by | Jun 8, 2022 | Evangelium

Thursday 09 th June 2022

St. EphraIm the Deacon

(306 – 373)

 

He was a poet and a theologian. He is famous not only for the beauty of expression of his homilies but also for his hymns, which have spread far beyond his native Syriac church and are in use in East and West alike.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 26: 1-2

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; whom should I dread? When those who do evil draw near, they stumble and fall.

 

Collect

O God, from whom all good things come, grant that we, who call on you in our need, may, at your prompting, discern what is right, and by your guidance do it. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : 1 Kings 18:41-46

Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go back, eat and drink; for I hear the sound of rain.’ While Ahab went back to eat and drink, Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel and bowed down to the earth, putting his face between his knees. ‘Now go up,’ he told his servant ‘and look out to the sea.’ He went up and looked. ‘There is nothing at all’ he said. ‘Go back seven times’ Elijah said. The seventh time, the servant said, ‘Now there is a cloud, small as a man’s hand, rising from the sea.’ Elijah said, ‘Go and say to Ahab, “Harness the chariot and go down before the rain stops you.”’ And with that the sky grew dark with cloud and storm, and rain fell in torrents. Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel. The hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and tucking up his cloak he ran in front of Ahab as far as the outskirts of Jezreel.

 

Psalm 64:10-13

R/  To you our praise is due in Zion, O God.

 

  1. You care for the earth, give it water, you fill it with riches. Your river in heaven brims over to provide its grain.
  2. And thus you provide for the earth; you drench its furrows; you level it, soften it with showers; you bless its growth.
  3. You crown the year with your goodness. Abundance flows in your steps, in the pastures of the wilderness it flows. The hills are girded with joy.

 

Gospel Acclamation : cf.1Th2:13

Alleluia, alleluia! Accept God’s message for what it really is: God’s message, and not some human thinking. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples, If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. ‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Look kindly upon our service, O Lord, we pray, that what we offer may be an acceptable oblation to you and lead us to grow in charity. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Ps 17: 3

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my saving strength.

Prayer after Communion

May your healing work, O Lord, free us, we pray, from doing evil, and lead us to what is right. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

Jesus presents the human heart as the place where true justice is manifested. For this reason, God’s gaze is focused on it . It is not enough for us to be men who let it be seen that they do good; we must take the further step of cultivating   have a good heart, just and full of love. Our heart is invisible because it is the dwelling place of God in us, God who is invisible but present and active. May the Lord purify make our thoughts and intentions through the gift of his Spirit, who sanctifies and justifies everything.