First Reading : Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Psalm : Psalm 15:2-5
First Reading : St. James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27
Gospel : Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
The responsorial Psalm for this week is about practicing justice. The verse is as follows:
R: The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue.
R
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reporoach against his neighbor;
by whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the Lord.
R
Who lends not his money with interest
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R
Communion Antiphon (Psalm 31:20)
O Lord, how great is the depth of kindness which you have shown to those who love you.
(Matt 5:9-10)
Happy are the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of God. Happy are they who suffer persecution for justice's sake; the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, you renew us at your table with the Bread of Life. May this Food strengthen us in love and help us to serve you in each other. We ask this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen.
+ + +
I hope that the millions of Christians in America who read this Psalm this week as part of their worship services or daily devotions take note what qualifies one as being worthy of the title of "just". It is quite different than what many conservative, evangelical, and fundamentalist Christians define as being "just" in political and social policy; for example, many right-wing Christians feel that President Bush is a "just, God-fearing man" who "was placed where he is by the Lord" 1.
If only those who claim to follow the path of peace and life would be truly "Just".
We must become a Nation of Love, Justice, and Mercy instead of Lies, Hypocrisy, and Death.
1. Southern Women Breaking Up With Bush. CNN.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment