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14TH SUNDAY
THEME: LOOKING BEYOND THE MESSENGER
In the Gospel, the teaching of Jesus in the synagogue was met with scorn among his own people. We are invited today to look beyond the messenger and pay attention to the message. We need to pray for the courage to speak the truth and also to accept it from someone we are familiar with or anybody the Lord uses, even when it goes against our expectation.
1st reading: Ezekiel 2:3-5. The prophet Ezekiel was sent by God to deliver his message to his people.
Responsorial Psalm: Our eyes look to the Lord, until he has mercy on us.
2nd reading: 2Corinthians 12:7-10. Paul reveals why God refuses to grant the appeal he made to him.
Gospel: Mark 6:1-6. A prophet says Jesus is not without honour except in his hometown, and in his own house.
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15TH SUNDAY
THEME: THE PROPHETIC MISSION OF THE CHURCH
Our mission as a Church is to preach the good news. It is for this reason that Jesus sent his disciples two by two in today’s Gospel. We are called upon to proclaim the Gospel as received, without inventing our own message. Our preaching also has to be credible and with humility. Our personal example is the best sermon.
1st reading: Amos 7:12-15. Amos was not allowed to preach at Bethel, he was subsequently expelled.
Responsorial Psalm: Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.
2nd reading: Ephesians 1:3-14. God has destined us in Christ to be his adopted children and for an inheritance.
Gospel: Mark 6:7-13. Jesus sends out his disciples to preach and instructs them on what to do wherever they go.
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16TH SUNDAY
THEME: THE LORD IS OUR SHEPHERD
The idea of the Lord being our shepherd is one that should allay our fears about the present or future concerns. Jesus showed compassion not only to his disciples who had no time to eat but also to the people who were like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus is our true Shepherd. In him, God is present to us and ready to meet our needs.
1st reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6. Israel’s shepherds have failed. God himself will gather the remnant of his flock.
Responsorial Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2nd reading: Ephesians 2:13-18. In Christ, God will unite his people. Both Jews and Gentiles belong to him.
Gospel: Mark 6:30-34. Jesus is our shepherd, who knows what we need at any point in time.
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17TH SUNDAY
THEME: FEEDING THE HUNGRY
In today’s readings there are miracles of multiplication of loaves of bailey by prophet Elisha and Jesus respectively. In both miracles those who were fed did not ask for it and there were left-overs. God does not want his people to be hungry. If it is not the wish of God, it should not be our wish either. The Gospel invites us to feed the hungry. We should not see people in want and look the other way.
1st reading: 2Kings 4:42-44. Elisha feeds hundred people with twenty loaves of bailey and fresh ears of grain.
Responsorial Psalm: You open your hand to feed us, Lord; you satisfy all our needs.
2nd reading: Ephesians 4:1-6. St. Paul begs us to lead a life worthy of our calling, bearing with each other in love.
Gospel: John 6:1-15. Jesus feeds five thousand people with five loaves of bailey and two fish.
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