My reflections for Feb. 28, 2006 - Tuesday

February 28, 2006

Reading I
1 Peter 1:10-16

Beloved:
Concerning the salvation of your souls
the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours
searched and investigated it
investigating the time and circumstances
that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated
when it testified in advance
to the sufferings destined for Christ
and the glories to follow them.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you
with regard to the things that have now been announced to you
by those who preached the Good News to you
through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven,
things into which angels longed to look.

Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly,
and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Like obedient children,
do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance
but, as he who called you is holy,
be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct,
for it is written, Be holy because I am holy.

(St. Paul exhorts us to allow our minds to be renewed in the Spirit of Christ. Peter exhorts us toward a similar goal when he tells us to free our minds form the encumbrances that cling to them. These encumbrances or hindrances find their origins in the world and in sin. If we are not willing to fight them and deny them a place in our lives, it will not be possible to live as a Christian. Following Jesus calls forth from us a commitment to discipleship - to following Jesus no matter the cost!)


Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

Gospel
Mark 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus,
“We have given up everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands
for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

(It is just like Peter to be concerned for his own welfare. However, do not kid yourself. He is only expressing exactly the same thing that goes on in each of our hearts in the same situation. Peter, the spokesman for the apostles, knows how to be true to his human nature. Yet we all know that he ultimately paid the highest price for his faith -- martyrdom for the Gospel. Are we willing to give our lives for our faith? Let us take a few moments and reflect upon the question before we answer it.)

God's special verse/thought for me today.

my reflections
think: Are we willing to give our lives for our faith?

thank You Lord for: