FIRST READING
“Wisdom is a kindly spirit, the Spirit of the Lord has filled the world.”
The beginning of the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 1:1-7)
Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord with uprightness, and seek him with sincerity of heart; because he is found by those who do not put him to the test, and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him. For perverse thoughts separate men from God, and when his power is tested, it convicts the foolish; because wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul, nor dwell in a body enslaved to sin. For a holy and disciplined spirit will flee from deceit, and will rise and depart from foolish thoughts, and will be ashamed at the approach of unrighteousness. For wisdom is a kindly spirit and will not free a blasphemer from the guilt of his words; because God is witness of his inmost feelings, and a true observer of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue. Because the Spirit of the Lord has filled the world, and that which holds all things together knows what is said.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 139:1 -3.4-6.7-8.9-10 (R. 24b)
R/. Lead me, Lord, in the way everlasting.
O Lord, you search me and you know me.
You yourself know my resting and my rising;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You mark when I walk or lie down;
you know all my ways through and through. R/.
Before ever a word is on my tongue,
you know it, O Lord, through and through.
Behind and before, you besiege me,
your hand ever laid upon me.
Too wonderful for me, this knowledge;
too high, beyond my reach. R/.
R/. Lead me, Lord, in the way everlasting.
O where can I go from your spirit,
or where can I flee from your face?
If I climb the heavens, you are there.
If I lie in the grave, you are there. R/.
If I take the wings of the dawn
or dwell at the sea’s furthest end,
even there your hand would lead me;
your right hand would hold me fast. R/.
Alleluia.
Alleluia. You will shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life. Alleluia.
Gospel
If your brother turns to you seven times, and says, “I repent, “you must forgive him.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 17:1-6)
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples. “Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea, then that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Take heed to yourself; if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him; and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven in the day, and turns to you seven times, and says, ‘I repent, ‘you must forgive him, “The apostles said to the Lord, “increase our faith! “And the Lord said, “If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, “Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea, ‘and it would obey you.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Through baptism we come to share, in an ordinary way, in the office of Christ as king, prophet and priest. In other words, when we become Christians, we not only enjoy the primary benefit of becoming adopted children of God but also have some responsibilities. As kings, we are called to lead lives worthy of emulation; as prophets, we have the responsibility of giving the correct to lead lives worthy of emulation; as prophets, we have the responsibility of giving the correct teaching of Christ and not leading people astray with false teachings, and as priests, we are meant to pray for one another and assist one another to grow spiritually. We often fail in our responsibilities: rather than helping weak Christians or non-Christians, we often become a source of scandal to them. Christ calls us today to take our Christian calling more seriously.