Saturday February 5, 2022

 

 

Saturday of 4th Week in Ordinary Time

 AGATHA, VIRGIN and MARTYR

 

Introduction

St. Agatha, “the good one,” patroness of Sicily, refused marriage to dedicate herself to her fellow Christians by doing diaconal work at a time of persecution, especially care of the sick and of the poor. She was denounced and tortured to death in 251, at the time of Emperor Decius. Threats and torture could not sway her.

 

Opening Prayer

Lord God,
your Son Jesus warned his followers
that for his sake they would be persecuted.
But he told us not to be afraid,
for he would let his Spirit
put in our mouths what to say.
May we, like St. Agatha,
bear witness to our faith
with our whole being,
without hesitation or doubt or fear,
for you are with us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Reading 1: 1 Kgs 3:4-13

Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice there,
because that was the most renowned high place.
Upon its altar Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings.
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.
God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”
Solomon answered:
“You have shown great favor to your servant, my father David,
because he behaved faithfully toward you,
with justice and an upright heart;
and you have continued this great favor toward him, even today,
seating a son of his on his throne.
O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant,
king to succeed my father David;
but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.
I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen,
a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.
Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”

The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request.
So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this–
not for a long life for yourself,
nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies,
but for understanding so that you may know what is right–
I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you.
In addition, I give you what you have not asked for,
such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like.”

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

(12b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
How shall a young man be faultless in his way?
By keeping to your words.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
With all my heart I seek you;
let me not stray from your commands.

Lord, teach me your statutes.
Within my heart I treasure your promise,
that I may not sin against you.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.

 

Alleluia Jn 10:27

Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Mk 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.

 

Intercessions

–          That we may be grateful to God for all the mercy and compassion he shows us, we pray:

–          That God’s people may learn to be a compassionate community to all those who suffer and to those who are trampled upon, we pray:

–          That we may be people of peace, who try to understand one another and seek reconciliation when we are divided, we pray:

 

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, our faithful God,
with bread and wine we celebrate
that we want to be faithful to you
as you are close and faithful to us
in the new covenant you have made with us
through your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him, give us, weak people,
the foolish wisdom and the strength
to give you honor and praise
now and for ever.

 

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God,
Jesus called us not only servants
but friends in whom he lives.
Like Saint Agatha,
may we serve you in people,
especially in the sick and the poor,
for you have entrusted their care to us.
In them, let us grow closer to you
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Blessing

In the Bible, to have compassion means literally “to feel in the depth of one’s bowels.” We would say in the depth of our heart. To be close in fidelity and compassion to others. That is God’s way with us. Let it be our way with one another, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

Commentary

Choice: Solomon vs Jesus

I am afraid Solomon chose poorly. David had chosen far more wisely: David had chosen love. In the end of it all, we see David standing justified and Solomon perishing in his wisdom. Wisdom can only take you so far: it is far too calculative, too cautious, too prudent. It plays safe, and wisely so! But it is love that leaps over the impossibles, with a madness of the heart that reason can never comprehend. Wisdom tells you that Jesus and his disciples should have rested after such a hard labor. Jesus himself knows that his disciples need some rest. They need to take good food, sleep for eight hours, do yoga, go for a health check-up every six months. After all, don’t they have long years of ministry ahead? But then Jesus sees the crowd. His heart takes over. Rest dismissed.

Reflection taken from Bible Diary 2022;

written by Fr.Paulson Velyannoor, CMF