1ST READING
This
prophecy from the Prophet Joel envisages a new era of blessing for the
people of God. Coming at a time of exile, and thus, suffering, such a
sentiment would be very welcome. We hear it at the beginning of a time
of preparation for the great celebration of Easter. It is both a calling
and a promise to prepare and receive the gift of new life made
available to us, first through repentance and penance, and then through
the resurrection of Jesus.
Joel 2:12-18
12 Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; 13 rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. 14 Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, offerings and libations for the Lord, your God. 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly; 16 gather the people, notify the congregation; assemble the elders,
gather the children and the infants at the breast; let the bridegroom
quit his room, and the bride her chamber. 17 Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep, and say, “Spare, O Lord, your people, and make not your heritage a reproach, with the nations ruling over them! Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where
is their God?’” 18 Then the Lord was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people.
P S A L M
Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17
R: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
1 [3] Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 2 [4] Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) 3 [5] For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always. 4 [6] “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight” (R) 10 [12] A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
11 [13] Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. (R) 12 [14] Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. 15 [17] O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. (R) Paul
knows the urgency of the call to repent. He knows how far we can all
stray from the correct understanding of God’s love for us. He personally
experienced the wonder of the forgiveness of sin and the grace of
conversion. There is nothing to stop us from being as excited as he was,
and from being given over in the service of the Gospel as he was. In
fact, it would be best if majority of us were more committed to the
Gospel than we are now.
2nd READING
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
20 Brothers
and sisters: We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing
through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake He made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. 6: 1
Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For
he says: “In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of
salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold,
now is the day of salvation.
GOSPEL
Jesus
wants to make sure that our motivations are upright and holy, that is,
we are not performing religious acts for the sake of impressing others.
If this is so, then they are virtually useless and lacking in any sort
of merit. The only opinion that really matters is that of God, and He
sees what we do no matter where or how we do it. Our faith affirms that
it is our relationship with God that ultimately determines our
salvation, and this is what we should work on most of all.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
1 Jesus
said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in
order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense
from your heavenly Father. 2 When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win
the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 5 When
you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in
the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen,
I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But
when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your
Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 16
When you fast, do not look gloomy
like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may
appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received
their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
1st READING 2nd READING
think: Our faith affirms that it is our relationship with God that ultimately determines our salvation.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ___________________________
____________________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_________
____________________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Corinthians 1-4
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