Have mercy on me, Lord, I cry out to you all day long; Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of mercy to those who call on you

 

Have mercy on me, Lord, I cry out to you all day long; Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of mercy to those who call on you (Ps 85,3.5).

As “children of the light and children of the day,” Christians do not waste time calculating when Jesus will come. Because the Lord comes at all times, in everyday life and at the end of earthly existence. Let us celebrate his kindness, which accompanies us, and let us welcome the strength of his teachings.

First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.9-11

Reading of Saint Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians – 1As for time and hour, my brothers, there is no reason to write to you. 2You yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3When people say, “Peace and safety!” then suddenly destruction will come, like labor pains on a pregnant woman. And they won't be able to escape. 4But you, my brothers, are not in darkness, so that this day overtakes you like a thief. 5You are all children of light and children of the day. We are not of the night or darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep like others, but let us be vigilant and sober. 9God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether watching in this life or sleeping in death, we may attain life with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, as you are accustomed to doing. - Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: 26(27)

I know that I will see the goodness of the Lord / in the land of the living.

1. The Lord is my light and salvation; / Who will I be afraid of? / The Lord is the protection of my life; / before whom will I tremble? – R.

2. From the Lord I ask only one thing, / and that is all I desire: / to dwell in the sanctuary of the Lord / for all my life; / savor the gentleness of the Lord / and contemplate him in his temple. – R.

3. I know that I will see the goodness of the Lord / in the land of the living. / Wait on the Lord and have courage, / wait on the Lord! – R.

Gospel: Luke 4,31-37

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

A great prophet arose among us / and God visited his people (Luke 7:16). – R.

Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke – At that time, 31Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and taught them there on Saturdays. 32People were amazed at his teaching, because Jesus spoke with authority. 33In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon, who shouted in a loud voice: 34“What do you want from us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: you are the Holy One of God!” 35Jesus threatened him, saying, “Shut up and get out of him!” Then the demon threw the man to the ground, came out of him and did him no harm. 36Amazement gripped everyone, and they said to each other, “What is that word? He commands the unclean spirits with authority and power, and they leave.” 37And the fame of Jesus spread throughout all the surrounding areas. – Word of salvation.

Reflection:

Consistent with his liberating missionary program, undertaken in the synagogue of Nazareth, Jesus goes into the field. As usual, he teaches in synagogues. He speaks with authority, so that adverse forces (impure demons) obey him, and his listeners are amazed. With his effective word, Jesus expels an impure spirit, which he realizes is facing a superior force: “I know who you are: the Holy One of God”. Astonishment grips everyone, because unclean spirits are subjected to Jesus' orders, given with authority and power. It was inevitable that Jesus' fame would spread far and wide. Later, he will invest his disciples with this same power, that is, to free the people from slavery and all the bonds that deprive them of the full life that God wants for everyone.