1st READING
James tells us quite explicitly that the true test of faith in a person is his good deeds, not necessarily his knowledge of theology or capacity to understand the Scriptures. While knowledge and understanding are good and helpful for the work of a disciple, we shouldn’t focus on them to the detriment of living them out through the good deeds we perform for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
James 2:14-24, 26
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? 17 So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. 19 You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. 20 Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. 23 Thus the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God. 24 See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 26 For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
P S A L M
Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R: Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands.
1 Blessed the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands. 2 His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. (R) 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. 4 Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. (R) 5 Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice; 6 He shall never be moved; the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance. (R)
GOSPEL
We are all called to take up our crosses and to follow where Jesus leads. For many people this has meant martyrdom. For most people it means the daily martyrdom of learning to love and serve our neighbor better each day. Let us reflect upon, not just our capacity to love one another, but also the will to put love into action.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.
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.”
READING 2nd READING
LIST
think: We are all called to take up our crosses and follow where Jesus leads.
T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Galatians 4-6 s 1-4READING 2nd READING
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