WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU ?

MONDAY WEEK 33 IN ORDINARY TIME: Universalis

Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your will

CI: First Reading 1 Maccabees 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-64 

The persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes

There grew a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus; once a hostage in Rome, he became king in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. It was then that there emerged from Israel a set of renegades who led many people astray. ‘Come,’ they said ‘let us reach an understanding with the pagans surrounding us, for since we separated ourselves from them many misfortunes have overtaken us.’ This proposal proved acceptable, and a number of the people eagerly approached the king, who authorised them to practise the pagan observances. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, such as the pagans have, disguised their circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant, submitting to the heathen rule as willing slaves of impiety.

Then the king issued a proclamation to his whole kingdom that all were to become a single people, each renouncing his particular customs. All the pagans conformed to the king’s decree, and many Israelites chose to accept his religion, sacrificing to idols and profaning the sabbath. The king erected the abomination of desolation above the altar; and altars were built in the surrounding towns of Judah and incense offered at the doors of houses and in the streets. Any books of the Law that came to light were torn up and burned. Whenever anyone was discovered possessing a copy of the covenant or practising the Law, the king’s decree sentenced him to death. 

Yet there were many in Israel who stood firm and found the courage to refuse unclean food. They chose death rather than contamination by such fare or profanation of the holy covenant, and they were executed. It was a dreadful wrath that visited Israel.

Responsorial Psalm: Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your will

Gospel Luke 18:35-43 'Son of David, have pity on me'

CDR: As Jesus drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging. When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about, and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.’ The people in front scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the man to him, and when he came up, asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Sir,’ he replied ‘let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.’ And instantly his sight returned and he followed him praising God, and all the people who saw it gave praise to God for what had happened.

Heavenly Father, my God, redeem me from man’s oppression and I will keep your precepts. Father those who harm me unjustly draw near; they are far from your law. Father take pity on me. Save me from the evil one. My life is in your hand Father.

Lord Jesus I trust in you. Lord Jesus Christ let me see the beauty in trusting you. Let me see the beauty of hearing your gentle voice. Lord let me see the beauty in your humility. Lord let me see the beauty in your sacrifice to redeem me. Let me see the beauty in obedience to you. Lord you are my beautiful Saviour.

Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. God’s Angels and saints pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me.

Pray the Holy Rosary: Hail Holy Queen. Ave Maria