Mass Readings for : Monday, 22nd January, 2024

Liturgical Readings for : Monday, 22nd January, 2024

Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2
Optional Memorial of S Vincent , deacon and martyr

FIRST READING

A reading from the second book of Samuel 5:1-7. 10
You shall be shepherd of my people Israel

All the tribes of Israel then came to David at Hebron.
‘Look’ they said ‘we are your own flesh and blood. In days past when Saul was our king, it was you who led Israel in all their exploits; and the Lord said to you, “You are the man who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you shall be the leader of Israel”.’
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a pact with them at Hebron in the presence of the Lord, and they anointed David king of Israel.

David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty years. He reigned in Hebron over Judah for seven years and six months; then he reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.

David and his men marched on Jerusalem against the Jebusites living there.
These said to David,
‘You will not get in here. The blind and the lame will hold you off.‘ (That is to say: David will never get in here.) But David captured the fortress of Zion, that is, the Citadel of David.

He grew greater and greater, and the Lord God of hosts, was with him.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 88
Response My truth and my love shall be with him.

1. Of old you spoke in a vision. To your friends the prophets you said:
‘I have set the crown on a warrior, I have exalted one chosen from the people. Response

2. ‘I have found David my servant and with my holy oil anointed him.
My hand shall always be with him and my arm shall make him strong. Response

3. ‘My truth and my love shall be with him; by my name his might shall be exalted.
I will stretch out his hand to the Sea and his right hand as far as the River. Response

Gospel Acclamation Ps 24: 4. 5
Alleluia, alleluia!
Teach me your paths, my God, make me walk in your truth.
Alleluia!

or 2 Tim 1: 10
Alleluia, alleluia!
Our saviour Christ Jesus abolished death,
and he has proclaimed life and immortality through the Good News.
Alleluia!

GOSPEL

The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 3:22-30 Glory to you, O Lord
It is the end of Satan.

The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying,
‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out’.
So Jesus called them to him and spoke to them in parables,
‘How can Satan cast out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house.

‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’
This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him’.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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Gospel Reflection Monday Third Week in Ordinary Time Mark 3:22-30

In the gospel reading Jesus speaks of a kingdom divided against itself not being able to stand, and likewise a household divided against itself not being able to stand. He was refuting those who claimed that the power at work in his life was the power of Satan. How could Satan, he asked, be driving out Satan? Why would the kingdom of Satan seek to be divided against itself? That would be a recipe for its collapse. It is extraordinary to think that some people were of the opinion that the power at work in Jesus was the power of evil. Here was Jesus doing good, healing the sick, seeking the lost, feeding the hungry, proclaiming God’s mercy to sinners. It was the power of God that was at work through Jesus, not the power of Satan. The scribes who came down from Jerusalem and who accused Jesus of acting in the power of Satan were blind; they saw white and called it black. It is easy for any of us to see what is not there or not to see what is there. We need ongoing healing of our blindness. We need to keep coming before the Lord with the prayer, ‘Lord, that I may see’. We ask to see as Jesus sees, to see with generous and compassionate eyes, recognizing the good that is in people even when it is hidden.