FIRST READING
Various sayings.
A reading from the Book of Proverbs (Proverbs 21:1-6.10-13)
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every one who is hasty comes only to want. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeing vapour and a snare of death. The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbour finds no mercy in his eyes. When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. The righteous observes the house of the nicked; the wicked are cast down to ruin. He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 119:1.27.30.34.35.44 (R. 35a)
R/. Guide me, Lord, in the path of your commands
Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord! R/.
Make me grasp the way of your precepts,
and I will ponder your wonders. R/.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
your decrees I have upheld. R/.
R/. Guide me, Lord, in the path of your commands
Grant me insight that I may keep your law,
and observe it wholeheartedly. R/.
Guide me in the path of your commands;
for in them is my delight. R/.
I shall always keep your law,
forever and ever. R/.
ALLELUIA Luke 11:28
Alleluia. Blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 8: 19-21)
At that time: His mother and his brethren came to Jesus, but they could not reach him for the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brethren are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he said to them, “My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
In the gospel of today, the Lord calls us his mothers, brothers and sisters; he chose us as members of his family beyond and above the blood tie. What binds us to him is hearing the word and putting it into practice. But for us to live out the word, we must be open to it with sincerity, obedience and love. These are qualities that shine out in the mother of Jesus who was the first to hear the word and keep it.