One of Rome’s seven pilgrimage churches.
The most important of more than 80 churches dedicated to Mary
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
Consideration
Jeremiah describes the restoration of Israel: a new prince will rise and become a mediator between God and his people. Again and again, God sends people who speak and act in his name. Who, in spite of trials and sin, continue to warn against dead-end roads, but who also have a healing and comforting presence when those roads are nevertheless taken. He sent his own Son, who became man to fulfil the Scriptures: He will lead all nations and tribes to God, to pay homage to God the Lord.(Ps 102). To what do I know myself to be sent by Him ?
FIRST READING Jer. 28,1-17
Chananiah, the Lord has not sent thee.
Thou awakest vain hopes among this people.
From the Prophet Jeremiah
When Sidkiah was only king of Judah ,
in the fifth month of the fourth year,
the prophet Chananiah, son of Azzur of Gibeon, said,
in the presence of the priests and all the people,
in the temple said to me :
“This says the Lord of heavenly powers, Israel’s God :
I break the yoke of the king of Babylon.
“Within two years I will bring all the treasures
which King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon
from the temple of the Lord, back here.
“Also Jekoliah, son of Jehoiakin, king of Judah,
and all the exiles of Judah I bring from Babylon
back to this place
– Reads the word of the Lord – ;
for I break the yoke of the king of Babylon.”
Then the prophet Jeremiah addressed
in the presence of the priests
and of all who were in the temple of the Lord,
to the prophet Chananiah, and said :
“Yes, may the Lord do so.
“May He fulfil all your prophecies
and bring back the temple treasures and the exiles from Babylon.
“But now also listen
to what I am about to say to you and all those present.
“The prophets who preceded me and you ,
have announced to mighty countries and great empires
always announced war, famine and pestilence.
“Does a prophet therefore announce salvation ,
then he can only be recognised as sent by the Lord,
when his word has been fulfilled.”
Thereupon the prophet Chananiah snatched Jeremiah’s yoke from the neck,
broke it in pieces, and said to all present :
“This says the Lord :
Thus I break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon ;
within two years I will take it away from all nations.”
The prophet Jeremiah then went away.
But shortly after the prophet Chananiah broke that yoke ,
the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah :
“Go to Chananiah, and tell him :
This saith the Lord :
A wooden yoke hast thou broken ;
an iron yoke shall take its place.
“For this saith the Lord of heavenly powers,
Israel’s God :
An iron yoke I lay upon all nations.
“They will have to submit
to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon ;
even over wild beasts I give him power.”
And to Chananiah himself, Jeremiah said :
“Listen carefully, Chananja.
“The Lord has not sent thee.
“Thou awakest vain hopes among this people.
“Therefore saith the Lord :
I sweep thee away from the earth.
“Still this year thou shalt die,
because thou hast preached rebellion against the Lord.”
And the prophet Chananiah died, in the seventh month of that year.
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 119(118), 29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102
Only let me know, Lord, what You dispose.
Forbear not that I should go astray,
but give me Thy law to guide me.
Deprive not my mouth of the word of truth ;
On what Thou hast ordained I put my hope.
Who honour Thee may stand by me,
who know what You ordain.
May my heart be true to Thy decrees,
I will never be ashamed.
Sinners lurk at my destruction,
I heed what Thou dost ordain.
Never do I depart from Thy provisions,
for Thou hast given me wisdom.
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 Mt 14, 13-21
After saying the blessing, Jesus broke the loaves.
From the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Matthew
When Jesus had heard the news of John’s murder
He sailed away from there in a boat to a lonely place
to be alone.
But the rumour of this penetrated the people
and it pursued Him on foot from their cities.
Consequently, when on His landing He saw a large crowd
He took deep pity on them, and He healed their sick.
Towards nightfall
His disciples came to Him and said :
‘This place is lonely and it is already late.
‘So send the people away to go and buy food in the villages.’
“There is no need for them to go away
-said Jesus to them -, just give them food.”
Yet they replied :
‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish here.’
Whereupon Jesus spoke : ‘Then bring them here.’
And He ordered that the people should sit down on the grass.
He took the five loaves and the two fish,
lifted up His eyes to heaven,
and after saying the blessing
He broke the loaves, which He gave to His disciples
and the disciples gave them again to the people.
All ate until they were satiated
and of remaining loaves
they collected another twelve full baskets.
It was about five thousand men who had eaten,
not counting women and children.
______________________________________________________
To be continued
Every morning at 1 am
The Bible text in this edition is taken from The New Bible Translation,
©Dutch Bible Society 2004/2007.
Considerations from Liturgical suggestions for weekdays and Sundays
_____________________________________________________________