FIRST READING
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (Romans 3:21-30)
A man is justified by faith apart from works of law.
Brethren: Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On the principle of works? No, but on the principle of faith. For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of their faith and the uncircumcised through their faith.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIALPSALM Psalm130:1-2.3-4.5-6ab (R.7bc)
R/. With the Lord there is mercy, in him is plentiful redemption.
Out of the depths I cry to you; O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice!
O let your ears be attentive
To the sound of my pleading. R/.
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you is found forgiveness,
that you may be revered. R/.
I long for you, O Lord,
My soul longs for his word.
My soul hopes in the Lord
More than watchmen for daybreak. R/.
ALLELUIA John 14:6
Alleluia. I am the way, and the truth, and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father but by me. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke11:47-54)
The blood of the prophets will be required, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah.
At that time: Jesus said, “Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. So you are witnesses and consent to the deeds of your fathers; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it shall be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard, and to provoke him to speak of many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Jesus’ utterance against the Pharisees and lawyers shows what they did not do well. The Pharisees join in the persecution of the prophets, adopting the same attitude as their fathers. Just as their fathers did to the prophets of old, they reject Jesus’ message. The lawyers, taking away the keys of knowledge, charge high fees and thwart justice. Jesus comes for the liberation of humanity from oppression. He has to address these ills because they suppress and oppress people. Let us keep in mind, when oppressed by anyone that Jesus is here to liberate us. He will give us the heart and the will to pull through when negative events come our way.