1ST READING
Hatred
is refusing to love another person. The Church teaches us to love
everyone, even those who are difficult to love. The only thing we are
allowed to hate is sin. Let us heed the call to love and prevent hatred
from ruining our relationships.
Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them: Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy. 11 “You shall not steal. You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another. 12 You shall not swear falsely by my name, thus profaning the name of your God. I am the Lord. 13 “You
shall not defraud or rob your neighbor. You shall not withhold overnight the wages of your day laborer.14 You shall not curse the deaf, or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am the Lord. 15 “You
shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgment. Show neither
partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty, but judge your
fellow men justly. 16 You
shall not go about spreading slander among your kin; nor shall you
stand by idly when your neighbor’s life is at stake. I am the Lord. 17 “You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove him, do not incur sin because of him. 18 Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
P S A L M
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
R: Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
7 [8] The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8 [9] The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) 9 [10] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just. (R) 14 [15] Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (R)
GOSPEL
This
is a wonderful parable about what love demands from us in terms of our
relationships. It is important to always remember this truth so that we
can avoid the destructive choices that lead to disunity and, ultimately,
war. This pattern is all too evident in the years past as we reflect
upon our forebears refusal to love. There are always opportunities to
act upon the command to love.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Matthew 25:31-46
31 Jesus
said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all
the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, 32 and
all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them
one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and
welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 And
the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you
did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 41 Then
he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into
the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ 44 Then
they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your
needs?’ 45 He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ 46 And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to
eternal life.”
think:
When have you been hungry, thirsty, a stranger, in need of clothes,
sick or imprisoned, and someone reached out to you? How did it feel?
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Read the Bible in one year 1 John 1-5
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
thank You, Lord, for: ___________________________________________
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