FIRSTREADING
You endured a hard struggle. Therefore do not throw away your confidence.
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 10:32-39)
Brethren: Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. “For yet a little while, and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 37:3-4.5-6.23-24.39-40 (R. 39a)
R/. From the Lord comes the salvation of the just.
Trust in the LORD and do good;
then you will dwell in the land and safely pasture.
Find your delight in the Lord,
who grants your heart’s desire. R.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act,
and make your uprightness shine like the light,
the justice of your cause like the noon—day sun. R.
R/. From the Lord comes the salvation of the just.
By the Lord are the steps made firm
of one in whose path He delights.
Though he stumble he shall never fall,
for the Lord will hold him by the hand. R.
But from the Lord comes the salvation of the just,
their stronghold in time of distress.
The Lord helps them and rescues them,
rescues and saves them from the wicked:
because they take refuge in him. R.
ALLELUIA Matthew 11:25
Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
A man scatters seed, and while he sleeps it grows, he knows not how.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 4:26-34)
At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, lie knows not how. The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
The Gospel of the Lord
Today’s Reflection
It is true that the Blood of Jesus saves us. Yet the readings today tell of our own part in gaining salvation. The Christian exposed to danger should be ready to be insulted because of his faith. He accepts insult cheerfully in the hope of the promises it offers. Endurance is very necessary. It is one’s faith that proves someone righteous. The Christian is not given a timid spirit; rather, we must remain faithful until our salvation is achieved. We can do this as we are on a mission to spread the kingdom of God. We must play our part while God achieves perfection for us. Our salvation is wrought by God, but not without our own effort.