1ST READING
Jesus fulfills the Old Covenant and makes it obsolete through what
He does and who He is. It is crucial for us to believe this; otherwise, we
would still be bound by the old law and its practices. Jesus can institute a
new covenant because He has fulfilled the old one and made way for the
establishment of a new one based in faith, like the old one, but fully
empowered to bring about the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26) necessary for
salvation. The Gospel writers demonstrate how Jesus is obedient to the law to the
point of fulfilling its requirements.
Hebrews 8: 6-13
6 Brothers and sisters: Now our high priest has
obtained so much more excellent a ministry as he is mediator of a better
covenant, enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first
covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second one. 8 But he finds fault with them and says: Behold, the days are
coming, says the Lord, when I will conclude a new covenant with the house of
Israel and the house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with
their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land
of Egypt; for they did not stand by my covenant and I ignored them, says the
Lord. 10 But this is the covenant I will establish with
the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in
their minds and I will write them upon their hearts. I will be their God, and
they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his fellow
citizen and kin, saying, “Know the Lord,” for all shall know me, from least to
greatest. 12 For I will forgive their evildoing and remember
their sins no more. 13 When he speaks of a “new” covenant, he declares
the first one obsolete. And what has become obsolete and has grown old is close
to disappearing.
P S A L M
Psalm 85:8, 10, 11-12, 13-14
R: Kindness and truth shall meet.
7[8]
Show us, O Lord, your
mercy, and grant us your salvation. 9[10] Near indeed is his
salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 10[11] Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace
shall kiss. 11[12] Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice
shall look down from heaven. (R) 12[13] The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its
increase. 13[14] Justice shall walk before him, and salvation,
along the way of his steps. (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus prays before the major events in His life unfold because He
wants to be sure that He is working according to the Father’s will. Today He
names His Apostles, those whom He will prepare for the ministry and life of the
Church after He has returned to the Father. One of the twelve will betray Him.
We, too, will struggle with difficult relationships and even betrayal in our
work for the Gospel. This is a consequence of working with sinners, ourselves
included. Let us do the best we can in our service to the Kingdom of God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting
to us the message of reconciliation.
Mark 3:13-19
13 Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those
whom he wanted and they came to him. 14 He appointed Twelve,
whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them
forth to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; 17 James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he
named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; 18 Andrew, Philip,
Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the
Cananean, 19 and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
think: Jesus prays before the
major events in His life unfold because He wants to be sure that He is working
according to the Father’s will. Let us follow His example and bring to God in
prayer all of the life decisions, big and small, we make each day.
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 Acts 1-4
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