Tuesday March 1, 2022

Tuesday of 8th Week in Ordinary Time

 

A HUNDREDFOLD REWARD            

The Holy Spirit was already at work in the prophets of the Old Testament, but the Good News of Christ is a much clearer revelation. Set all your hope on the grace of Christ.

What about those who give up everything for the sake of the kingdom of heaven? They will not only “inherit heaven” but find happiness on earth in the freedom from worries about losing material goods and the inner freedom of belonging to all, in the joy of winning many brothers and sisters in the community. And curiously enough but realistically, Mark adds that they will retain their happiness and reward even in the contradictions and persecutions they encounter in their endeavors for the kingdom. One must remain free and poor within oneself.

 

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
we hold you to your promise
to those who have left everything
for the sake of your kingdom
and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, your Son.
Let them be men and women
poor in the things that count on this earth,
but rich with your love and your grace
and with a wealth of friends
to whom they can bring
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

1st Reading – 1 Peter 1:10-16

Beloved: Concerning the salvation of your souls the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the Good News to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look. Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, Be holy because I am holy.

 

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4

(2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

 

Alleluia – SEE Matthew 11:25

Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel – Mark 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, “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. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

 

Intentions

–   For all Christians, that we may be generous in serving the Lord and our neighbor, we pray:

–   For those who have dedicated their lives in the direct service of God, as priests, religious, ministers, that they may live fully in the loving hands of the Lord, we pray:

–   For all Christians, that they may be joyful people, who do not lose their smile even when they meet difficulties, we pray:

 

Prayer over the Gifts

God, our Father,
with bread and wine we remember him
who gave himself totally for others,
your Son, Jesus Christ.
Everything was taken away from him
except the certainty that you were with him.
With him then, we offer ourselves,
that we may belong to you
and to the brothers and sisters
you have placed on our way.
Let no trial keep us from remaining free
and from living in communion with you,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

 

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God,
by the power of this Eucharist,
help us to see and to practice fully
what it means to be a disciple of Jesus:
that only when we forgive we find forgiveness,
that our thirst is quenched
when we give our neighbor to drink,
that we find consolation
when we speak words that alleviate pain,
that when we break and share bread
we will find your joy
that lasts for ever and ever.

 

Blessing

We are in the hands of God, a good God, a merciful God. We try to serve him well and entrust ourselves to him. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit

 

Commentary 

Everything?

“We have given up everything to follow you.” Peter might have been pretty sincere in making this declaration. After all, didn’t they leave behind their families and professions to spend their lives with Jesus? However, there were far more important but subtle attachments they had not yet given up. Ironically, almost immediately after Peter’s declaration, we have the selfish request from James and John: ““Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” They gave up material possessions alright, but the attachment to positions and honors had not left them. The worse was to come: at the moment of Christ’s Passion, all disciples, without exception, would abandon him, with Peter topping it with the triple denials. Today might be a good moment to examine sincerely our own subtle and gross attachments that prevent us from a total fall into God’s hands—after all, we cannot fall in installments.

Reflection taken from Bible Diary 2022;

written by Fr.Paulson Velyannoor, CMF

 

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