One of the greatest theologians of the Byzantine tradition,
died in 749
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
The prophet Isaiah is the prophet of unconditional trust in God. This trust is the focus here. As in a liturgical procession, the chosen people who remained faithful enter the gates of eternal Jerusalem. ‘Open your gate; today to the Lord,’ says the answering psalm. Enter into the city, into the place where He expects you and dines: in other words, let Him in through the gate of your longing and faithful heart.
It is better to go to the Lord, than to trust in any man or princes. Can this attitude become our basic attitude? How can I listen in such a way that I discover God’s Word as spoken to me personally?
FIRST READING Isa 26:1-6
Those steadfast in heart You surround with Your peace.
On that day this song will be sung
in the land of Judah:
A strong city is ours,
the protection of the LORD serves it for wall and rampart.
Open the gates and let in
the righteous nation that has remained true to Him.
Those steadfast in heart You surround with Your peace,
for in Thee they have put their trust.
Trust in the LORD forever and ever,
for the LORD is a rock that defies the ages.
He humbles those who dwell on high.
Soaring fortresses He brings down;
He lets them crash into the depths,
He makes them fall in the dust.
They are trampled by feet,
the feet of the poor, the feet of the weak.
INTERLUDIUM Ps 118(117), 1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
Blessed who comes with the Name of the Lord.
Alleluia.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is merciful,
endless is His mercy!
Better to go to the Lord,
than to trust in any man;
and better it is to go to the Lord,
than to trust in princes.
Makes open the gate of righteousness,
in it I will go and thank the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord,
the pious enter it.
I thank Thee, that Thou hast heard me,
that Thou hast brought me salvation.
O Lord, grant Thou unto us Thy salvation,
o Lord, grant Thou us prosperity!
Blessed who comes with the Name of the Lord ;
the Lord is God, He enlightens us.
ALLELUIA Isa. 40, 9-10
Alleluia.
Messenger of joy from Zion, raise your voice with power ;
behold, the Lord your God will come with glory.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt 7:21, 24-27
He who does the will of the Father will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not every one who says to Me, Lord! Lord!
shall enter the kingdom of heaven ,
but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
Now every one who hears these words of Mine and acts accordingly ,
may be compared to a wise man who built his house on rocky ground.
The rain fell down, the mountain streams came down,
the storm rose and they poured on that house,
but it did not fall in, because it was founded on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words of mine
yet does not act upon them,
may be compared to a fool
who built his house on the sand.
The rain fell, the mountain streams came down,
the storm arose and they pounded that house,
so that it was completely destroyed.”
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Laudato Si
Encyclical
by Pope Francis
On caring for the common home
204. The current state of the world “produces a sense of volatility and
insecurity, which in turn favours forms of collective
selfishness favours”. When people become self-centred and close their
conscience, they increase their own greed. The emptier the heart of
a person is, the more need he has to buy, possess and
consuming. In that context, it seems impossible for a person to accept
that reality sets him a limit. Against this horizon,
neither is there a true common good. When this human type
society becomes dominant, only those norms will be respected that do
not go against its own needs. This is why we fear not
only the possibility of terrible climatic phenomena
or major natural disasters, but also catastrophes resulting from
social crises, because the obsession of a consumption-oriented
lifestyle, especially when only a few can lead it,
will only trigger violence and mutual destruction.
To be continued
Every day 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.
Laudato Si English translation