THE GOSPEL
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
Lord,
dwell in our hearts.
When we
tend the sick,
feed the hungry,
make clean your planet,
be within us––
so that
all that we do,
we do in your love.
Stretch us, please.
Let us reach out to our neighbor
when we are too busy or much too tired.
Let the world know we are your disciples
not because our hands are clean,
but because they are dirty
with the mark of all
your children.
THE FIRST READING
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it
as the Lord our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?
What
galaxy can
exist without your laws?
Placing moons
securely in their place,
making black holes from spent stars.
Could we ever live for one instant,
or move or have our being, if
you, O God, creator of the
universe, did not hold
each of us ever
in your
love?
Make us live your law:
to love you
and love
our
neighbor.
THE SECOND READING
James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only,
deluding yourselves.
Lord,
let your Word
grow in our hearts like
ivy plants invading the garden.
Let it
take
us
to
the
poor
wherever
we find them:
the hungry,
the sick and the lonely,
the surrounding air; all crying for cleansing:
the war-torn, homeless, jobless,
the imprisoned, and
dying––
all
who wait for us
to be “doers”
spreading
your
Word.
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from Religious Clip Art for the Liturgical Year (A, B, and C). This art may be reproduced only by parishes who purchase the collection in book or CD-ROM form. For more information go http://www.ltp.org