Thursday in the third week

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
David’s prayer is exceptionally beautiful. I will build you a house, we heard yesterday (and today).  House (beth) means building, but also family. Yesterday, both meanings were discussed. Today, we focus on the second meaning: Who am I and what is my house that you have brought me this far? David , who was once a little shepherd boy, can appreciate all this. That is why this thought recurs constantly in the prayer: past and future go hand in hand. Who am I? It may also be our prayer. The response is an echo of Psalm 132 to this prayer.

FIRST READING               2 Sam.  7:18-19, 24-29
Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house?

From the Second Book of Samuel

After Nathan had spoken to David,
King David went into the sanctuary;
he sat down before the Lord and said:
“Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house,
that You have brought me this far?
“And now all this is not enough for You, Lord God:
You also speak of the future of Your servant’s house.
“Is this possible for a human being, Lord God?
“You have confirmed your people Israel as your people forever,
and you, Lord, are their God.
“Therefore, Lord God, always keep the word
you have spoken to your servant
and to his house,
and act according to your word.
“Then your name will be great forever;
then it will be said:
God, the Lord of the heavenly hosts, is God over Israel,
and for you the house of your servant David will remain standing.
“You, God, Lord of the heavenly hosts, God of Israel,
you have revealed to your servant:
I will build you a house.
“This has given your servant the courage to address this prayer to you.
“Now then, Lord God,
you are God, and your words are trustworthy;
you have promised this blessing to your servant.
“Bless now the house of your servant,
that it may remain before you forever.
“You yourself, Lord God, have spoken;
your rich blessing will rest forever
on the house of your servant.

INTERLUDIUM                  Ps. 132(131), 1-2, 3-5, 11, 12,13-14

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father
David (Lk. 1:32b)

Lord, remember David in your kindness,
his concern for you;
how he had sworn to the Lord,
promised the Strong One of Jacob:

I will not enter my house,
nor rest on my bed;
I will not give my eyes sleep,
I will not allow my eyelids to rest,
until I find a place for the Lord,
a house for the Mighty One of Jacob.

The Lord has sworn to David
an oath He will never break:
I will raise up one of your descendants
to sit on your throne.

If your sons keep my covenant,
and all that I command them,
then their sons too shall sit forever
on your throne.

For God has chosen Zion,
desired it as a seat:
here is my resting place forever,
here I will dwell, this is my choice.

ALLELUIA                   Ps . 119(118), 135

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

GOSPEL                      Mk . 4:21-25
The measure you use will also be used for you.

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

At that time, Jesus said to the crowd:
“Is a lamp brought in,
to be placed under a bushel or under a bench,
or rather to be placed on a stand?
“Nothing is hidden that will not be made public;
and nothing is secret that will not come to light.
“If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.”
He also said:
“Pay attention to what you hear.
“The measure you use
will also be used for you;
even more will be given to you.
“To those who have, more will be given;
but from those who have not,
even what they have will be taken away.”

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Laudato Si

Encyclical of

POPE FRANCIS

On Care for Our Common Home

12. On the other hand, Saint Francis, in fidelity to Scripture, urges us to recognise nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and communicates something of his beauty and goodness, “for from the grandeur and beauty of created things, one can perceive their Creator” (Wisdom 13:5), and “since the beginning of the world, his invisible nature has been perceived in his works” (Romans 1:20). and understood through reason, in the things that have been made” (Rom. 1:20). That is why he asked that in the monastery, a part of the garden always be left uncultivated, so that wild herbs could grow, so that all those who admired them could lift their thoughts to God, the Creator of so much beauty. The world is more than a problem to be solved; it is a joyful mystery that we contemplate with joyful praise.

To be continued
Every day at 1 am