Tag: Christian

Posted on

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Portrait of a man thinking many ideas

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | Google Podcast

Mass Readings

Reading 1: Job 38:1, 8-11
Responsorial: Psalm 107:23-26, 28-31
Reading 2: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062021.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word!

Today’s readings give us insight into the power of God who alone can calm the stormy seas.

That is good news!

You see, I think we live in stormy times. Our lives, especially in the West, are overrun with commitments and busy schedules- even now as we emerge from the effects of the pandemic. Life moves pretty fast.

One of the ways I experience the storm is when I enter into Christian meditation. Many times I am overcome by a storm filled with many distractions! Sometimes I can’t focus on just being with the Lord.

Today’s Gospel is a reminder to me that I cannot overcome the storm on my own. I am not alone. I need to turn to Jesus and ask Him for help.

How can Jesus help me overcome the storm? One of my spiritual directors suggested that in the thick of stormy thoughts, I can turn to Jesus and ask, “Will you hold this for me?”

It doesn’t matter what it is. I can ask Jesus to hold the distracting thought for me. If it’s truly important, I ask Jesus to give it back to me later when I’m ready for it. You know what? It works! Only Jesus can calm the storm!

Homework! Nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, I ask you to reflect on the following question and activity.
First, do I turn to Jesus to help me face the storm?
Second, when I pray this week, if distractions come, ask Jesus to hold them for you.

I think doing our homework will help us be present to Jesus in our everyday lives – especially during the storm. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image: Too Many Thoughts. Artist Unknown. JPG.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.
3. Stegman, Thomas D. SJ. Second Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Jesus, true God and true Man: 423, 464-469
2. Christ’s redemptive death: 601-5
3. Christ’s unique sacrifice: 613-17
4. Maintaining faith in adversity: 671-2
5. Baptism: 1265-70
6. Faith as gift of God, and human response: 1814-16

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062021.cfm
Lectionary: 95

Reading 1
Job 38:1, 8-11
The Lord addressed Job out of the storm and said:
Who shut within doors the sea,
when it burst forth from the womb;
when I made the clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling bands?
When I set limits for it
and fastened the bar of its door,
and said: Thus far shall you come but no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stilled!

Responsorial
Psalm 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31
R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They who sailed the sea in ships,
trading on the deep waters,
These saw the works of the LORD
and his wonders in the abyss.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His command raised up a storm wind
which tossed its waves on high.
They mounted up to heaven; they sank to the depths;
their hearts melted away in their plight.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They cried to the LORD in their distress;
from their straits he rescued them,
He hushed the storm to a gentle breeze,
and the billows of the sea were stilled.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They rejoiced that they were calmed,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his kindness
and his wondrous deeds to the children of men.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2
2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Brothers and sisters:
The love of Christ impels us,
once we have come to the conviction that one died for all;
therefore, all have died.
He indeed died for all,
so that those who live might no longer live for themselves
but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh;
even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh,
yet now we know him so no longer.
So whoever is in Christ is a new creation:
the old things have passed away;
behold, new things have come.

Alleluia
Luke 7:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has risen in our midst
God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 4:35-41
On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:
“Let us cross to the other side.”
Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.
And other boats were with him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
so that it was already filling up.
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him,
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up,
rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”
The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?”
They were filled with great awe and said to one another,
“Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

Posted on

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of trees on the side of mount pilatus switzerland

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | Google Podcast

Mass Readings

Reading 1: Ezekiel 17:22-24
Responsorial: Psalm 92: 2-3, 13-14, 15-16
Reading 2: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061321.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Intro the parables!

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word!

Once again this weekend we enter into the fascinating world of the parables. Today we explore the mystery of growth and harvest; hidden and present.

The readings this weekend are thought-provoking, especially when seen in the light of the Gospel. There is certainly the theme of growth and harvest. Growth can refer to our spiritual journey from accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to a conversion in how we live our lives. That applies to each of us as individuals and to all of us as a community of believers.

But there are words of warning woven into our readings this weekend. The harvest, for example, can point to judgment, what the Church calls universal and particular. It is universal in that everyone will be judged. It is particular in that each one of us as individuals will be judged. <1> Our second reading from Paul certainly reminds us judgment.

I think it’s easy to get confused by Paul’s writings today, but we must remember that we need to interpret Scripture in the context of the whole. So, we must consider this passage from 2 Corinthians in the light of all Paul’s writing and in the light of all Scripture seen through the lens of the Gospel. While we are saved by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we will be judged by what we did with time we were given after salvation.

What does that mean? Intro the parables.

In the parables both what we hear Jesus in the Gospel and the image of the cedar in the first reading shed some light on this question. A tender shoot (Ezekiel 17:22) and from tiny seeds (Mark 4:26-27, 31-32) plants, shrubs and trees grow. We don’t know how. We don’t need to know how. They just blossom and grow.

Now the Church teaches that there are many ways for us to consider these readings. We could look at ourselves as the soil. What kind of soil are you? We can look at ourselves as the fruit of the farmer’s work, as we mentioned before. But there is another image we could also consider rooted in our discipleship.

What is a disciple? A disciple is someone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. A disciple is someone who grows in their relationship with Jesus through learning and spiritual formation. And a disciple is someone who spreads the Good News.

My brothers and sisters, we disciples spread seed – we cast the Good News everywhere we go. We can interpret the farmer – us – as the missionary preacher. “…interpret the farmer as a missionary preacher…” <2>

It’s not up to us to know the condition of the soil. And it’s not up to us to understand if and how the seed will take root and grow. In our data-driven, results-oriented world, we want to measure everything. How effective is this program or that one? But the parables remind us that our task – a proof of our conversion – is to plant seeds – just plant the seeds.

Now don’t worry! You don’t need a special degree or certification to evangelize – to be a missionary disciple. You certainly could, but it’s not required. What’s required is a willingness to share the love we have for the Trinity with other people starting with those closest to us. The sainted Mother Teresa once said, “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.”

It takes love. In our culture, we often hear people say, “Live and let live,” or “Don’t bother me and I won’t bother you,” or “Why should we care what happens to them?” It takes love to show concern for others and try to cast seed in their direction. Love is most definitely a fruit of our conversion. It also takes trust because we don’t need to know how things turn out.

Look at the example of the cedar tree in our first reading from Ezekiel or the mustard shrub in the Gospel. From tiny beginnings they provide shelter for birds. Take your parish, for example. The seed could be the Word of God, but the seeds could also be our parish facilities. Our facilities can create opportunities for an encounter with Jesus and transformation.

You might think it was a waste of money to build that church or to build that building. Who uses those classrooms? But what we don’t see are all the people who benefit from our facilities. And that is one of the most important messages of the parables. “…God intends to disclose what is now hidden and to reveal the fulness of God’s reign as light, harvest, and shelter for all people. (emphasis in the original) <3>

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions. First, how can I help share the Good News of Jesus Christ? Second, what are some things I can do to help my pastor and parish share the Good News?

I think doing our homework will help us grow as disciples. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image: Trees of Mt. Pilatus. Deacon Rudy Villarreal. May 9, 2021. JPG.

Notes:
<1> Thomas D. Stegman, SJ, chap. Resurrection Hope (4:16-5:10), sec. Preparing for the Heavenly Home (5:6-10), Kindle.
<2> Mary Ann Beavis, chap. Mark 4:1-34 Interlude: Teaching in Parables, sec. Additional Sayings and Parables (4:21-32), Kindle.
<3> Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, 118, Kindle.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Beavis, Mary Ann. Mark. Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
3. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.
4. Stegman, Thomas D. SJ. Second Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009. Kindle.
5. Wilhelm, Dawn Ottoni. Preaching the Gospel of Mark: Proclaiming the Power of God. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Announcing the Kingdom of God: 543-6
2. Parables: 546
3. Particular judgment (following death): 1021-22
4. Last judgment: 1038-41
5. The Kingdom grows by hearing the Word: 2653-4, 2660, 2716

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061321.cfm
Lectionary: 92

Reading 1
Ezekiel 17:22-24
Thus says the Lord GOD: I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar, from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot, and plant it on a high and lofty mountain; on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it. It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs. And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, bring low the high tree, lift high the lowly tree, wither up the green tree, and make the withered tree bloom. As I, the LORD, have spoken, so will I do.

Responsorial
Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16
R. (cf. 2a) Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to your name, Most High, To proclaim your kindness at dawn and your faithfulness throughout the night.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
The just one shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow. They that are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
They shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be, Declaring how just is the LORD, my rock, in whom there is no wrong.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

Reading 2
2 Corinthinas 5:6-10
Brothers and sisters: We are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to him will live forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 4:26-34
Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Posted on

Corpus Christi

person holding up two hands with words help me

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | Google Podcast

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Mass Readings

Reading 1: Exodus 24:3-8
Responsorial: Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18
Reading 2: Hebrews 9:11-15
Gospel: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060621.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant. (Hebrews 9:15).

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word!

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. How many people have had the experience of being invited to dinner to meet your significant other’s parents? It’s an emotionally charged experience filled with excitement but also anxiety and apprehension. It’s also a sign of real commitment. I mean – why put yourself through that experience if you’re not going to stick around?

Hollywood loves all the drama around this most important relationship event. Maybe you’ve seen the movie Meet The Parents (2000) with Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. I think I’m showing my age, but it’s a theme that comes up over and over again on the big screen and the little screen. Right?

Once you move beyond the drama of that all-important first meeting, as your relationship with your significant other or spouse develops, you both begin to incorporate some of your respective family traditions and customs into your lives. Eventually you start to form some new family traditions.

Our deepening commitment to each other, through Christian marriage for example, changes us. Now, substitute the language of the church. There is an encounter that leads to transformation.

In today’s Gospel account from Mark, we observe a sacred Passover meal. The disciples do not seem anxious at all. It’s clear that they still don’t fully understand what Jesus is saying to them. But Jesus pushes forward.

He takes the bread, blesses and breaks it, then says, “Take it; this is my body” (Mark 14:22). Then he does the same with the cup. He gives thanks, shares it with them and then says, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many” (Mark 14:23-24).

Of course, we understand this to be the institution of the Eucharist. But notice what Jesus says as he blesses the cup. He says, “This is my blood of the covenant…” (Mark 14:24).
Matthew (26:28), Luke (22:20) and St. Paul (1 Corinthians 11:25) describe this as the blood of the new covenant. What does this mean?

Covenant is a solemn promise and it’s characterized by obligations and a sign. For the Jewish people, we know that circumcision was an individual sign of the covenant with Abraham. At the covenant with Moses, they kept circumcision as an individual sign, but they added keeping holy the Sabbath as a communal sign.

At the Last Supper, Jesus announces the new covenant that is actualized by his death to fulfill what he says in today’s Gospel, that his blood “will be shed for many” (Mark 14:24). The language he uses indicates the violence of his death. <1>

What is the promise of the new covenant offered to us? By accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, God offers us eternal life and the Kingdom of God.

What are the signs of this new covenant? The Eucharist is at the core of the new covenant. Participation in the Eucharist means baptism and being part of the community – of the Church.

How do we live this new covenant? Well, Jesus gave us the Great Commandment and so that we would understand what he meant, he said it in two ways: we must love God with our whole mind and heart and being, and we should love or neighbor as we love ourselves (Mark 12:28-34).

Like that first time when we met the parents, we should be transformed by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and becoming a disciple of Jesus. If you believe – I mean if you really believe that what you receive in the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus – it should change you! It should change me!

Now, how many people do you think have been exposed to the Eucharist and heard the Good News of Jesus Christ from the Last Supper to today? Through the great evangelization of the apostles and early disciples, the establishment of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, the migration of peoples, the printing press, colonialism, modern technology, would it be fair to suggest that millions – perhaps hundreds of millions of people (maybe billions) have been exposed to the Eucharist and heard the Good News?

I don’t think that’s unrealistic. Isn’t interesting that we sit here hundreds of millions of people removed from the Last Supper, and yet there’s still so much poverty in the world? Human trafficking is happening even in our own country! Slavery still exists. Corrupt business practices exploit the poor and middle class.

According to data collected by the Social Justice Resource Center, 4.6 billion people around the world live in poverty. About 2.1 billion people suffer malnutrition and 1 billion people don’t have access to safe drinking water. In 1970, the U.S. had the highest high school graduation rate in the world. Today, the U.S. ranks 23rd. The United Nations Human Rights Council estimates that 40 million men, women and children around the world live in slavery today. <2>

We can’t say “It’s not my fault!” Our governments and our businesses are at the heart of institutional sin. We elect people to office who design laws and policies which might discriminate against people in our own country and around the world. What about big business? How do big online retailers and big box stores bring us the lowest priced goods? Are they paying a living wage to our neighbors who work there? Are they paying a fair price for the goods they sell to us? Do we do business with big banks that use deceptive lending practices that exploit people, exclude people of color or take advantage of third world countries?

How is it that so many of us allow ourselves to be changed by the experience of meeting the parents for dinner, and yet so many “Christians” are not changed by the experience at the Eucharistic table?

Maybe it’s because we’re trapped by the lures of this world. We somehow get stuck on the hamster wheel and run and run and run as fast as we can, and yet so many live unfulfilled lives.

My brothers and sisters, I have Good News! Jesus Christ came to liberate us from the empty promises of this world! That’s why the Last Supper was celebrated at Passover. We’re talking about a new exodus! Just as Moses led the Israelites to life and freedom, so too will Jesus lead us to new life and freedom!

But Jesus will not force himself on anyone. Jesus offers liberation, but God gives you and I a choice. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. But today isn’t a box we check off on our holy roller disco cards! The Eucharist demands a response! Will we continue to live saying, “It’s not my problem” or “I can’t get involved” or “What can I do?” Or will we allow the power of the Eucharist to transform us in love to serve God by serving our neighbors?

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, do we extend the reverence and respect we have for Jesus in the Eucharist to everyone we encounter?
Second, what are some ways in our everyday lives where we can be a better neighbor to others in our families, our parish, our town/state/and country?

I think doing our homework will help us live as intentional disciples. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May we all come to know the grace and the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ! In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image: Help Me. Artist unknown. JPEG.

Notes:
<1> Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, 323, Kindle.
<2> (See Social Justice Resource Center “Facts and Figures” https://socialjusticeresourcecenter.org/facts-and-figures/).

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. Hebrews. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2016. Kindle.
3. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.
4. Wilhelm, Dawn Ottoni. Preaching the Gospel of Mark: Proclaiming the Power of God. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. The mercy seat: 433
2. Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice: 613-14, 1085, 2100
3. Jesus as celebrant of the heavenly liturgy: 662
4. The Holy Eucharist: 790, 1003, 1322-1419
5. The Eucharist and the communion of believers: 805, 950, 2181-2, 2637, 2845
6. Christians and Jews both celebrate Passover: 1096
7. The Eucharist as spiritual food: 1212, 1275, 1436, 2837

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060621.cfm
Lectionary: 168

Reading 1
Exodus 24:3-8
When Moses came to the people and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all answered with one voice, “We will do everything that the LORD has told us.” Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and, rising early the next day, he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. Then, having sent certain young men of the Israelites to offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD, Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls; the other half he splashed on the altar. Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people, who answered, “All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do.” Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words of his.”

Responsorial
Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
R. (13) I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or: R. Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or: R. Alleluia.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones. I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you have loosed my bonds.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or: R. Alleluia.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the LORD. My vows to the LORD I will pay in the presence of all his people.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or: R. Alleluia.

Reading 2
Hebrew 9:11-15
Brothers and sisters: When Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation, he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.

Alleluia
John 6:51
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 14:12-16, 22-26
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”‘ Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.