Daily Readings for January 23, 2015

1ST READING

Jesus fulfills the Old Covenant and makes it obsolete through what He does and who He is. It is crucial for us to believe this; otherwise, we would still be bound by the old law and its practices. Jesus can institute a new covenant because He has fulfilled the old one and made way for the establishment of a new one based in faith, like the old one, but fully empowered to bring about the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26) necessary for salvation. The Gospel writers demonstrate how Jesus is obedient to the law to the point of fulfilling its requirements.

Hebrews 8: 6-13

6 Brothers and sisters: Now our high priest has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second one. 8 But he finds fault with them and says: Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will conclude a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they did not stand by my covenant and I ignored them, says the Lord. 10 But this is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds and I will write them upon their hearts. I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his fellow citizen and kin, saying, “Know the Lord,” for all shall know me, from least to greatest. 12 For I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sins no more. 13 When he speaks of a “new” covenant, he declares the first one obsolete. And what has become obsolete and has grown old is close to disappearing.

P S A L M

Psalm 85:8, 10, 11-12, 13-14

R: Kindness and truth shall meet.

7[8] Show us, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation. 9[10] Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 10[11] Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 11[12] Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 12[13] The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 13[14] Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus prays before the major events in His life unfold because He wants to be sure that He is working according to the Father’s will. Today He names His Apostles, those whom He will prepare for the ministry and life of the Church after He has returned to the Father. One of the twelve will betray Him. We, too, will struggle with difficult relationships and even betrayal in our work for the Gospel. This is a consequence of working with sinners, ourselves included. Let us do the best we can in our service to the Kingdom of God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Mark 3:13-19

13 Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. 14 He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; 17 James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, 19 and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

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