January 22, 2015 First Reading Hebrews 7:25--8:6 725Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.26For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens.27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself.28Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever.81Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,2a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.3For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.4Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law.5They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary; for when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, See that you make everything according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.6But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry which is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. ________________________________________ Responsorial Psalm Psalms 40:7-10, 17 6Sacrifice and offering thou dost not desire; but thou hast given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering thou hast not required. 7Then I said, Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written of me;8I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart. 9I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; lo, I have not restrained my lips, as thou knowest, O LORD.16But may all who seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee; may those who love thy salvation say continually, Great is the LORD! ________________________________________ Gospel Mark 3:7-12 7Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed; also from Judea 8and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from about Tyre and Sidon a great multitude, hearing all that he did, came to him. 9And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they should crush him; 10for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. 11And whenever the unclean spirits beheld him, they fell down before him and cried out, You are the Son of God. 12And he strictly ordered them not to make him known. Reflection: Is there anything holding you back from giving yourself to God without fear or reservation? Jesus offered freedom to everyone who sought him out. Wherever Jesus went the people came to him because they had heard about all the wonderful deeds and miracles which he performed. They were hungry for God and desired healing from their afflictions. In faith they pressed upon Jesus to touch him. As they did so power came from Jesus and they were healed. Do you seek to lay hold of Jesus presence in your life that he may touch and heal you? Augustine of Hippo remarked: It is by faith that we touch Jesus. And far better to touch him by faith than to touch or handle him with the hands only and not by faith. It was no great thing to merely touch him manually. Even his oppressors doubtless touched him when they apprehended him, bound him, and crucified him, but by their ill-motivated touch they lost precisely what they were laying hold of. O worldwide church! It is by touching him faithfully that your faith has made you whole. (SERMONS, ON EASTER 148) Why did Jesus perform so many countless miracles and signs during his earthly ministry? Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD ) wrote that these signs and miracles showed that Jesus was truly God - the eternal Word who was made flesh for our salvation:
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 00:43:11 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015