Saturday – Saint Francis de Sales, b. and clergym.

Invitation

May I draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?

This invitation is intended to share with you the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception,
can experience that joy by opening their heart
to the healing power of God’s word.

Available every day.

Consideration

Scripture is a mirror for humanity. All true feelings are reflected in it. There is no point in hiding ourselves or pretending to be something we are not. We cannot put parts of our lives ‘in brackets’ before God. On the contrary, our lives must unfold and play out before God’s eyes, with all their joys and sorrows, with their exuberant days and days of mourning. For David, the (once) anointed one of the Lord remains the sign of God’s election. It will be centuries before humanity discovers that same sign in Jesus Christ.

FIRST READING              2  Sam. 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27

How could they fall, those heroes?

Beginning of the Second Book of Samuel

In those days, David
who had returned
from his victory over the Amalekites,
had been in Ziklag for two days,
when on the third day a man arrived
from Saul’s army camp.
He had torn his clothes and sprinkled dust on his head.
When he came to David, he bowed down to the ground
and paid him homage.
David asked him,
“Where do you come from?”
He replied,
“I have escaped from the army camp of Israel.”
Then David asked him,
“What happened? Tell me.”
He replied,
“The army gave up the fight and fled.
Many of the people were killed;
Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.”
Then David took hold of his robe and tore it in two;
and all the men who were with him did the same.
They held a lamentation
and wept and fasted until evening
for Saul and his son Jonathan,
and for the people of the Lord, for Israel,
because they had perished by the sword.
And David said:
“Your glory, Israel, has perished on your heights.
“How could they fall, those heroes?

“Saul and Jonathan, so beloved, so beautiful,
in life and death not separated,
faster than eagles they were, stronger than lions.
“Daughters of Israel, mourn for Saul,
who clothed you in glorious purple
and adorned your garments with gold!
“How could they fall, those heroes?
“Jonathan lies on your heights,
fallen in the heat of battle.
“Your death weighs heavily on me, my brother Jonathan:
you were so dear to me;
your love delighted me more
than the love of women.
“How could they fall, those heroes;
how could those weapons perish?”

INTERLUDIUM                      Ps. 80(79), 2-3, 5-7

Lord, smile upon us again,
and we shall be saved.

Shepherd of Israel, hear us,
who leads Joseph like a flock;
who sits enthroned upon the Cherubim, appearing in splendour
before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Cast your power into the battle,
come to our aid.

How long, O God of hosts, will you be angry,
at the prayer of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
soaked with a flood of tears.
Neighbouring peoples quarrel over our possessions,
and enemies laugh at us.

ALLELUIA                    Ps. 119(118),135

Alleluia.
Let your face shine upon your servant, Lord,
show me your decrees.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL                  Mk. 3:20-21

Jesus’ relatives said
that He was out of His mind.

From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Mark

At that time, Jesus went home,
and again so many people gathered
that they did not even have a chance to eat.
When his relatives heard this,
they set out to take him away,
for they said he was out of his mind.

________________________________________________________

Laudato Si

Encyclical of

POPE FRANCIS

On Care for Our Common Home

United by the sameconcern
7. These contributions by the popes include the reflections of countless
scientists, philosophers, theologians and social organisations that have enriched the
Church’s thinking on these issues. However, we cannot ignore the fact that outside
the Catholic Church, other Churches and Christian communities – as well as
other religions – have developed a deep concern and valuable reflection on these
themes that are close to all our hearts. To mention just one particularly significant
example, I would like to briefly quote part of the contribution
of our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, with whom
we share the hope for full ecclesial unity.

To becontinued
Every day at 1 am.