2nd Week in Ordinary Time
19th January 2023 (Thursday) Readings and Reflection
{getToc} $title={Contents}
Reading of the Day
First Reading: HEBREWS 7.25 – 8.6
25.Brethren Jesus is able to save to the uttermostb those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26.For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27.He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28.For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. (8)1.Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2.a minister in the holy places, in the true tenta that the Lord set up, not man. 3.For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4.Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5.They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6.But as it is, Christb has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
PSALM Psalms 110: 1, 2, 3, 4
Response: You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
Gospel : MARK 3. 7-12
7.Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea 8.and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. 9.And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 10.for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. 11.And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12.And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Hear and come!
Indicative: Jesus is our highest high priest who sympathises with us, atones for our sins, and saves us. Those who approach him will surely be made clean without reproach{alertSuccess}
1. Many claim today to be busy-bodies. They have too much to do. That may be true, though not all. Some pretend to be so. Some may be busy but not for the right things and with ulterior motives. For a good number, craving for cheap popularity and trying for self-glory are at peaks!
2. We wonder whether they want to spread God’s name or theirs. That is why we see a flex and cut-outs culture where their figure and power will overhaul Jesus and his power. Their so-called “testimonies” are at times disguises for boasting and ego-promotion.
3. It is against self-seeking drive even in spiritual circles, we have Jesus. He was the busiest and the most perfect and powerful. But he never sought cheap popularity. In fact, many times he warns those healed not to make him known.
4. Many hear about him and run to him. They press upon him to touch him so that they get cured. We can note two factors: positively, their eagerness to approach Jesus for healing. Negatively, their desire by and large for physical healing.
5. Those people can pose some simple questions to us. Hearing about Jesus, they flock to him. But how many of us hear about the Lord but don’t bother to approach him? Do we long to touch him, to experience personally his healing touch? And are we bothered only about physical healing and worldly interests? Are we interested in inner healing?
Imperative: Jesus was totally committed to an unceasing mission of healing and transformation. He urges us to be tirelessly committed to the same mission of inner healing and liberation{alertSuccess}