Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 01 September 2024 Homily for 01 September 2024 – Sunday
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-8
For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? 8 And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today? (7-8)
The Israelites were the chosen nation among the whole earth. They were liberated and brought out of captivity so miraculously from Egypt. God fed them with manna in the desert and looked after their every need when they followed him! Then God provided them with the Ten Commandments and the Law. He was truly a Father to them as he gave them discipline through the Law!
We must praise the Lord at all times! We know we are his people through Jesus Christ. We have been given the commandments to follow. Just knowing the commandments is not sufficient, we must work,(ie.) put into action what we have been told! Just as children would obey their parents!
In Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 15: 2-5
Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; (2)
“…Those who do these things shall never be moved.” (5)
Alleluia! Amen!
Second Reading: James 1: 17-18, 21b-22, 27
In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. (18)
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. (22)
Today, one of Christ’s very first apostles, St. James, proclaims to us that we are “a kind of first fruits of his creatures.” Let us therefore not just be hearers but also be doers! We ask St. James to intercede so that we may do as we listen to the Word of God!
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Gospel: Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15,21-23
“For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (21-23)
Christ Jesus clearly states how we are to conduct ourselves. In our daily lives when we attempt to be the “doers” we must keep the above verse in mind. In fact memorizing this verse will help us to navigate our path in this perilous sea of life. But let us also remember that God is for us and through Christ we can do all things!
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
