FIRST READING
“The work of the Lord is full of his glory. ”
A reading from the Book of Sirach (Sirach 42 : 15-25)
I will now call to mind the works of the Lord, and will declare what I have seen. By the words of the Lord his works are done, and in his will, justice is carried out. The sun looks down on everything with its light, and the work of the Lord is full of his glory. The Lord has not enabled his holy ones to recount all his marvellous works, which the Lord the Almighty has established that the universe may stand firm in his glory. He searches out the abyss, and the hearts of men, and considers their crafty devices. For the Most High knows all that may be known, and he looks into the signs of the age. He declares what has been and what is to be, and he reveals the tracks of hidden things. No thought escapes him, and not one word is hidden from him. He has ordained the splendours of his wisdom, and he is from everlasting and to everlasting. Nothing can be added or taken away, and he needs no one to be his counsellor. How greatly to be desired are all his works, and how sparkling they are to see! All these things live and remain for ever for every need, and are all obedient. All things are twofold, one opposite the other, and he has made nothing incomplete. One confirms the good things of the other, and who can have enough of beholding his glory?
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 33:2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9 (R. 6a)
R/. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp;
with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs.
O sing him a song that is new;
play skilfully, with shouts of joy. R.
For the word of the Lord is faithful,
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right,
and his merciful love fills the earth. R.
By the word of the Loan the heavens were made,
by the breath of his mouth all their host.
As in a flask, he collects the waves of the ocean;
he stores up the depths of the sea. R.
Let all the earth fear the Lord,
all who live in the world revere him.
He spoke, and it came to be.
He commanded; it stood in place. R.
ALLELUIA John 8: 12
Alleluia. I am the light of the world, says the Lord; he who follows me will have the light of life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Master let me receive my sight. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 10:46-52)
At that time: As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; rise, he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Master, let me receive my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
God’s creation was a marvelous work and His redemption was even more wonderful. In the first reading, Ben Sirach praises the magnificent works of God. The world in all its reality, in all its modality, and all its being began to exist by an act of free and gratuitous love of the Omnipotent Will of God. The world is totally dependent of Him, sustained and directed by His Goodness and Providence. “By the words of the Lord His works came into being.” Jesus is the eternal Word of God and by His incarnation, He became flesh and dwelt amongst us. He heals our diseases and bears our sicknesses. Today Jesus restores sight to Bartimaeus. May He grant us the gift of faith and bring us health of mind and body!