1ST READING Jesus is the Word sent by the Father to accomplish the work of salvation. Let us remember what Isaiah tells us about the effectiveness of God’s Word, namely, that through Christ’s obedience everything necessary for our salvation has been put in place. All that is lacking is our acceptance of and obedience to that gift. Obedience is a crucial aspect of acceptance in faith. How can we have faith if it does not make an impact on our lives? Isaiah 55:10-11 10 Thus says the Lord: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, 11 so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it. P S A L M Psalm 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19 R: From all their distress God rescues the just. 3 [4] Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol his name. 4 [5] I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (R) 5 [6] Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 6 [7] When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (R) 15 [16] The Lord has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry. 16 [17] The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. (R) 17 [18] When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. 18 [19] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. (R) GOSPEL Jesus teaches that we must forgive those who sin against us. This is integral to our acceptance of the gift of salvation. If we are not willing to forgive those who have sinned against us, then we cannot expect God to forgive our sins — this would be blatant hypocrisy. Everyone today seems to be looking for “something for nothing.” The Gospel is not like this. It makes demands in the way we live with and treat one another. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Matthew 6:7-15 7 Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread; 12 and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; 13 and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” think: If we are not willing to forgive those who have sinned against us, then we cannot expect God to forgive our sins — this would be blatant hypocrisy.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 00:45:17 +0000
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