GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY : Tuesday - May 30, 2023

   

Tuesday - May 30, 2023

O how long ago the earth would have been destroyed, if Mary had not interposed!

-St. Fulgentius

May 30, 2023

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 348

 

Reading I     

                                                                                    Sir 35:1-12

 

To keep the law is a great oblation,

and he who observes the

commandments sacrifices a peace offering.

In works of charity one offers fine flour,

and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise.

To refrain from evil pleases the LORD,

and to avoid injustice is an atonement.

Appear not before the LORD empty-handed,

for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.

The just one's offering enriches the altar

and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High.

The just one's sacrifice is most pleasing,

nor will it ever be forgotten.

In a generous spirit pay homage to the LORD,

be not sparing of freewill gifts.

With each contribution show a cheerful countenance,

and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.

Give to the Most High as he has given to you,

generously, according to your means.

 

For the LORD is one who always repays,

and he will give back to you sevenfold.

But offer no bribes, these he does not accept!

Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion.

For he is a God of justice,

who knows no favorites.

 

Responsorial Psalm                                  Ps 50:5-6, 7-8, 14 and 23

 

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

 

"Gather my faithful ones before me,

those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

And the heavens proclaim his justice;

for God himself is the judge.

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

 

"Hear, my people, and I will speak;

Israel, I will testify against you;

God, your God, am I.

Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,

for your burnt offerings are before me always."

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

 

"Offer to God praise as your sacrifice

and fulfill your vows to the Most High.

He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;

and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

 

Alleluia         

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;

you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

R. Alleluia

 

Gospel                                                                       Mk 10:28-31

 

Peter began to say to Jesus,

'We have given up everything and followed you."

Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you,

there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters

or mother or father or children or lands

for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel

who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:

houses and brothers and sisters

and mothers and children and lands,

with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.

But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."

 

**********************************

An Exchange of Gifts

Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more…” Mark 10:29–30

 

Jesus’ statement above is in response to Peter who said to Him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” It was as if Peter were patting himself on the back, attempting to highlight just how much he and the other disciples had sacrificed to follow Jesus. And it was true, they did give up everything of their former life. They left home, their occupation, their relationships and everything that had been part of their daily established life in response to the call of Jesus. They were truly all in.

 

In hearing this statement from Peter, Jesus does not give the expected response. He doesn’t say to Peter, “Yes, you have, that’s very impressive Peter. Good job and thank you!” Instead, Jesus immediately explains to Peter that the sacrifice he and the others have made is worth it. Their unwavering commitment to follow Jesus would be repaid with gifts beyond their imagination. Thus, Jesus was saying that the gifts that He would bestow upon them would be exponentially greater than every sacrifice they made.

 

This was not a belittling of Peter’s self-sacrifice; rather, it was a form of encouragement by Jesus. He was encouraging Peter, and the other disciples, to have full confidence in their decision to follow Him. Their sacrifice would yield a hundredfold return. That is truly a good investment.

 

It can be tempting for us all, at times, to feel as though God asks too much of us. It’s true that God asks much of us. He asks everything from us. He asks for the complete and total gift of our lives to Him. He calls us to abandon all selfishness and to dedicate ourselves to His holy will without exception. But if we understand the reward of our self-giving, then the sacrifices we make will pale in comparison to the reward.

 

Reflect, today, upon whether or not you can say those words with the Apostle, Saint Peter: “Lord, I have given up everything to follow You.” Have you truly given your life completely to Christ Jesus? Are there things that you still hold back, not wanting to “sacrifice” for our Lord? Ponder those words of Peter and allow yourself to see the areas of your life you still need to surrender over to Jesus. And as you do so, allow the reward promised by our Lord to motivate you to the point that you truly hold nothing back and truly have given up everything to follow His holy will.

 

Today's Prayer

 

My generous Lord, You ask everything of me. You ask me to abandon everything in my pursuit of Your perfect will. Give me the grace I need to answer Your call and to live sacrificially for You without counting the cost. You are generous beyond description, dear Lord, and I trust that following You will produce an abundance of good fruit. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.

 

 

God Bless You.....

The Rosary Family

The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”