1ST READING
Our faith is encapsulated in our relationship with God. This relationship is at the heart of everything. If we are in a relationship with God, we will be able to discern the truth from the lies of the devil and the world; if we are out of relationship with God, then we will be unable to clearly discern these things. All relationships require time and effort. This is why we should never take our faith for granted because it means we are not giving God the time and effort that is due Him.
1 John 3:22 – 4:6
22 Beloved: We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. 24 Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit whom he gave us. 4:1 Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, 3 and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist who, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. 4 You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.
P S AL M
Psalm 2:7-8, 10-12
R: I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.
7 The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. 8Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession.” (R) 10And now, O kings, give heed; take warning, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice before him; with trembling 12 rejoice. (R)
GOSPEL
The Gospels are quite clear that repentance comes first. Even without belief in God we ought to know that we are sinners. Thus, the first test of our faith in God will not be belief in Him but whether or not we are ready to let go of every rival to His authority in our lives. Sin occurs when God is displaced as our Lord and Master. Are we willing to let go of sin and put God back in His true place in our lives?
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.
Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25
12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: 15 Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. 17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 23 He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. 24 His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25 And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
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