1st READING
Hosea paints a picture that is supposed to be attractive to the people of Israel. God is inviting them to a relationship that offers them a future that will last. Israel always has been, and still is, a very small nation in the midst of many much larger and often hostile nations. God assures Israel of its future if they are willing to do their part and entrust themselves to His mercy and care.
Hosea 14:2-10
2 Thus says the Lord: Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. 3 Take with you words, and return to the Lord; Say to him, “Forgive all iniquity, and receive what is good, that we may render as offerings the bullocks from our stalls. 4 Assyria will not save us, nor shall we have horses to mount; we shall say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands; for in you the orphan finds compassion.” 5 I will heal their defection, says the Lord, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. 6 I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, 7 and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. 8 Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; They shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. 9 Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols? I have humbled him, but I will prosper him. “I am like a verdant cypress tree” — Because of me you bear fruit! 10 Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them.
P S A L M
Psalm 81:6-8, 8-9, 10-11, 14, 17
R: I am the Lord your God; hear my voice.
5 [6] An unfamiliar speech I hear. 6 [7] “I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket. 7 [8] In distress you called, and I rescued you.” (R) “Unseen, I answered you in thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. 8 [9] Hear, my people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, will you not hear me? (R) 9 [10] “There shall be no strange God among you nor shall you worship any alien God. 10 [11] I, the Lord, am your God who led you forth from the land of Egypt.” (R) 13 [14] “If only my people would hear me, and Israel walk in my ways, 16 [17] I would feed with the best of wheat, and with honey from the rock I would fill them.” (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus tells us that one of the fundamental principles of human relationships is that we love our neighbor as ourselves. That is, we should always think of the other person as more important than us. This does not mean we neglect ourselves and the things that are important to us. Rather, it means that we have to keep them in the right perspective. It is important not to become self-focused and thus miss something
that is important to the wider mission of the Gospel.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 12:28-34
28 One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” 29 Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! 30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ 33 And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
think: It is important not to become self-focused and thus miss something that is important to the wider mission of the Gospel.
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 Genesis 10-12
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