H. James was a fisherman in Galilee. First apostle to die a martyr’s death.
Leader of the first Christian church after the death of Peter.
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, without exception
can experience that joy by opening his or her heart
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day
Consideration
James (+ 43) was the first apostle to die a martyr’s death. Along with his brother John and Peter, he was one of the three apostles who were with Jesus on Mount Tabor at the moment of the Lord’s transformation. The trio was also present with Jesus in the Garden of Olives. It is curious that it is precisely these disciples whom Jesus regularly has to admonish: think of the two brothers’ request for the chief place in the Kingdom of God, of the many times Peter went astray. On the contrary, those who want to be great among disciples must become servants of all. In the Kingdom of God, the world’s scale of values no longer counts: there, all human effort is focused on serving God and humanity.
FIRST READING 2 Cor. 4:7-15
We always carry the death of Jesus in our bodies.
From the holy apostle Paul’s second letter to the Christians in Corinth.
from Corinth
Brothers and sisters,
We carry treasure in earthen vessels;
show clearly
that this overwhelming power comes from God and not from us.
We are bombarded from all sides
and yet we do not run aground;
we see no way out
but we never run out of a way;
we are persecuted
but not abandoned;
we are knocked down
but we don’t die for it.
We always carry the death of Jesus in our bodies,
because the life of Jesus
must be revealed in our bodies.
Constantly, our life is
surrendered by Jesus to death
so that the life of Jesus
reveals itself in our mortal existence.
Thus death does its work in us and life in you.
But we possess that spirit of faith of which Scripture says:
“I have believed ,
therefore I have spoken”.
We also believe and therefore we speak.
For we know
that the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead
will also raise us as He raised Jesus
To bring us to Him together with you.
For all things happen because of you :
Grace must be multiplied in many
so that more and more people give thanks to God
to the honour of His name.
Interludium Ps. 126(125), 1-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6
Those who sow in tears
reap with joy.
The Lord brought back the exiles from Zion:
It was like a dream.
Then all mouths laughed
And every tongue rejoiced.
Then the people among the nations said:
Great is what the Lord has done for them.
Great was what the Lord has done for us,
Therefore we rejoice.
Now change our lot for the better, O Lord,
like a stream in the southern desert.
Those who sow in tears
Reap with joy.
Full of care they go forth
Laden with sacks of seed;
But they return singing
Loaded with their sheaves.
ALLELUIA Jn 15, 16
Alleluia.
I have chosen you
and I have commanded you to go on your way
and bear fruit that is lasting.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt 20:20-28
My cup you shall drink.
From the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Matthew
At that moment, the mother of the sons of Zebedee came in
came with them to Jesus
and threw herself at his feet to ask him something.
He spoke to her:
“What do ye desire?”
She answered him :
“That these two boys of mine may sit in thy kingdom,
one to thy right and one to thy left”.
But Jesus replied:
“You do not know what you are asking.
“Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?
They said to him:
“Yes, we can”.
He spoke:
“Certainly, you will drink My cup ,
but it is not for Me
to sit at My right hand or at My left hand ,
for only those for whom my Father has prepared it
for whom my Father has prepared it.
When the other ten heard this
they were angry with the two brothers.
Jesus, however, called them to Himself and spoke:
“You know that the rulers of the nations rule with an iron fist
rule them with an iron fist
and that the great ones abuse their power over them.
“This must not be so among you;
whoever wants to become great among you
must be your servant ,
and whoever wants to be first among you
must be your slave
as the Son of Man
did not come to be served
but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many”.
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Continued
Every morning at 1 am
The Bible text in this issue is taken from The New Bible Translation,
Netherlands Bible Society 2004/2007.
Reflections on liturgical suggestions for weekdays and Sundays
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