DAILY MASS READINGS 16th January, 2015 Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time Rosary: Sorrowful Mysteries Liturgical Colour: Green #1st Reading: HEBREW 4:1-5, 11 Let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed. For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestors did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened. For we who believed enter into that rest, just as he has said: As I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter into my rest,” and yet his works were accomplished at the foundation of the world. For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works; and again, in the previously mentioned place, They shall not enter into my rest. Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience. . . . The word of the Lord.... #Responsorial Psalm PS 78:3 AND 4BC, 6C-7, 8. R. (see 7b) Do not forget the works of the Lord! What we have heard and know, and what our fathers have declared to us, we will declare to the generation to come The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength. R. Do not forget the works of the Lord! That they too may rise and declare to their sons that they should put their hope in God, And not forget the deeds of God but keep his commands. R. Do not forget the works of the Lord! And not be like their fathers, a generation wayward and rebellious, A generation that kept not its heart steadfast nor its spirit faithful toward God. R. Do not forget the works of the Lord! #Alleluia: LUKE 7:16 Alleluia, alleluia! A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people. Alleluia, alleluia! #Gospel: MARK 2:1-12 When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” –he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.” . . . The Gospel of the Lord.... We never saw anything like this! #Gospel: Mark 2:1-12 #Meditation: Do you know the healing power of forgiveness? Jesus treatment of sinners upset the religious teachers of the day. When a cripple was brought to Jesus because of the faith of his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable. He first forgave the man his sins. The scribes regarded this as blasphemy because they understood that only God had authority to forgive sins and to unbind a man or woman from their burden of guilt. Jesus claimed an authority which only God could rightfully give. Jesus not only proved that his authority came from God, he showed the great power of Gods redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only physically, but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt and restored his body as well. The Lord is every ready to bring us healing of body, soul, and mind. Is there any area in your life that cripples you from walking in the freedom of Christs transforming love and forgiveness? Bishop Ambrose of Milan (339-397 AD), an early church father explains how the healing of the paralytic points not only to Christs power to heal the whole person, but also to raise the body to everlasting life as well: But the Lord, wanting to save sinners, shows himself to be God both by his knowledge of secrets and by the wonder of his actions. He adds, Which is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven you’ or to say, Rise and walk? In this passage he shows the full likeness of the resurrection. Alongside of healing the wounds of body and mind, he also forgives the sins of the spirits, removes the weakness of the flesh, and thus heals the whole person. It is a great thing to forgive peoples sins - who can forgive sins, but God alone? For God also forgives through those to whom he has given the power of forgiveness. Yet it is far more divine to give resurrection to bodies, since the Lord himself is the resurrection. (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.12–13.5) Do you believe in the healing transforming power of Christs forgiveness and merciful love? Ask him to set you free and transform your mind and heart to be like his heart. Lord Jesus, through your merciful love and forgiveness you bring healing and restoration to body, soul, and mind. May your healing power and love touch every area of my life - my innermost thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and memories. Pardon my offenses and transform me in the power of your Holy Spirit that I may walk confidently in your love, truth, and righteousness. -dailyscripture.net May the word of God bless and heal our hearts in Jesus name. Amen!!!
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 19:43:07 +0000
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