THE LORD TAKES DELIGHT IN HIS PEOPLE

PRAYER BEFORE MASS

Go before us O Lord, in this our sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, and grant that we say and sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and practice and show forth in our daily lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

PRAYER AFTER MASS

Bless, O Lord, our hearts and minds, and grant that as we leave Your house, we may continue to be aware of Your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. by Saint John Berchmans, Patron Saint of Altar Boys. Readings Lectures Reflection  

First Reading Ecclesiasticus 44:1,9-13

Let us praise illustrious men

Let us praise illustrious men,  our ancestors in their successive generations. Some have left no memory,  and disappeared as though they had not existed, they are now as though they had never been,  and so too, their children after them. But here is a list of generous men   whose good works have not been forgotten. In their descendants there remains  a rich inheritance born of them. Their descendants stand by the covenants   and, thanks to them, so do their children’s children. Their offspring will last for ever, their glory will not fade.

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord takes delight in his people

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

I chose you from the world

to go out and bear fruit,

fruit that will last,

says the Lord.

Alleluia!

Gospel   Mark  11:11-26

The fig tree, the cleasing of the Temple

After he had been acclaimed by the crowds, Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple. He looked all round him, but as it was now late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. 

Next day as they were leaving Bethany, he felt hungry. Seeing a fig tree in leaf some distance away, he went to see if he could find any fruit on it, but when he came up to it he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season for figs. And he addressed the fig tree. ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again’ he said. And his disciples heard him say this. 

So they reached Jerusalem and he went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling and buying there; he upset the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who were selling pigeons. Nor would he allow anyone to carry anything through the Temple. And he taught them and said, ‘Does not scripture say: My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples? But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.’ This came to the ears of the chief priests and the scribes, and they tried to find some way of doing away with him; they were afraid of him because the people were carried away by his teaching. And when evening came he went out of the city. 

Next morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered to the roots. Peter remembered. ‘Look, Rabbi,’ he said to Jesus, ‘the fig tree you cursed has withered away.’ Jesus answered, ‘Have faith in God. I tell you solemnly, if anyone says to this mountain, “Get up and throw yourself into the sea,” with no hesitation in his heart but believing that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. I tell you therefore: everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already, and it will be yours. And when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your failings too. But if you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your failings either.’

Heavenly Father thank you, for you take delight in all your creatures.  Thank you Father for you deligh in creation the work of your hands.  Father thank you for your Son Jesus Christ. Father help us your to creatures  to bear good fruits.  May we have reverence for your Holy Place. We give you all the glory, honor and adoration through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.  Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for loving me. Mother Mary, Virgin Mother,  pray for us your children.