FIRST READING
“They perceived the grace that was given to me.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 2 : 1-2.7-14)
Brethren: After fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up by revelation; and I laid before them (but privately before those who were of repute) the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, lest somehow I should be running or had run in vain. But on the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter for the mission to the circumcised worked through me also for the Gentiles), and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised; only they would have us remember the poor, which very thing I was eager to do. But when Cephas came to Antioch I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And with him the rest of the Jews acted insincerely, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their insincerity. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 117: 1.2 (R. Mark 16:15)
R/. Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel.
Or: Alleluia.
O praise the Lord, all you nations;
acclaim him, all you peoples! R.
For his merciful love has prevailed over us;
and the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. R.
Alleluia.
Alleluia You have received the spirit of sonship; in him we cry, “Abba! Father!” Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Lord, teach us to pray.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11:1-4)
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
It could really be difficult sometimes to speak out the truth boldly and also act out the truth. Paul found himself in a circumstance of dispute; but stood his ground on matters of truth. What about you and me? can we be committed to sincerity and be straightforward in our dealings with everyone? This may appear difficult and impossible, that which makes the impossible possible is prayer.
Jesus prayed and taught his disciples how to pray. Truly prayer is the key that we all need to sustain us on the path of truth. The Lord’s prayer ought to become for us a daily anthem that must be said. It is not just a prayer, it is also a guide to daily living. Jesus invites us to pray the Lord’s Prayer by living it out.