1ST READING
In
the Old Testament, the means of expiation for our sins is the shedding
of blood of the sacrificial offerings in the Temple. It speaks to us of
the gravity of sin in that it is the lifeblood of animals that has to be
shed to achieve it. May this help us to recognize the tragic and
serious nature of sin so that we will become more committed in combating
its power in our life.
Exodus 24:3-8
3 When
Moses came to the people and related all the words and ordinances of
the Lord, they all answered with one voice, “We will do everything that the Lord has told us.” 4 Moses
then wrote down all the words of the Lord and, rising early the next
day, he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar and twelve pillars
for the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then,
having sent certain young men of the Israelites to offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls as peace offerings to the Lord, 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls; the other half he splashed on the altar. 7 Taking
the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people, who answered,
“All that the Lord has said, we will heed and do.” 8 Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has
made with you in accordance with all these words of his.”
P S A L M
Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
R: I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
12 How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? 13 The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. (R) 15 Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. 16 I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you
have loosed my bonds. (R) 17 To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
18 My vows to the Lord I will pay in the presence of all his people. (R)
2nd READING
The
Early Church places their understanding of the expiatory power of the
Cross of Jesus within the Jewish understanding of the expiation of sin.
However, the great change in understanding that will develop is that
Jesus’ death does not come as a sign of condemnation for our sinfulness
but rather love for us as a people created to be in relationship with
God.
Hebrews 9:11-15
11 Brothers
and sisters: 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, 12 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. 13 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, 14 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. 15 For
this reason he is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken
place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant,
those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
GOSPEL
Jesus
eats the Last Supper with His disciples and initiates the Eucharist,
the non-bloody celebration of the forgiveness of our sins. Let us try to
grow to a deeper appreciation of what we celebrate in the Eucharist as
we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ today.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.
Mark 14:12-16, 22-26
12 On
the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed
the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, “Where do you want us
to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says,
“Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 15 Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” 16 The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. 22 While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is
my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. 25 Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of
Olives.
think: Let
us try to grow to a deeper appreciation of what we celebrate in the
Eucharist as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
today.
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 1 Kings 12-14
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
________________________________________________________________
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