Tuesday – St Lawrence of Brindisi, priest and doctor of the Church

Italian Capuchin friar. Papal diplomat.
Canonised in 1881; proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1959

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 hearts
to the healing power of God’s Word.

Available every morning

Consideration

There is no question of a cold, distant relationship of obedience and submission between God and humankind, such as that between a master and his slaves. Jesus has welcomed us into the Holy Family; we have become brothers and sisters to one another. Birth, rank and status, nationality and background, whether we are destitute or wealthy: none of these things determines our place in this new family. Belonging to God means, at the same time, belonging to all our brothers and sisters throughout the world. What does that mean in my life?

FIRST READING                 Micah 7:14–15, 18–20

God will cast our sins into the depths of the sea.

From the prophet Micah

Take up your shepherd’s staff and tend your people, O Lord,
the sheep who are your inheritance;
among the trees, in the heart of the forest,
they are so desolate.
Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead,
as in days of old.

“I will perform wonders,” says the Lord,
“just as in the days when you came up out of Egypt”

What god is like You, who forgives iniquity,
who passes over the sin,
committed by the remnant of His inheritance;
who does not hold His anger for ever,
but finds His delight in kindness?

He will have compassion on us once more,
He will trample our guilt
underfoot.
All their sins He will
cast into the depths of the sea.

To Jacob You will show Your faithfulness,
to Abraham Your goodness,
just as You swore to our forefathers,
in days of old.

INTERLUDIUM                  Ps. 85(84), 2–4, 5–6, 7–8

Show us your mercy, O Lord.

Lord, you have shown favour to your land,
and turned the fortunes of Jacob for the better.
You have forgiven the guilt of your people,
and covered all their sins.
You have held back your wrath,
and quenched the heat of your anger.

Revive us, O God, our Saviour,
and put away your anger against us.
Will you be angry with us for ever,
will you prolong your wrath for generations?

Will you not rather renew our lives,
so that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your mercy,
grant us your salvation, O Lord.

ALLELUIA    Mt. 4:4b

Alleluia.
Man does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL        Mt . 12:46–50

Pointing to his disciples, Jesus said:
‘Here are my mother and my brothers.

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

At that time, whilst Jesus was speaking to the crowd,
it came to pass that his mother and brothers were standing outside
trying to speak to him.
Someone then came to tell him:
“Your mother and brothers are standing out there
and wish to speak to you.”
But he replied to the one who had come to tell him this:
“Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”
And pointing to his disciples, he said:
“Here are my mother and my brothers;
for my brother, my sister and my mother are those
who do the will of my Father in heaven.”

_____________________________

Laudato Si

Encyclical of

POPE FRANCIS

On Care for Our Common Home

183. An environmental impact assessment should not come after the
formulation of a production plan or any policy, plan or programme whatsoever.
It must be incorporated from the outset and carried out in an interdisciplinary, transparent and,
independent of any economic or political pressure. It must be linked to an analysis of working conditions and the potential effects on people’s physical and mental health, on the local economy and on safety. This will enable economic outcomes to be forecast in a more realistic
manner, taking into account possible scenarios and
possibly anticipating the need for greater investment to address
undesirable and correctable effects. It is always necessary to obtain the consent of the various social stakeholders, who can contribute different perspectives, solutions and alternatives.
However, residents must occupy a privileged position in the debate:
they ask themselves what they want for themselves and their own
children, and they can take into account objectives that
transcend immediate economic interests. We must move away from the idea of
‘interventions’ in the environment to make way for a policy
that is considered and debated by all parties concerned.
Participation requires that everyone be adequately informed about the
various aspects and the different risks and opportunities, and
is not limited to an initial decision on a project, but also involves
supervision and constant monitoring. There is a need for honesty
and truth in scientific and political discussions, without
limiting oneself to considering only what is or is not permitted by
legislation.

Available every day at 1 am