1ST READING
God
is a forgiving God. However, for forgiveness to have its full effect,
the one who has sinned must have the humility to admit his fault and
repent of his
sins. Humility seems to be naturally abhorrent to the human condition. I
believe that this is purely a result of sin. That is, it is in sinning
that we develop a perverse sort of pride that blinds us to the nature of
sin and our need for repentance.
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, 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
This
summary of the Law in two commands — to love God and love our neighbor —
demonstrates the relational character of the human person. That is, it
is relationships that matter most to us. We are nothing if we stand
alone outside any relationship as we would then be unable to either
receive or offer love. It is love that gives meaning to our lives and so
we must seek to protect our relationships and allow love to develop
within us.
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, “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.” 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: We are nothing if we stand alone outside any relationship as we would then be unable to either receive or offer love.
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 Genesis 47-50
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