Theme of the Sunday: The Glass of Water Given to the Prophet. The first reading and the second part of the gospel of today tell us about a problem which is our attitude towards those who devote their lives to the proclamation of salvation. The second reading could be seen under this light too since it speaks of entry into the new lite of baptism. This sacrament demands generosity towards those who have pledged their lives to the gospel.’
Entrance Antiphon Ps 46:2
All peoples, clap your hands. Cry to God with shouts of joy!
Collect
O God, who through the grace of adoption chose us to be children of light, grant, we pray, that we may not be wrapped in the darkness of error but always be seen to stand in the bright light of truth. Through our Lord…
FIRST READING
“That is the holy man of God, let him remain there.”
A reading from the second Book of Kings (2 Kings 4:8-11.14-16a)
One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God, who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.” One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there. And he said to Gehazi his servant, “What is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.”He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the door way. And he said, “At this season, when the time comes round, you shall embrace a son.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 89:2-3.16-17. 1 8- 19 (R .cf. 2a)
R/. I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord.
I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your fidelity.
I have declared your mercy is established forever;
your fidelity stands firm as the heavens. R.
How blessed the people who know your praise,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who find their joy every day in your name,
who make your justice their joyful acclaim. R.
For you are the glory of their strength;
By your favour it is that our might is exalted.
Behold, the Lord is our shield;
He is the Holy One of Israel, our king. R.
SECOND READING
“Having been buried with him by baptism, let us walk in newness of life.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (Romans 6:3-4.8-11)
Brethren: All of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA 1 Peter2:9
Alleluia. You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
He who does not take his cross is not worthy of me. He who receives you, receives me.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 10:37-42)
At that time: Jesus said to his apostles, “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
To be a disciple of Jesus, on should possess the attitude, character and purpose of Jesus. Jesus lived a life of total availability and became a compassionate and healing shoulder for the other to lean on; he lived and shared the love of the Father, becoming the food and drink of the other and sacrificing his life on the cross to redeem us. Jesus categorically stated that whoever wants to be his disciples should take up the cross and follow him. Any attachment to parents, siblings, property or anything else will disqualify us from becoming disciples of Jesus. The only attachment we should have in following Jesus is to Jesus himself. Today we speak of the need to have credible and faithful witnesses in the church, but hardly find any. The real reason is that we have become regrets in the presence of God (Cfr 1 Sam 15:11) as we live a life according to the standards of the world. When Jesus made us his disciples he anointed us with his power to baptize, cast out demons, heal the sick, and bring the gospel to the nations. However, like the Pharisees and others during the time of Jesus, we too clamour for a cross-less life and choose the values of the world, forgetting the fact that we are called to represent Jesus here on earth. Let us ask ourselves: what is our greatest love? Is it Jesus?