Carolus Lwanga was a martyr from Uganda.
He was killed with his companions on 27 May 1886.
Invitation
May I hereby draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation wants to share with You the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, no one except,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day.
CONSIDERATION
Jesus Ben Sirach was highly versed in the knowledge of Scripture and Jewish traditions. But he was also very well-read in ancient literature and it is to this that an allusion is made here. He traveled a lot; he read a lot. He does not condemn Hellenistic humanism as such. His book as a whole boils down to this: Ultimately, true wisdom is found in Scripture. Nowhere has he found anything more valuable. His attitude, therefore, is never frenetically defensive but quietly believing.
FIRST READING Sir. 51, 12-20
I struggled to possess wisdom; through purification I found it.
From the Book of Ecclesiasticus
Lord and King,
Thou hast saved me from destruction,
delivered me from all evil.
Therefore I will give Thee thanks and praise
and praise the name of the Lord.
When I was young before I went wandering,
I openly sought wisdom in my prayer.
Standing before the temple, I asked for it,
and to the last, I will seek her.
When she unfolded like a ripening grape,
I rejoiced in her.
From my youth, I followed her trail;
my foot trod the straight path.
I put my ear to the ground and caught her
and I thanked her for many wise lessons.
I made progress in wisdom:
Him who taught me, I gave honor,
for I was mindful
to put the wisdom into practice.
I sought the good
and was not shamed.
I struggled to possess wisdom
and scrupulously I kept the law;
I stretched my hands to heaven
and regretted my ignorance.
To wisdom, I turned my attention,
and through purification I found her;
with her I gained insight from the beginning,
therefore I will not be forsaken.
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 19(18), 8, 9, 10, 11
Lawful are the commands of the Lord,
satisfactory to the mind.
The Lord’s law is perfect,
it strengthens the uncertain spirit.
His precepts are trustworthy,
they make the ignorant wise.
Lawful are all His commands,
satisfying to the mind.
Clear as glass are his commandments,
they are a light to the eye.
The word of the Lord is fair,
it remains true forever.
His judgments are true,
and righteous in every matter.
Sought after more than gold or jewels,
beneficent as honey soap.
Alleluia Ps 119(118), 27
Alleluia.
Lead me in the way of your commands, Lord,
then I will be mindful of your deeds.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mk. 11, 27-33
What authority has Thou to do all this?
From the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
At that time
Jesus came to Jerusalem with His disciples.
As He walked around in the temple square,
the high priests,
scribes and elders approached Him
and they asked Him:
“What authority hast Thou to do all this?
And who then gave You that authority to do so?”
Jesus replied:
“I will ask thee a single question
and if thou answers Me to it,
I in turn will say
under what authority do I do all this.
John’s baptism,
did that come from heaven or from men?
Give Me an answer to that.”
They deliberated among themselves:
“If we say from heaven, He will answer:
Why then hast thou not given him faith?
But do we say: of men?….”
They were afraid of the people,
for everyone held John to be a prophet.
So they answered Jesus:
“We know not.”
Then Jesus said to them:
“Then neither do I tell you
by what authority I so act.”
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Laudato Si
Encyclic of
POPE FRANCIS
On caring for the common home
Politics and economics in dialogue for full human fulfillment.
189. Politics must not be subject to the economy, nor should the economy be subject to the dictates of an efficiency-driven paradigm of technocracy. Today, given the common good, there is an urgent need for politics and economics to enter into a frank dialogue in the service of life, especially human life. Saving banks at any cost, making the public pay the price, and foregoing a firm commitment to reviewing and reforming the entire system, only reaffirms the absolute power of a financial system, a power which has no future and will only give rise to new crises after a slow, costly and only apparent recovery. The financial crisis of 2007-08 provided an opportunity to develop a new economy, more attentive to ethical principles, and new ways of regulating speculative financial practices and virtual wealth. But the response to the crisis did not include rethinking the outdated criteria which continue to rule the world. Production is not always rational and is usually tied to economic variables which assign to products a value that does not necessarily correspond to their real worth. This frequently leads to an overproduction of some commodities, with unnecessary impact on the environment and with negative results on regional economies. The financial bubble also tends to be a productive bubble. The problem of the real economy is not confronted with vigor, yet it is the real economy that makes diversification and improvement in production possible, helps companies to function well, and enables small and medium businesses to develop and create employment.
To be continued
The Bible text in this issue is taken from The New Translation of the Bible,
©Dutch Bible Society 2004/2007.
Considerations from Liturgical suggestions for weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si Official English translation
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