Mass Readings For January 23, 2021 – Saturday

Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading – Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14

A tabernacle was constructed, the outer one,
in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering;
this is called the Holy Place.
Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies.

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be,
passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands,
that is, not belonging to this creation,
he entered once for all into the sanctuary,
not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own Blood,
thus obtaining eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes
can sanctify those who are defiled
so that their flesh is cleansed,
how much more will the Blood of Christ,
who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

 

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
For king of all the earth is God:
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

 

Alleluia – Acts 16:14B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel – Mark 3:20-21

Jesus came with his disciples into the house.
Again the crowd gathered,
making it impossible for them even to eat.
When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him,
for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

 

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

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.