Catholic Bible readings for today 14 March 2021 Ordinary

Daily Mass Readings for Sunday , 14 March 2021 – Ordinary

First Reading: First Samuel 

16: 1b, 6-7, 10-13a

1 And the Lord said to Samuel: fill thy horn with oil, and come, that I may send thee to Isai the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

6 And when they were come in, he saw Eliab, and said: Is the Lord’s anointed before him?

7 And the Lord said to Samuel: Look not on his countenance, nor on the height of his stature: because I have rejected him, nor do I judge according to the look of man: for man seeth those things that appear, but the Lord beholdeth the heart.

10 Isai therefore brought his seven sons before Samuel: and Samuel said to Isai: The Lord hath not chosen any one of these.

11 And Samuel said to Isai: Are here all thy sons? He answered: There remaineth yet a young one, who keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said to Isai: Send, and fetch him, for we will not sit down till he come hither.

12 He sent therefore and brought him Now he was ruddy and beautiful to behold, and of a comely face. And the Lord said: Arise, and anoint him, for this is he.

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R. (1) The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.

1 A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.

2 He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:

3 He hath converted my soul.

R. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.

3 He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name’s sake.

4 For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.

R. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.

5 Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!

6 And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.

R. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.

Second Reading: Ephesians 5: 8-14

8 For you were heretofore darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk then as children of the light.

9 For the fruit of the light is in all goodness, and justice, and truth;

10 Proving what is well pleasing to God:

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For the things that are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of.

13 But all things that are reproved, are made manifest by the light; for all that is made manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith: Rise thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead: and Christ shall enlighten thee.

Verse Before the Gospel: John 8: 12

12 I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Gospel: John 9: 1-41

1 And Jesus passing by, saw a man, who was blind from his birth:

2 And his disciples asked him: Rabbi, who hath sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind?

3 Jesus answered: Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, whilst it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

6 When he had said these things, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and spread the clay on his eyes,

7 And said to him: Go, wash in the pool of Siloe, which is interpreted, Sent. He went therefore, and washed, and he came seeing.

8 The neighbours therefore, and they who had seen him before that he was a beggar, said: Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said: This is he.

9 But others said: No, but he is like him. But he said: I am he.

10 They said therefore to him: How were thy eyes opened?

11 He answered: That man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me: Go to the pool of Siloe, and wash. And I went, I washed, and I see.

12 And they said to him: Where is he? He saith: I know not.

13 They bring him that had been blind to the Pharisees.

14 Now it was the sabbath, when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

15 Again therefore the Pharisees asked him, how he had received his sight. But he said to them: He put clay upon my eyes, and I washed, and I see.

16 Some therefore of the Pharisees said: This man is not of God, who keepeth not the sabbath. But others said: How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

17 They say therefore to the blind man again: What sayest thou of him that hath opened thy eyes? And he said: He is a prophet.

18 The Jews then did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight,

19 And asked them, saying: Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then doth he now see?

20 His parents answered them, and said: We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

21 But how he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: ask himself: he is of age, let him speak for himself.

22 These things his parents said, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had already agreed among themselves, that if any man should confess him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

23 Therefore did his parents say: He is of age, ask himself.

24 They therefore called the man again that had been blind, and said to him: Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.

25 He said therefore to them: If he be a sinner, I know not: one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see.

26 They said then to him: What did he to thee? How did he open thy eyes?

27 He answered them: I have told you already, and you have heard: why would you hear it again? will you also become his disciples?

28 They reviled him therefore, and said: Be thou his disciple; but we are the disciples of Moses.

29 We know that God spoke to Moses: but as to this man, we know not from whence he is.

30 The man answered, and said to them: Why, herein is a wonderful thing, that you know not from whence he is, and he hath opened my eyes.

31 Now we know that God doth not hear sinners: but if a man be a server of God, and doth his will, him he heareth.

32 From the beginning of the world it hath not been heard, that any man hath opened the eyes of one born blind.

33 Unless this man were of God, he could not do any thing.

34 They answered, and said to him: Thou wast wholly born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out: and when he had found him, he said to him: Dost thou believe in the Son of God?

36 He answered, and said: Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?

37 And Jesus said to him: Thou hast both seen him; and it is he that talketh with thee.

38 And he said: I believe, Lord. And falling down, he adored him.

39 And Jesus said: For judgment I am come into this world; that they who see not, may see; and they who see, may become blind.

40 And some of the Pharisees, who were with him, heard: and they said unto him: Are we also blind?

41 Jesus said to them: If you were blind, you should not have sin: but now you say: We see. Your sin remaineth.

14 मार्च 2021, इतवार चालीसे का चौथा इतवार

14 मार्च 2021, इतवार

चालीसे का चौथा इतवार

पहला पाठ : 2 इतिहास ग्रन्थ 36:14-16, 19-23

14) याजकों के नेताओं में और जनता में भी बहुत अधिक अधर्म फैल गया, क्योंकि उन्होंने गै़र-यहूदी राष्ट्रों के घृणित कार्यों का अनुकरण किया और प्रभु द्वारा प्रतिष्ठित येरुसालेम को मन्दिर अपवित्र कर दिया।

15) प्रभु, उनके पूर्वजों का ईश्वर उनके पास अपने दूतों को निरन्तर भेजता रहा; क्योंकि उसे अपने मन्दिर तथा अपनी प्रजा पर तरस आता था।

16) किन्तु उन्होंने ईश्वर के दूतों का उपहास किया, उसके उपदेशों का तिरस्कार किया और उसके नबियों की हँसी उड़ायी। अन्त में ईश्वर का क्रोध अपनी प्रजा पर फूट पड़ा और उस से बचने का कोई उपाय नहीं रहा।

19) बाबुल के लोगों ने ईश्वर का मन्दिर जलाया, येरुसालेम की चारदीवारी गिरा दी, उसके सब महलों का आग लगा कर सर्वनाश किया और उसकी सब बहुमूल्य वस्तुएँ नष्ट कर दीं।

20) जो लोग तलवार से बच गये, उन्हें बन्दी बना कर बाबुल ले जाया गया। वहाँ वे तब तक राजा और उसके वंशजों के दास बने रहे, जब तक फ़ारसी लोगों का राज्य स्थापित नहीं हुआ।

21) इस तरह यिरमियाह के मुख से प्रभु ने जो कहा था, वह पूरा हो गया- ‘विश्राम-दिवस अपवित्र करने के प्रायश्चित के रूप में यूदा की भूमि उजड़ कर सत्तर वर्षाें तक परती पड़ी रहेगी’।

22) यिरमियाह द्वारा घोषित अपनी वाणी पूरी करने के लिए प्रभु ने फ़ारस के राजा सीरुस को उसके शासनकाल के प्रथम वर्ष में प्रेरित किया कि वह अपने सम्पूर्ण राज्य में यह लिखित राजाज्ञा प्रसारित करेः

23) ‘‘फ़ारस के राजा सीरुस कहते हैः प्रभु, स्वर्ग के ईश्वर ने मुझे पृथ्वी के सब राज्य प्रदान किये और उसने मुझे यहूदिया के येरुसालेम में एक मन्दिर बनवाने का आदेश दिया है। ईश्वर उनके साथ रहे, जो तुम लोगों में उसकी प्रजा के सदस्य हैं। वे लोग येरुसालेम की ओर प्रस्थान करें।"

दूसरा पाठ : एफेसियों 2:4-10

4) परन्तु ईश्वर की दया अपार है। हम अपने पापों के कारण मर गये थे, किन्तु उसने हमें इतना प्यार किया

5) कि उसने हमें मसीह के साथ जीवन प्रदान किया। उसकी कृपा ने आप लोगों का उद्धार किया।

6) उसने ईसा मसीह के द्वारा हम लोगों को पुनर्जीवित किया और स्वर्ग में बैठाया।

7) उसने ईसा मसीह में जो दयालुता दिखायी, उसके द्वारा उसने आगामी युगों के लिए अपने अनुग्रह की असीम समृद्धि को प्रदर्शित किया।

8) उसकी कृपा ने विश्वास द्वारा आप लोगों का उद्धार किया है। यह आपके किसी पुण्य का फल नहीं है। यह तो ईश्वर का वरदान है।

9) यह आपके किसी कर्म का पुरस्कार नहीं -कहीं ऐसा न हो कि कोई उस पर गर्व करे।

10) ईश्वर ने हमारी रचना की। उसने ईसा मसीह द्वारा हमारी सृष्टि की, जिससे हम पुण्य के कार्य करते रहें और उसी मार्ग पर चलते रहें, जिसे ईश्वर ने हमारे लिए तैयार किया है।

सुसमाचार : सन्त योहन 3:14-21

14) जिस तरह मूसा ने मरुभूमि में साँप को ऊपर उठाया था, उसी तरह मानव पुत्र को भी ऊपर उठाया जाना है,

15) जिससे जो उस में विश्वास करता है, वह अनन्त जीवन प्राप्त करे।’’

16) ईश्वर ने संसार को इतना प्यार किया कि उसने इसके लिए अपने एकलौते पुत्र को अर्पित कर दिया, जिससे जो उस में विश्वास करता हे, उसका सर्वनाश न हो, बल्कि अनन्त जीवन प्राप्त करे।

17) ईश्वर ने अपने पुत्र को संसार मं इसलिए नहीं भेजा कि वह संसार को दोषी ठहराये। उसने उसे इसलिए भेजा कि संसार उसके द्वारा मुक्ति प्राप्त करे।

18) जो पुत्र में विश्वास करता है, वह दोषी नहीं ठहराया जाता है। जो विश्वास नहीं करता, वह दोषी ठहराया जा चुका है; क्योंकि वह ईश्वर के एकलौते पुत्र के नाम में विश्वास नहीं करता।

19) दण्डाज्ञा का कारण यह है कि ज्योति संसार में आयी है और मनुष्यों ने ज्योति की अपेक्षा अन्धकार को अधिक पसन्द किया, क्योंकि उनके कर्म बुरे थे।

20) जो बुराई करता है, वह ज्योंति से बैर करता है और ज्योति के पास इसलिए नहीं आता कि कहीं उसके कर्म प्रकट न हो जायें।

21) किन्तु जो सत्य पर चलता है, वह ज्योति के पास आता है, जिससे यह प्रकट हो कि उसके कर्म ईश्वर की प्रेरणा से हुए हैं।

📚 मनन-चिंतन

इस्राएल ईश्वर की चुनी हुई प्रजा है। लेकिन याजकों के नेताओं में और जनता में भी बहुत अधिक अधर्म फैल गया क्योंकि उन्होंने गैर-यहूदी राष्ट्रों के र्घणित कार्यें का अनुकरण किया और प्रभु द्वारा प्रतिष्टित येरूसालेम का मन्दिर अपवित्र कर दिया। इसलिए ईश्वर ने आपनी प्रजा को सन्मार्ग पर लाने केलिए अपने दूतों को भेजा, लेकिन अन्होंने उनकी बात नहीं मानी, उनका का उपहाय किया, उनके उपदेशों का तिरस्कार किया और उसके नबियों की हॅसी उड़ायी। (2 इतिहास 36:14-16) इसलिए ईश्वर ने बाबुल के लोगों द्वारा इस्राएल पर आक्रमण करने दिया। लेकिन जब इस्राएलियों ने अपने पापों केलिए प्रायश्चित किया तब ईश्वर ने फ़ारस के राजा सीरूस के द्वारा बाबुल की दासता से मुक्त किया।

ठीक इसी तरह पिता ईश्वर ने जब समस्त मानवजाती पाप में पडे हुए थे तब अपने एकलौते पुत्र येसु के द्वारा दुनिया का उद्धार किया। वचन में कहता है कि -परन्तू ईश्वर की दया अपार है। हम अपने पापों के कारण मर गये थे, किन्तु उसने हमें इतना प्यार किया कि उसने हमें मसीह के साथ जीवन प्रदान किया उसकी कृपा ने आप लोंगों का उद्धार किया। (एफेसियों 2:4) हम इस चालिसा काल में क्रुसित प्रभु येसु कि ओर देखें। क्योंकि जिस तरह मूसा ने मरूभूमि में सॉप को ऊपर उठाया था, उसी तरह मानव पु़त्र को भी ऊपर उठाया जाना है, जिससे जो उस में विश्वास करता है, वह अनन्त जीवन प्राप्त करे। (योहन 3:14)

हमारे सारे पापों को एवं बुरी आदतों को येसु के क्रूस के तले हम लाये और पाप क्षमा केलिए हम प्रार्थना करें तकी हमें पाप क्षमा मिले। जिस प्रकार ईश्वर ने इस्रएली जनता को बाबुल की दासता से मुक्त किया उसी प्रकार ईश्वर हमें भी उद्धार करेंगे। प्रभु येसु का ये वचन याद रखना उत्तम होगा-मैं धर्मीयों को नहीं, पापियों को पश्चात्ताप के लिए बुलाने आया हॅू। (लूकस 5:32) वह फिर हम पर दया करेगा, हमारे अपराध पैरों तले रौंद देगा और हमारे सभी पाप गहरे समुद्र में फेंकेगा। (मिकाह 7:19)

📚 REFLECTION

Israel is a chose people. But so much of sins increased among the leaders and the people because they adopted the worships of the pagans. And thus they defiled the temple of Jerusalem. Therefore God sent his messengers to bring them back to Him, but the people did not listen to them, they laughed at them, they rejected their teaching and they laughed at the messengers (2Chronicle 36:14-16). Because of this God let Israel to be defeated by the Babylonians. When the Israelites realized their sins and repented then God set they free through the Persian king Cyrus.

In the same way God the Father sent his only Son when whole of humankind was in sin. And God set the humankind free from sin. Eph 2:4 But God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loves us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved. In this season of lent let’s look at Jesus; because (Jn 3: 14) as Moses raised the bronze serpent in the desert and all those who looked at it were healed, so also Jesus is lifted up on the cross so that all those who look at him will be healed of their sins.

Let bring all our sinfulness and bad habits at the feet of the cross and pray for the forgiveness of sins. Just as God set free the Israelites from the slavery of Babylon so also God will set us free from the slavery of sin. Remember what Jesus has said: (Lk 5:32) I have come to call sinners to repentance. Micah says in 7:19 He will have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

✍ -Br. Biniush Topno



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Praise the Lord!

Catholic Bible readings for today 13 March

 Daily Mass Readings for Saturday, 13 March 2021

First Reading: Hosea 6: 1-6

1 In their affliction they will rise early to me: Come, and let us return to the Lord:

2 For he hath taken us, and he will heal us: he will strike, and he will cure us.

3 He will revive us after two days: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. We shall know, and we shall follow on, that we may know the Lord. His going forth is prepared as the morning light, and he will come to us as the early and the latter rain to the earth.

4 What shall I do to thee, O Ephraim? what shall I do to thee, O Juda? your mercy is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that goeth away in the morning.

5 For this reason have I hewed them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments shall go forth as the light.

6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice: and the knowledge of God more than holocausts.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 51: 3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab

R. (Hosea 6:6) For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice.

3 Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.

4 Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

R. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice.

18 For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.

19 A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

R. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice.

20 Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.

21 Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings.

R. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice.

Verse Before the Gospel: Psalms 95: 8

8 Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts

Gospel: Luke 18: 9-14

9 And to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others, he spoke also this parable:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican.

12 I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.

13 मार्च 2021, शनिवार चालीसे का तीसरा सप्ताह

13 मार्च 2021, शनिवार

चालीसे का तीसरा सप्ताह

पहला पाठ : होशेआ का ग्रन्थ 6:1-6

1) ’’ आओ! हम प्रभु के पास लौटें। उसने हम को घायल किया, वही हमें चंगा करेगा; उसने हम को मारा है, वही हमारे घावों पर पट्टी बाँधेगा।

2) वह हमें दो दिन बाद जिलायेगा; तीसरे दिन वह हमें उठोयेगा और हम उसके सामने जीवित रहेंगे।

3) आओ! हम प्रभु का ज्ञान प्राप्त करने का प्रयत्न करें। उसका आगमन भोर की तरह निश्चित है। वह पृथ्वी को सींचने वाली हितकारी वर्षा की तरह हमारे पास आयेगा।’’

4) एफ्राईम! मैं तुम्हारे लिए क्या करूँ? यूदा! मैं तुम्हारे लिए क्या करूँ? तुम्हारा प्रेम भोर के कोहरे के समान है, ओस के समान, जो शीघ्र ही लुप्त हो जाती है।

5) इसलिए मैंने नबियों द्वारा तुम्हें घायल किया। अपने मुख के शब्दों द्वारा तुम्हें मारा है;

6) क्योंकि मैं बलिदान की अपेक्षा प्रेम और होम की अपेक्षा ईश्वर का ज्ञान चाहता हूँ।

सुसमाचार : सन्त लूकस 18:9-14

9) कुछ लोग बड़े आत्मविश्वास के साथ अपने को धर्मी मानते और दूसरों को तुच्छ समझते थे। ईसा ने ऐसे लोगों के लिए यह दृष्टान्त सुनाया,

10) ‘‘दो मनुष्य प्रार्थना करने मन्दिर गये, एक फ़रीसी और दूसरा नाकेदार।

11) फ़रीसी तन कर खड़ा हो गया और मन-ही-मन इस प्रकार प्रार्थना करता रहा, ’ईश्वर! मैं तुझे धन्यवाद देता हूँ कि मैं दूसरे लोगों की तरह लोभी, अन्यायी, व्यभिचारी नहीं हूँ और न इस नाकेदार की तरह ही।

12) मैं सप्ताह में दो बार उपवास करता हूँ और अपनी सारी आय का दशमांश चुका देता हूँ।’

13) नाकेदार कुछ दूरी पर खड़ा रहा। उसे स्वर्ग की ओर आँख उठाने तक का साहस नहीं हो रहा था। वह अपनी छाती पीट-पीट कर यह कह रहा था, ‘ईश्वर! मुझ पापी पर दया कर’।

14) मैं तुम से कहता हूँ-वह नहीं, बल्कि यही पापमुक्त हो कर अपने घर गया। क्योंकि जो अपने को बड़ा मानता है, वह छोटा बनाया जायेगा; परन्तु जो अपने को छोटा मानता है, वह बड़ा बनाया जायेगा।’’

📚 मनन-चिंतन

प्यारे विश्वासीयों आज के सुसमाचार द्वारा प्रभु येसु हमें ये सिखाते है कि हमारी प्रार्थना सुनने केलिए हमें प्रभु के सामने विनम्र होना बहुत अनिवार्य है । हमारे पापों केलिए पश्चाताप मिलने के लिए हमें विनम्र होना बहुत जरूरी है । वचन कहता है कि जो विनम्र है उसकी सुनवाई होती है और उसकी पुकार मेघों को चीर कर ईश्वर तक पहॅूचजी है। (प्रवक्ता 35:20); दानिएल के ग्रन्थ में कहते है कि स्वर्गदूत ने दानिएल से कहा- दानिएल डरो मत, क्योंकि जब से तुम ईश्वर पर ध्यान दे कर विनम्रतापूर्वक समझने का प्रयत्न करने लगे, तब से तुम्हारी प्रार्थनाएॅ सुनी गयीं और उत्तर के रूप में मैं आ गया हॅू। (दानिएल 10:12)

इस दृष्टिन्त में फ़रीसी आत्मविश्वास के साथ अपने को धर्मी समझकर ईश्वर से प्रार्थना करते है इस कारण से पाप क्षमा नहीं मिलती है। जब कि नाकेदार ईश्वर से कुछ दूरी पर खडा रहा। उसे स्वर्ग की ओर ऑख उठाने तक का साहस नहीं हो रहा था। वह अपनी छाती पीट पीट कर यह कह रहा था, ईश्वर मुझ पापी पर दया कर। इस कारण से वह पापमुक्त हो कर वह अपने घर चला गया।

फ़रीसी की गलती यह थी कि वह अपने आपको नाकेदार से तुलना किया। जबकी नाकेदार ने अपने आपको ईश्वर के साथ तुलना किया। ईश्वर निषपाप है, पूर्ण है इसलिए हम लोगों को हमेशा अपने आप को ईश्वर से तुलना करना है। तब हमें मालूम होगा कि हम पापी है। सब संत लोगों ने यही किया था इसलिए आध्यत्मिक रूप में बहुत उन्नती हासिल करने के बावजूद भी अपने आपको ईश्वर से तुलना किया और ईश्वर के सामने अपने आपको विनम्र बनाया। वचन कहता है कि प्रभू के सामने दीन-हीन बनें और वह आप को ऊॅचा उठायेगा। (याकूब 4:10) आप शक्तिशाली ईश्वर के सामने विनम्र बने रहें, जिससे वह आप को उपयुक्त समय में ऊपर उठाये। (1पेत्रुस 5:6) आईए हम विनम्र बनकर प्रभु की ओर जाये।

📚 REFLECTION

Today through the Gospel Jesus is teaching us that our prayers will be heard by God only when we humble ourselves. It is important that we humble ourselves in order to get forgiveness for our sins and failures. The Word of God says in Sirach 35:21 the prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and it will not rest until it reaches its goal. In the book of Daniel 10:12 the angel said to Daniel – Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

In today’s Gospel, the Pharisee claims to be righteous and prays to God; as a result he does not get the forgiveness of sins. Whereas the tax collector accepts that he is a sinner and therefore he stand away from the presence of God and he is not looking at heaven because he is a sinner and he beats he chest and says Lord have mercy. Therefore for he gets forgiveness of sins and he goes home joyfully.

Here the mistake of the Pharisee is he is comparing himself with the tax collector. But the tax collector compared himself with God who is righteous. God is sinless and therefore we need to compare ourselves with God who is perfect then only we will be able to grow and reach that perfection. All the saints did the same therefore they always felt that they are sinners in comparison to God. This will help us to humble ourselves before God. The Word of God says in James 4:10humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you; and in 1Pet 5:6 humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Jesus also says in Mt 11:29 learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart. Come let’s humble ourselves before God.

✍ -Br. Biniush Topno



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Praise the Lord!

Catholic Bible readings for today 12 March 2021

 Daily Mass Readings for Friday, 12 March 2021

First Reading: Hosea 14: 2-10

2 Return, O Israel, to the Lord thy God: for thou hast fallen down by thy iniquity.

3 Take with you words, and return to the Lord, and say to him: Take away all iniquity, and receive the good: and we will render the calves of our lips.

4 Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride upon horses, neither will we say any more: The works of our hands are our gods, for thou wilt have mercy on the fatherless that is in thee.

5 I will heal their breaches, I will love them freely: for my wrath is turned away from them.

6 I will be as the dew, Israel shall spring as the lily, and his root shall shoot forth as that of Libanus.

7 His branches shall spread, and his glory shall be as the olive tree: and his smell as that of Libanus.

8 They shall be converted that sit under his shadow: they shall live upon wheat, and they shall blossom as a vine: his memorial shall be as the wine of Libanus.

9 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I will hear him, and I will make him flourish like a green fir tree: from me is thy fruit found.

10 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know these things? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall in them.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 81: 6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17

R. (11, 9a) For I am the Lord thy God: Hear, O my people.

6 He heard a tongue which he knew not.

7 He removed his back from the burdens: his hands had served in baskets.

8a Thou calledst upon me in affliction, and I delivered thee.

R. For I am the Lord thy God: Hear, O my people.

8bc I heard thee in the secret place of tempest: I proved thee at the waters of contradiction.

9 Hear, O my people, and I will testify to thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken to me,

R. For I am the Lord thy God: Hear, O my people.

10 There shall be no new god in thee: neither shalt thou adore a strange god.

11 For I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt.

R. For I am the Lord thy God: Hear, O my people.

14 If my people had heard me: if Israel had walked in my ways:

17 And he fed them with the fat of wheat, and filled them with honey out of the rock.

R. For I am the Lord thy God: Hear, O my people.

Verse Before the Gospel: Matthew 4: 17

17 The Lord says, do penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Gospel: Mark 12: 28-34

28 And there came one of the scribes that had heard them reasoning together, and seeing that he had answered them well, asked him which was the first commandment of all.

29 And Jesus answered him: The first commandment of all is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord thy God is one God.

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength. This is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like to it: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these.

32 And the scribe said to him: Well, Master, thou hast said in truth, that there is one God, and there is no other besides him.

33 And that he should be loved with the whole heart, and with the whole understanding, and with the whole soul, and with the whole strength; and to love one’s neighbour as one’s self, is a greater thing than all holocausts and sacrifices.

34 And Jesus seeing that he had answered wisely, said to him: Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.