We hear in our first reading from the prophet Isaiah. Through Isaiah, God delivers a powerful message. God says, “I am doing something new! Do you not perceive it? ” “In the desert I make a way. I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland.”

These words may seem poetic to us – and perhaps not have much meaning since we do not live in the desert. However they sum up our relationship with God.

God brings forth life. That is the message. In the place thought to be a wasteland, thought to be without life, thought to be nothing but death – that is where God brings forth life. God is talking about spiritual life. This is about the spiritual landscape of our souls.

God is talking about eternal life. God grants forgiveness of sins. This brings forth salvation. This brings forth eternal life. In the person thought to be beyond forgiveness, God grants forgiveness. In the person thought to be too far gone in their sinful ways, God invites that person to a new state of grace. This is bringing forth life from the desert. This is the river in the desert. Life where there was thought to be nothing but wasteland. This is what our God does for us. Do we perceive it? Do we look for God’s forgiveness for ourselves and for others? Or like the crowd in today’s Gospel do we only see the faults and flaws of others? Do we see ourselves or others as a waste?

What do we perceive? What have we trained our eyes, our hearts, and our spirits to see? What receives our attention and focus – regarding ourselves and regarding others? This is Lent. This is the season of turning back to God. This is the season of praying that God brings forth life in our souls, in our relationship with Him, through the forgiveness of sins. Let us rejoice and perceive it! Perceive that our God loves us! Perceive that our God forgives us! May we go forth in new life , in new grace, and sin no more!

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Thus says the LORD,
   who opens a way in the sea
   and a path in the mighty waters,
who leads out chariots and horsemen,
   a powerful army,
till they lie prostrate together, never to rise,
   snuffed out and quenched like a wick.
Remember not the events of the past,
   the things of long ago consider not;
see, I am doing something new!
   Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
In the desert I make a way,
   in the wasteland, rivers.
Wild beasts honor me,
   jackals and ostriches,
for I put water in the desert
   and rivers in the wasteland
   for my chosen people to drink,
the people whom I formed for myself,
   that they might announce my praise.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

R. :

℟. (3) The Lord had done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
   we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
   and our tongue with rejoicing.

℟. The Lord had done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

They said among the nations,
   “The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
   we are glad indeed.

℟. The Lord had done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
   like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
   shall reap rejoicing.

℟. The Lord had done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Although they go forth weeping,
   carrying the seed to be sown,
they shall come back rejoicing,
   carrying their sheaves.

℟. The Lord had done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Second Reading
Phil 3:8-14

Because of Christ, I consider everything as a loss, being conformed to his death.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians

Brothers and sisters,
I consider everything as a loss
   because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things
   and I consider them so much rubbish,
   that I may gain Christ
   and be found in him,
   not having any righteousness of my own based on the law
   but that which comes through faith in Christ,
   the righteousness from God,
   depending on faith to know him and the power of his resurrection
   and the sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death,
   if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

It is not that I have already taken hold of it
   or have already attained perfect maturity,
   but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it,
   since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ Jesus.
Brothers and sisters, I for my part
   do not consider myself to have taken possession.
Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind
   but straining forward to what lies ahead,
I continue my pursuit toward the goal,
   the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Jl 2:12-13

Even now, says the Lord,
return to me with your whole heart;
for I am gracious and merciful.

Gospel
Jn 8:1-11

Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area,
   and all the people started coming to him,
   and he sat down and taught them.
Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman
   who had been caught in adultery
   and made her stand in the middle.
They said to him,
   “Teacher, this woman was caught
   in the very act of committing adultery.
Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.
So what do you say?”
They said this to test him,
   so that they could have some charge to bring against him.
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him,
   he straightened up and said to them,
   “Let the one among you who is without sin
   be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
And in response, they went away one by one,
   beginning with the elders.
So he was left alone with the woman before him.
Then Jesus straightened up and said to her,
   “Woman, where are they?
Has no one condemned you?”
She replied, “No one, sir.”
Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.
Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

Today is the fourth Sunday of Lent. Traditionally this has a very special name. It is called Laetare Sunday which means “Sunday to rejoice”.

We are rejoicing not that Lent is half over but rather what happens at the end of Lent. We rejoice that we get to celebrate Easter Sunday. We rejoice that our God conquers death. We rejoice that our God gives us eternal life. We rejoice in the Resurrection.

However there is no rejoicing in the Resurrection without also deeply contemplating with grateful hearts what happened on Good Friday. Rejoicing on Easter Sunday does not mean we skip the Cross and suffering. In fact, Good Friday is at the heart of our Easter rejoicing. Good Friday shows us the heart our God. That is why we rejoice. This is the cause of our celebration. Our God amazingly loves us so much that He gave His life for us. In a very painful manner, our God suffered for us to pay the price for our sins. Our original human parents forever changed our relationship with God. They forfeited our state of original grace. Through their act of disobedience (whatever it was – represented by biting into an apple) our first human parents severely damaged our relationship with God. It is Jesus Christ offering Himself for our sins on the Cross that grants us reparation for our sins. It is Jesus Christ who restores us to a state of forgiveness and allows us again to have full communion with God.

This is the cause of our rejoicing. Think about your life for a moment? What causes you to get excited? What causes you to be filled with joy? What causes you to rejoice? Would you be happy about someone sending you a birthday card? Would you be excited about your birthday cake? Would you be excited to have dinner at your favorite restaurant? Would you be excited to go on a trip or a vacation? I think most of us would be daydreaming about the vacation that we have not been able to take in a long time. Do we get excited to see people who love us? Do we get excited to see people that we love and hold dear?

What about our excitement for God? How much do we contemplate God‘s love for us? Do we take time to prayerfully reflect on God‘s great love for us? Do we think about Good Friday? Do we think about what our God did for us? Do you think about what the loving act of the Cross delivers to us?

St Paul tells us that we are to be ambassadors for Christ. This means that we are fully attuned to the One we represent. It means that we know, appreciate and rejoice in God‘s love and forgiveness and then communicate that message to others.

If anyone you know needs help connecting to God‘s love one of the most powerful ways to do that is to remind them of the story we hear in today’s gospel. The story of the prodigal son. God is like the father in that story. This is the image of God the Father that Jesus Himself presents to us. At any given moment we are all like that prodigal son. We forfeit the gift of God‘s relationship for some thing of this world that has less value. And when we come to our senses and truly turned back to God, we hear of God‘s response in that story presented by Jesus. The father in that story was on the lookout for the son’s return. The father in that story went running to greet his son and then embraced him. That is our God according to Jesus Christ. That is the God Who celebrates our return. That is the God Who forgives us. That is the God who loves us. And that is why we rejoice!

A reading from the Book of Joshua

The LORD said to Joshua,
   “Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.”

While the Israelites were encamped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho,
   they celebrated the Passover
   on the evening of the fourteenth of the month.
On the day after the Passover,
   they ate of the produce of the land
   in the form of unleavened cakes and parched grain.
On that same day after the Passover,
   on which they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased.
No longer was there manna for the Israelites,
   who that year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. :

℟. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
   his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
   the lowly will hear me and be glad.

℟. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Glorify the LORD with me,
   let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
   and delivered me from all my fears.

℟. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
   and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
   and from all his distress he saved him.

℟. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Second Reading
2 Cor 5:17-21

God reconciled us to himself through Christ.

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters:
Whoever is in Christ is a new creation:
   the old things have passed away;
   behold, new things have come.
And all this is from God,
   who has reconciled us to himself through Christ
   and given us the ministry of reconciliation,
   namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
   not counting their trespasses against them
   and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
So we are ambassadors for Christ,
   as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
   be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
   so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Lk 15:18

I will get up and go to my Father and I shall say to him:
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

Gospel
Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

Your brother was dead and has come to life again.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
   but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
   “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable:
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
   ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
   and set off to a distant country
   where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
   a severe famine struck that country,
   and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
   who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
   but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
   ‘How many of my father’s hired workers
   have more than enough food to eat,
   but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
   “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
   treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
   his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
   ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
   I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
   ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
   put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
   because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
   he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
   and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
   he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
   ‘Your brother has returned
   and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
   because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
   and when he refused to enter the house,
   his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
   ‘Look, all these years I served you
   and not once did I disobey your orders;
   yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
   who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
   for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
   ‘My son, you are here with me always;
   everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
   because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
   he was lost and has been found.’”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

On this third Sunday of Lent, with hear of the spiritual journey of Moses. We hear of the beginning of the vocation, the calling of Moses. When we think of Moses we see him as great instrument of God. We think of Moses as the great leader of the Israelites. We recall Moses invoking the power of God and leading the people out of Egypt through the Red Sea. We think of Moses having this amazing moment invoking the power of God – to do the impossible. And through Moses, the people are led from slavery to freedom.

One way to understand Scripture is to look at the action. What is the action of our first reading? Moses is in a humble position- he is leading a flock of sheep. He then recognizes the presence of God in something easily overlooked – in something subtle. Later in his life Moses will go from leading sheep to leading God’s people. But the action is the same – movement led by God – in moments great and small.

This is the movement of our lives. This is the movement of Lent. We move from the slavery of sin to the freedom of God’s grace. We have a personal exodus. We move from whatever has a hold of our spirit, whatever sins act like chains on our heart, we seek to cast them off with the promises of Christ’s forgiveness and mercy. We repent of our sins, commit to amend our lives and move forward as disciples of Christ. This is the movement of repentance. This is the call of Christ in today’s gospel.

We hear the call of Moses in our first reading. Moses had to be on the lookout for the unexpected. Moses sees something unusual. He sees a bush that will not be consumed by flame. This is famously referred to as the burning bush. Moses sees the presence of God in this unusual experience. Before Moses has the amazing moment at the Red Sea, he has a humble moment at the burning bush. Our lives are the same way.

Everything with God is not some great spectacle. We need to recognize God in the unexpected subtle moments of our lives. We need to be open in our awareness to how God seeks to call us forth to our true identity. We need to be on the lookout for opportunities to grow in the spirit. Notice Jesus‘s words in today’s gospel. In Jesus’s parable of the fig tree, the gardener will allow the tree one more year because he will cultivate the ground.

What do we do to cultivate our relationship with God? What is our spiritual plan? Do we pray every morning? Do we review our day in the evening? Do we place our words and deeds on the scales of Christian behavior? Do we wake up each day determined to live as a disciple of Christ? Are we aware of what feeds our soul? Do we read Scripture? Do we have devotions? Do we spend time asking what God desires for us?

Today let us seek to continue our Lenten journey. Let us cultivate our spiritual ground so that we may grow in God’s grace. If we do these things then we will move from slavery into freedom. We will truly live in the Spirit of our God.

First Reading
Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15

A reading from the Book of Exodus

Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro,
   the priest of Midian.
Leading the flock across the desert, he came to Horeb,
   the mountain of God.
There an angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in fire flaming out of a bush.
As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush,
   though on fire, was not consumed.
So Moses decided,
   “I must go over to look at this remarkable sight,
   and see why the bush is not burned.”

When the LORD saw him coming over to look at it more closely,
   God called out to him from the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
He answered, “Here I am.”
God said, “Come no nearer!
Remove the sandals from your feet,
   for the place where you stand is holy ground.
I am the God of your fathers,” he continued,
   “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.”
Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
But the LORD said,
   “I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt
   and have heard their cry of complaint against their slave drivers,
   so I know well what they are suffering.
Therefore I have come down to rescue them
   from the hands of the Egyptians and lead them out of that land into a good and spacious land,
   a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Moses said to God, “But when I go to the Israelites
   and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’
   if they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what am I to tell them?”
God replied, “I am who am.”
 Then he added, “This is what you shall tell the Israelites:
   I AM sent me to you.”
God spoke further to Moses, “Thus shall you say to the Israelites:
   The LORD, the God of your fathers,
   the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob,
   has sent me to you.
“This is my name forever;
   thus am I to be remembered through all generations.”

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11

R. :

℟. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
   and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and forget not all his benefits.

℟. The Lord is kind and merciful.

He pardons all your iniquities,
   heals all your ills,
He redeems your life from destruction,
   crowns you with kindness and compassion.

℟. The Lord is kind and merciful.

The LORD secures justice
   and the rights of all the oppressed.
He has made known his ways to Moses,
   and his deeds to the children of Israel.

℟. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
   slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
   so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.

℟. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Second Reading
1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12

The life of the people with Moses in the desert was written down as a warning to us.

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,
   that our ancestors were all under the cloud
   and all passed through the sea,
   and all of them were baptized into Moses
   in the cloud and in the sea.
All ate the same spiritual food,
   and all drank the same spiritual drink,
   for they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them,
   and the rock was the Christ.
Yet God was not pleased with most of them,
   for they were struck down in the desert.

These things happened as examples for us,
   so that we might not desire evil things, as they did.
Do not grumble as some of them did,
   and suffered death by the destroyer.
These things happened to them as an example,
   and they have been written down as a warning to us,
   upon whom the end of the ages has come.
Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure
   should take care not to fall.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Mt 4:17

Repent, says the Lord;
the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Gospel
Lk 13:1-9

If you do not repent, you will all perish as they did.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans
   whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
Jesus said to them in reply,
   “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
   they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
   you will all perish as they did!
Or those eighteen people who were killed
   when the tower at Siloam fell on them—
   do you think they were more guilty
   than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
   you will all perish as they did!”

And he told them this parable:
   “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,
   and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,
   he said to the gardener,
   ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
   but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?’
He said to him in reply,
   ‘Sir, leave it for this year also,
   and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
   it may bear fruit in the future.
If not you can cut it down.’”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

As we continue our Lenten journey, we continue to follow Jesus on His way to Calvary and the Cross. Through this great act of sacrifice and love, Jesus transforms the world. He transforms humanity. Jesus restores all of humanity to a state of grace that was lost. Jesus offered Himself in restitution for all sins that ever were, are now, and ever will be. Through the Cross, Jesus brings us back into fully reconciled relationship with God the Father.

In our first reading, we hear about the identity of Abraham. Abraham’s identity as the “father of many descendants” is being revealed. This changed how Abraham thought of himself. In his old age Abraham thought himself incapable of having any children. God reveals to Abraham that he will be the father of a great nation. It is Abraham‘s relationship with God that changes who Abraham is. Through the plan of God, Abraham brings forth life.

In our Gospel we have the eyewitness account of the Transfiguration of Jesus. In that moment Jesus reveals His divine identity to Peter, James, and John.

Lent is a time when our true identity is called forth. Because of our relationship with God, we are called to be transformed. We are called to live in the image and likeness of God. We live in His grace. We follow the example of Jesus and live in His Spirit. This transforms who we are and then transforms the world by what we say and what we do.

Lent is a time of change. It is no accident that it is at a time of the year related to our seasons. As life comes forth in nature, so too our spiritual life must emerge – full of life.

The question we ask ourselves today is one of self growth. Where are we in our process of transforming, growing, becoming each day like God? Lent is our personal exodus, moving from being slaves to our desires to living as children of God. Each day we should have as our goal to be the ones who present Christ to the world in our word and deed. In our second reading, St. Paul reminds us that we are citizens of heaven. Do we live as citizens of heaven while here on earth? How much of God’s Spirit is part of us? Do we then share that Spirit with others? We share the spirit of kindness, gentleness, humility, self-control, charity, patience. These are the things that help us to be like our God. How much more growth do we need in these aspects and Godlike traits?

This Sunday and this lent let us resolve evermore to live in God’s spirit. We will pray that God changes us – so that we can change the world.

First Reading
Gn 15:5-12, 17-18

God made a covenant with Abraham, his faithful servant.

A reading from the Book of Genesis

The Lord God took Abram outside and said,
“Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.
Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.”
Abram put his faith in the LORD,
   who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.

He then said to him,
   “I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans
   to give you this land as a possession.”
“O Lord GOD,” he asked,
   “how am I to know that I shall possess it?”
He answered him,
   “Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat,
   a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”
Abram brought him all these, split them in two,
   and placed each half opposite the other;
   but the birds he did not cut up.
Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses,
   but Abram stayed with them.
As the sun was about to set, a trance fell upon Abram,
   and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him.

When the sun had set and it was dark,
   there appeared a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch,
   which passed between those pieces.
It was on that occasion that the LORD made a covenant with Abram,
   saying: “To your descendants I give this land,
   from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River, the Euphrates.”

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14

R. :

℟. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
   whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
   of whom should I be afraid?

℟. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;
   have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.

℟. The Lord is my light and my salvation. 

Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
   Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
   You are my helper: cast me not off.

℟. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
   in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
   be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

℟. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Second Reading
Phil 3:17-4:1 or 3:20-4:1

Christ will change our lowly body to conform with his glorious body.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians

Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters,
   and observe those who thus conduct themselves
   according to the model you have in us.
For many, as I have often told you
   and now tell you even in tears,
   conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Their end is destruction.
Their God is their stomach;
   their glory is in their “shame.”
Their minds are occupied with earthly things.
But our citizenship is in heaven,
   and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He will change our lowly body
   to conform with his glorified body
   by the power that enables him also
   to bring all things into subjection to himself.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters,
   whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,
   in this way stand firm in the Lord.

Or: [Shorter Form]

Brothers and sisters:
Our citizenship is in heaven,
   and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He will change our lowly body
   to conform with his glorified body
   by the power that enables him also
   to bring all things into subjection to himself.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters,
   whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,
   in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Cf Mt 17:5

From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard:
This is my beloved Son, hear him.

Gospel
Lk 9:28b-36

While he was praying, his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Jesus took Peter, John, and James
   and went up the mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
   and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
   who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
   that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
   but becoming fully awake,
   they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,
   “Master, it is good that we are here;
   let us make three tents,
   one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
   a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
   and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
   “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
   tell anyone what they had seen.

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

In these days after Thanksgiving, our thoughts may naturally focus on our Christmas preparations. Certainly in our secular world we have the aggressive promotion of sales. The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday. It is famous for its discounts.

In all of this Christmas preparation, which can be exciting and fun and full of enthusiasm, it might be easy for us to overlook what begins today. Today is the first Sunday of Advent.

This is a special liturgical season. That means it is a special time of the year designated for us to focus our prayer and worship on a particular aspect of our relationship with God. We focus on the Coming of the Lord in Advent.

Quite naturally we think of the First Coming of the Lord, as we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity (a.k.a. Christmas). This is an event that profoundly changed all of human history. This is when our God became man. This is when our God fulfilled all the promises of the Old Testament. This is when our God revealed Himself fully as one of us so that we could understand as best as possible that we belong to God our Father.

However during Advent, we also celebrate the Second Coming of Christ. In fact as Advent is four weeks long, the first three weeks focus our attention on the Second Coming of Christ. This is what we are currently waiting for as Christians.

We are waiting for the return in glory of Christ Our Lord. It will not be like the First Coming. Our Lord will return in glory accompanied by the angels. These are the very words of Jesus as He quotes the prophecy of the Old Testament from Daniel and Jeremiah. We heard Jesus refer to His coming in glory in today’s Gospel.

This Second Coming is the promise of Christ. To use the fancy theological term, it is the Parousia. It does beg the question that if Jesus has not returned in 2000 years, when will it occur?

We hear in today’s Gospel Jesus telling us to be alert and fully awake. This does not mean one’s state of physical consciousness. Rather it goes deeper in its meaning. To be awake in the Bible means to be alert and attentive to one’s relationship with God. To be awake means to be fully active, fully participating in God‘s invitation to live as His children.

Throughout the ages so many have called out with the sentiment, “Lord where are you?“ “Lord – we need you to return in glory so that all may believe.”

One may be tempted to despair and dismissal of the promise of the Second Coming. One may be tempted to think that if it has not happened by now it will not happen ever.

And yet if one pays close attention to the words of Jesus in the Gospels, it is easy to see the message that He delivers more than any other. “The kingdom of God is at hand.” This means that the transformation of earth into heaven is happening. It certainly was happening by the very birth, ministry, and message of Jesus. It was certainly happening by His life and death, Crucifixion and Resurrection.

After the Resurrection, Jesus stayed teaching and preaching in glorified form for 40 days. Then He ascended to heaven. Soon thereafter He sent the Holy Spirit to the Apostles. This is the feast of Pentecost.

If we look at the course of these events we see God‘s plan unfolding. God came as one of us in the person of Jesus and showed us what we are to do. He then handed on His ministry and mission to those who follow Him. In today’s Gospel, Jesus provides the image of the master who leaves home and places the servants in charge.

It is the work of Christians to continue the work of Christ. That means we are to continue to transform earth into heaven. We are to continue to make the kingdom of God at hand. To say it more plainly, we are to make heaven a reality on earth by how we speak and how we act.

In today’s gospel, Jesus instructs us, ” Do not let your hearts become drowsy with drunkenness, carousing, or the anxieties of daily living.” That last one certainly applies to many of us. Do the anxieties of daily living cause us to have drowsy hearts? This means we are overwhelmed by stress and that very stress keeps us from having an active relationship with the Lord. Are we too busy or too tired to pray – to go to Confession – to go to Mass? Daily anxieties can overwhelm our connection to God. Let us recommit ourselves to an active prayer life, an active sacramental life this Advent.

To answer the question of when Christ will return, let us contemplate on how much more work we need to do in order to transform earth into heaven. If Christ has handed His mission and work on to those who follow Him, how much have we done since the Ascension 2000 years ago? Look at the state of our world.

Could it be that Christ is waiting for us? Could it be that He is waiting for us to bring about a profound transformation of our earthly reality? We are called to live as citizens of heaven here and now

How can we make heaven on earth? How do we transform our daily experience? It seems a very tall order for any one person. And yet such activity begins with each individual. Each act of kindness, each act of care, each act of patience, each act of gratitude all usher in the kingdom of God.

Today on the first Sunday of Advent, we are called to usher in the Second Coming. We are called to transform earth into heaven. We are called to live each day as citizens of heaven. We are called to make the kingdom of God at hand.

What will you do today for someone else? What will you do today to care for another? How will you express love and consideration for those in your life today?

How we answer these questions determines how we bring about the kingdom of God. Together let us celebrate Advent. Let us celebrate that we belong to the Lord. Let us celebrate that we are called to transform earth into heaven – and if we do these things, we will make ourselves ready for His return. Our spirits will be awake and alive in the Lord.

First Reading
Jer 33:14-16

I will raise up for David a just shoot.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah

The days are coming, says the LORD,
   when I will fulfill the promise
   I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
   I will raise up for David a just shoot;
   he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
   and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
   this is what they shall call her:
   “The LORD our justice.”

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14

R. :

℟. (1b) To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
   teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
   for you are God my savior, and for you I wait all the day.

℟. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Good and upright is the LORD;
   thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
   and teaches the humble his way.

℟. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
   toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
   and his covenant, for their instruction.

℟. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Second Reading
1 Thes 3:12-4:2

May the Lord strengthen your hearts at the coming of our Lord Jesus.

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians

Brothers and sisters:
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love
   for one another and for all,
   just as we have for you,
   so as to strengthen your hearts,
   to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
   at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.
      Amen.

Finally, brothers and sisters,
   we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,
   as you received from us
   how you should conduct yourselves to please God
   —and as you are conducting yourselves—
   you do so even more.
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Ps 85:8

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Show us, Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

Your redemption is at hand.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
   and on earth nations will be in dismay,
   perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
   in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
   for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
   coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
   stand erect and raise your heads
   because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
   from carousing and drunkenness
   and the anxieties of daily life,
   and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
   who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
   and pray that you have the strength
   to escape the tribulations that are imminent
   and to stand before the Son of Man.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Today is Halloween. All over our country both children and adults are dressing up in costumes to celebrate and have fun. Many times children dress and costumes to pretend to be their favorite character from a story or TV show or movie. Somehow if you dress up like your hero then it gives you a sense of being more connected to that special person. Halloween means all hallows eve. It is the eve of all hallows day. November 1. November 1 is the feast of all saints. The hallowed ones. The holy ones. The ones who are close to God.

Entities scripture we are told our ultimate goal. Our ultimate goal is to be close and connected to God. He is our ultimate love. Jesus is our ultimate hero. What do we do to be connected to God? Moses tells the people that following God‘s ways, God‘s laws, is the way to be connected to God. Moses states that the greatest of these is to love God with all our mind heart soul and strength. The desire to love God is what should drive all that we do that should be the guiding principle and goal of our lives.

Jesus is asked in today’s gospel the question by the scripture scholar related to the greatest law. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy and his reply. Jesus I can directs the human heart to loving God above all else.

So on this Halloween day we have our fun and we have our heroes, but we remind ourselves that we should direct our activities to being connected to God. We should direct our activities to that which brings us closer to the Lord.

So it begs the question, what do we do to draw closer to God? We worship, we pray, we reflect upon scripture. In our daily living what else do we do? How do you draw closer to God? st Paul tells us that we should put on the spirit of Christ. He uses an image of clothing. This is particularly appropriate for us to think about on Halloween. How do we dress ourselves up in God like attributes? As we are weak this day let us say to ourselves I will put on kindness. I will put on forgiveness. I will put on patients. I will put on sacrifice. I will wear today the things that belong to God

If we do this we will have the best Halloween ever. We will truly enter the ranks of the hallowed ones. We will be holy. We will be close to God.

Do not be afraid. These are the words that God‘s prophet Elijah says to the widow. She is running out of food for herself and for her son. She thinks that she will consume what little remains and then she and her son will die. There is a famine in the land and they do not have water or food. God sends his prophet Elijah to the widow. Elijah tells the widow that God will provide her and her son nourishment. Interestingly, Elijah tells her to feed him first and then make something for herself and her son. His words come true. God provides nourishment for a year, until the famine breaks and the rains come again to nourish the land.

The activity of God is revealed , made present, in this Scripture story. First of all you have someone who looks around and sees nothing but challenge, hardship, and limitation. There is a famine in the land and a famine in her spirit – she sees no care or presence from God. The widow is resolved to give up. Precisely when she needs help most, God sends help. I think the very powerful message is despite our circumstances, and no matter our own needs, we still must not be entirely consumed with self- focus. God calls us to trust. God calls us to generosity. God calls us to care for others as He cares for us.

This certainly is echoed in today’s Gospel. Jesus points out that it is the poor widow who gives the most.

This seems to be to messages of today’s paired readings from the Old Testament and from the Gospel. We are told to rely upon God. We are told to not be afraid. “Do not be afraid” , says Elisha the messenger of God. Jesus says this many times in the Gospels. Whether calming a stormy sea, curing the blind, or even conquering death itself, Jesus tells us, “Do not be afraid.” Trust God. God will provide. We are called to then imitate God by caring for others.

How generous are we with God? This does not mean financial contribution. Rather, think of it in terms of what you give God from your spirit. What amount of time in your day do you give it to God? Do you spend time in prayer? Do you dedicate your thoughts of the day to God? Do you dedicate your actions of the day to God? You can start each day by saying, “I give this day to you Lord.”

And what do we give to others? Do we give them generously of our attention? Do we give generously of our patience? Do we give generously of our kindness? Do we give generously of our affirmation? Do we give generously of our gratitude?

Today let us trust and rely upon the God who nourishes us who saves us. He does what seems to be impossible. And let us give to God all that we have. Let us give our mind and our heart. Let us give to others what they need most to nourish their souls – caring for others as God cares for us.

First Reading
1 Kgs 17:10-16

The widow made a little cake from her flour and gave it to Elijah.

A reading from the first Book of Kings

In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath.
As he arrived at the entrance of the city,
   a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her,
   “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.”
She left to get it, and he called out after her,
   “Please bring along a bit of bread.”
She answered, “As the LORD, your God, lives,
   I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar
   and a little oil in my jug.
Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,
   to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;
   when we have eaten it, we shall die.”
Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid.
Go and do as you propose.
But first make me a little cake and bring it to me.
Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, says,
   ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty,
   nor the jug of oil run dry,
   until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’”
She left and did as Elijah had said.
She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well;
   the jar of flour did not go empty,
   nor the jug of oil run dry,
   as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10

R. :

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
  or:
R. Alleluia.

The LORD keeps faith forever,
   secures justice for the oppressed,
   gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
  or:
R. Alleluia.

The LORD gives sight to the blind.
   the LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
The LORD loves the just.
   the LORD protects strangers.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
  or:
R. Alleluia.

The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
   but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
   your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
  or:
R. Alleluia.

Second Reading
Heb 9:24-28

Christ was offered once to take away the sins of many.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands,
   a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,
   that he might now appear before God on our behalf.
Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,
   as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary
   with blood that is not his own;
   if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly
   from the foundation of the world.
But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages
   to take away sin by his sacrifice.
Just as it is appointed that human beings die once,
   and after this the judgment,
   so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many,
   will appear a second time, not to take away sin
   but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Mt 5:3

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44

This poor widow put in more than all the others.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,
“Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
   and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
   seats of honor in synagogues,
   and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext
   recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury
   and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
   “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
   than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
   but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
   her whole livelihood.”

Or: [Shorter Form]

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury
   and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
   “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
   than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
   but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
   her whole livelihood.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

“Shout with joy. The Lord has delivered his people. Behold I will bring them back. I will console them and guide them. “

“What do you want me to do for you? Go on your way your faith has saved you.”

These are the words from our Scripture today. These words powerfully show God’s activity. They show how God interacts with humanity. They encourage us to have a joyful response to God‘s grace period they proclaim that God brings comfort and healing.

In our first reading today from the prophet Jeremiah, the people of God are scattered. They have been dispersed because the neighboring tribes have conquered them. God promises to reunite His people and bring them home. This plays out on the surface level of the actual physical distribution of the Jews in many lands. However it also plays out on a spiritual level. There are things in our lives that can scatter us and cause us to have many distractions leading us away from God. Worry, anxiety, anger, and other worldly matters can scatter our thoughts and keep us from praying or prevent us from having a peaceful spirit. Often times these distractions can keep us from having a relationship with God. God calls us to have an active relationship of trust and joy. This will lead to a sense of peace and unity within our spirit

When we seek out an active relationship with God, we increase our sense of peace. There is a wholeness and healing that takes place in our inner being. We are created to be in union with God. It may seem curious that Jesus asks the Blind Man the question, “What do you want me to do for you?” But Jesus is trying to elicit from the man a deeper relationship than mere physical healing. The man proclaims Jesus to be Master. In acknowledging this title for Jesus, the Blind Man acknowledges that Jesus is God and has the power to save. Ironically, it is the Blind Man sees clearly the Divine Identity of Jesus is. It is key that we noticed Jesus’s response. Jesus says, “It is your faith that has saved you.”

What is our trust level in God? What scatters our thoughts? What keeps us from being able to pray? What prevents us from a sense of peace or joy? If we are grounded in our prayerful relationship with God and we are more likely to have a wholeness of spirit. We are more likely to have a sense of peace and joy.

Today let us pray for trust in the healing power of God. And then let us ask God to bring His healing power into our lives. Healing not just physically, but of our spirit our mind our attention. May we always seek to see things correctly. Like the Blind Man, let us ask God to open our eyes to see God present in our lives. To see things in terms of our own salvation. To see things in terms of eternal worth. May we always have our eyes focused on heaven. And may we see God’s grace and blessings. Then together, we will shout for joy to the Lord.

First Reading
Jer 31:7-9

The blind and the lame I will bring back: I will console them.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah

Thus says the LORD:
 Shout with joy for Jacob,
   exult at the head of the nations;
   proclaim your praise and say:
The LORD has delivered his people,
   the remnant of Israel.
Behold, I will bring them back
   from the land of the north;
I will gather them from the ends of the world,
   with the blind and the lame in their midst,
the mothers and those with child;
   they shall return as an immense throng.
They departed in tears,
   but I will console them and guide them;
I will lead them to brooks of water,
   on a level road, so that none shall stumble.
For I am a father to Israel,
   Ephraim is my first-born.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

R. :

R. (3) The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
   we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
   and our tongue with rejoicing.
 
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Then they said among the nations,
   “The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
   we are glad indeed.

R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
   like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
   shall reap rejoicing.

R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Although they go forth weeping,
   carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
   carrying their sheaves.

R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Second Reading
Heb 5:1-6

You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters:
Every high priest is taken from among men
   and made their representative before God,
   to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring,
   for he himself is beset by weakness
   and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself
   as well as for the people.
No one takes this honor upon himself
   but only when called by God,
   just as Aaron was.
In the same way,
   it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest,
   but rather the one who said to him:
      You are my son:
         this day I have begotten you;
   just as he says in another place:
      You are a priest forever
         according to the order of Melchizedek.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Cf 2 Tm 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mk 10:46-52

Master, I want to see.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,
   Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,
   sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
   he began to cry out and say,
   “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.
But he kept calling out all the more,
   “Son of David, have pity on me.”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
   “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”
Immediately he received his sight
   and followed him on the way.At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

In today’s scripture we hear about sacrifice. From the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, we hear how sacrifice brings about many blessings that extend throughout many generations. In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus tell us that sacrifice is the true meaning of discipleship and greatness.

What does it mean to sacrifice? Sacrifice is not just merely giving something up. It is not denying oneself for the purpose of suffering. Rather, sacrifice is an act of love. It places the needs of the other before the needs of the self. To say it plainly, “I will consider others before I consider myself.” and “I will be other centered instead of self centered.”

Furthermore, the reason I will sacrifice is not to only serve others, but to follow the example of Jesus who gave His life in sacrifice on the Cross.

Isaiah calls us to sacrifice in order to please God by serving others. Isaiah says this will have blessings that extend for many generations. How would this be possible? How would future generations benefit from this? I think it has to do with the approach to life that a family can establish for its members. If a child is raised in an environment and a family that is focused on taking care of others than that child well adapt that approach for life. And this approach is handed on one generation to the next. It is an approach of charity and love and service.

James and John approach Jesus in today’s Gospel. They have an idea of greatness in terms of the world view. The world defines greatness as power and glory and positions of honor. Jesus corrects this view. He tells the Apostles that true greatness requires sacrifice. It requires service to others. Jesus states the Son of Man came to serve, not to be served. This equation turns on its head the world view. This gets to the true meaning of love. When we give of ourselves out of love for someone else – that is powerful. That is true greatness. We are called to this level of service and sacrifice not only motivated by our love for the other person but by our love for Christ. Our desire to be like Christ should motivate us to approach everyone as someone we love deeply. We look for opportunities to take care of others whether we know them personally or not whether we love them or not. We do so out of our love for Christ. Then we are also motivated perhaps by our personal love for the other.

This is a tall order. It requires a change of what the world presents to us. We are bombarded by a message from the world that says we are to take care of ourselves and others come after if at all. However think about the people in your life. Who are the ones you consider to be truly great? Most likely people who showed you love and attention and kindness. 

Today let us receive the wisdom that comes from the prophet Isaiah. Certainly let us follow the definition of discipleship that comes from Jesus. Let us follow the example of Christ. Today be great. Great in your love kindness and consideration of others. If we do this then we will follow the example of Jesus. We will understand the true meaning sacrifice of power and of greatness. May we follow the example of our Lord and King. May we seek to serve and not be served.

First Reading
Is 53:10-11

If he gives his life as an offerings for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life.

A reading from the Book from the Prophet Isaiah

The LORD was pleased
   to crush him in infirmity.

If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
   he shall see his descendants in a long life,
   and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction
   he shall see the light in fullness of days;
Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
   and their guilt he shall bear.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 27

R. :

R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Upright is the word of the LORD,
   and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
   of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
   upon those who hope for his kindness,
to deliver them from death
   and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Our soul waits for the LORD,
   who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
   who have put our hope in you.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Second Reading
Heb 4:14-16

Let us confidently approach the throne of grace.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
   Jesus, the Son of God,
   let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
   who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
   but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
   yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
   to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Mk 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him,
   “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?”
They answered him, “Grant that in your glory
   we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.”
Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I drink
   or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
They said to him, “We can.”
Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink,
   and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
   but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
   but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
   “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
   lord it over them,
   and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
   whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
   but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Or: [Shorter Form]

Jesus summoned them and said to them,
   “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
   lord it over them,
   and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
   whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
   but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today we hear from the Book of Wisdom. We also hear from the Letter to the Hebrews which speaks to us about the Word of God. Our first reading from the Old Testament is paired with our second reading from the New Testament to direct our minds and hearts to the same focus. Wisdom is understanding the will of God. The will of God is revealed to us by the Word of God. The Word of God is Jesus. As St Paul writes, Jesus is “the image of the invisible God.” In our Gospel today, Jesus speaks about following God‘s will, following God‘s Commandments. Jesus gives us a key component that would allow us to understand God‘s will and follow God‘s Commandments. Jesus gives us insight into true wisdom.

Let’s return to our first reading today from the Book of Wisdom. We have someone praying urgently. We typically do this ourselves. We pray intensely and earnestly. For what do we pray? Do we pray for ourselves? Do we pray for others? Do we pray for better health? Do we pray for a better living situation? What has our attention when we enter spiritual dialogue with the Divine? To say it more plainly, what do you talk about with God? In our first reading from the Book of Wisdom, the person who is praying is asking for wisdom. The person is asking to understand the will of God. That is a wonderful thing to seek. That is a wonderful thing to ask God. The person praying places wisdom, ie. understanding God’s will, above all else.

In our second reading today, the Letter to Hebrews directs us to the Word of God. The Word of God is the Second Person of the Trinity. It is the Son. S-O-N. It is the Word made flesh, Who is Jesus the Christ. The Letter to Hebrews tells us that the Word of God must enter into who we are. It must penetrate deeply into our spirit. More than anything going into bone or marrow. It must become a part of us. So we can ask ourselves today and every day is Christ a part of us? Is Christ reflected in our words? Is Christ reflected in our actions? Is Christ reflected in our deeds? Do we allow Christ to direct our behavior? When we would naturally not desire to be kind, or patient, or understanding, do we take a moment of prayer and ask for God‘s help? And then do we find ourselves connecting with Christ and becoming more able to live in his spirit?

Jesus speaks to us about wisdom in today’s Gospel. Jesus is not saying that wealthy people cannot enter heaven. Jesus is saying that we need to be detached from the things of this world. Our ultimate treasure is our relationship with God and being able to present ourselves to the Lord in a way that pleases Him. This is also the focus of the Letter to the Hebrews today. We are reminded that we will have to give an accounting of our lives to the Lord. We should have that as our number one focus in life. We should not have the acquisition of things and the establishment of creature comforts as our main goals in life.

At the time of Jesus, it was widely believed that wealth was a sign of predestination for salvation. The thinking was that if you were wealthy God was blessing you in this life and it was a sign that you were chosen for the next life to be also blessed, i.e. granted what we call heaven. However Jesus challenges this concept. Jesus states that it is not the acquisition of things in this world that would indicate blessings from God. But rather – generosity of heart indicates one who is living in God’s Spirit. So Jesus directs this wealthy young man to be generous with the poor. Jesus directs this man to great works of charity. It is through great works of charity that we are able to draw close to God. It is through great acts of love and caring for others that draw us close to God. These are the true markers of holiness.

Today let us follow the good example of the one we find praying in the Book of Wisdom. Let us pray for wisdom. Let us pray to always seek to understand God‘s will. Let us pray to be detached from the things of this world. That means we see the things of this world in their proper value. We see them in perspective. We see that they are important, but they are not the ultimate goal. Let us always keep our focus on the ultimate goal of presenting ourselves in a pleasing way to the Lord. Let us pray to be rich in love, rich in charity, and rich in the good we do for others in the name of the Lord. If we do these things we will be rich in ways that truly matter. We will be rich in the Spirit of Christ.

First Reading
Wis 7:7-11

I deemed riches nothing in comparison to wisdom.

A reading from the Book of Wisdom

I prayed, and prudence was given me;
   I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
   nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,
   and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,
and I chose to have her rather than the light,
   because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in her company,
   and countless riches at her hands.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

R. :

R. (14) Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

Teach us to number our days aright,
   that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
   Have pity on your servants!

R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
   that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Make us glad, for the days when you afflicted us,
   for the years when we saw evil.

R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

Let your work be seen by your servants
   and your glory by their children;
and may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
   prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!

R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

Second Reading
Heb 4:12-13

The word of God discerns reflections and thoughts of the heart.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters:
Indeed the word of God is living and effective,
   sharper than any two-edged sword,
   penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
   and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
   but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
   to whom we must render an account.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Mt 5:3

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27

Sell what you have and follow me.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
   knelt down before him, and asked him,
   “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
   you shall not commit adultery;
   you shall not steal;
   you shall not bear false witness;
   you shall not defraud;
   honor your father and your mother.”
He replied and said to him,
   “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
   “You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
   and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
At that statement his face fell,
   and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
   “How hard it is for those who have wealth
   to enter the kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
   “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
   than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
   “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
   “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God.”
Peter began to say to him,
   “We have given up everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you,
   there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
   or mother or father or children or lands
   for my sake and for the sake of the gospel
   who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
   houses and brothers and sisters
   and mothers and children and lands,
   with persecutions,
   and eternal life in the age to come.”

Or: [Short form]

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
   knelt down before him, and asked him,
   “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
   you shall not commit adultery;
   you shall not steal;
   you shall not bear false witness;
   you shall not defraud;
   honor your father and your mother.”
He replied and said to him,
   “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
   “You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
   and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
At that statement his face fell,
   and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
   “How hard it is for those who have wealth
   to enter the kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
   “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
   than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
   “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
   “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God.”At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.