“The Word of the Lord endures forever” and invites Jesus’ disciples, at all times, to break with the mentality of this world

 

The Lord became my protector and led me to a spacious place; he saved me, because he loves me (Ps 17,19s).

“The Word of the Lord endures forever” and invites Jesus’ disciples, at all times, to break with the mentality of this world – therefore fleeing from wars for power and oppression of the little ones. “Swimming against the current”, we are willing to serve everyone, especially the most vulnerable, without expecting rewards. In this liturgy, we place our trust and hope in God.

First Reading: 1 Peter 1,18-25

Reading of the first letter of Saint Peter - Dear friends, 18you know that you were rescued from the futile life inherited from your fathers, not by means of perishable things, such as silver or gold, 19but by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish or blemish. defect. 20Before the creation of the world, he was destined for this, and in this end of time he appeared for your sake. 21It is through him that you have come to believe in God. God raised him from the dead and gave him glory, and so your faith and hope are in God. 22By obedience to the truth, you purified your souls to practice brotherly love without pretense. Therefore, love one another with your heart and ardor. 23You were born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the living and enduring Word of God. 24Indeed, “all flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the grass; The grass withers, its flower falls. 25But the word of the Lord stands forever.” Now, this Word is the one that was announced to you in the Gospel. - Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: 147

Glorify the Lord, Jerusalem!

1. Glorify the Lord, Jerusalem! / O Zion, sing praises to your God! / For he has strengthened your gates with security / and he has blessed your children in your bosom. – R.

2. Peace within your limits has guaranteed / and gives you the flower of wheat as food. / He sends his orders to the earth, / and the word he speaks runs quickly. – R.

3. Announce his word to Jacob, / his precepts, his laws to Israel. / No people received so much affection, / he revealed his precepts to no other. – R.

Gospel: Mark 10,32-45

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

The Son of Man came to serve / and give his life as a ransom for many (Mc 10,45). – R.

Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mark – At that time, 32 the disciples were on their way, going up to Jerusalem. Jesus went ahead. The disciples were amazed and those who followed were afraid. Jesus took the Twelve aside again and began to tell them what was about to happen to him: 33“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the high priests and the teachers of the Law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans. 34They will mock him, spit on him, torture him and kill him. And after three days, he will rise again.” 35James and John, sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Master, we want you to do for us what we ask.” 36He asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37They replied, “Let us sit, one at your right and one at your left, when you are in your glory!” 38Jesus then said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Can you perhaps drink the cup that I am going to drink? Can you be baptized with the baptism with which I am going to be baptized?” 39They replied, “We can.” And he said to them, “You will drink the cup that I must drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism with which I must be baptized. 40But it is not up to me to grant the place to my right or to my left. It is for those for whom it was reserved.” 41When the other ten disciples heard this, they were indignant at James and John. 42Jesus called them and said: “You know that the rulers of the nations oppress them and the great ones tyrannize over them. 43But it must not be like this among you: whoever wants to be great must be your servant; 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Word of salvation.

Reflection:

To the apostles and other followers Jesus presents a detailed overview encompassing his passion, death and resurrection. Insensitive to the serious information about the Master's tragic end, the disciples seek power and triumph (sitting on the right and left). They imagine that Jesus will occupy the throne of Israel and they want to occupy the most important places. To the two apostles, eager for earthly power, Jesus proposes a death similar to his own (drinking the cup). His kingship will be proclaimed on the cross. Their ambition triggers the indignation of the other ten. Instead of seeking dominion over others, as the “rulers of the nations” do, the apostles are encouraged to assume the attitudes of servants, because, in the community of Jesus, whoever “wants to be first, must be the servant of all”.

(Day by day with the Gospel 2024)