St Fabianus lived during the persecution of Christians and died by torture
during the reign of Emperor Decius on 20 January 250.
Sebastianus was killed by torture, serving as a
target for the archers. He is buried next to Fabianus
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 excepted,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day.
Considerations
Jesus wanted to be a universal brother. In the Gospel, we read how he sought to connect with the prayers of others, of anyone, regardless of their social position: the centurion, Zacchaeus, Martha, the blind man, the leper; regardless of their ethnic or religious origin: Roman, Canaanite, Samaritan. He is delighted by the faith shown in the prayers addressed to him: “Truly, I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” (Mt 8:10). He is open to the prayer of the tax collector, but does not recognise himself in that of the Pharisee because he excludes others: “I thank you that I am not like …” (Lk 18:11). In a truly universal prayer, there is no room for vetoes. On the contrary, prayer helps me to understand what I want. On the contrary, prayer helps me to give each of my brothers their rightful place, however difficult it may sometimes be to live together, and to feel better that we are growing closer despite the distance and that we complement each other despite the differences that separate us.
(Brother Christian de Chergé, L’invincible espérance)
FIRST READING 2 Sam.1, 1-4. 11-12. 19. 23-27
How could they fall, those heroes?
Beginning of the second Book of Samuel
In those days David was
who had returned
from his victory over the Amalekites,
already two days in Siklag,
when on the third day a man arrived there
from Saul’s army camp.
He had torn his clothes and sprinkled earth on his head.
Coming to David, he bowed down to the ground
and paid him his homage.
David asked him :
“Whence comest thou?”
He replied :
“I have escaped from the army camp of Israel.”
Thereupon David asked him :
“Then what happened? Tell me.”
He replied :
“The army gave up the battle and fled.
“Many of the people have been killed ;
also Saul and his son Jonatan are dead.”
Then David grabbed his robe and tore it down the middle;
so did all the men who were with him.
They held the mourning lament
and wept and fasted until evening
Over Saul and his son Jonatan,
and over the Lord’s people, over Israel,
because they had perished by the sword.
And David spoke :
“Your glory, Israel, perished on your heights.
“How could they fall, those heroes?
“Saul and Jonatan, so beloved, so beautiful,
in life and death not separated,
faster than eagles they were, stronger than lions.
“Daughters of Israel, mourn over Saul
who clothed you in glorious purple
And who adorned thy robes with gold !
“How could they fall, those heroes?
“Jonatan lies on thy heights,
felled in the heat of battle.
“Heavily presseth me thy death, my brother Jonatan :
thou wast so dear to me ;
thy love delighted me more
than the love of women.
“How could they fall, those heroes ;
How could those weapons perish?”
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 80(79), 2-3, 5-7
Lord, smile upon us again
and we shall be saved.
Shepherd of Israel, hear us,
who leads Joseph like a flock ;
who enthroned on the Kerubs, appears with glory
for Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Cast your might into battle,
come to assist us.
How long wilt thou, God of hosts,
at the prayer of thy people?
Thou hast fed it with bread of tears,
watered it with a flood of tears.
Neighbouring peoples contend for our possessions,
and enemies laugh at us.
ALLELUIA Ps. 119(118), 135
Alleluia.
Let your Face shine before your servant, Lord,
show me your dispositions.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mk. 3, 20-21
Jesus’ relatives said
That He was no longer in His senses.
From the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Mark
At that time Jesus went home
and again so many people flocked together
that they did not even have occasion to eat.
When His relatives heard this
they went out to take Him away,
for it was said that He was out of His mind.
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Laudato Si
Encyclic of
POPE FRANCIS
On the care of the common home
172. For poor countries, eradicating misery and the social development of their inhabitants must be a priority; at the same time, they must examine the scandalous level of consumption in some privileged sectors of their population and better tackle corruption. Certainly, they must also develop less polluting forms of energy production, but for this they must be able to count on the help of the countries that have grown very much at the expense of the current pollution of the planet. The direct exploitation of abundant solar energy requires the establishment of mechanisms and subsidies so that developing countries can have access to technology transfer, technical assistance and financial resources, but always paying attention to the concrete circumstances, since “the compatibility of installations with the context for which they are designed is not always adequately appreciated”. 3 The costs would be low compared to the risk of climate change. In any case, it is above all an ethical decision, based on the solidarity of all peoples.
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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