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Back… | 23,JAN 2021 |
Saturday January 23, 2021
Weekday (2)
Vestment: Green/White
Today’s Rosary: Joyful Mystery
LAGOS: Tomorrow is the 23rd Anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd Alfred Adewale Martins, 24th Jan. 1998
GBOKO: Tomorrow is the 12th Anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd William Avenya, 24th Jan.2009.
FIRST READING
“He entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking his own blood. ”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 9:2-3.11- 14)
Brethren: A tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of offering; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies. But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself with- out blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 47 :2-3.6-7.5-9 (R. 6)
R/. God goes up with shouts of joy,
The Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
All peoples, clap your hands.
Cry to God with shouts of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome,
the great king over all the earth. R.
God goes up with shouts of joy.
The Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
Sing praise for God; sing praise!
Sing praise to our king; sing praise! R.
God is king of all the earth,
Sing praise with all your skill.
God reigns over the nations
God sits upon his holy throne
ALLELUIA Acts 16:14b
Alleluia Open our hearts, O Lord, that we may give heed to the words of your Son. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“They said, ’He is beside himself. ”’
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3 :20-21)
In that time: Jesus went home with his disciples; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. And when his friends heard it, they went out to seize him, for they said, “He is beside himself.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
We are reminded that Jesus is the One who represents the Holy of Holies. This is brought out by the tearing of the curtain covering the Holy Holies in the sanctuary at shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross. The blood of Jesus is the only acceptable sacrifice besides animals’ blood, which cleanses on the external. Jesus offers His blood in our Eucharistic sacrifice, cleansing the inner spirit of man. He continues to be for us that Minister who is ever working in our lives, having no time for Himself. We are to make ourselves available for Jesus to purify us truly and completely, so as to lead us into the highest sanctuary of God.
Personal Devotional
O Lord, don’t punish me in your anger! Because I have been foolish, but I trust in you O Lord, and you, O Lord my God, will answer me. Don’t let my enemies gloat over my distress; Psalm 38:1, 5, 15
– Ask for mercy for the times you refused to accept God’s task or left it uncompleted.
– Pray for the grace and anointing to finish your Christian race well and strong.
– Tell God about that particular divine task assigned to you and the difficulties you are facing.
– Pray for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to complete that physical project/work.
Let Us Pray
God, grant me the wisdom that would make me focused and firm-minded. It is only in this that I can have clear understanding of your plan and enter into the fullness of your purpose for my life. Grant me the grace not to go about trying to think out the formula for situations facing me. But help me to always ASK in FAITH in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Protect me from evil friends and demonic agents.
Memory Verse: Matthew 6:7