1ST READING
Moses insists on order in the life of God’s people, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is a perennial challenge in the Church today — allowing room for the new communities to develop while, at the same time, recognizing the need for order and structure. Let us look to those with wisdom to lead and guide us in our service of the Kingdom of God.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
1 Moses said to the people: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 In your observance of the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin upon you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it. 6 Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? 8Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?”
P S A L M
Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5
R: The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
2 Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart 3 and slanders not with his tongue. (R) Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; 4 by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the Lord. (R) 5Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things shall never be disturbed. (R)
2ND READING
Submission to the will of God is an essential aspect of discipleship. Let us never see submission and surrender in a bad light when these words are used in connection to our relationship with God. God is our Creator – He has written the manual for humanity’s fulfillment and He has a plan for our lives. Let us surrender our will to our Creator’s plan.
James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27
17 Dearest brothers and sisters: All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. 18 He willed to give us birthby the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 21Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. 22 Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
GOSPEL
In the life of faith, there is a tension between institution and charism. The danger is that our faith will become so codified that the Holy Spirit is unable to breathe and we lose sight of Him altogether. At the same time, we cannot allow the charisms to be exercised outside a framework – we need to ensure that they remain working in the right direction. There should be give and take on both sides. With legalism, the Spirit is denied access to the lives of the people; when there is only the Spirit, chaos can be very close by.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
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 honors 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.” 14 He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. 15 Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. 21 “From within people, from their hearts, come evilthoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. 23 All these evils come from within and they defile.”
think: Submission to the will of God is an essential aspect of discipleship.
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 Psalm 26-30
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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