May 29
Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Give a Mass Offering
Mass Intentions
9:00 AM – John Stach / Kennedy Stach
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 51:12cd-20
I thank the LORD and I praise him; I bless the name of the LORD. When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer I prayed for her before the temple, and I will seek her until the end, and she flourished as a grape soon ripe. My heart delighted in her, My feet kept to the level path because from earliest youth I was familiar with her. In the short time I paid heed, I met with great instruction. Since in this way I have profited, I will give my teacher grateful praise. I became resolutely devoted to her— the good I persistently strove for. My soul was tormented in seeking her, My hand opened her gate and I came to know her secrets. I directed my soul to her, and in cleanness I attained to her.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. (9ab) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Gospel Acclamation
See Colossians 3:16a, 17c
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly;
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 11:27-33
Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”– they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
“The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.”
Reflection
The gospel story from yesterday continues today when Christ returns to the temple. Yesterday Jesus had turned over the tables of the moneychangers, and in turn, the officials made couched threats against him. Today, the gloves are off, and they reveal their true intent. They are only concerned about their own power, and Jesus has become a threat to that power.
Through an ingenious invoking of John the Baptist, Jesus forces the religious leaders of the people to admit to a larger sense of authority, meaning that although they try to defend their way of governance over the people, they have to realize that their authority is conditioned and not self-generated. Their self-aggrandizement is now leading them to downfall in front of their own people.
The lesson for all of us is that we must recognize that everything we have comes from God, and all we do must point back to God as we give him credit for our accomplishments. When we fail to do this, we are acting as the leaders of the people do in today’s gospel reading, and ultimately our actions will lead to our downfall.
Peace,
Fr. John Kurgan
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