Born around 251 in Koma Egypt
Died when he was 105 years old
Patron of pig herds
Invitation
May I hereby draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation wishes to share with you the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, no one excepted,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day.
Reflections
In Christ, God’s love has appeared on earth: never will he refuse his love. He crosses all boundaries, transcends all differences. The smallest get his attention. Outcast or despised, sick and poor, small and insignificant, frightened and humble: all will He heal and give a new place among people. Therefore, we too are committed to breaking through closed circles, and are called to become bearers of God’s love. For is it not lawful to save rather than kill?
FIRST READING I Sam. 17, 32-33,37,40-51
With sling and stone, David was stronger than the Philistine.
From the first Book of Samuel
In those days,
David was brought to Saul, and he said :
“Let no man lose courage because of that Philistine ;
thy servant shall go and fight with him.
Saul said to David :
“Surely you cannot go and fight with that Philistine !
“You are only a boy
and he is a fighter, from his young years.”
But David said :
“The Lord, who saved me
from the clutches of lions and bears,
He will also save me from the hands of that Philistine.”
Thereupon Saul said to David :
“Go then, and may the Lord be with you.”
David took his stick in his hand,
sought out in the brook five smooth stones,
put them in his shepherd’s bag, the bag for the pendulum stones,
and, with his pendulum in his hand, went towards the Philistine.
There the Philistine arrived, preceded by his squire ;
closer and closer he approached David.
But when he had caught sight of David
and had a good look at him,
he began to taunt him,
because David was only a boy,
ruddy and pleasant in appearance.
He called out to David :
“Am I sometimes a dog ,
that you come at me with a stick ?”
And he began to curse David by his gods.
“Come here,” he called to him,
and I will feed your flesh
to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.”
But David said to the Philistine :
“Thou comest upon me with sword and throwing spear ,
but I come upon thee
with the name of the Lord of the army powers ,
whom thou hast defied.
“Today the Lord will deliver thee to me ;
I will flay thee down, separate thy head from thy torso
and today give the corpses of the Philistines to eat
to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.
“All the earth will know that Israel has a God.
“All this multitude will know
that the Lord does not bring salvation by sword or lance.
“For the Lord decides the battle
and He will deliver you to us.”
When the Philistine turned to attack,
David ran up the ranks, facing the Philistine.
He reached into his bag,
took out a stone, hurled it at the Philistine
and struck him in the forehead.
The stone penetrated the head
and the Philistine fell forward on the ground.
Thus David with his sling and stone was
stronger than the Philistine ;
he struck him mortally without using a sword;
Now David ran towards the Philistine;
he joined him,
drew the Philistine’s sword from its sheath,
hacked off his head and killed him.
When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead,
they fled.
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 144(143), 1, 2, 9-10
Glorify will I the Lord, my rock!
Glorify the Lord, my rock!
He made my arms strong in battle,
my hands skillful in fighting.
My support and my fortress, my protector and saviour,
my shield and my refuge, who subdues nations.
Then I sing to You a new song, my God,
then I play to Thee on the lyre.
For You who grant triumph to kings,
Who saved David, Your servant.
ALLELUIA Ps. 145(144), 13cd
Alleluia.
True is God in all his words
And holy in all He does.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mk. 3, 1-6
Is it not rather lawful on the Sabbath to save someone
than to kill?
From the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Mark
In those days Jesus went to the synagogue
where a man was present with a shriveled hand.
The Pharisees were watching Him
to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath,
with the intention of accusing Him of doing so.
He now said to the man with the shrivelled hand :
“Come and stand in the middle.”
Thereupon He asked them the question :
“Is it not lawful on Sabbath to do good rather than evil,
to save than to kill?”
But they remained silent.
Then He left wrathful,
but at the same time saddened by the inflexibility of their hearts
let his gaze wander
and said to the man :
“Hold out your hand.”
He held out his hand
and it was healthy again.
The Pharisees went out
and soon they were plotting with the Herodians
to get Him out of the way.
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Laudato Si
Encyclicl of
POPE FRANCIS
On caring for the common home
169. As for the care of biological diversity and desertification, progress has been far less significant. On climate change, progress has been woefully low. Reducing greenhouse gases requires sincerity, courage and responsibility, especially on the part of the most powerful and polluting countries. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, called Rio+20 (Rio de Janeiro 2012), issued a final declaration that was as comprehensive as it was ineffective. The international negotiations cannot proceed in a significant way as a result of the positions of countries that favour their own national interests over the global common good. All those who will suffer the consequences we are trying to cover up will remember this lack of awareness and responsibility. While we were drafting this encyclical, the debate has reached a particular intensity. We believers cannot but pray God for a positive development of the current debate so that future generations will not suffer the consequences of unwise procrastination.
To be continued
The Bible text in this issue is taken from The New Bible Translation,
©Dutch Bible Society 2004/2007.
Considerations from Liturgical suggestions for weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si Official English translation
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