DAILY READINGS & REFLECTION
FEBRUARY 13, 2024
TUESDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING
JAMES 1:12-18
12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one; 14 but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
The Word of the Lord
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
PSALMS 93(94):12-15, 18-19
Response: Blessed the man thou instruct, O Lord.
Blessed is the man whom thou dost chasten, O LORD,
and whom thou dost teach out of thy law
to give him respite from days of trouble,
until a pit is dug for the wicked.
R. Blessed the man thou instruct, O Lord.
For the LORD will not forsake his people;
he will not abandon his heritage;
for justice will return to the righteous,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
R. Blessed the man thou instruct, O Lord.
When I thought, “My foot slips,”
thy steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
thy consolations cheer my soul.
R. Blessed the man thou instruct, O Lord.
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GOSPEL
Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod
MARK 8:14-21
14 Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And he cautioned them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." 16 And they discussed it with one another, saying, "We have no bread." 17 And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve." 20 "And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to him, "Seven." 21 And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?"
The Gospel of the Lord
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REFLECTION
DAILY QUOTE FROM THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS
Heed the truth of the Gospel, by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD)
"The apostles are ordered to watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They are warned not to be involved in the disputes of the Jews. The works of the law are now to be viewed in the light of faith. They are forewarned that they, into whose time and age the truth had appeared incarnate, should judge nothing except which lies within the position of hope in likeness of the truth that is revealed. They are warned against allowing the doctrine of the Pharisees, who are unaware of Christ, to corrupt the effectiveness of the truth of the gospel."
(excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW 16.3)
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Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.