11th Sunday of the Year b)
This Week’s Liturgy Calendar.
Ordinary Season of the Year. (b)
Weekdays – Year 1
Sunday 14th June: 11th Sunday of the Year. (b)
The first reading is from the Prophet Ezekiel. It is written at the time of the exile and the people are despairing of ever seeing their homes, their temple again. The prophet announces, as encouragement, the the line of David will be restored and one day the exile will come to an end.
In the second reading, St. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, is talking about ‘being away from the Lord, while living here on earth. This time of separation he says demands faith in the follower of Christ not sight. Life should be lived so as to be please the Lord and not be afraid to meet him at the day of judgement.
St. Mark presents us with two parables in the Gospel. The first is of the seed growing quietly in the ground and the second is that of the mustard seed. Once a seed has been sown and tended, growth is inevitable. This parable and that of the mustard seed were written to engourage the early followers who were becoming impatient at the apparent lack of growth in the life of the Church. Jesus’ message is clear. Growth starts from small beginnings and once started cannot bhe stopped. The word of God sown in our lives should be the same for us.
Monday 15th June: Monday in 11th week of the year.
St. Paul reminds the people that this is the favourable time spoken of by Isaiah. Therefore, they must not miss the opportunity or neglect the grace God gave them. They must use the example of their own lives to show they are the chosen people of God.
Jesus continues his radical teaching. No longer is it to be an eye for an eye. The follower of Jesus must go to the opposite extreme to try to bring about conversion to God’s ways in the lives of those who have sinned.
Tuesday 16th June: Tuesday in 11th week of the year.
Paul tells the Corinthians about the Macedonians with whom he is staying. He describes how, even in their poverty, they were extremely generous and cheerful. Not it is the turn of the people of Corinth to show their support for the Christians in Jerusalem who are being persecuted because of their beliefs.
In the Gospel, Jesus presents another strand of his radical teaching His followers must now love their enemies. God makes no distinction but awaits the conversion of the sinner. They have to strive for the same degree of perfection.
Wednesday 17th June: Wednesday in 11th week of the year.
Paul continues his appeal for the Jerusalem collection and he gives a theological and scriptural basis for this.
Three religious practices had a very high priority for the Jews – almsgiving, prayer and fasting. Jesus warns against carrying any of these out with any kind of attention seeking or showiness.
Thursday 18th June: Paul continues his appeal for the Jerusalem collection and he gives a theological and scriptural basis for this.
Three religious practices had a very high priority for the Jews – almsgiving, prayer and fasting. Jesus warns against carrying any of these out with any kind of attention seeking or showiness.
Friday 19th June: Friday in 11th week of the year.
For the Corinthians, wisdom by worldly standards was very important. Paul shows that such human wisdom is foolish in God’s eyes.
The final section of Jesus’ sermon gives us some very practical advice concerning the pursuit of holiness. Don’t depend on earthly treasures. They are fragile. Seek the things of God and store them up.
Saturday 20th June: Saturday in 11th week of the year.
This is the last extract of Paul’s letter. He reminds them how he was told that God’s grace would be sufficient for him and that it is in weakness that God’s power shines through. It is the same for us in day-to-day living.
Jesus gives us more practical advice about Christian living. Believe that the Lord is looking after us all the time. We are worth so much to him.
