Thursday – St. Agatha, virg. y martyr.

Saint Agatha lived between 225 and 251, during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius.
One of the best-known saints and martyrs.

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 this joy by
opening their heart to the healing action of God’s word.

Available every day

Consideration
In the Church, we do not preach alone, but together. When we celebrate the Eucharist together, the Church is reborn again and again. For Mark, the preacher of the faith is not a publicist promoting a product that will sell well if it works: he is someone who goes out into battle, convinced that he can overcome everything. He is called to make the world a better, more just, more fraternal place. He must give meaning to human existence, he must convert and heal: are these not the signs par excellence of the coming of the kingdom? Where are we on that path?

FIRST READING                    1 Kings 2, 1-4, 10-12
I am going the way of all the earth.
Be strong, Solomon, and show that you are a man.

From the first book of Kings

As David’s end drew near, he gave his son Solomon the following advice:
“I am going the way of all the earth.
Be strong and show yourself a man.
Follow his ways and keep his laws,
commandments, prescriptions and ordinances,
as written in the law of Moses.
Then you will succeed in everything you do and undertake.
Then the Lord will fulfil the word he has spoken to me:
If your sons faithfully follow my ways,
with all their heart and soul,
you will never lack a descendant
on the throne of Israel.”

Then David rested with his ancestors
and was buried in the city of David.
David had reigned over Israel forty years;
he had reigned seven years in Hebron
and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
Solomon sat on his father’s throne,
and his reign became increasingly secure.

INTERLUDIUM                1 Chron . 29:10, 11ab, 11cd, 12ab, 12cd

Everything that exists, Lord, is subject to your command.

Praise be to you, Lord, forever and ever,
God of our father Israel.

You are great in your works, almighty,
sublime, glorious and highly honoured.

For everything in heaven and on earth is yours,
you are the king, Lord, who is above all.

From you come prestige and possessions,
everything that exists is governed by your command.

You have skills and powers,
you have created all that is great and strong.

ALLELUIA                   Ps. 119(118), 34

Alleluia.
Give me understanding to keep your law, Lord,
to follow it with all my heart.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL                  Mk 6, 7-13
Jesus began to send the Twelve out two by two.

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

At that time,
Jesus called the Twelve
and began to send them out two by two.
He gave them power over unclean spirits
and forbade them
to take anything for the journey except a staff:
no food, no bag, no money in their belts.
“You may wear sandals,
but do not put on two garments.”
And he said to them,
“When you enter a house,
stay there until you leave.
And if any place will not receive you or listen to you, go out from there and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
They went out and preached repentance.
They cast out many demons,
anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

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Laudato Si

Encyclical of

POPE FRANCIS

On Care for Our Common Home

19. After a period of irrational confidence in progress and human capabilities,
a part of society is entering a phase of greater awareness.
There is a growing sensitivity to the environment and the care of nature,
and a sincere and painful concern for what is happening to our planet.
We will attempt, albeit incompletely, to address the issues that concern us today and that we can no longer ignore.
The aim is not to gather information or satisfy our curiosity, but to become painfully aware that we must have the courage to turn personal suffering into a commitment to the common good,
and thus recognise the contribution that each of us can make.

To be continued
Every day at 1 am