COME, FOLLOW ME

February 28, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L


Riches and wealth are more often than not a distraction to the spiritual life. As long as we have the basics in life, that ought to be enough for us. If we begin to enter the consumerist mindset that drives so much of the world today, we will quickly discover how it can consume us and draw us into its sticky web where escape is impossible or very difficult and dangerous.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 10:17-27


17 As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’ ” 20 He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” 21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

DO NOT WORRY

February 27, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L


I love this passage of Scripture as it brings the call of discipleship into its proper context, namely, taking each day with Jesus one at a time. Too often we fall into sin and discouragement because we try to solve next week’s problems today and, because these and other problems are still in the future, we usually do not have the mental and spiritual resources to combat them properly. Let us heed the advice of Jesus and worry today about the things of today and leave the future to look after itself.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

The word of God is living and effective; discerning reflections and thoughts of the heart.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Matthew 6:24-34


24 Jesus said to his disciples: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? 27 Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? 28 Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. 29 But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. 30 If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ 32 All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. 34 Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.

JESUS AND THE CHILDREN

February 26, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L


Jesus welcomes everyone who wants to come to Him to enter His Kingdom. Here He reminds us that we need to develop a childlike attitude towards accepting the gifts that God has given us if we truly want to benefit from them. A child has little hesitation in learning how to use a new toy or gift – similarly we should try out the many spiritual gifts we have been given as sons and daughters of the Father.


ALLELUIA

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


Mark 10:13-16


13 People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” 16 Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

LAW OF MARRIAGE

February 25, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L


Jesus answers the question about divorce by returning to the source of marriage, God’s intention when He created the relationship in the first instance. When we want to know how to use a new piece of technology we read the manufacturer’s instructions! I wonder why it is that so many people today refuse to consult God’s manual for life when asking the big questions that confront us? This reluctance is the main reason why there are so many broken marriages and relationships in our society. We need to return to the basics and follow the instructions given to us by God.



ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 10:1-12


1 Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. 2 The Pharisees approached and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. 3 He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They replied, “Moses permitted him to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” 5 But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife], 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” 10 In the house the disciples again questioned him about this. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

HINDRANCES TO YOUR SALVATION

February 24, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

We should not just avoid sin if we want to be holy – we must also make sure that we are not a stumbling block for others. That is, even if something we do is not technically sinful, it may be the cause of another person’s sin and thus we should avoid it as well! Being a disciple of Jesus means being concerned about others’ relationships with God as well as our own. In order to do this well, we need to allow our own minds and hearts to be constantly formed in the mind of God.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 9:41-50


41 Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. 42 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe [in me] to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. [44] 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. [46] 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, 48 where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”

OUR INTENTIONS AND ACTIONS

February 23, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

It is not for us to judge the intentions of a person’s heart. This is for God alone. Yes, there are times when we have to restrain someone from doing something wrong (and hence make judgment of them) but our judgment here is primarily on their action and not their intention. Let us seek to act always with good intent and let us pray that our own intentions may be purified by the grace of God. In this way we will truly witness to the grace and truth of the Gospel.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.

R: Alleluia, alleluia



Mark 9:38-40


38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” 39 Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us.”

UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH

February 22, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L


Peter is given a role of primacy among the Apostles. This does not mean that he is more important than the rest, but it does mean that he has a role to play as a principle of unity for all. Let us pray today for unity among Christians so that the stumbling blocks to that unity will disappear by the hand of the Holy Spirit as He unites all Christians in one witness to the Gospel of salvation.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Matthew 16:13-19


13 When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

I DO BELIEVE, HELP MY UNBELIEF

February 21, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

It is Jesus’ depth of relationship with His Father that enables Him to perform miracles. Let this be an encouragement to us to grow in our relationship with Jesus so that we would be better able to serve in the Kingdom of God and more likely to see the power of God at work in our ministry. Let us never doubt that God wants to use us for His purposes and that part of this will involve working miracles in His name.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 9:14-29


14 As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. 15 Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. 16 He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. 18 Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” 19 He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.” 20 They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. 21 Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. 22 It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” 24 Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” 25 Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!” 26 Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. 28 When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive it out?” 29 He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

February 20, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Jesus reiterates the Old Testament call to grow in holiness. It is good for us to be reminded of this fundamental aspect of Christian living as it is often neglected in our day and age through the spirit of compromise that we so often imbibe from the world. When it comes to God and the call to holiness, near enough is not good enough! Jesus deserves only the best we can give Him.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Matthew 5:38-48


38 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. 40 If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. 41 Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. 43 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, LISTEN TO HIM

February 19, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Quite often when I read the name Elijah in the Scriptures, what comes to my mind is the epitome of a man of the Spirit. Elijah in person was a man led by the Spirit of God who encountered many very difficult situations and overcame them through his faith and trust in God. Let us be so inspired to place our lives in the hands of God and thus allow Him to work in and through us to overcome our difficulties.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 9:2-13


2 Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 4 Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. 7 Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” 8 Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant. 11 Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 12 He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things, yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

TAKE UP THE CROSS AND FOLLOW JESUS

February 18, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

As we mentioned in the reflection on the First Reading, humility is a key aspect of the character of a disciple. We cannot hope to follow Jesus unless we are truly humble and willing to place our wills in submission to His. We will come across all sorts of images in the Scriptures that speak to us of this truth — taking up our cross and following Jesus is only one. Let us reflect upon what this might mean for us as individuals and ask God for the grace to make it happen.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 8:34-9:1


34 Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. 36 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37 What could one give in exchange for his life? 38 Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” 9: 1 He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come in power.”

YOU ARE THE MESSIAH

February 17, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

It is ironic to think that the Son of God had to suffer in order to redeem us. It is also a tremendous gift as we are assured in the sufferings of Christ that God is willing to do anything to bring redemption to our lives. And thank God for that or we would all still be enmired in our sins. Let us ask the Lord to reveal to us the depths of His love so that we will be more inspired to lay down our lives in His service.

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 8:27-33

27 Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Messiah.” 30 Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. 32 He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART

February 15, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Jesus’ reference is not a literal one. He is referring to the fact that if we allow evil or worldly attitudes to enter our lives or society, we will discover that they will not just remain dormant but ‘leaven’ the whole of our lives or society with their errors or misplaced priorities. The challenge we face is to be discerning as regards the influences we allow to form our minds and hearts and restrict them to those that will form us in the ways of Christ and His kingdom.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him and we will come to him.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 8:14-21


14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. 17 When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, 19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered him, “Twelve.” 20 “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

WHY DO YOU ASK FOR A SIGN?

February 14, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Saints Cyril and Methodius, whose feast we celebrate today, are two of the patron saints of Europe. Between them they created the Cyrillic alphabet in order to translate the Scriptures into the vernacular of the people of Eastern Europe. By the way, they were also very holy men and great preachers of the Gospel. Let us be inspired by their ‘Can do!’ spirit and not allow any difficulty to prevent us from proclaiming the Gospel in the situations we encounter.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 8:11-13


11 The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 12 He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.

LET YOUR YES MEAN YES AND YOUR NO MEAN NO

February 13, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

The virtuous life is all about sustained commitment to doing good, to doing what we know through our conscience is the right thing to do. Such a life is never easy as it always involves making sacrifices in order to remain faithful to our commitments to God. If we are willing to commit to follow the truth of God, we will begin to discover and then put down roots into the truth that ‘sets us free’ (cf. John 8:32).


ALLELUIA

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

Matthew 5:17-37


17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 20 I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny. 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. 31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife —unless the marriage is unlawful — causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”

FIVE LOAVES OF BREAD

February 12, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

This miracle of physical provision for the hungry indicates to a small degree the love of God for us and His desire that we lack nothing in our lives. This does not mean that food will always ‘magically’ appear for the hungry. I think the miracle is a challenge to us as Christians to do what we can to ensure that all have what they need to live a dignified human life. Let us not limit our concern to food but focus upon the full dignity of the human person and our responsibility to respect it in every way we can.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 8:1-10


1 In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, 2 “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” 4 His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” 5 Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied. 6 He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. 7 They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. 8 They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over — seven baskets. 9 There were about four thousand people. He dismissed them 10 and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

HE MAKES THE DEAF HEAR, THE MUTE SPEAK

February 11, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

In this miracle of healing Jesus intimates that He is the Messiah. Such acts of healing are part of the expectation of the Jews of what the Messiah will do to affirm His identity. How the Jews failed to recognize Jesus’ true identity is a mystery that we will never be able to answer satisfactorily until we get the answer from God Himself. Suffice it to say that sin, and the blindness it brings to God’s goodness, has a central role to play in the answer.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 7:31-37


31 Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. 32 And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; 34 then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) 35 And [immediately] the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. 36 He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. 37 They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and [the] mute speak.”

THE FAITH OF A GENTILE WOMAN

February 10, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

The Church celebrates today the Feast of St. Scholastica, the supposed twin sister of St. Benedict. We learn through her life the importance of choosing love over all other things in life. Through love we indicate our commitment to live in imitation of Christ; if we choose to love, we have at our disposal the power to overcome all things. Let us never lose sight of the power of love in our lives and relationships.

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 7:24-30

24 Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. 25 Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her, “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” 28 She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children's scraps.” 29 Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

WHAT COMES OUT, DEFILES

February 9, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

Jesus affirms that the intentions behind our actions are important. It is from within us that sin comes forth. The list of sins is not exhaustive but it certainly suffices to show that much of sin is the result of inner choices in our hearts and minds. Let us pray to God and ask Him to purify all our thoughts and actions.

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Your word, O Lord, is truth: consecrate us in the truth.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 7:14-23

14 Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. 15 Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” 16 17 When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. 18 He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, 19 since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 “But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles. 21 From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, un-chastity, theft, murder, 22  adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. 23 All these evils come from within and they defile.”