8th week in Ordinary time
1st Reading: 1 Pet 1:10-16
Beloved: Concerning the salvation of your souls the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the Good News to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look. Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, Be holy because I am holy.
Beloved: Concerning the salvation of your souls the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the Good News to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look. Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, Be holy because I am holy.
Gospel: Mk 10:28-31
Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you. Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
REWARD FOR SELF-GIVING: In response to Peter’s claim, Jesus says that if you have sacrificed greatly, the rewards shall be great. However, following Jesus entails a share of troubles too. Discipleship does not offer a protective covering guarding against insults, troubles and misfortunes. Discipleship is a track where one has to carry their cross. Every follower of Christ is invited to turn against the desires of the world, and pursue the Kingdom values. Let us anchor on that promise. May we always live for “His sake”. For the Son of man came not to be served but to serve and give His life a ransom for many (Mk10:45). It is with this realization that Peter tells us, “gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”.
Prayer: God of Heaven and earth , may we find life meaning in you and stay focused towards you our Eternal goal.
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LEARN TO GIVE TO GOD: In traditional African worship, gifts would be given to the priest or diviner by believers as part of his upkeep, to help maintain the shrine, and to allow the diviner share with the needy as it may suit him. This is the purpose of offertory given in Christian worship. Today, many believers are less generous either because they do not trust their pastors, or they are overwhelmed by the challenges of the cost of living, or they simply see no need in giving to the Church. It is fitting to appear before the Lord in a sacrifice with something to offer. Through offertory the faithful participate fully in the sacrifice of the mass and legitimately lay claim to its favors. It is an act of gratitude to offer to God what we can for his many underserved blessings. Every offering is a statement of faith in the divine providence. When we give from the abundance of our generosity, we allow God to reach out to the depths of our insufficiency. The giver thus never loses but gains beyond a lifetime.
DAILY GOSPEL 