1ST READING
There is contention as to how to understand the apocalyptic genre as it appears in both the Old and New Testaments. This genre of writing is directed towards a persecuted community seeking to bring consolation and hope to those who are suffering. It is not meant to be predictive in the prophetic sense of the word and so we avoid reading the text in this manner. This encourages us to persevere, knowing that there will be ultimate reward for those who do so.
Daniel 12:1-3
1 In those days, I, Daniel, heard this word of the Lord: “At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. 3 But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”
P S A L M
Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
R: You are my inheritance, O Lord!
5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; 10because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.(R) 11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R)
2ND READING
Jesus achieves with His own personal sacrifice what thousands of sacrifices in the Temple have failed to achieve — the forgiveness of sin. The Blood of Jesus speaks more eloquently than temple sacrifices according to Scriptures. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross actually achieves what it signifies — all the others are merely signs of what occurs when Jesus dies on the cross. The sacraments of the Church celebrate this reality in a particular manner that is more than simply a sign — they are re-presentations of the sacrifice of Jesus.
Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
11 Brothers and sisters: Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; 13 now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.
GOSPEL
Signs are simply signs. How we are to interpret them is impossible to know. There is no secret code that will reveal the dates of future events regarding Jesus’ Second Coming. He tells us that no one knows the day or hour — only the Father does. We must dismiss any person’s claim to know such dates. They may be misled in their beliefs or lying outright to us.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
Mark 13:24-32
24 Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, 27 and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. 28 “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. 30 Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
think: Jesus tells us that no one knows the day or the hour — only the Father does.
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 Jeremiah 23-26
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment