H. Norbert was born around 1080 and died on 6 June 1134.
He was bishop and founder of the Premonstratensians
Invitation
May I 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.
CONSIDERATION
It is the first and only time in the gospels that Jesus congratulates a scribe. No man is rejected by the Lord in advance. No doubt there will have been scribes who converted and became disciples. A first commandment and a second commandment: always love! Love is both the first and second commandment. Love as the first commandment, God as the first beloved. Love also as the second commandment, and neighbour as the second beloved. Both must be kept together. It is not enough to love one’s neighbour, one must also, and above all, love God. Then we are even able to love even our enemy: for even in our enemy is God at work, is He to be found!
FIRST READING 2 Tim. 2, 8-15
The word of God will not be shackled.
If we have died with Him, we will live with Him.
From the holy apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy.
Dearly beloved,
Keep Jesus Christ in mind,
David’s descendant, who rose from the dead.
Such is the message which I proclaim
and for which even as a criminal I
suffer imprisonment.
But the word of God does not allow itself to be put in chains.
Therefore I am ready to endure anything,
for the sake of the elect,
so that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus
and eternal glory.
How true is this word :
“If we have died with Him
shall we live with Him.
“If we persevere,
we shall reign with Him.
“If we deny Him
He will deny us.
“If we are unfaithful
He remains faithful :
Himself He cannot deny.”
Do not stop reminding believers of all this
and beseech them by God to avoid word disputes
which serve nowhere but to ruin the hearers.
Do your best to show yourself virtuous before God,
like a worker who has no need to be ashamed;
speak the word of truth straight.
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 25(24), 4bc-5ab, 8-9, 10, 14
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me according to Your Word,
for Thou art my God and Redeemer.
The Lord is good and righteous,
therefore He shows sinners the way.
He leads the lowly along honourable paths,
He teaches the simple what to do.
The ways of God are good and trustworthy
For every one who keeps his covenant.
A friend is the Lord to those who fear Him,
He shows them the value of His covenant.
ALLELUIA Heb. 4, 12
Alleluia;
The word of God is alive and powerful,
and it penetrates to the touch of soul and spirit.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mk. 12, 28b-34
There is no other commandment more primal than these two.
From the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Mark
In those days a scribe approached Jesus
and put to Him the question :
“What is the very first commandment?”
Jesus replied :
“The first is :
Hear, Israel !
“The Lord our God is the only Lord.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
all your soul, all your mind and all your strength.
“The second is this:
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
“There is no other commandment more primal than these two.”
Then the scribe said to Him :
“Right Master, rightly thou hast said :
He is the only One and there is no other besides Him ;
and love Him with all his heart,
all his mind and all his strength
and love thy neighbour as thyself
that is above all fire and casualties.”
Seeing that Jesus had spoken wisely, He told him :
“Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.”
And no one dared to ask Him another question.
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APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
LAUDATE DEUM
FROM THE HOLY FATHER
POPE FRANCISCUS
TO ALL PEOPLE
OF GOOD WILL
Spiritual motivations
61. In this regard, I cannot fail to remind the Catholic faithful of the motivations
that stem from their faith. I encourage my brothers and sisters of other religions to
to do the same, because we know that authentic faith not only gives strength to the
human heart, but also transforms life, changes our goals and sheds light on
our relationship with others and on creation as a whole.
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 Deum Official English translation
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