First Reading | Hebrews 8:6-13
God gradually reveals Himself to us. It is rare that He reveals everything in one go. If we know God’s complete plan for us, it may be too much for us to handle and this could discourage us. This is why we have to be committed to prayer—to grow daily in our understanding of God’s will and purpose for us.
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.
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 85:8, 10, 11-12, 13-14
R: Kindness and truth shall meet.
8 Show us, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation. 10 Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 11Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 12 Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 13The Lord himself will give his benefits. Our land shall yield its increase. 14 Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)
Gospel | Mark 3:13-19
Jesus worked closely with only a few men and prepared them for the ministry of the Gospel after His ascension into heaven. The Apostles were the chosen few. However, there were also the seventy-two in Luke’s Gospel and the seventy in Matthew; there were also the women who accompanied Him in His ministry. This tells us that each of us has a role in the work of salvation. Let us discover what is ours and perform it as best as we can.
Gospel Acclamation
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
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.
Reflect:
"Ministry is not a job or a Sunday routine. It’s a privilege to be chosen and used by Jesus." (Anonymous)
Read the Bible in one year. Read Matthew 19 - 21 today!
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