Mass Readings For January 22, 2021 – Friday, Day of Prayer for the Unborn

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

First Reading – Hebrews 8:6-13

Brothers and sisters:
Now our high priest has obtained so much more excellent a ministry
as he is mediator of a better covenant,
enacted on better promises.

For if that first covenant had been faultless,
no place would have been sought for a second one.
But he finds fault with them and says:
Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will conclude a new covenant with the house of
Israel and the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers
the day I took them by the hand to lead
them forth from the land of Egypt;
for they did not stand by my covenant
and I ignored them, says the Lord.
But this is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israel
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds
and I will write them upon their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
And they shall not teach, each one his fellow citizen and kin, saying,
“Know the Lord,”
for all shall know me, from least to greatest.
For I will forgive their evildoing
and remember their sins no more.

When he speaks of a “new” covenant,
he declares the first one obsolete.
And what has become obsolete
and has grown old is close to disappearing.

 

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 85:8 and 10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (11a) Kindness and truth shall meet.
Show us, O LORD, your mercy,
and grant us your salvation.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Kindness and truth shall meet.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Kindness and truth shall meet.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. Kindness and truth shall meet.

 

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel – Mark 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons:
He appointed the Twelve:
Simon, whom he named Peter;
James, son of Zebedee,
and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,
that is, sons of thunder;
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus;
Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,
and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

 

January 22 is Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children:

Reflection: My Take on Being Pro-Life as a Filipino Catholic

This is a day of prayer for the unborn and of penance for the sins committed through acts of abortion. Here is a 2019 Post I wrote about the fight against abortion. My Reflection narrates how I became Pro-Life, and why I care about the Pro-Life updates and issues in the United States, even I’m a Filipino. You, too, must care. Whether you’re from the US or whichever part of the world, I encourage you to take a look back at this article to better understand what being ‘Pro-Life Catholic’ truly means.

If you are unable to physically receive Holy Communion, especially if Holy Mass in your area remains inaccessible or restricted, or if you are in isolation or under lockdown in the midst of this pandemic, make a solemn recitation of this Prayer for Spiritual Communion by Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori.

 

Reflection: The Three Wise Men and Our Own Journey

The Epiphany Sunday Gospel recounts the journey to Bethlehem of the Three Magi in search of the Child. In this 2018 Post, My Reflection outlines some simple, relevant lessons that the Three Kings narrative imparts for our own spiritual journey.

Greetings to all our dear Readers in every corner of the world—especially those in the Philippines (my Homeland), the United States, Canada, India, the United Kingdom, Australia, Nigeria, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France and the United Arab Emirates, where majority of our loyal Readers are from! My 2020 Reflection is different given that social distancing and lockdowns continue across the globe. It shows that despite the ongoing situation, the Gospel for Christmas is even more relevant to us Catholics. This Post also includes what my busy ‘social life’ during this pandemic has made me realize personally and spiritually.
The Best Catholic

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