Tuesday – Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order

Religious mendicant order founded in 1233 on the basis of
a shared vision of Mary.

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
The readers of James’s letter seem to be in greater need of encouragement than of warning against certain forms of (charismatic) enthusiasm, as was the case with the Corinthians, for example. ‘Stand firm’ seems to be the message here, and ‘pass the test’. If you cannot do that, do not blame God, but yourself: human imperfection makes us weak and small. These are the sober remarks of the author: they may have been addressed to the second generation of Christians, who needed reassurance and were no longer looking forward to the imminent end of the world.

FIRST READING                    James 1, 12-18

God does not tempt anyone.

From the letter of Saint James the Apostle

Brothers and sisters,

Blessed is the man who perseveres in trials.
If he passes the test,
he will receive the crown of life
that God has promised to those who love him.
No one should say when he is tempted,
“I am being tempted by God.”
God does not tempt anyone,
just as he himself cannot be tempted by evil.
If anyone is tempted,
it is always
by the drawing and enticement of his own desire.
Then, when desire has conceived,
it gives birth to sin,
and sin, once it has grown, gives birth to death.
Beloved brothers and sisters,
do not be deceived:
Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes down from above,
from the Father of heavenly lights,
with whom there is no change or shadow due to rotation.
Of his own free will, he has given us life
through the word of truth,
so that we are, in a sense, the first fruits among his creatures.

INTERLUDIUM                      Ps. 94(93), 12-13a, 14-15, 18-19

Blessed is the man to whom You give wisdom, Lord.

Blessed is the man to whom You give wisdom, Lord,
whom You teach in Your law.
After evil days, You give him rest.

For the Lord will never reject His people,
He will not forsake his inheritance.
One day the judges will decide justly,
and all the righteous will agree.

When I think: now I am sure to stumble,
your mercy, Lord, keeps me upright.
When worries weigh on my heart,
your comfort lifts me up.

ALLELUIA                         John   6, 64b, 69b

Your words, Lord, are spirit and life;
your words are words of eternal life.
Alleluia

GOSPEL       Mark 8,14-21

Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees
and the leaven of Herod!

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

At that time, the disciples had forgotten to bring bread
so that they had no more than one loaf with them in the boat.
Then Jesus gave them this warning:
“Be careful,
beware of the leaven of the Pharisees
and the leaven of Herod!”
They discussed this among themselves:
“He says this because we have no bread.”
But He noticed and said:
“What are you discussing among yourselves?
“That I said this because you have no bread?
“Do you still not understand?
“Are your minds so dull?
“You have eyes, do you not see?
“You have ears, do you not hear?
“And do you not remember
how many baskets full of pieces you gathered
when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand?”
They answered Him:
“Twelve.”
“And how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up
when I broke the seven for the four thousand?”
And they answered:
“Seven.”
Then He said to them:
“Do you still not understand?”

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Laudato Si

Encyclical of

POPE FRANCIS

On Care for Our Common Home

31. Greater water scarcity will lead to an increase in the cost of food and various products that depend on water use. Some studies have highlighted the danger that, within a few decades,
we will face acute water scarcity if urgent measures are not taken.
The environmental impact could affect billions of people and, on the other hand,
it is foreseeable that water control by large international companies
will become one of the main sources of conflict in this century.

To becontinued
Every day at 1 a.m.

The Bible text in this publication is taken from The New Bible Translation,
© Dutch Bible Society 2004/2007.