Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

READINGS

Reading 1 PRV 21:1-6, 10-13

Like a stream is the king’s heart in the hand of the LORD;wherever it pleases him, he directs it.

All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes,but it is the LORD who proves hearts.

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Haughty eyes and a proud heart–the tillage of the wicked is sin.

The plans of the diligent are sure of profit,but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.

Whoever makes a fortune by a lying tongue is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.

The soul of the wicked man desires evil; his neighbor finds no pity in his eyes.

When the arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser; when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

The just man appraises the house of the wicked: there is one who brings down the wicked to ruin.

He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poorwill himself also call and not be heard.

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44

R. (35) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

Blessed are they whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the LORD.

R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

Make me understand the way of your precepts,

and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.

R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

The way of truth I have chosen;

I have set your ordinances before me.

R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

Give me discernment, that I may observe your law

and keep it with all my heart.

R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

Lead me in the path of your commands,

for in it I delight.

R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

And I will keep your law continually,

forever and ever.

R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

Alleluia LK 11:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are those who hear the word of God

and observe it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him

but were unable to join him because of the crowd.

He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside

and they wish to see you.”

He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers 

are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

REFLECTION

R. Alleluia, alleluia. Luke 11: 28

Blessed are those who hear the word of God

and observe it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Do we "hear the word of God and observe it"?

PAPA offers a chance to hear God's Word, learn what it means. and then decide how we will apply His Word in our day-to-day lives. We do this usually once a week in a ZOOM Bible Study session called by its acronym Face ZBS.

We come together to meet with a priest and theologian to learn about the preceding Sunday's Gospel reading. It is a chance to understand the Biblical context of the Gospel during the time Jesus taught it and how the evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) wrote it using their point of view and for their particular audience.

A homily can only last 10-12 minutes during a Sunday Mass and these homilies reflect on the pastoral message by the parish Priests giving the homily. We can study the Gospel with the spiritual help of a Priest who is a theologian and who can answer questions we may have.

I feel really "Blessed" because when I hear the Word of God and I may need help understanding then I can ask questions and receive a clear understanding.

I have learned so much from our Face ZBS lessons, but I do forget. I have notes from the sessions that I keep. The next step I am considering to do is to start a journal for that week to record how I am applying Jesus' teaching. That way I can go back at the end of each day and then the week to see if I have truly observed the Lord's Word.

Here is one of the lessons. Maybe you would like to join us. Contact us at papa@papamio.org