Monday, February 17, 2014. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

Feast of Seven Founders of the Order of Servites.

First Reading : James 1:1-11; Second Reading : Psalms 118[119]:67-68, 71-72, 75-76; Gospel : Mark 8:11-13. [Please share today's Gospel.] 


First Reading : James 1:1-11

Salutation

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings.

Faith and Wisdom

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy,because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Poverty and Riches

Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same way with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away. 

Second Reading : Psalms 119:67-68, 71-72, 75-76

Before I was humbled I went astray,

but now I keep your word.

You are good and do good;

teach me your statutes.

It is good for me that I was humbled,

so that I might learn your statutes.

The law of your mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

I know, O Lord, that your judgments are right,

and that in faithfulness you have humbled me.

Let your steadfast love become my comfort

according to your promise to your servant.


Gospel : Mark 8:11-13

The Demand for a Sign

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.

Focus: 'If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God… and it will be given you' (James 1:5). 

Fruit: In every trial, let me seek the Lord's wisdom and trust Him completely.