January 23
Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
First Reading
Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14
A tabernacle was constructed, the outer one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering; this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies.
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation, he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own Blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
For king of all the earth is God:
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
Alleluia
See Acts 16:14b
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 3:20-21
Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Give a Mass Offering
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
“God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.”
Readings & Reflection
Rejection! The brief Gospel of Mark that we read today can be deceiving to us. It seems so short and simple that it is often overlooked or thought of as unimportant, but the message is one of rejection of Jesus. It is interesting that the ones who reject Jesus is his own family saying, “He is out of his mind.”
Rejection is a common theme that will run through the entire Gospel of Mark. Jesus is rejected by the very people who should understand and support him. These are all insiders, and that is what makes these rejections tragic.
When we find that those around us, especially members of our family or friends, reject us because of our faith we should not be surprised. Faith can often threaten others, especially if they have never had the gift of faith to begin. We must accept their rejection and work to encourage them in belief. Helping others to understand the gift of faith and the teachings of Jesus will not only help our personal faith to blossom but may help move those rejecting us to a deeper understanding of God’s love for them.
Peace,
Fr. John Kurgan
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