1ST READING
Sometimes
it is good to reflect on the accounts of Creation in Scripture so that
we can realize that their fundamental message is not the process, but
the end result. God is the Author of all that exists. How He is the
author is not relevant for the discussion of faith — that is a
scientific issue. Let us stand in awe before the beauty and wonder of
creation and never forget to give praise and glory to God, the Creator
of all, every day of our lives.
Genesis 1:20-2:4
20 God
said, “Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on
the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky.” And so it happened: 21 God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds. God saw how good it was, 22 and God blessed them, saying, “Be fertile,
multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth.” 23 Evening came, and morning followed — the fifth day. 24 Then
God said, “Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures:
cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.” And so it
happened: 25 God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was. 26 Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of
the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the
creatures that crawl on the ground.” 27 God created man in his image; in the divine image He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God
blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and
subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air,
and all the living things that move on the earth.” 29 God
also said: “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; 30 and to all the animals of the
land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl
on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” And so it
happened. 31 God looked at everything He had made, and He found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed — the sixth day. 2:1 Thus, the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. 2 Since on the
seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, He rested
on the seventh day from all the work He had undertaken. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation. 4 Such is the story of the heavens and the earth at their
creation.
P S A L M
Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R: O Lord, our God, how wonderful Your name in all the earth!
3 [4] When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which You set in place — 4 [5] what is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? (R) 5 [6] You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 [7] You have given him rule over the works of your hands, putting all things under his feet. (R) 7 [8] All sheep and oxen, yes, and the beasts of the field, 8 [9] the birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas. (R)
GOSPEL
Laws,
laws, laws – this is the focus of the Pharisees. What Jesus wants to
see is a focus on love, care and compassion, because this is what is
essential to our humanity. Yes, laws are important, but not if they are
applied without love. When studying Canon Law in the seminary, we
learned that it is essential to consider the pastoral implications of
the law and ensure that it is the law that serves the people, and not
vice versa.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Incline my heart, O God, to your decrees; and favor me with your law.
Mark 7:1-13
1 When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, 2 they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed hands. 3 (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. 4 And
on coming from the marketplace, they do not eat without purifying
themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally
observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) 5 So
the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not
follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” 6 He
responded, “Well, did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is
written: ‘This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far
from me; 7
In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. 8 You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition. 9 He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Whoever curses father or mother shall die.’ 11 Yet you say,
‘If someone says to father or mother, ‘Any support you might have had
from me is qorban’(meaning, dedicated to God)’, D12 you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. 13 You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”
think: What Jesus wants to see is a focus on love, care and compassion, because this is what is essential to our humanity.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ___________________________
____________________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Corinthians 13-16
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