Daily Readings for February 5, 2015

1ST READING

Reflect a while on the idea that Jesus’ blood speaks more eloquently than the blood of Abel. Remember, Cain killed his brother Abel when God preferred Abel’s sacrifice to his own. Abel is the epitome of innocence but Jesus is more so. He is the most innocent victim the world has ever killed. We are challenged to grasp the innocence of Jesus to give us a true idea of the horror of sin that crucifies Him on the cross.

Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24

18 Brothers and sisters: You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm 19 and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them. 21 Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” 22 No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering, 23 and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect, 24 and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled Blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.

P S A L M

Psalm 48:2-3, 3-4, 9, 10-11

R: O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

1[2] Great is the Lord and wholly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, 2[3] fairest of heights, is the joy of all the earth. (R) Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,” is the city of the great King. 3 [4] God is with her castles; renowned is he as a stronghold. (R) 8[9] As we had heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God; God makes it firm forever. (R) 9[10] O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple. 10[11] As your name, O God, so also your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Of justice your right hand is full. (R)

GOSPEL

Like His disciples, Jesus also sends us out on mission. Through our baptism, we are commissioned to live and proclaim the Gospel. This is our calling for the rest of our lives. We need to work at being evangelists, each in the way that suits us best. For example, the parents’ first priority must be their children; priests and religious have their specific ministries and so on. Let us seek to take up our calling in the best way possible.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.

Mark 6:7-13

7 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick — no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9 They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. 11 Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” 12 So they went off and preached repentance. 13 The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

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