I WILL BUILD YOU A HOUSE

THE LORD OF HOST IS GOD OVER ISRAEL

THURSDAY  WEEK III IN ORD. TIME YEAR C

PRAYER FOR DAILY NEGLECTS: Eternal Father, I offer thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its sufferings and all its merits. 

First: To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Readings 

Second: To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit……  Lectures 

Third: To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Pieta  Reflection

First Reading 2 Samuel 7:18-19,24-29

'The house of your servant will be blessed for ever'

After Nathan had spoken to him, King David went in and, seated before the Lord, said: ‘Who am I, O Lord, and what is my House, that you have led me as far as this? Yet in your sight, O Lord, this is still not far enough, and you make your promises extend to the House of your servant for a far-distant future. You have constituted your people Israel to be your own people for ever; and you, Lord, have become their God.

‘Now, O Lord, always keep the promise you have made your servant and his House, and do as you have said. Your name will be exalted for ever and men will say, “The Lord of Hosts is God over Israel.” The House of your servant David will be made secure in your presence, since you yourself, Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, “I will build you a House”; hence your servant has ventured to offer this prayer to you. Yes, Lord, you are God indeed, your words are true and you have made this fair promise to your servant. Be pleased, then, to bless the House of your servant, that it may continue for ever in your presence; for you, Lord, have spoken; and with your blessing the House of your servant will be for ever blessed.’

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David

Gospel Mark 4:21-25 

A lamp is to be put on a lampstand. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given

Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’ 

He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Angela Merici, virgin. May your birthday Saint pray for you.

Loving Father my Lord, my God remember the promise you have made to me your servant. Fulfil your promise Father, may your name be exalted for ever through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord and Saviour.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Protect me, guide and guard me.

Pray the Holy Rosary. Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ bring us to your Son. 

THE AMOUNT YOU MEASURE THE AMOUNT YOU GET

Prayer before Mass: Almighty and ever-living God, I approach the sacrament of Your only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. I come sick to the doctor of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the radiance of eternal light, and poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Lord, in Your great generosity, heal my sickness, wash away my defilement, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. May I receive the Bread of Angels, the King of kings and Lord of lords, with humble reverence, with the purity and faith, the repentance and love, and the determined purpose that will help  to bring me to salvation. 

May I receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Body and Blood, and its reality and power. Kind God, may I receive the Body of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, born from the womb of the Virgin Mary, and so be received into His mystical body and numbered among His members. 

Loving Father, as on my earthly pilgrimage I now receive Your beloved Son under the veil of a  sacrament, may I one day see Him face to face in glory, who lives and reigns with You forever. Amen. By Knights of the Holy Eucharist.  Readings  
Lectures 
Reflection 

Saint Thomas Aquinas

First Reading

Let us keep firm in the hope we profess

Through the blood of Jesus we have the right to enter the sanctuary, by a new way which he has opened for us, a living opening through the curtain, that is to say, his body. And we have the supreme high priest over all the house of God. So as we go in, let us be sincere in heart and filled with faith, our minds sprinkled and free from any trace of bad conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us keep firm in the hope we profess, because the one who made the promise is faithful. Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works. Do not stay away from the meetings of the community, as some do, but encourage each other to go; the more so as you see the Day drawing near.

Responsorial Psalm

Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord

Gospel

A lamp is to be  put on a lampstand. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given

Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’ 

He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’

Lord Jesus Christ, you said the amount I measure out is the amount I will be given. Lord at times I could be judgmental, condemning my fellow creatures, failing to realize that it is by your grace I am who I am your Holy Spirit to guide my actions. Failing to see beyond my actions, am I truly sincere in my heart?  Give me a sincere heart filled with faith,  that my mind be sprinkled and free from any trace of bad conscience and my body washed with pure water. 

Help Lord to be compassionate towards my fellow creatures, and to response in love and good works whenever I am tempted to be unkind, and unfair in my treatment. Lord whenever I hear anything concerning your creatures and conducts, may I not be quick to pass judgments for the measure I give same will be given unto me.

 Lord Jesus Christ be merciful to me that as the day draw near, when I am to meet you, you will welcome me for it is your desire that I should not perish Lord. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for loving me.

WE ARE SALT AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Jesus said to his disciples:
'You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt becomes tasteless,
what can make it salty again?
It is good for nothing, and
can only be thrown out and
trampled underfoot by men.

'You are the light of the world.
A city built on a hill-top
cannot be hidden.

No one lights a lamp to put it
under a tub; they put it on the
lamp-stand where it shines for
everyone in the house.

In the same way your light
must shine in the sight of men,
so that, seeing your good works,
they may give praise to
your Father in heaven.' Mass Readings