Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 16 February 2025 Sunday Reflection by Mike – 16 February 2025
First Reading: Jeremiah 17: 5-8
Fruit-bearing in drought!
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots through the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. (7-8)
Prophet Jeremiah proclaims about the person who trusts the Lord but also warns about those who trust only in humanity! Depending on a man also means being too self-obsessed! It is folly to think that, by our own might and will, we can achieve anything. If our hearts are after the world and its things, we will find ourselves constantly running into dry places. We will run from one well to another constantly trying to fill our cups with water that runs dry very soon.
But when we surrender our trust to the Lord and drink from the springs He provides; we will never lack anything! Our anxious hearts and fearful minds are calmed at the banquet of plenty, in the Lord. Let us remember to trust in God first and then do our part. Once we submit our work to the Lord, He blesses our efforts. Let us not rely just on our own skills or that of our neighbours. It is the Lord who can turn the water into wine, while turning our droughts into springs.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 1: 1-4 and 6
Blessed are they who hope in the Lord, whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. (2)
Amen!
Second Reading: First Corinthians 15: 12, 16-20
Bearing fruit and growing!
Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. (20)
Christ has died, risen, and given us new life; therefore, we are free! Christ bore for us the first fruits! We are now able to bear fruit in Christ, if we remain in Him! Let us abide in Christ as He told us in John 14, 15, and 16. Remaining in Christ requires us to live in His Word. Therefore, only when we read, listen, and meditate on His Holy Word; we will be able to abide in His word.
Alleluia: Luke 6: 23ab
Alleluia, Alleluia! Rejoice and be glad; your reward will be great in heaven.
Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 6: 17, 20-26
“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. (22-23)
When we feel isolated or rejected, we must remind ourselves of the sermon on the mount by the Lord. The Lord stood on a level place with his disciples, and he knew exactly how they may have felt. We must rejoice that the Lord is with us on that day, even though we may not find others around us! Many a times we may feel hurt in our spirits, but we must remember that our Lord too trod over similar rough and lonely roads. He sees us in our weaknesses and loneliness. We have an awesome God, who knows how we hurt internally. Let us turn our spirits over to the Lord who cares for us. Let us visit the Blessed Sacrament as often as we can. Let us receive the Holy Eucharist more often and we will be strengthened in our spirits. As we return to our daily lives, we will receive new vigour in our hearts.
When our hearts are strengthened, we will resume our physical strength too. Let us make this prayer to Our Lord, through Mother Mary. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
