Tuesday – Z. Edward Poppe, pr.

Consideration

Jesus gives shape to God’s yes to people. This is also the mission of the apostles and the church. To be imbued with that yes, believers receive the Spirit of God, which links them more and more to Jesus. Thus they become the salt that preserves the earth from decay and destruction. And through their faith they radiate light for those in darkness and hopelessness. In that light, above all, God’s goodness becomes visible. That is why the psalmist prays: Let your face shine before your servant, Lord (Ps 119:135). Our countenance too will then be allowed to radiate the yes of God.

FIRST READING             2 Cor 1:18-22
Jesus was not Yes and No; in Him was only Yes.

From the holy apostle Paul’s second letter to the Christians ofCorinth

Brothers and sisters,

God is the guarantor :
The word that we speak to you is not at once yes and no.
The Son of God,
Christ Jesus, proclaimed by us among you,
by me and Silvanus and Timothy,
He was not Yes and No ;
in Him was only Yes.
For all the promises of God were fulfilled in Him.
Therefore through Him also we speak our
“Amen. Yes, so it is”
God in honour.
And it is God Himself
who confirms us together with you in Christ and has anointed us.
It is he also who has pressed his seal on us
and communicated the Spirit as a hand money to our hearts.

INTERLUDIUM            Ps 119(118), 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135

Let your Face shine before your servant, Lord.

Excellent is all that Thou dost ordain,
therefore my spirit holds fast to it.

The interpretation of Your words gives clarity,
bestows wisdom on those who are inexperienced.

My mouth I gasp open,
so I yearn for your commandment.

Turn towards me and be gracious to me,
as Thou always art to those who love Thee.

Guide my steps as Thou hast promised ;
no evil dominate me.

Let Your Face shine before Your servant,
let me see Thy dispositions.

ALLELUIA            cf. Acts 16, 14b

Alleluia.
Make our hearts receptive, Lord,
and that we turn to the word of your Son.
Alleluia.

 

EVANGELY              Mt 5:13-16
Thou art the light of the world.

From the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Matthew

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples :
“You are the salt of the earth.
“But if salt loses its strength ,
with what shall one salt ?
“It is no longer good for anything
than to be thrown away and trampled by men.
“Thou art the light of the world.
“A city cannot be hidden
if it is on top of a mountain!
“Surely one does not light a lamp
to put them under a bushel,
but one places it on a stand
so that it gives light to all who are in the house.
“So also your light should shine before the eyes of men ,
that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

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Laudato Si

Encyclical of

POPE FRANCISCUS

On caring for the common home

What is happening to our house
17. Theological or philosophical reflections on the situation of the
humanity and the world may sound like an ever-repeating and
vain message, if they do not present themselves anew from an exposition
of the present context in view of what is new for the
history of humanity. Therefore, before acknowledging
how faith offers new motivations and demands in relation to
the world of which we are a part, to dwell briefly on
what is happening to our common home.

To be continued
Every day at 1 am