SAINT GILDAS
Psalter III
GREEN
He was a 6th-century British monk, historian, and saint, known for his work “De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae” (“On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain”). He was born around 500 in the Clyde Valley, educated in Wales, and later established a monastery at Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys in Brittany. He’s considered the first British historian and is known for his writings critical of the moral decline of his time.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 95: 1, 6
O sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, direct our actions according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29
After Nathan had spoken to King David, the king went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, Lord God, and who are the members of my house, that you have brought me to this point? Yet even this you see as too little, Lord God; you have also spoken of the house of your servant for a long time to come: this too you have shown to man, Lord God! “You have established for yourself your people Israel as yours forever, and you, Lord, have become their God. And now, Lord God, confirm for all time the prophecy you have made concerning your servant and his house, and do as you have promised. Your name will be forever great, when men say, ‘The Lord of hosts is God of Israel,’ and the house of your servant David stands firm before you. It is you, Lord of hosts, God of Israel, who said in a revelation to your servant, ‘I will build a house for you.’ Therefore your servant now finds the courage to make this prayer to you. And now, Lord God, you are God and your words are truth; you have made this generous promise to your servant. Do, then, bless the house of your servant that it may be before you forever; for you, Lord God, have promised, and by your blessing the house of your servant shall be blessed forever.”
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 132:1-2, 3-5, 11, 12, 13-14
R/ The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father.
- Lord, remember David and all his anxious care; How he swore an oath to the Lord, vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob.
- I will not enter the house where I live, nor lie on the couch where I sleep; I will give my eyes no sleep, my eyelids no rest, Till I find a home for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
- The Lord swore an oath to David a firm promise from which he will not withdraw: “Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.”
- If your sons keep my covenant, and the decrees which I shall teach them, Their sons, too, forever shall sit upon your throne.”
- For the Lord has chosen Zion, he prefers her for his dwelling: “Zion is my resting place forever; in her I will dwell, for I prefer her.”
Gospel Acclamation: Psalm 119:105
Alleluia, alleluia. A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 4:21-25
Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept our offerings, O Lord, we pray, and in sanctifying them grant that they may profit us for salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 33: 6
Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, receiving the grace by which you bring us to new life, we may always glory in your gift. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“To the one who has, more will be given.” What do we have? We have life, health, loving families, friends, the chance to receive an education, talents and skills. In short, we have all the blessings that God has given to us. We will receive more blessings from God if we remain in communion with him and work hard to exploit the gifts he has given us. But we will lose the gifts we have if we stray away from God and do not exploit what we have received from him. David had received kingship, wealth and glory from God, and God promised him through the prophet Nathan to bless him and his family forever. Upon receiving this promise, he did not rest on his laurels; rather, he went to God in prayer to thank him and implore him to keep his promise by maintaining his favour on his household. That is how we receive more blessings from God; by always returning to him in prayer and continuously striving to be hardworking and virtuous in our daily dealings. May we hunger and thirst for more and more of God’s blessings.