REFLECTIONS TODAY
The resurrection of Jesus is central to our Christian belief. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day after his death on the cross, so also all believers will rise with him on the last day in the new and glorified body. The risen Christ is the guarantor of our own resurrection; he is the “firstfruits” of those who have died, and at his [second] coming, those who belong to him will also rise (1 Cor 15:1-23). In the multiplication of bread, Jesus declares that he has come down from heaven as the “bread of life” (Jn 6:35). He becomes “food” through his body “broken” on the cross, which becomes forever present in the celebration of the Eucharist.
First reading • Wis 3:1-9 [or 4:7-14 or Is 25:6-9]
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.
Responsorial Psalm • Ps 23 [or 25 or 27]
“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
Second reading • Rom 6:3-9 [or 1 Cor 15:51-57 or 1 Thes 4:13-18]
Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.
… If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
Gospel • Mt 25:31-46 [or Jn 11:17-27 or 14:1-6]
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ … And these will go off... to eternal life.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.