DAILY READINGS & REFLECTION
Wednesday of the Seventh week in Ordinary Time (February 27)
"Any one who does a mighty work in my name"
GOSPEL
Mark 9:38-40
38 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us." 39 But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is for us.
The Gospel of the Lord
_
REFLECTION
A Daily Quote for the early church fathers: Encouraging good works done in Christ, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"We ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4), even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration."
(excerpt from LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36)
_
FIRST READING
Sirach 4:11-19
11 Wisdom exalts her sons and gives help to those who seek her. 12 Whoever loves her loves life, and those who seek her early will be filled with joy. 13 Whoever holds her fast will obtain glory, and the Lord will bless the place she enters. 14 Those who serve her will minister to the Holy One; the Lord loves those who love her. 15 He who obeys her will judge the nations, and whoever gives heed to her will dwell secure. 16 If he has faith in her he will obtain her; and his descendants will remain in possession of her. 17 For at first she will walk with him on tortuous paths, she will bring fear and cowardice upon him, and will torment him by her discipline until she trusts him, and she will test him with her ordinances. 18 Then she will come straight back to him and gladden him, and will reveal her secrets to him. 19 If he goes astray she will forsake him, and hand him over to his ruin.
_
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
PSALM 118(119):165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175
Response : O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Those who love your law have great peace,
and for them there is no stumbling block.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
I keep your precepts and your decrees,
for all my ways are before you.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
My lips pour forth your praise,
because you teach me your statutes.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
May my tongue sing of your promise,
for all your commands are just.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
_
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.