1ST READING
The greatest failure of the People of Israel was perhaps their lack of trust in God. They demanded for a king because they looked at their neighbors and saw that the nations with kings were powerful and free. It worked out for Israel with David and Solomon but their kings went downhill fast after that. Only Hezekiah and perhaps one or two others were remotely worthy of the title. The rest were as corrupt as corrupt can be. It is always better to put our trust in the Lord, and not in men. We need to trust one another but let this trust always be built on the knowledge that those we trust have themselves put their trust in the Lord.
Hebrews 4:1-5, 11
1 Let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed. 2 For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestor did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened. 3 For we who believed enter into that rest, just as he has said: As I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter into my rest,” and yet his works were accomplished at the foundation of the world. 4 For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works; 5 and again, in the previously mentioned place, “They shall not enter into my rest.” 11 Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.
P S AL M
Psalm 78: 3, 4, 6-7, 8
R: Do not forget the works of the Lord!
3 What we have heard and know, and what our fathers have declared to us, 4 we will declare to the generation to come: The glorious deeds of the Lord and his strength. (R) 6 That they too may rise and declare to their sons 7that they should put their hope in God, and not forget the deeds of God but keep his commands. (R) 8And not be like their fathers, a generation wayward and rebellious, a generation that kept not its heart steadfast nor its spirit faithful toward God. (R)
GOSPEL
Here is a group of people who believes that Jesus can help them and nothing, not even the roof of a house, is going to stop them from putting their problem before Jesus. This is the type of faith that moves mountains. We should pray that our faith will reach to this level so that nothing will get in our way of doing what God wants us to do. Let us never lose sight of the call to increase our faith in Christ and rely less and less upon our own strength. It is the wisdom and strength of God that will help us overcome our difficulties.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.
Mark 2:1-12
1 When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. 2 Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, 7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” 8 Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” 11 he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” 12 He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
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