FIRST READING
When there are factions among you, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you eat.
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (l Corinthians 11:17-26.33)
Brethren: In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you assemble as a Church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among’ you may be recognised. When you meet together, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the Church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and. when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the chalice, after supper, saying, “This chalice is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the chalice, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 40:7-8a.8b-9.10. 17 (R. 1 Cor 11:26b)
R/. Proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
You delight not in sacrifice and offerings,
but in an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and victim.
Then I said, “See, I have come.” R/.
In the scroll of the book it stands written of me:
“I delight to do your will, O my God;
your instruction lies deep within me.” R/.
R/. Proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Your justice I have proclaimed
in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed;
you know it, O Lord. R/.
O let there be rejoicing and gladness
for all who seek you.
Let them ever say, “The Lord is great,”
who long for your salvation. R/.
ALLELUIA John 3:16
Alleluia. God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son; that whoever believes in him should have eternal life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Not even in Israel have I found such faith. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 7: 1-10)
At that time: After Jesus had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. And when they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this, ’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this he marvelled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well.
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
The Centurion was an influential Roman official having 100 soldiers under him. But we see him having some extraordinary virtues: despite his high status in society, he shows loving concern for his servant who was sick and at the point of death. He is powerful but he considers himself unworthy to welcome Jesus into his house. He shows great trust in Jesus’ power to heal even from a distance. His charity, humility and faith are rewarded by Jesus. Jesus’ life-giving word and our strong faith produce miracles. Faith in Jesus and in his power to heal every kind of sickness and disease is what we require if we seek healing. Let us humbly pray for the growth of our faith.