1st READING
Only the Lord will pass judgment on the way we live. Sometimes, we need to make judgments about people—in the criminal justice system, for example. However, we must be merciful and judge correctly. This is why the Church teaches that capital punishment must never become part of the human justice system.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
1 Brothers and sisters: Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3 It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; 4 I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.
PSALM
Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 27-28, 39-40
R: The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will grant you your heart’s requests. (R) 5 Commit to the Lord your way; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will make justice dawn for you like the light; bright as the noonday shall be your vindication. (R) 27 Turn from evil and do good, that you may abide forever; 28 for the Lord loves what is right, and forsakes not his faithful ones. Criminals are destroyed, and the posterity of the wicked is cut off. (R) 39 The salvation of the just is from the Lord; he is their refuge in time of distress. 40 And the Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. (R)
GOSPEL
Fasting and other practices of self-mortification are helpful for prayer; thus, central to a healthy Christian life. Depriving ourselves of food for a short time is also a healthy practice as it gives our bodies the chance to clean up from lingering chemicals and toxins. Fasting heightens our attentiveness and clarity of thought as well.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
Luke 5:33-39
33 The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” 36 And he also told them a parable. “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. 37 Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. 38 Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”
Reflect: “Fasting means not only abstaining from food but also from any unhealthy attachment especially sin.” – Pope Francis
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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
thank You, Lord, for:
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Read the Bible in one year - Psalms 51-55
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