Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II)
Readings at Mass
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First reading
Deuteronomy 4:32–34, 39–40
The Lord is God in the heavens above and on earth below and there is no other.
Moses said to the people: “Ask now of the days of old, before your time, ever since God created man upon the earth; ask from one end of the sky to the other: Did anything so great ever happen before? Was it ever heard of? Did a people ever hear the voice of God speaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live? Or did any god venture to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, with strong hand and outstretched arm, and by great terrors, all of which the LORD, your God, did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the LORD is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other. You must keep his statutes and commandments that I enjoin on you today, that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have long life on the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you forever.”
Commentary
Reflection on God's Deeds: Moses prompts Israelites to reflect on God's mighty acts throughout history, from creation to the Exodus, highlighting their unique experiences with Him.
Unique Experience with God: The passage underscores the unparalleled nature of Israel's relationship with God, evidenced by hearing His voice and witnessing miraculous deliverance.
Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty: Moses emphasizes the exclusive sovereignty of God, urging Israel to recognize Him as the sole deity, both in heaven and on earth.
Emphasis on Obedience: Obedience to God's commands is presented as the pathway to blessings and prosperity, ensuring a flourishing future for themselves and their descendants.
Securing Blessings through Obedience: By obeying God's commands, Israelites secure blessings for themselves and future generations, establishing a covenantal relationship that ensures their well-being in the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 emphasizes reflecting on God's deeds, acknowledging His sovereignty, and obeying His commands for blessings. It highlights Israel's unique relationship with God, urging obedience for prosperity in the Promised Land. This passage underscores the importance of faithful adherence to God's instructions for continued blessings.
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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 33:4–5, 6, 9, 18–19, 20, 22
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made;
by the breath of his mouth all their host.
For he spoke, and it was made;
he commanded, and it stood forth.
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
to deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
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Second reading
Romans 8:14–17
You received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!”
Brothers and sisters: Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Commentary:
Romans 8:14-17 speaks profoundly about the identity and privileges of believers as children of God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Here's a concise commentary:
Adoption into God's Family:
Believers are not merely servants but are adopted as children of God through the Spirit. This adoption signifies a new familial relationship marked by intimacy and security.
Freedom from Fear:
The Spirit of adoption brings freedom from fear and bondage to sin. Instead of living in dread, believers can approach God with confidence, addressing Him as "Abba, Father," indicating a close, loving relationship.
Assurance of Sonship:
The Holy Spirit testifies with believers' spirits, confirming their status as God's children. This inner witness provides assurance of their identity and inheritance in God's family.
Heirs with Christ:
Believers are not only children but also heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. This inheritance includes sharing in Christ's suffering and ultimately His glory, signifying a profound union with Him.
Suffering and Glory:
Participation in Christ's suffering is an integral aspect of being heirs with Him. However, it is also the pathway to sharing in His glory. Believers find hope and encouragement in knowing that present sufferings are temporary compared to the future glory awaiting them.
This passage underscores the profound transformation that occurs in believers' lives through their adoption into God's family. It highlights the privilege, security, and hope that come from being children of God and heirs with Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in intimate fellowship with the Father.
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Gospel Acclamation
see Revelation 1:8
Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
Alleluia, alleluia.
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Gospel
Matthew 28:16–20
Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
- Encounter in Galilee: The disciples meet Jesus on a mountain in Galilee, where He commissions them.
- The Great Commission: Jesus instructs them to make disciples of all nations, spreading His teachings globally.
- Divine Authority: Jesus asserts His authority over heaven and earth, empowering the disciples for their mission.
- Baptism and Teaching: They are to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teach obedience to Jesus' commands.
- Promise of Presence: Jesus promises to be with them always, providing continual support as they carry out their mission.
Matthew 28:16-20 encapsulates Jesus' universal commission to His disciples, empowered by divine authority, to baptize and teach all nations, with the assurance of His perpetual presence.
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