21 Jan
Fri
2nd Week in Ordinary Time
St Agnes, Virgin & martyr
Heb. 8:6-13
Ps. 84(85): 8,10,11-12,13-14
Mk. 3:13-19
(Ps Wk II)
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In Hebrew poetry, such as the Psalms, one line repeats another in different ways so that basically the same thing is said in different ways. In today's Psalm we have several very enlightening examples. The first two lines quoted show that God's kindness and salvation are related and to be understood together. Kindness as a manifestation of love: St Paul tells us: "Love is kind" (Cor 13:4). God's love for us is first of all manifested in creation: God created us out of love and for love. That kindly love was then manifested in Jesus our Saviour: St John tells us: "God loves the world in this way that he gave his only son." The more we come to know Jesus, the more we understand that the grace of salvation which he won for us on the cross is a supreme manifestation of God's eternal kindly love for us.

Further on in the Psalm, we see kindness and truth set in parallelism with justice and peace, and then truth and justice together. Jesus is the kindly love of God made flesh; Jesus is the truth (Jn 14:6); Jesus is our peace (Eph 2:14). Only in Jesus and his truth do we find Justice.



Father in Heaven, if we sin, do abandon us, but in your kindly love guide us to the peace of salvation.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the riches of the created world may be preserved, valued, and made available as God's precious gift to all.
Elaboration

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