Daily Readings for January 21, 2017

1ST READING

All sacrifices must now take on the form of Jesus’ sacrifice. Sacrificing bulls and goats is no longer meaningful as Christ has personalized the concept of sacrifice. Instead of offering animals, let us give our life to Christ. Commitment to Christ is a radical decision and we have to be firm about it.

Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14

2 A tabernacle was constructed, the outer one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering; this is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies. 11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation, 12 he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own Blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, 14 how much more will the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

P S A L M

Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R: God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

1 [2] All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, 2 [3] for the Lord, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. (R) 5 [6] God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts. 6 [7] Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. (R) 7 [8] For king of all the earth is God: sing hymns of praise. 8 [9] God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. (R)

GOSPEL

  

The relatives of Jesus thought He was out of His mind. They were clueless on how to handle His popularity. How would you handle the celebrity status of  your relatives? Let us put ourselves in their shoes. Let us empathize and show compassion to people especially when we find it difficult to understand them.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.

Mark 3:20-21

20 Jesus came home with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. 21 When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”