1ST READING
Pope Francis is a man of the poor and is not afraid to speak on their behalf. His actions speak to a renewed vision for the poor in the life of the Church. Just as Isaiah gives primacy to the poor, it is important to remember that there has always been a strong sense among the Fathers of the Church that it is the poor who will welcome rich in heaven. We should befriend and serve the poor and ensure that we have them on our side on Judgment Day.
Isaiah 26:1-6
1 On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: “A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. 2 Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. 3 A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.” 4 Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal rock. 5 He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; he tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. 6 It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.
P S A L M
Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
R: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. (R) 19 Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This gate is the Lord’s; the just shall enter it. 21 I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior. (R) 25 O Lord, grant salvation! O Lord, grant prosperity! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and he has given us light. (R)
GOSPEL
It is not what we say but how we live our lives that truly matters. Words are merely indicators for what we intend to do — they guarantee very little. It is easy to say one thing and do the opposite. Our lives will tell the true story. Jesus teaches in today’s Gospel that He will focus on our actions than our words or even intentions. Let us not disappoint Him and carry out what we believe and say.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call him while he is near.
Matthew 7:21, 24-27
21 Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord,Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 24 “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 26 And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
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