May 25
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Give a Mass Offering
Mass Intentions
7:45 AM – Fr. Raymond Wertman / The Sansones
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.
Readings
First Reading
Sirach 35:1-12
To keep the law is a great oblation, and he who observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering. In works of charity one offers fine flour, and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise. To refrain from evil pleases the LORD, and to avoid injustice is an atonement. Appear not before the LORD empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts. The just one’s offering enriches the altar and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High. The just one’s sacrifice is most pleasing, nor will it ever be forgotten. In a generous spirit pay homage to the LORD, be not sparing of freewill gifts. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means.
For the LORD is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold. But offer no bribes, these he does not accept! Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion. For he is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 50:5-6, 7-8, 14 and 23
R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Hear, my people, and I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
Gospel Acclamation
See Matthew 11:25
R. 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.”
“To the upright I will show the saving power of God.”
Reflection
Sacrifice and reward are the focus in today’s reading from the Gospel of Mark. Most of us normally operate in a risk/reward scenario. “If I do this for you, what do I get out of it?” Peter has fallen into this type of practice, so today Jesus plays his game and meets Peter where he is. Jesus offers Peter one hundred fold if he invests his life in Christ. Who would not jump at that return, yet, there is a major risk for Peter, and for all of us. Peter, in exchange for his one hundred-fold reward will face persecution, suffering, exposure to risk, unimaginable pain, all for the sake of Christ.
Peter has to make the decision to give up any personal reward, and personal concern for safety, all in the name of following Christ. We may not think that God calls us in the same way, but he does call us. What does Christ want you to do for him, give up for him? True devotion and dedication means more than just giving up material possessions, it means giving up one’s desire for self-promotion and gain in favor of sacrifice that we do not fully understand until experienced individually.
As followers of Christ, we should ask ourselves the following questions. Are we prepared to give all that we have to God and what are we holding back from our creator?
Peace,
Fr. John Kurgan
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