Spanish saint. Mystic. Born 24 June 1542 at Fontiveros.
Died on 14 December 1591 in Ubeda
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.
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
In the second century BC, Elijah was an almost legendary figure, as great as Moses. He would return at the end of time to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. In certain Jewish circles today, it is still a fine custom to provide an extra place at the table for Elijah. Jesus alludes to that Jewish belief by extending it to the figure of John the Baptist. Elijah had come, but people did not recognise him. Again, we are warned not to let the auspicious moment pass us by. God is also coming now. Therefore, let us learn to read the signs of the times and not miss the coming of God in our daily lives.
FIRST READING Sir. 48, 1-4.9-11
Elijah will return.
From the Book of Ecclesiasticus
Elijah the prophet rose up like a fire;
his word burned like a torch;
he brought famine upon the people
and in his zeal for the Lord he made them few in number.
By the word of the Lord he closed the heavens,
and likewise he sent down fire three times.
How glorious were ye, Elijah, by your miraculous works:
Who may boast like thee?
Thou who was taken up in a whirlwind of fire
On a chariot with fiery horses,
of whom it is written that he is destined for the time
when he shall appease the wrath of God before it ignites,
will turn the hearts of the fathers to the son
and will raise up the tribes of Jacob.
Happy are those who have seen you
And slept in love.
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 80(79), 2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19
God of hosts, raise us up again ;
smile upon us again and we shall be saved.
Shepherd of Israel, hear us,
Thou who art enthroned on the Kerub, appear with glory ;
Cast thy might into battle,
come to assist us.
God of hosts, do return,
look down from heaven and watch over thy vineyard.
Protect what Thy own hand has planted,
the sapling thou hast grown.
Let Thy hand rest on Thy favourite,
On the child Thou hast raised.
Never again shall we forsake Thee ;
If Thou dost preserve our life, we will praise Thee.
ALLELUIA
Alleluia.
The day of the Lord is at hand ;
Behold, He comes to deliver us.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt 17:10-13
Elijah has already come, but they have not recognised him.
From the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
On descending from the mountain
the disciples asked Jesus the question:
‘Why do the scribes still say
that Elijah must come first?’
He answered them:
‘Indeed, Elijah will come to restore everything.
In fact, I tell you:
Elijah has already come,
but they have not acknowledged him
but dealt with him at will,
as also the Son of Man will suffer from them.’
Now the disciples understood
that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.
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Fratelli tutti
Encyclical of
POPE FRANCISCUS
On brotherhood and social friendship
127. This undoubtedly requires a different way of thinking. If we
do not try to get into this way of thinking, my words will
sound like fantasies. But if we accept the great principle of the
rights that flow from the mere fact that we possess an inalienable
human dignity, it is possible to accept the challenge
to dream of and think about a different humanity. It is possible
to long for a world that provides land, housing and work
for all. That is the true path of peace, not the foolish and short-sighted
strategy of sowing fear and distrust in the face of threats from
outside. For a true and lasting peace is only possible,
‘based on a global ethic of solidarity and cooperation at the
serving a future shaped by interdependence and
co-responsibility throughout the human family’.
To be continued
Every day at 1 am
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
Fratelli tutti Official English translation
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