January 28
Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church
First Reading
Hebrews 10:19-25
Brothers and sisters:
Since through the Blood of Jesus
we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil,
that is, his flesh,
and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,”
let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed in pure water.
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise is trustworthy.
We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.
We should not stay away from our assembly,
as is the custom of some, but encourage one another,
and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Alleluia
Psalms 119:105
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A lamp to my feet is your word,
a light to my path.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 4:21-25
Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
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.
“The greatness of the human being consists in this: that it is capable of the universe.”
Readings & Reflection
In our first reading form the book of Hebrews, we hear, “Since through the Blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary by the new and living way he opened for us…” The message is simple here. Through his cross and resurrection, Jesus has opened for us a way to be set free from sin and enter into the presence of God. By the death of Jesus on the cross, he opens the door for us to enter. How simple of an idea that sounds, but how complex it can be at times for us to see. Our brothers and sister in Christ can help us to see this. How many times has a friend said something to you about coming to church or maybe to the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Has a friend or relative ever said to you, “Let’s go to Mass together this weekend”? It’s amazing how sometimes the people we surround ourselves with help us to come to Christ. We may not always have this opportunity, but it is amazing when God puts people like this in our lives. Take some time today and reflect how God has placed people like this in your life in the past. Take some time and say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for those people.
Fr Matt Rawson
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Readings for the Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church
Read the story of St. Thomas Aquinas
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