Saint Athanasius, Bishop, Doctor
Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II)
Readings at Mass - Readings for the memorial
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First reading
1 John 5:1-5
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has already overcome the world
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ
has been begotten by God;
and whoever loves the Father that begot him
loves the child whom he begets.
We can be sure that we love God’s children
if we love God himself and do what he has commanded us;
this is what loving God is –
keeping his commandments;
and his commandments are not difficult,
because anyone who has been begotten by God
has already overcome the world;
this is the victory over the world –
our faith.
Who can overcome the world?
Only the man who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Commentary -"Victorious Faith: Insights from 1 John 5:1-5"
Transformative Faith: Belief in Jesus as the Christ brings about a profound transformation in the believer's life, empowering them to overcome the world's challenges and temptations.
Divine Assurance: The passage offers assurance to believers that their faith in Jesus as the Christ equips them with the spiritual strength to conquer the adversities of the world.
Spiritual Victory: Through faith in Jesus, believers are not merely conquerors but are already deemed victorious over the trials and tribulations of the world.
Unshakable Confidence: Belief in Jesus as the Christ instills an unshakable confidence in the believer's heart, knowing that they are firmly grounded in His promises and grace.
Eternal Hope: The passage affirms that the victory achieved through faith in Jesus transcends earthly circumstances, offering believers a glimpse of the eternal hope that awaits them in Christ.
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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 36(37):3-6,30-31
The just man’s mouth utters wisdom.
If you trust in the Lord and do good,
then you will live in the land and be secure.
If you find your delight in the Lord,
he will grant your heart’s desire.
The just man’s mouth utters wisdom.
Commit your life to the Lord,
trust in him and he will act,
so that your justice breaks forth like the light,
your cause like the noon-day sun.
The just man’s mouth utters wisdom.
The just man’s mouth utters wisdom
and his lips speak what is right;
the law of his God is in his heart,
his steps shall be saved from stumbling.
The just man’s mouth utters wisdom.
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Gospel Acclamation
Mt5:10
Alleluia, alleluia!
Happy those who are persecuted
in the cause of right,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Alleluia!
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Gospel
Matthew 10:22-25
The disciple is not superior to his teacher
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved. If they persecute you in one town, take refuge in the next; and if they persecute you in that, take refuge in another. I tell you solemnly, you will not have gone the round of the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
‘The disciple is not superior to his teacher, nor the slave to his master. It is enough for the disciple that he should grow to be like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, what will they not say of his household?’
Commentary:
Equality in Suffering: Jesus teaches that disciples will face challenges akin to His own, stressing the shared experience of hardship and persecution.
Humility and Identification with Christ: Disciples are called to emulate Jesus' life and teachings, emphasizing the need for humility and solidarity in suffering.
Preparation for Persecution: Jesus warns His followers about the hostility they will encounter, urging them to remain steadfast despite opposition.
The Cost of Discipleship: Following Christ entails sacrificing worldly comforts and enduring hardship, emphasizing the priority of allegiance to Him.
Assurance of God's Justice: Despite adversity, Jesus assures disciples of God's ultimate justice, providing hope and encouragement in difficult times.
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Readings for the feria (Thursday)
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First reading
Acts 15:7-21
I rule that we do not make things more difficult for the pagans who turn to God
After the discussion had gone on a long time, Peter stood up and addressed the apostles and the elders.
‘My brothers,’ he said ‘you know perfectly well that in the early days God made his choice among you: the pagans were to learn the Good News from me and so become believers. In fact God, who can read everyone’s heart, showed his approval of them by giving the Holy Spirit to them just as he had to us. God made no distinction between them and us, since he purified their hearts by faith. It would only provoke God’s anger now, surely, if you imposed on the disciples the very burden that neither we nor our ancestors were strong enough to support? Remember, we believe that we are saved in the same way as they are: through the grace of the Lord Jesus.’
This silenced the entire assembly, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had worked through them among the pagans.
When they had finished it was James who spoke. ‘My brothers,’ he said ‘listen to me. Simeon has described how God first arranged to enlist a people for his name out of the pagans. This is entirely in harmony with the words of the prophets, since the scriptures say:
After that I shall return
and rebuild the fallen House of David;
I shall rebuild it from its ruins
and restore it.
Then the rest of mankind,
all the pagans who are consecrated to my name,
will look for the Lord,
says the Lord who made this known so long ago.
‘I rule, then, that instead of making things more difficult for pagans who turn to God, we send them a letter telling them merely to abstain from anything polluted by idols, from fornication, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For Moses has always had his preachers in every town, and is read aloud in the synagogues every sabbath.’
Commentary - "Inclusive Grace: Insights from Acts 15:7-21"
Embracing Inclusivity: In this passage, Peter advocates for inclusivity within the early Christian community, emphasizing the importance of not burdening new believers with unnecessary requirements or regulations.
Gentile Believers: Peter's declaration highlights the acceptance of Gentile believers into the fold of Christianity without imposing Jewish customs such as circumcision. This signifies a shift towards a more inclusive understanding of salvation through faith in Christ.
Grace Over Legalism: The ruling made by Peter and the apostles underscores the primacy of grace over legalism in the Christian faith. Salvation is not attained through adherence to rules and regulations but through faith in Jesus Christ.
Unity in Diversity: This decision promotes unity among believers from diverse cultural backgrounds, recognizing that God's grace extends to all who turn to Him, regardless of their ethnicity or religious upbringing.
Missional Focus: By removing unnecessary barriers for Gentile converts, the early Church demonstrates a commitment to its mission of spreading the Gospel to all nations. This decision enables the expansion of the Christian faith beyond its Jewish roots and contributes to the growth of the Church.
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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 95(96):1-3,10
Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.
or
Alleluia!
O sing a new song to the Lord,
sing to the Lord all the earth.
O sing to the Lord, bless his name.
Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.
or
Alleluia!
Proclaim his help day by day,
tell among the nations his glory
and his wonders among all the peoples.
Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.
or
Alleluia!
Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’
The world he made firm in its place;
he will judge the peoples in fairness.
Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.
or
Alleluia!
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Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Christ has risen, he who created all things,
and has granted his mercy to men.
Alleluia!
Or:
Jn10:27
Alleluia, alleluia!
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice,
says the Lord,
I know them and they follow me.
Alleluia!
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Gospel
John 15:9-11
Remain in my love
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.’
Commentary - "Abide in Love: Insights from John 15:9-11"
Divine Invitation: Jesus urges His disciples to remain in His love, emphasizing the enduring and unconditional nature of God's love for them.
Intimate Connection: Abiding in Jesus' love entails maintaining a close relationship with Him through prayer, obedience, and cultivating fellowship.
Lasting Joy: Jesus promises that abiding in His love leads to a profound and sustained joy that transcends circumstances.
Spiritual Fruitfulness: Remaining in Jesus' love results in spiritual fruitfulness, as disciples bear the fruits of righteousness and love.
Love and Obedience: Love for Jesus is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments, highlighting the inseparable connection between love and obedience in discipleship.
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