Liturgical Readings for : Wednesday, 11th September, 2024
Wednesday of the Twenty Third Week of Ordinary Time, Year 2
FIRST READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 7:25-31
If you are tied to a wife, do not look for freedom; if you are free of a wife, then do not look for one.
About remaining celibate, I have no directions from the Lord but give my own opinion as one who, by the Lord’s mercy, has stayed faithful. Well then, I believe that in these present times of stress this is right: that it is good for a man to stay as he is. If you are tied to a wife, do not look for freedom; if you are free of a wife, then do not look for one. But if you marry, it is no sin, and it is not a sin for a young girl to get married. They will have their troubles, though, in their married life, and I should like to spare you that.
Brothers, this is what I mean: our time is growing short. Those who have wives should live as though they had none, and those who mourn should live as though they had nothing to mourn for; those who are enjoying life should live as though there were nothing to laugh about; those whose life is buying things should live as though they had nothing of their own; and those who have to deal with the world should not become engrossed in it. I say this because the world as we know it is passing away.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 44
Response Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words.
1. Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words: forget your own people and your father’s house.
So will the king desire your beauty: He is your lord, pay homage to him. Response
2. The daughter of the king is clothed with splendour, her robes embroidered with pearls set in gold.
She is led to the king with her maiden companions. Response
3. They are escorted amid gladness and joy; they pass within the palace of the king.
Sons shall be yours in place of your fathers; you will make them princes over all the earth. Response
Gospel Acclamation 1 Jn 2: 5
Alleluia, Alleluia!
When anyone obeys what Christ has said, God’s love comes to perfection in him.
Alleluia !
or Lk 6: 23
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Rejoice and be glad: your reward will be great in heaven.
Alleluia !
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 6:20-26 Glory to you, O Lord
‘How happy are you who are poor. But alas for you who are rich.
Fixing his eyes on his disciples Jesus said:
‘How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you,
denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
‘But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
Alas for you when the world speaks well of you!
This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.’
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
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Gospel Reflection Wednesday Twenty Third Week in Ordinary Time Luke 6:20-26
In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks a word of consolation to those who are struggling the most, the poor, the hungry, all who weep, those experiencing rejection because of their loyalty to him. He declares that God is working to transform their situation for the better. The day will come when they will be satisfied, when they will laugh, when the kingdom of God will be theirs. Jesus is revealing God to be one who is not only present to us in our most vulnerable situations but who is actively working on our behalf to bring a change for the better to our lives. This is the God whom Jesus revealed by his deeds and his words. He invited the poor to his table, he fed the hungry in the wilderness, the brought the joy of God’s kingdom to those who were weeping, such as the widow at Nain.
Jesus wants his disciples, all of us, to reveal this same God by our deeds and our words. The risen Lord wants to work through us to bring something of that fullness of life which characterizes the kingdom of God to those who are poor, hungry and weeping today. We are aware of some people who are bringing hunger, poverty and sadness to others by their actions or even complacent indifference. It is this group that Jesus addresses in the second half of the gospel, declaring that God will hold them to account for the suffering they are inflicting on others, very often growing rich in the process. There are forces around that are death dealing and in the face of such forces the Lord needs us all the more to be instruments of his life-giving work in the world.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd.
