8TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Blessed Virgin Mary
Sts. Marcellinus & Peter, martyrs
Psalter: Week 4 / (Green/Red/White)
Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord, my God.
1st Reading: Jd 17, 20b-25
But, most beloved, remember what the apostles of Christ Jesus, our Lord, announced to you.
But, dearly beloved, build your life on the foundation of your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Remain firm, in the love of God, welcoming the mercy of Jesus Christ, our Lord, which leads to eternal life.
Try to convince those who doubt; others you will save, snatching them from condemnation. Treat the others with compassion, but also with prudence, shunning even the clothes that touched their body.
To the one God, who is able to keep you from all sin, and bring you, happy and without blemish before his own glory, to the one God, who saves us through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to him be glory, honor, might and power, from past ages, now and forever. Amen.
Gospel: Mk 11:27-33
They were once again in Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him and asked, “What authority do you have to act like this? Who gave you authority to do the things you do?”
Jesus said to them, “I will ask you a question, only one, and if you give me an answer, then I will tell you what authority I have to act like this. Was John’s preaching and baptism a work of God, or was it merely something human? Answer me.”
And they kept arguing among themselves, “If we answer that it was a work of God, he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’” But neither could they answer before the people that the baptism of John was merely something human, for everyone regarded John as a prophet.
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know,” and Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you what authority I have to act as I do.”
Reflections
What authority do you have to act like this?
Who has not been disturbed by the image of Jesus overturning the moneychangers’ tables and setting free the doves? His violent outrage does not seem to fit our image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Perhaps Jesus was enraged not by legitimate commercial activity within the temple precincts, but by the systematic exploitation of the poor devoted Jews who may have been cheated by scrupulous moneychangers and merchants. Jesus’ outburst was thus not a manifestation of moral imperfection — a violent temperament — but rather of moral perfection — courageous indignation over oppression of the weak and poor.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
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