TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Also Read: Mass Readings for 05 September 2021
First Reading: Isaiah 35: 4-7a
Be Strong!
Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees, Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your GOD. He will come with vengeance with terrible recompense, He will come and save you.” (3-5)
On days such as these, Be Strong Do Not Fear! Though human eyes may see bleak days ahead, we must stand firm in the Lord and see even before HE comes. Even before our human eyes can see Him coming, we must know that the Lord comes just as it is described in the Holy Scriptures!
Fear is the weapon of the devil to keep us from “Seeing” The Coming. Fear can cripple our limbs and block our ears. Therefore, we must Speak and Sing words of joy before we can see Him Coming. Then we will see the waters in the wilderness. The jackals we see today will be swamped out tomorrow. The favorite spot for their hunting will be turned into marshy land. In the past, we have seen things change in the blink of an eye. The Word of God is unshakeable. We must Believe and Stay Strong!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146: 7, 8-9, 9-10
Eat from the Lord’s provision.
Who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free. (7)
There will be freedom from all oppression. Whatever you need will be provided to you, just like the manna.
Second Reading: James 2: 1-5
Be Rich!
Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him. (5)
If any of us feel we are poor by the standards of this world, we must rejoice in hearing these bible truths! We are heirs to an eternal kingdom, which no one can take away. This world is a temporary home. The poor of this world are rich in faith and we are rich in the Lord’s sight! Amen!
Gospel: Mark 7: 31-37
Listen and Speak!
Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphathta,” that is, “Be opened.” (34)
There are times when the Lord needs to take us away privately and put his finger into our ears. It could be our stubbornness that needs all the different actions to get us to Listen! It is interesting to note, how the opening of his ears released his tongue too!
Hence, when our ears are opened; our tongues to are freed! So when we Listen, We Ought to Speak His Words. Amen!
