St. Benedict Religious Gifts

24/06/2021

Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
June 24, 2021

First Reading | Isaiah 49:1-6

Reflection
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. We are also called to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming in our lives and help others do the same. This is what evangelization is about. Proclaiming the Gospel is preparing the way for the coming of Christ to the hearts of the people. We become the light set on a hilltop that can never be overshadowed. We are called to be a light to the nations.

1 Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. 2 He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. 3 You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. 4 Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God. 5 For now the Lord has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength! 6 It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 139:1-3, 13-14, 14-15

R: I praise you for I am wonderfully made.

1 O Lord, you have probed me and you know me; 2 you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. 3 My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (R)

13 Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. 14 I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. (R)

My soul also you knew full well; 15 nor was my frame unknown to you when I was made in secret, when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth. (R)

Second Reading | Acts 13:22-26

Reflection
Each of the Apostles had a role in bringing the Gospel to the world. It does not matter what our role is—God has already decided on that. What matters is we are faithful to our call. Paul and Barnabas are set apart for the Gospel to the Gentiles. They begin their mission not knowing where it will lead or what will happen. Let us learn to trust in the Lord for our own mission.

22 In those days, Paul said: “God raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’ 23 From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. 24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; 25 and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’ 26 “My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.”

Gospel | Luke 1:57-66, 80

When John was still in Elizabeth’s womb, he recognized the Christ Child—the Savior of all—in Mary’s womb. As we remember the birth of John the Baptist today, we celebrate the miracle of his conception to the aged Elizabeth and the restoration of Zechariah’s speech after nine months of silence.

Gospel Acclamation

You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.

57 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 61 But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 62 So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 65 Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. 80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Reflections written by Fr. Steven Tynan, MGL

http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2021-06-24

23/06/2021

BE A GOOD FRUIT

June 23, 2021

First Reading | Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

Reflection
God repeated His promise of progeny to Abraham. When we reflect on this promise in the light of Romans 4, we understand its true significance: Paul presented Abraham as the Father of our faith. He is the perfect example of a man of faith. Thus, Abraham’s progeny is not only his blood descendants but all men and women of faith. Through faith, Abraham has fathered and bequeathed to humanity his greatest legacy.

1 The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.” 2 But Abram said, "O Lord God, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on being childless and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?” 3 Abram continued, “See, you have given me no offspring, and so one of my servants will be my heir.” 4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said; "Look up at the sky and count the strs, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” 6 Abram put his faith in the Lord, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness. 7 He then said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as a possession.” 8 “O Lord God” he asked, “How am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9 He answered him, “Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 He brought him all these, split them in two, and placed each half opposite the other; but the birds he did not cut up. 11 Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, but Abram stayed with them. 12 As the sun was about to set, a trance fell upon Abram, and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him. 17 When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch, which passed between those pieces. 18 It was on that occasion that the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River the Euphrates.”

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

R: The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. 2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. (R)

3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! 4 Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. (R)

6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R)

8 He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations 9 which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 7:15-20

Reflection
Satan uses men and women as false prophets. This is why we need to be formed in our faith. If we know its basic tenets, false prophets will not be able to lead us astray. Ignorance of our faith makes us vulnerable to false doctrines.

Gospel Acclamation

Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.

15 Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So by their fruits you will know them.”

Reflections written by Fr. Steven Tynan, MGL

http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2021-06-23

22/06/2021

June 22, 2021

First Reading | Genesis 13:2, 5-18

Reflection
Abraham gave Lot the first choice of the lands at their disposal. Lot chose the most fertile lands and left Abraham with mostly semi-arid desert. This shows Abraham’s deep trust in the Lord’s providence. He trusted that God would provide for his needs despite the aridity of the land. Later, we see Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son at God’s command. Is there a more faithful and trusting man in human history?

2 Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. 5 Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, 6 so that the land could not support them if they stayed together; their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. 7 There were quarrels between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and those of Lot’s. (At this time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were occupying the land.) 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are kinsmen. 9 Is not the whole land at your disposal? Please separate from me. If you prefer the left, I will go to the right; if you prefer the right, I will go to the left.” 10 Lot looked about and saw how well watered the whole Jordan Plain was as far as Zoar, like the Lord’s own garden, or like Egypt. (This was before the Lord had destroyed S***m and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot, therefore, chose for himself the whole Jordan Plain and set out eastward. Thus they separated from each other. 12 Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the Plain, pitching his tents near S***m. 13 Now the inhabitants of S***m were very wicked in the sins they committed against the Lord. 14 After Lot had left, the Lord said to Abram, “Look about you, and from where you are, gaze to the north and south, east and west; 15 all the land that you see I will give to you and your descendants forever. 16 I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth; if anyone could count the dust of the earth, your descendants too might be counted. 17 Set forth and walk about in the land, through its length and breadth, for to you I will give it.” 18 Abram moved his tents and went on to settle near the terebinth of Mamre, which is at Hebron. There he built an altar to the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5

R: He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

2 He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart 3 and slanders not with his tongue. (R)

Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; 4 by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the Lord. (R)

5 Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be disturbed. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Reflection
The road to perdition is wide, and the one to righteousness is narrow and difficult. God is generous, but sin at work in the world puts great temptations before us. We need to be realistic, protect ourselves from temptations, and live in an environment that will foster faith and trust in God.

Gospel Acclamation

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

6 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces. 12 “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets. 13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. 14 How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”

Reflections written by Fr. Steven Tynan, MGL

http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2021-06-22

18/06/2021

TREAT YOURSELF AS A TREASURE

June 18, 2021

First Reading | 2 Corinthians 11:18, 21-30

Reflection
Paul was like an anxious father of the communities he established in Greece and Asia Minor. He who begins the work always has a special place in the heart of the people. However, there comes a time when community founders have to let go and allow others to take up the leadership.

18 Brothers and sisters: Since many boast according to the flesh, I, too, will boast. 21 To my shame I say that we were too weak! But what anyone dares to boast of (I am speaking in foolishness) I also dare. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they children of Israel? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I am talking like an insane person.) I am still more, with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, far worse beatings, and numerous brushes with death. 24 Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep; 26 on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fasting, through cold and exposure. 28 And apart from these things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led to sin, and I am not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: From all their distress God rescues the just.

2 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 3 Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. (R)

4 Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol his name. 5 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (R)

6 Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 7 When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 6:19-23

Reflection
Jesus reminds us that there are essential things worth our time and effort. Let us discern what are and are not important so we do not waste our time doing things that have no lasting value. One of the tragedies of the spiritual life is when good men and women do tasks that do not help build God’s Kingdom. Do they do the good that God wants them to do? Beware of Satan who distracts the faithful from their true mission.

Gospel Acclamation

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

19 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”

Reflections written by Fr. Steven Tynan, MGL

http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2021-06-18

17/06/2021

FORGIVE US OUR SINS 🙏

June 17, 2021

First Reading | 2 Corinthians 11:1-11

Reflection
Paul told the Corinthians, the venture capitalists, that he had no monetary reward for preaching the Gospel. The Gospel inspired him to seek nothing in return for sharing the Good News. This is an effective argument. There are only a few people who are willing to serve without compensation

1 Brothers and sisters: If only you would put up with a little foolishness from me! Please put up with me. 2 For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted from a sincere and pure commitment to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough. 5 For I think that I am not in any way inferior to these “super apostles.” 6 Even if I am untrained in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. 7 Did I make a mistake when I humbled myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the Gospel of God to you without charge? 8 I plundered other churches by accepting from them in order to minister to you. 9 And when I was with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. 10 By the truth of Christ in me, this boast of mine shall not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 111:1-2, 3-4, 7-8

R: Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth.

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (R)

3 Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. 4 He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the Lord. (R)

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; sure are all his precepts, 8 reliable forever and ever, wrought in truth and equity. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 6:7-15

Reflection
The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer of intercession and a call to action. We must live out this prayer if we wish to pray it with integrity. We think that the essence of our spiritual life is in our prayers. Equally important are the actions that come from it. Prayer is the foundation of Christian life. However, good deeds and a life of faith are its crowning glory.

Gospel Acclamation

You have received a spirit of adoption as sons through which we cry: Abba! Father!

7 Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread; 12 and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; 13 and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ 14 “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

Reflections written by Fr. Steven Tynan, MGL

http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2021-06-17

16/06/2021

June 16, 2021

First Reading | 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Reflection
No one can outgive God. He is the most generous giver of all time, and we exist because He gave us life. Paul encourages us to be generous with our resources, time, and talent for the sake of God’s Kingdom. He even reinforces that almsgiving is a way to repair sin and help keep alive the memory of the good deeds that we do.

6 Brothers and sisters: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. 10 The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 9

R: Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

1 Blessed the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands. 2 His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. (R)

3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. 4 Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. (R)

9 Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Reflection
There is no need to publicize our good deeds. If someone else reveals our good deeds to others, then that is a different matter. Jesus tells us to trust that the Heavenly Father sees all the good we do. Knowing that we have done a good thing ought to be enough reward for us.

Gospel Acclamation

Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.

1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. 2 When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 5 “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 16 “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Reflections written by Fr. Steven Tynan, MGL

http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2021-06-16

15/06/2021

Matapos ang isang linggo, marami pong salamat sa aming mga first customers at advance thank you na din po sa mga susunod pa dadating pang customers 😍
Sa hirap man o karangyaan, may sakit o wala, lahat ng inyong kahilingan ay siguradong maipaparating dito sa St. Benedict Church. At sa pamamagitan ng mga BLESSED necklace na ito matulungan at mapagaan namin ang kalooban ng bawat isa.
Naway lahat po magkaroon ng katuparan ang ating mga kahilingan . Ito man ay malaki man o maliit, Para sa pamilya, kasintahan o kaibigan. 🙏

Proverbs 16 : 3
Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established.

15/06/2021

NO MATTER WHAT, LOVE YOUR ENEMY

June 15, 2021

First Reading | 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Reflection
I am not a fan of forced or prescribed tithing. I believe it is better to instill in people the responsibility for the work of the Church and the care of Her ministers, and then teach them about generous giving. This way, those who are rich can give more for the Kingdom of God.

1 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, of the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For according to their means, I can testify, and beyond their means, spontaneously, 4 they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part in the service to the holy ones, 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us through the will of God, 6 so that we urged Titus that, as he had already begun, he should also complete for you this gracious act also. 7 Now as you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this gracious act also. 8 I say this not by way of command, but to test the genuineness of your love by your concern for others. 9 For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 146:2, 5-6, 6-7, 8-9

R: Praise the Lord, my soul!

2 Praise the Lord, my soul! I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I live. (R)

5 Blessed he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord, his God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them. (R)

Who keeps faith forever, 7 secures justice for the oppressed, gives good to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free. (R)

8 The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord raises up those that were bowed down; the Lord loves the just. 9 The Lord protects strangers. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 5:43-48

Reflection
Jesus commands us to love our enemies. This tells us about the nature of love that the world needs to learn anew—love is a decision and does not depend on feelings. Let us decide to love everyone we meet. This is a command of the Gospel and the nature of love. If we do not love others, how can we commit to proclaim the Gospel to them?

Gospel Acclamation

I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.

43 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Reflections written by Fr. Steven Tynan, MGL

http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2021-06-15

13/06/2021

KEEP BEING MOTIVATED 🥰

June 13, 2021

ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

First Reading | Ezekiel 17:22-24

Reflection
God is our life’s basis and inspiration. He gives us life and we continue to exist because of His loving mercy. John’s Gospel tells us that without God, we can do nothing (John 15:5). In today’s reading, Ezekiel told the people to rely on God for their lives and prosperity. He reminded them to be grateful in good and bad times—grateful for the gift of life. Sin is our only real enemy, never God, as He is always on our side.

22 Thus says the Lord God:I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar, from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot, and plant it on a high and lofty mountain; 23 on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it. It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs. 24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, bring low the high tree, lift high the lowly tree, wither up the green tree, and make the withered tree bloom. As I, the Lord, have spoken, so will I do.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16

R: Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

2 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praise to your name, Most High, 3 to proclaim your kindness at dawn and your faithfulness throughout the night. (R)

13 The just one shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow. 14 They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. (R)

15 They shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be, 16 declaring how just is the Lord, my Rock, in whom there is no wrong. (R)

Second Reading | 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Reflection
There is no absolute proof of God’s existence. We walk by faith, not by sight, says Paul. Our faith is the basis of our relationship with God. Without faith, we are on our own. While it seems we can do whatever we want, this question arises: Is what we want really the best thing for us? For those who trust in God, His will is the source of fulfillment and happiness. Without Him, there is no true fulfillment in life.

6 Brothers and sisters: We are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. 9 Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

Gospel | Mark 4:26-34

Reflection
Only God can make our faith grow and develop. Our growth in holiness and the building of the Kingdom is His work and responsibility. No matter how hard we try, we cannot make ourselves holy; only He can.We cannot change our sinful state; only His mercy can. Let us surrender to Him and find our true selves and our life’s fulfillment.

Gospel Acclamation

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to him will live forever.

26 Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land 27 and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” 30 He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32 But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. 34 Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Reflections written by Fr. Steven Tynan, MGL

http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2021-06-13