1st READING
Nahum looks forward to a time when victory over Nineveh is within the grasp of Israel. Sometimes, we think it is impossible to have victory over our sins. Let us remember that Jesus shares His victory with us—it is a matter of claiming and living it. Let us trust God to make it happen.
Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7
1 See, upon the mountains there advances the bearer of good news, announcing peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah, fulfill your vows! For nevermore shall you be invaded by the scoundrel; he is completely destroyed. 3 The Lord will restore the vine of Jacob, the pride of Israel, though ravagers have ravaged them and ruined the tendrils. 3:1 Woe to the bloody city, all lies, full of plunder, whose looting never stops! 2 The crack of the whip, the rumbling sounds of wheels; horses a-gallop, chariots bounding, 3 cavalry charging, the flame of the sword, the flash of the spear, the many slain, the heaping corpses, the endless bodies to stumble upon! 6 I will cast filth upon you, disgrace you and put you to shame; 7 till everyone who sees you runs from you, saying, “Nineveh is destroyed; who can pity her? Where can one find any to console her?”
PSALM
Deuteronomy 32:35-36, 39, 41
R: It is I who deal death and give life.
35 Close at hand is the day of their disaster, and their doom is rushing upon them! 36 Surely, the Lord shall do justice for his people; on his servants he shall have pity. (R) 39 “Learn then that I, I alone, am God, and there is no god besides me. It is I who bring both death and life, I who inflict wounds and heal them.” (R) 41 I will sharpen my flashing sword, and my hand shall lay hold of my quiver. “With vengeance I will repay my foes and requite those who hate me.” (R)
GOSPEL
There will be many challenging times for those who follow Jesus. A disciple is committed both to Jesus and other disciples. We are all on a discipleship journey toward the same goal. Let us help, comfort, support, and encourage one another. You never know when you are going to need someone’s help.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 16:24-28
24 Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct. 28 Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
Reflect: “Following Jesus is simple, but not easy. Love until it hurts, and then love more.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta
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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
thank You, Lord, for:
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Read the Bible in one year - 1 Maccabees 15-16
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