30 May 2024 Thursday of week 8 in Ordinary Time - Reading

Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II)

Readings at Mass

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First reading

1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you.

Beloved: Like new-born infants, long for pure spiritual milk so that through it you may grow into salvation, for you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

    You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Once you were no people

    but now you are God’s people;

you had not received mercy

    but now you have received mercy.

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul. Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that if they speak of you as evildoers, they may observe your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Commentary:

1. Spiritual Growth: Peter encourages believers to crave pure spiritual milk, similar to how newborns crave milk, so that they may grow in their salvation. He emphasizes that this growth is grounded in the experience of the Lord's goodness.

2. Living Stones and a Spiritual House: Believers are described as living stones being built into a spiritual house. Jesus is the living stone rejected by men but chosen by God. As a spiritual house, believers form a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

3. Chosen People: Peter declares believers to be a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God's special possession. This status is meant to proclaim the excellencies of God, who called them out of darkness into His wonderful light.

4. Call to Holy Living: Believers, once not a people but now the people of God, are urged to live holy lives. Peter calls them to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against their soul, emphasizing their new identity and calling in Christ.

5. Witness through Conduct: Peter instructs believers to maintain good conduct among the Gentiles. By living honorably, even when accused of wrongdoing, their good deeds will glorify God on the day He visits, demonstrating the transformative power of their faith.

1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12 calls believers to spiritual growth, portraying them as living stones forming a spiritual house with Christ as the cornerstone. It emphasizes their identity as a chosen people meant to proclaim God's goodness and urges them to live holy lives, maintaining good conduct as a witness to others.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 100:2, 3, 4, 5

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;

    serve the LORD with gladness;

    come before him with joyful song.

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

Know that the LORD is God;

    he made us, his we are;

    his people, the flock he tends.

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

    his courts with praise;

Give thanks to him;

    bless his name.

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

The LORD is good:

    his kindness endures forever,

    and his faithfulness, to all generations.

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

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Gospel Acclamation

John 8:12

Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Alleluia, alleluia.

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Gospel

Mark 10:46-52

Master, I want to see.

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

Commentary:

1. Encounter with Bartimaeus: Jesus and His disciples, followed by a large crowd, arrive in Jericho. Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, is sitting by the roadside. Hearing that Jesus is passing by, he begins to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" This title, "Son of David," acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah.

2. Persistent Faith: Despite being rebuked by many to be quiet, Bartimaeus shouts all the more, demonstrating his persistent faith and desperation for Jesus' help. His refusal to be silenced shows his deep belief in Jesus' ability to heal him.

3. Jesus' Response: Jesus stops and calls Bartimaeus to come to Him. The crowd then encourages Bartimaeus, saying, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Bartimaeus throws aside his cloak, jumps to his feet, and comes to Jesus, indicating his eagerness and faith.

4. Healing Request: Jesus asks Bartimaeus, "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus replies, "Rabbi, I want to see." This direct request signifies Bartimaeus' clear understanding of his need and his faith that Jesus can meet it.

5. Restoration of Sight: Jesus says, "Go, your faith has healed you." Immediately, Bartimaeus receives his sight and follows Jesus along the road. This miracle underscores the power of faith in Jesus and the compassionate response of Jesus to those in need.

Mark 10:46-52 highlights Bartimaeus' persistent faith and recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. His healing demonstrates Jesus' compassion and the power of faith. Bartimaeus' immediate decision to follow Jesus after receiving his sight signifies a transformed life dedicated to discipleship.

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