seemingly innocent “one compromise.”

May we be reminded and encouraged to be like Jesus, who never compromises his values and is always focused on doing God’s work, no matter what other people may say, think or do.

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 you don’t want me to compromise. Help me have the resolve to stay firm, especially when circumstances tempt me otherwise. May I constantly and consistently prove my love and devotion to you with my actions and decisions. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 21, 2015

Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

Lectionary: 313

Reading 1 Heb 7:1-3, 15-17

Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High,

met Abraham as he returned from his defeat of the kings

and blessed him.

And Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything.

His name first means righteous king,

and he was also “king of Salem,” that is, king of peace.

Without father, mother, or ancestry,

without beginning of days or end of life,

thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

It is even more obvious if another priest is raised up

after the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become so,

not by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent

but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed.

For it is testified:

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

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 See Mt 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom

and cured every disease among the people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 3:1-6

Jesus entered the synagogue.

There was a man there who had a withered hand.

They watched Jesus closely

to see if he would cure him on the sabbath

so that they might accuse him.

He said to the man with the withered hand,

“Come up here before us.”

Then he said to the Pharisees,

“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil,

to save life rather than to destroy it?”

But they remained silent.

Looking around at them with anger

and grieved at their hardness of heart,

Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”

He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel

with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

Lord of the Sabbath

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012015.cfm) reminds me that God is not bound by laws or traditions

In the gospel, we see people questioning the actions of Jesus and his disciples. They were picking up and eating grain on a Sabbath, something prohibited because no work should be done on Sabbath. Then Jesus tells them that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

The Law should serve man, not man serving the law.

God is God even on Sabbath, where there are a lot of laws prohibiting a lot of things. God does not follow man made laws – he is the source of the law. God is not bound by our traditions and laws. His power is not limited by anyone or anything.

However, this should not be abused. The law should serve man is not an excuse for breaking the law. Not following traffic signs when there are no police or other vehicles is still wrong. Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor is still wrong. God should never be an excuse from breaking the law. What God is telling us is that we should put things in perspective and respect the law. Even Jesus followed the law when he paid taxes. He allowed his disciples to break the law in the gospel not to show his power, but to show that life is greater than any law. Life is more sacred, and in that situation, protecting life by eating is more sacred than keeping a law which prohibits work to be done.

May we pray for a discerning heart so as not to abuse God’s power and Word, while bravely doing his work with and for him. Amen.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another sunrise. Thank you for the reminder of your great love and great power. Lord, I pray that I would always remember that your love and your power is not limited by anything – by laws and traditions and by circumstances around me. Thank you also for reminding me how precious life is – that protecting it is above any man made law. Lord, as I work for you, help me to always put things in perspective. May I not abuse you, your love, and your power. Amen.

Blessed day

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/09/lord-of-sabbath.html

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January 20, 2015

Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 312

Reading 1 Heb 6:10-20

Brothers and sisters:

God is not unjust so as to overlook your work

and the love you have demonstrated for his name

by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones.

We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness

for the fulfillment of hope until the end,

so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who,

through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.

When God made the promise to Abraham,

since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,

and said, I will indeed bless you and multiply you.

And so, after patient waiting, Abraham obtained the promise.

Now, men swear by someone greater than themselves;

for them an oath serves as a guarantee

and puts an end to all argument.

So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise

an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose,

he intervened with an oath,

so that by two immutable things,

in which it was impossible for God to lie,

we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged

to hold fast to the hope that lies before us.

This we have as an anchor of the soul,

sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil,

where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner,

becoming high priest forever

according to the order of Melchizedek.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 111:1-2, 4-5, 9 and 10c

R. (5) The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart

in the company and assembly of the just.

Great are the works of the LORD,

exquisite in all their delights.

R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;

gracious and merciful is the LORD.

He has given food to those who fear him;

he will forever be mindful of his covenant.

R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

He has sent deliverance to his people;

he has ratified his covenant forever;

holy and awesome is his name.

His praise endures forever.

R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Alleluia See 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.

Gospel Mk 2:23-28

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath,

his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.

At this the Pharisees said to him,

“Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”

He said to them,

“Have you never read what David did

when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?

How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest

and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat,

and shared it with his companions?”

Then he said to them,

“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.

That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

New

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011915.cfm) reminds me that starting new is a lifestyle decision.

I read an article last year about a car journalist who fell in love with a new car model. It was an expensive car that could not be easily purchased by normal people. And he was saying that to be able to get the car, he would need to save a lot – meaning less eating out, less shopping, and less going out to party. Then he realized that if he really wants the car, to save for it means to have a lifestyle change.

This is what God tells us in today’s gospel. New wineskins and new wine.

A lot of people make new year’s resolutions. A lot want to change something, or start to do something. And with the visit of the Pope in our country, we want to change, we are inspired, and we want to improve the way we live our lives. However, this should not be just a desire or a plan. We need to move to make this a reality. We need to act to make this a reality. And we will know if it is a temporary solution or not based on how deep we get into doing it – if we’re doing things when it’s comfortable only or if it’s a lifestyle change altogether.

We cannot genuinely start new if our lifestyles won’t change. May we be inspired not to have a temporary change, but a permanent one.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to experience your love. Thank you for the reminder on how you want me to change. Lord, give me the desire and the grace to change for you. Help me have a lifestyle change so you can fully work in and through me. Help me become more and more like you as I experience your love and grace in my life. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 19, 2015

Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 311

Reading 1 Heb 5:1-10

Brothers and sisters:

Every high priest is taken from among men

and made their representative before God,

to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring,

for he himself is beset by weakness

and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself

as well as for the people.

No one takes this honor upon himself

but only when called by God,

just as Aaron was.

In the same way,

it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest,

but rather the one who said to him:

You are my Son:

this day I have begotten you;

just as he says in another place,

You are a priest forever

according to the order of Melchizedek.

In the days when he was in the Flesh,

he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears

to the one who was able to save him from death,

and he was heard because of his reverence.

Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;

and when he was made perfect,

he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

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 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 Mk 2:18-22

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast.

People came to Jesus and objected,

“Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast,

but your disciples do not fast?”

Jesus answered them,

“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?

As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.

But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,

and then they will fast on that day.

No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak.

If he does, its fullness pulls away,

the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.

Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.

Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins,

and both the wine and the skins are ruined.

Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”