Commemoration of the suffering of Jesus. The highlight of the church year.
The last 7 days of Lent.
Invitation
May I take this opportunity to draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation aims 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:
Here we have a peculiar story that Matthew and Mark also mention. The setting is Bethany, the time very close to the Passover feast. There is the house of Simon the leper, there is very costly nard, worth as much as three hundred denarii according to Mark. There is the reference to the poor and to the anointing of the dead body.
But then Mary becomes the one who washes and dries Jesus’ feet with her hair. The disgruntled are replaced here by the figure of Judas, and finally John adds that the whole house was filled with the fragrance. Everything, and especially the last remark, emphasises the exceptional identity of Jesus. John underlines who they are privileged to receive in their midst. The text also calls on us to realise who comes into our midst.
He does not call out, nor does he raise his voice in the streets.
From the Prophet Isaiah Isaiah 42:1-7
Thus says the Lord:
“This is my Servant whom I uphold,
my Chosen One in whom I delight:
He shall bring justice to the nations.
“He does not cry out, he does not shout,
nor does he raise his voice in the streets.
“He will not break the bruised reed,
nor quench the smouldering wick;
in truth he will bring justice to light.
“Untiring and unbroken,
he will bring justice to triumph on earth:
The distant shores look forward to his teaching.”
Thus says the Lord God,
He who created the firmament and stretched it out,
who spread out the earth and its crops,
who breathed life into the people upon it
and a spirit into all who move upon it:
“I, the Lord, call you in righteousness,
I take you by the hand and watch over you,
and make you a sign of my covenant to the people,
and a light to the nations.
“You shall open the eyes of the blind,
set the prisoners free from their dungeons,
and from prison all who sit in darkness.”
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps . 27(26), 1, 2, 3, 13-14
The Lord is my light and my guide.
The Lord is my light and my guide;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the shield of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
Though evildoers assail me to devour me,
my enemies shall stumble, all my adversaries shall fall.
Though they draw up battle lines against me, I shall not fear;
though they wage war against me, I shall still be confident.
I am confident that in my lifetime
I shall see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to the Lord and be steadfast;
be of good courage and trust in the Lord.
VERSES BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Let us pay homage to our King,
for He alone has shown mercy
for our sins.
GOSPEL John 12:1-11
Let her alone. She has kept this custom in preparation for my burial.
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
John
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany,
where Lazarus lived,
whom He had raised from the dead.
A dinner was held there in his honour.
Martha served,
and Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.
Now Mary took a pound of nard,
pure and very costly,
anointed Jesus’ feet with it,
and wiped them with her hair.
The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.
Then Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples,
the very one who was to betray him, said:
“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii,
and the money given to the poor?”
He did not say this because he cared for the poor,
but because he was a thief,
and he used to help himself to what was put into the common purse.
But Jesus said:
“Leave her alone.
She has kept this for
the day of my burial.
For you always have the poor with you,
but you do not always have me.”
Meanwhile, a great many Jews had learnt
that Jesus was there
and came to the place,
not only because of Jesus,
but also to see Lazarus,
whom He had raised from the dead.
The chief priests then decided to get rid of Lazarus as well,
because many Jews were turning away from them and believing in Jesus.
Laudato Si
Encyclical of
POPE FRANCIS
On Care for Our Common Home
72. The Psalms repeatedly invite humanity to praise God the Creator,
He who “spread out the earth upon the waters, for his mercy endures for ever”
(Ps. 136:6). But the other creatures too invite us to
praise: “Sun and moon, glorify Him; praise Him, shining stars.
Praise Him, highest heavens, waters above the firmament.
Let them now praise the name of the Lord, for His command created them all”
(Ps. 148:3–5). We exist not only by the power of God,
but before Him and with Him. That is why we worship Him.
To be continued
Every day at 1am
The Bible text in this edition is taken fromThe New Bible Translation,
©Nederlands Bijbelgenootschap 2004/2007.
Reflections from Liturgical Suggestions for Weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si Official English translation
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