Tuesday 21st JANUARY

by | Jan 20, 2025 | Evangelium

Saint Agnes, Virgin, Martyr

(- 304)

Psalter: Week II

Red

As with so many of the early Roman martyrs, very little is now known about Agnes’ life. Agnes was filled with the love of God from an early age, vowed herself to celibacy, and when the opportunity of martyrdom arose, she did not hide away but stepped forward and took it.

Entrance Antiphon

Behold, now she follows the Lamb who was crucified for us, powerful in virginity, modesty her offering, a sacrifice on the altar of chastity.

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, who choose what is weak in the world to confound the strong, mercifully grant, that we, who celebrate the heavenly birthday of your Martyr Saint Agnes, may follow her constancy in the faith. 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: Hebrews 6:10-20         

God would not be so unjust as to forget all you have done, the love that you have for his name or the services you have done, and are still doing, for the saints. Our one desire is that every one of you should go on showing the same earnestness to the end, to the perfect fulfilment of our hopes, never growing careless, but imitating those who have the faith and the perseverance to inherit the promises. When God made the promise to Abraham, he swore by his own self, since it was impossible for him to swear by anyone greater: I will shower blessings on you and give you many descendants. Because of that, Abraham persevered and saw the promise fulfilled. Men, of course, swear an oath by something greater than themselves, and between men, confirmation by an oath puts an end to all dispute. In the same way, when God wanted to make the heirs to the promise thoroughly realise that his purpose was unalterable, he conveyed this by an oath; so that there would be two unalterable things in which it was impossible for God to be lying, and so that we, now we have found safety, should have a strong encouragement to take a firm grip on the hope that is held out to us. Here we have an anchor for our soul, as sure as it is firm, and reaching right through beyond the veil where Jesus has entered before us and on our behalf, to become a high priest of the order of Melchizedek, and for ever.

Responsorial Psalms: Psalm 110(111):1-2,4-5,9,10

R/ The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.

I will thank the Lord with all my heart  in the meeting of the just and their assembly. Great are the works of the Lord,  to be pondered by all who love them.

He makes us remember his wonders. The Lord is compassion and love. He gives food to those who fear him;  keeps his covenant ever in mind.

He has sent deliverance to his people and established his covenant for ever. Holy his name, to be feared.  His praise shall last for ever!

Gospel Acclamation: Ps118:18        

Alleluia, alleluia! Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may consider the wonders of your law. Alleluia!

Gospel: Mark 2:23-28

One sabbath day, Jesus happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples began to pick ears of corn as they went along. And the Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing something on the sabbath day that is forbidden?’ And he replied, ‘Did you never read what David did in his time of need when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the loaves of offering which only the priests are allowed to eat, and how he also gave some to the men with him?’ And he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; the Son of Man is master even of the sabbath.’

Prayer over the Offerings

May the offerings we bring in celebration of Saint Agnes win your gracious acceptance, O Lord, we pray, just as the struggle of her suffering and passion was pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon : Rv 7: 17

The Lamb who is at the centre of the throne will lead them to the springs of the waters of life.

Prayer after Communion

O God, who bestowed on Saint Agnes a crown among the Saints for her twofold triumph of virginity and martyrdom, grant, we pray, through the power of this Sacrament, that, bravely overcoming every evil, we may attain the glory of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

Amid our hectic lives, do we still make time to listen to God’s words and teachings? In today’s fast-paced world of technological communication, we can become so absorbed in our daily responsibilities that we forget to maintain a close relationship with God. The Sabbath is intended to be a day of rest and worship for God. It offers an opportunity to express gratitude to God for our blessings and to pray to Him to keep us safe from harm. God, as the Creator of the Sabbath, wants everyone to view it as a time to connect with Him and one another rather than as a burden. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us that God is not a harsh taskmaster waiting to pounce on our every mistake. Instead, God is a loving Father who desires our happiness and well-being. Let us strive to live our lives in a way that reflects this love, approaching the law with a merciful heart, and always seeking to do what is good and just in the eyes of God.