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frmartinshomiliesandreflections · 3 months

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16th January >> Fr. Martin's Reflections / Homilies on Mark 2:23-28 for Tuesday, Second Week of Ordinary Time: ‘The Son of Man is master even of the Sabbath’.

Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel (Except USA) Mark 2:23-28 The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.

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.’

Gospel (USA) Mark 2:23-28 The sabbath was made for people, not people for the sabbath.

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

Reflections (16)

(i) Tuesday, Second Week of Ordinary Time

In the gospel reading, the Pharisees do not object to Jesus’ disciples plucking ears of corn as they walk through a cornfield; that was permitted under the Jewish Law. Their objection was to their doing this on the Sabbath. The action of the disciples may have been interpreted as a form of reaping, and reaping was a work that was forbidden on the Sabbath. Jesus, however, has a less stringent understanding of the Sabbath Law. As master of the Sabbath, he claims the authority to declare God’s original intention for the Sabbath. For Jesus, God the Creator gave the Sabbath as a gift to humanity. It was made for them, rather than the other way around. It was intended as a time for people to rest from their labours so that they could attend more fully to God and to one another. It was a time that was to be given to God in worship and to others in loving service. Jesus declares that the behaviour of his disciples was not contrary to the Creator’s original intention for the Sabbath day. It was legitimate to satisfy human hunger in this way on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees should have looked upon the actions of the disciples in a more compassionate, less judgemental, way. The Jewish Sabbath has become the Christian Sunday. It is a day when we step back from our normal work routine to give time and space to God and to one another. It is a day of rest when we allow the Lord to revive our drooping spirits and to empower us to live more fully as images of the Creator God.

And/Or

(ii) Tuesday, Second Week of Ordinary Time

Both of today’s readings suggest that our way of seeing can be very limited. In the first reading, when Samuel saw the first of Jesse’s sons that was brought to him he thought, ‘Surely, the Lord’s anointed one stands there’. However, Samuel heard the Lord say to him, ‘Take no notice of his appearance or his height… God does not see as humans see; humans look at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart’. It turned out that the son of Jesse whom God had chosen had least to recommend him, just going on appearances, Jesse’s youngest son, David. The Lord saw something in David that no human being could see. There is another instance of limited human seeing in the gospel reading. When the Pharisees saw Jesus’ disciples picking and eating ears of corn on the Sabbath, they saw people who were breaking the Sabbath Law requiring rest from labour. When Jesus looked upon the action of his disciples, he saw a legitimate attempt to satisfy hunger. He went on to say to the Pharisees that human need will often take priority offer religious law, including the Sabbath law, ‘the Sabbath was made for humans, no humans for the Sabbath’. Both readings remind us that our own way of seeing can often be very limited. We can so easily judge on the basis of appearances, rather than seeing what is beyond appearances to what is deepest in the person. Our calling is to grow into the Lord’s way of seeing, with the help of his Spirit, the Holy Spirit. The first step on that journey of deeper seeing is the acknowledgement of our own blindness and need for fuller light.

And/Or

(iii) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

We often struggle to get our priorities right. Sometimes we give priority to something that is not really deserving of it, and we can fail to prioritize what is more important. We can get very hung up about relatively minor matters and have something of a blind spot about what is really important. We find something of that going on in the gospel reading this morning. The Pharisees are disturbed because Jesus’ disciples are picking ears of corn as they walked along through a cornfield on the Sabbath day. They understood this to be a form of work that was forbidden on the Sabbath. However, whereas they prioritize a certain understanding of the Sabbath Law, Jesus prioritizes human need in his defence of his disciples. Their hunger justified what they were doing. Whereas the starting point of the Pharisees was the Law, Jesus’ starting point was always the human condition, the situation of the human person, what needed doing for that at that time. It this way Jesus teaches all of us that the need of the individual, the call of the other on us, is to be our priority, because it is there we are most likely to hear the Lord’s call.

And/Or

(iv) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

In our gospel reading this morning, the Pharisees are portrayed as people who are very conscientious about upholding the religious law, in this case the law of the Sabbath. Jesus’ disciples were picking ears of corn as they walked along and then eating the corn. The Pharisees saw this as a form of reaping, an activity that was forbidden on the Sabbath. Jesus, while respectful of the Jewish religious law, was much more sensitive to human needs and to the necessity for such needs to be met, in this case the need for food. For Jesus, law, including religious law, should be at the service of people’s basic human needs, rather than be an obstacle to having them met. In that sense, people were more important than regulations. As Jesus said, ‘the Sabbath was made for humanity, not humanity for the Sabbath’. The gospel reading raises the question of priorities. What is it that really matters? Jesus would say that people’s basic human needs are what matter. That is why there is and should be an outcry about what is happening in those parts of the world where people’s basic human needs for food, water and shelter are being denied in pursuit of some goal or ideal. Our basic humanity, with its primary needs and basic rights, is what unites us as human beings. Our faith calls upon us to be humanists, in the sense of reverencing our own humanity and the humanity of others and working to ensure that people’s basic human needs and rights are being met.

And/Or

(v) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

In this morning’s gospel reading we find a sharp contrast between how the Pharisees interpreted the Jewish Law relating to the Sabbath and how Jesus interpreted that Law. The Pharisees were quite rigid in their interpretation of the Sabbath Law. For the disciples of Jesus to pick ears of corn on the Sabbath as they walked along was a form of reaping and, therefore, forbidden on the Sabbath. Jesus, however, gave priority to the disciples’ hunger over this strict interpretation of the Sabbath Law. Jesus was always person centred, not law centred. The needs and well-being of the human person carried much greater weight with him than strict observance of a particular law, even a law as sacred as the Sabbath law. For Jesus, all law, including religious law, is at the service of the total well-being of people and when it works against their well-being it deserves to be ignored. Jesus gives expression to this conviction in that very short and concise saying, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath’. The Sabbath Law or any religious law must not be allowed to prevent people from satisfying their basic physical need for food. Jesus’ understanding of the religious law of his time was always shaped by his compassion for those in greatest need. He embodied God’s gracious presence, which made him master of the Sabbath and of all religious law. To walk in the way of Jesus is always to give greater priority to the total well being of people than to the laws of the institution.

And/Or

(vi) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospel reading the Pharisees are critical of the disciples who pluck ears of corn from a corn field to eat as they walk along on a Sabbath day. They probably considered such activity a form of reaping, and reaping was one of the many works forbidden on the Sabbath. Jesus, however, takes a much more common sense view. The disciples were hungry and this was a legitimate way for them to satisfy their hunger. In saying that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath, Jesus was giving priority to human need over certain forms of religious law. He was saying to the Pharisees that they had their priorities wrong. If a religious law is preventing people from meeting their basic human needs, there is something wrong with it. Law, including religious law, is there to serve the well being of the human person. Jesus took seriously the human person in all his or her complexity. He came not to serve a set of laws but to serve God’s people, especially those in the greatest material and spiritual need. He came that all people may have life and have it to the full. He understood that law, religious or otherwise, is at the service of that fullness of life for all.

And/Or

(vii) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

The laws governing what could and could not be done on the Sabbath were quite plentiful and detailed in the time of Jesus. In the gospel reading this morning Jesus’ disciples were picking ears of corn on the Sabbath to satisfy their hunger. The Pharisees considered that activity as a form of reaping, and reaping was not allowed on the Sabbath, hence, their question to Jesus, ‘why are they doing something on the Sabbath day that is forbidden?’ In responding to that question, Jesus makes quite a thought-provoking statement, ‘the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath’. Jesus was saying that law, including religious law, was not an end in itself but was there to serve the well-being of the person, of the whole person, body, soul and spirit. In this instance, the need to satisfy hunger should not be prevented by Sabbath law. In the time of Jesus, the many Sabbath laws were there with a view to honouring God, but Jesus is saying that God is not honoured by laws that hinder people from having a full human life. Saint Irenaeus said that the glory of God is the human person fully alive. Laws glorify God when they help people to be as fully alive as God intended.

And/Or

(viii) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

We are living in an age when appearances count for a great deal. People go to great lengths to look well. Those who are in the public limelight often spent a great deal of money on their image. It is important to look well and to come across well. Today’s first reading suggests that the Lord’s standards are rather different. In the words of that reading, whereas we tend to look at appearances, the Lord looks at the heart. David looked the least likely candidate among Jesse’s sons to become king and, yet, Samuel knew that this was the one that the Lord had chosen. There was something about David’s heart which made his more suitable that Jesse’s other sons. In the Jewish Scriptures the heart was understood as the core of the person. If there are people whose core is somehow open to God, even if appearances are not promising, then the Lord can work powerfully through them. As we go through life our appearance changes; physically we can less attractive, less impressive, less striking. Yet, the core, the heart, the centre of our lives can be in the process of becoming more open to the Lord and his love, and his purposes for our lives. Saint Paul declared that while our outer nature can be wasting away, even as our inner nature is being renewed day by day. It is that inner, ongoing, renewal which matters most in the Lord’s eyes.

And/Or

(ix) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

In this morning’s gospel reading we hear of a clash between Jesus and the Jewish authorities over how the Sabbath was to be kept. The Pharisees interpreted very strictly the commandment to rest on the Sabbath and do no work. Plucking ears of corn to satisfy their hunger, which the disciples did, was considered a form of reaping and, therefore, work. Jesus, however, held that basic human needs could be met on the Sabbath, such as the need of the hungry to be fed and the need of the sick to be healed, even if it involved activity that could be considered work. Whereas the Pharisees gave priority to the law as they had come to understand it, Jesus gave priority to the human person. He attended to the needs of others on the Sabbath as much as on other days of the week. Jesus teaches us that the well-being of the other takes priority over all forms of law, including religious law. He thereby teaches us that at all times we are called to work for each other’s well being - their material, emotional, spiritual well being. That kind of work is God’s work and such work is always timely, regardless of the day of the week.

And/Or

(x) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

In this morning’s gospel reading, the Pharisees criticize Jesus’ disciples for picking ears of corn on the Sabbath and eating them. As far as they were concerned, this was a form of work, and, so, was forbidden on the Sabbath. They were convinced that they understood what God expected of people on the Sabbath. In fact, they did not understand God’s will for the Sabbath. They saw themselves as experts, but in reality they were only learners and they had much to learn from Jesus’ understanding of the Sabbath. When it comes to the ways of God, the ways of the Lord, we are all only learners. The Lord always has much to teach us. The Lord continues to speak to us and to teach and enlighten us in and through his word. That is why we approach the Scriptures in a spirit of openness and humility. We come before the word not as experts but as learners, inviting the Lord to enlighten us and to lead us further on our voyage of discovery towards the compete truth.

And/Or

(xi) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

We are all familiar with sayings like, ‘never judge a book by its cover’, ‘all that glitters is not gold’. Such sayings put into words a truth that people have picked up from long experience. We know that something can look good, but the reality may not measure up to the appearance. The opposite, of course, can also be the case. What looks unimpressive can turn out to be of great quality. People can be in possession of treasures for many years without realizing it. What is true of objects is also true of people; appearances can be deceptive. That comes across very clearly in today’s first reading. When Samuel caught sight of Jesse’s first son, he said, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed one stands there’, but he was wrong. The son of Jesse whom the Lord had chosen was someone whom Jesse hadn’t even considered it worth his while to bring to Samuel. As the reading expresses it, ‘God does not see as we see, we look at appearances, but the Lord looks at the heart’. The Lord sees deeper than we do, and that is why his choices can seem so strange to us. It is because the Lord sees deeper than we do that we should leave judgement to the Lord as much as possible. We have to keep on suspending judgement, because our capacity for real insight into others is very limited. In the gospel reading, the Pharisees were judging Jesus’ disciples because they were looking at appearances. Jesus, however, knew their heart and did not hesitate to defend them before their critics. Because the Lord looks at the heart, it is important for us to get our heart in the right place, to keep focusing our heart on the Lord and on his will for our lives.

And/Or

(xii) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

The issue of what is allowed and what is not allowed is always with us, whether in the secular or religious sphere. In the gospel reading there is a clash between Jesus and the Pharisees as to what is and isn’t allowed under the Jewish Law. The Pharisees considered that the disciples action in providing for their hunger by picking ears of corn in the fields was not allowed on the Sabbath; it was understood by them to be a form of reaping which the Law forbids on the Sabbath. Jesus saw no problem with allowing his disciples to provide for themselves in this way on the Sabbath. He quotes an incident in Scripture in support of his view. David allowed his followers to satisfy their hunger with the bread of the presence in the Temple, which strictly speaking, only the priests were allowed to eat. Jesus was clear that the need to satisfy one’s hunger took precedence over the keeping of the particular interpretation of the Sabbath held by the Pharisees. Jews had the wisdom to discern when religious law was at the service of human wellbeing and when it was not. He had God’s perspective on what is important and what is not. He then had the f.reedom to act accordingly. Such wisdom and freedom flowed from his intimate relationship with God. We all need something of that same wisdom and freedom. By watching what Jesus does and listening to what he says in the gospels we can begin to imbibe something of his wisdom and freedom.

And/Or

(xiii) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

When Jesus says at the end of today’s gospel reading that ‘the Son of Man is master even of the Sabbath’, he is making quite a claim for himself. He is stating that he is not simply subject to the Law of the Sabbath like other men and women, but he is over the Law of the Sabbath. He is its authoritative interpreter. As master of the Sabbath, he tells those who criticize his disciples for plucking ears of grain on the Sabbath that the Sabbath is there to serve God’s people and not the other way around. God’s people are more important than God’s Law, and if God’s people are hungry on the Sabbath, then no Sabbath Law can prohibit them from satisfying their hunger. Jesus is declaring that people’s basic needs must take priority over human institutions, even an institution as sacred and venerable as the Sabbath Law. Every so often the guardians of institutions have to ask themselves, ‘Whose needs are being served here, those of the institution or those of the people it claims to serve?’ We can substitute various nouns for the word Sabbath in Jesus’ saying, ‘The Sabbath was made for humanity, not humanity for the Sabbath’, such as, ‘The church was made for humanity, not humanity for the church’, or ‘The national parliament is there for the people, not the people for the national parliament’. Jesus who declared of himself that he came not to be served but to serve is always prompting us to put the fundamental needs of our fellow human beings before all else.

And/Or

(xiv) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

If you ever have the good fortune to go to the Holy Land, you will be struck by how fertile the region of Galilee in the north really is. Crops of various kinds can grow there in abundance. The image of Jesus and his disciples walking through fields of ripe corn in today’s gospel reading reflects that fertile landscape. Jesus had no difficulty with them plucking some of the abundant ears of corn, rubbing them in their hands and eating what was edible. However, the Pharisees objected and made their objection known to Jesus. Their difficulty was that the disciples were doing this on the Sabbath day. They interpreted the actions of the disciples as a form of reaping, and reaping corn was forbidden by the Sabbath Law. For them, God’s Law comes first and such law judges people’s actions. However, for Jesus, people come first and all law, including God’s Law, is at the service of human wellbeing and flourishing. He considered that his hungry disciples have a right to satisfy their hunger in this way, even on the Sabbath day. The Sabbath was there to serve people, not the other way around. We can learn from Jesus here that whatever promotes human well-being has to take priority over all other considerations. No set of laws, no institution, no matter how hallowed or sacred, can be promoted at the expense of the fundamental needs and entitlements of people. The question Jesus would always want us to ask is, ‘Who is being served here?’ For Jesus, and for his followers, it is the service of the hungry, the weak, the most vulnerable, that must take priority over all other considerations.

And/Or

(xv) Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

The two readings today invite us to ask the question, ‘What do we see when we look?’ In the first reading, the Lord sends Samuel to find a king to replace Saul from among the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem. All the likely candidates among his sons were presented to Samuel, but he knew that the Lord had not chosen any of them. Finally, and reluctantly, the youngest son, David, was brought to Samuel. When the members of his family looked on him, they only saw an inexperienced youth whose age-appropriate task was to mind sheep. However, when Samuel looked upon him with the eyes of God, he saw a future king. As Samuel said to Jesse, ‘God does not see as man sees; man looks at appearances, but God looks at the heart’. There is often more to people than meets the eye. People can look at someone without really seeing him or her. In the gospel reading, one Sabbath day, the Pharisees looked upon Jesus’ disciples picking ears of corn as they walked along and chewing the corn and what the Pharisees saw were law-breakers, people who disrespected the law of the Sabbath. When Jesus looked upon his disciples’ action, he saw the hungry feeding themselves in a perfectly legitimate way. Jesus had to remind the Pharisees that the Sabbath was God’s gift to his people not God’s burden. ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath’. What do see when we look? Both readings invite us to look beyond appearances to the heart of a person, where we can find something of the Lord, sometimes, in spite of appearances.

And/Or

(xvi) Tuesday, Second Week of Ordinary Time

When Jesus declares at the end of today’s gospel reading that the Son of Man is master of the Sabbath, he is making quite a claim for himself. The laws relating to how the Sabbath was to be lived were considered to come from God. Jesus is now claiming to be the ultimate authority as to how the Sabbath is to be lived. He is claiming to know the mind of God when it comes to the Sabbath Law. The Pharisees believed that God had forbidden all sorts of activities on the Sabbath, including the activity of harvesting corn; the Pharisees seem to have interpreted the action of the disciples in plucking ears of corn to satisfy their hunger as a form of harvesting. However, Jesus’ interpretation of the Sabbath law gives priority to human need, in this case the need to satisfy hunger. He shows there is a precedent for this in the Jewish Scriptures. David and his men ate the bread of the presence because they were hungry. This was contrary to the Jewish Law because it was reserved to the priests, yet, the human need for food took priority on that occasion. For Jesus, human need determines how the Sabbath Law is to be interpreted, ‘the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath’. The gospel Jesus preaches puts the basic needs of the human person before all else, even before the most important religious law, the Law of the Sabbath. As followers of Jesus today, we have to keep asking ourselves the question, ‘Are we interpreting his message, his gospel, in ways that undermine or promote the full human flourishing of others?’

Fr. Martin Hogan.

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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 3 months

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16th January >> Mass Readings (USA)

Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green: B (2))

First Reading 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Samuel anointed David in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord God rushed upon him.

The LORD said to Samuel: “How long will you grieve for Saul, whom I have rejected as king of Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.” But Samuel replied: “How can I go? Saul will hear of it and kill me.” To this the LORD answered: “Take a heifer along and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I myself will tell you what to do; you are to anoint for me the one I point out to you.”

Samuel did as the LORD had commanded him. When he entered Bethlehem, the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and inquired, “Is your visit peaceful, O seer?” He replied: “Yes! I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. So cleanse yourselves and join me today for the banquet.” He also had Jesse and his sons cleanse themselves and invited them to the sacrifice. As they came, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because he sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him before Samuel, who said, “The LORD has not chosen him.” Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any one of these.” Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The LORD said, “There–anoint him, for this is he!” Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and from that day on, the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David. When Samuel took his leave, he went to Ramah.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 89:20, 21-22, 27-28

R/ I have found David, my servant.

Once you spoke in a vision, and to your faithful ones you said: “On a champion I have placed a crown; over the people I have set a youth.”

R/ I have found David, my servant.

“I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, That my hand may be always with him, and that my arm may make him strong.”

R/ I have found David, my servant.

“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior.’ And I will make him the first-born, highest of the kings of the earth.”

R/ I have found David, my servant.

Gospel Acclamation cf. Ephesians 1:17-18

Alleluia, alleluia. May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mark 2:23-28 The sabbath was made for people, not people for the sabbath.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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pugzman3 · 9 months

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Mark 2:23-28 KJV

23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

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sad-boys-anonymous · 9 months

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Obsidian- 1

contents: aftermath of torture, whumpee used to be an asshole, non sexual nudity, caretaking-focused, post-captivity whump. whumpee is referred to as "boy" but he is 21 years old, everyone else in the situation is just like 15+ years older than him lmao

summary: Dragons are real, and they walk among us, participating in organized crime. Jonathan Hawkins is the acting stand-in for the Obsidian clan after the disappearance of their famed leader, a merciless young man named Abiathar. However, Abiathar's anticipated return causes more problems than it solves.

“I’m sure your buddies have told you the consequences of stepping on Obsidian territory, no?” Jonathan Hawkins’ boot was pressed against the concrete wall, just grazing the cheek of the younger man he loomed over.

Positioned below him was a hunter, a human belonging to the ranks of the centuries old organization dedicated to culling the numbers of magical beasts. The deadly dance between dragonkind and hunters had spanned generations, rife with blood. The dragons of today were a far cry from their ancestors- now assuming human forms to better blend into the population. Epic battles between hunters and dragons had trickled down into scuffles confined to the shadows. Dragons had found their niche in the criminal underbelly of the city, and the Obsidian clan, led by the legendary Black Dragon, was the most feared of all.

At least, they were.

Six months ago, the current Black Dragon, a pompous young man named Abiathar left abruptly, having been challenged to a duel by a hunter. Jonathan, his second-in-command, had urged him not to go alone, but Abiathar had been indignant.

“Don’t coddle me, old man. I’ll bring back that fucker’s head on a pike,” he had retorted, flashing sharp teeth.

A week passed. And then another week passed. And then another.

Abiathar didn’t return.

Rumors spread. Some claimed that he had been slain, while others accepted he had betrayed the clan and fled the country. The power the Obsidian clan had amassed over decades began to buckle, and Abiathar’s inner circle of generals had no choice but to take charge. Standing in Abiathar’s position made Jonathan feel ill, as if replacing him was treasonous in and of itself. Being elevated to clan leader, even if temporary, felt like an admission that Abiathar had been killed.

“I’m here on business,” the hunter croaked from between hunched shoulders. His face attempted to morph itself into a look of superiority, but he couldn’t bring himself to meet Jonathan’s eyes.

“A hunter has no business here, unless you intend on offering yourself up as a meal.”

There was a spark of defiance in the hunter’s eyes as he groped for the leather cord that hung around his neck, tucked into his shirt.

“Adam has a message for you. He would like to make a deal.”

— — — —

“Look, Jonathan. We’re all here now,” Jacobi muttered, slouching forward in his leather office chair. “Care to tell us what was so important you felt the need to call for an emergency meeting amongst the Castrum?”

Light spilled in through the glass stretching across the outer wall of the conference room, a birdseye view of the city skyline captured in a perfect snapshot. The Obsidian clan operated primarily out of a particular highrise overlooking their territory. The lower floors were used as office space for the shell companies the clan kept up as a front, while the upper floors were for actual business, and the very top was reserved as living space. While the dragons’ powers had waned over the centuries, they still felt most secure perched in high places.

Seated around the long rectangular table were four other dragons, Jonathan’s fellow generals. Jacobi sat directly across from Jonathan, watching the agitated man tap his fingers against the surface. To his left sat Cassandra, with Damien assuming his usual position at her side. Salem sat closest to Jonathan, occasionally looking up from his laptop to spare a concerned glance.

Jonathan collected himself with a steely breath, and then dug into his pocket, holding up a small pendant.

“All this for a talisman?” Jacobi replied critically, raising an eyebrow. He leaned in to inspect the object- a small glass bottle threaded onto a cord with piece of parchment crammed inside, inscribed with a sigil of protection, written in blood. A common enough spell. “The hunters have been making those since the dark ages.”

Frustration flashed across Jonathan’s features as he clutched the bottle in his hand, crushing it in his grip. The glass shattered, and its contents were exposed to the air, the bloody scrap of paper floating to the table.

Jacobi grew pale, the smile dropping from his lips the moment he breathed in the familiar scent. Salem flinched as if he had been struck. Cassandra’s sharp nails abruptly dug themselves into the table, while Damien finally turned to face the others.

The talisman hadn’t been forged with the blood of an animal, or even a human. It was dragon’s blood.

The Black Dragon’s blood.

“Fuck,” Cassandra breathed, breaking the silence.

“One of Adam’s dogs had it. The bastard’s finally making a move,” Jonathan hissed, picking shards of glass from his palm. “He wants ownership of the docks in exchange for Abiathar’s life, along with two hundred and fifty thousand in cash.”

————

It was definitely a trap, Jonathan more than knew that. He wasn’t stupid. He had spent his entire life in this gang, he knew that walking directly into the enemies hand’s on their terms was moronic.

But what other choice did he have? Those talismans could only be forged with fresh blood, which meant that Abiathar was alive, for now. As his subordinates, it was their duty to bring him back home.

For the operation, the Castrum had divided into two vehicles. Jonathan and Jacobi were in one of the Obsidian clan’s many sports cars, while Cassandra, Damian, and Salem took to the rear in an armored SUV. Even in the worst case scenario, the plan was for at least one of the groups to successfully escape the hunter’s compound with Abiathar.

Jacobi’s fingers drummed against the steering wheel as he waited for the stoplight to turn green. The two hadn’t spoken for the nearly two hours they had been driving. The screen on the dashboard flashed an alert: another left turn.

Their destination was taking them farther and farther away from the city, much to Jonathan’s concern. At one time, perhaps his draconic ancestors would have preferred the isolated, expansive wilds, but these were different times. Blending in among mortals provided a certain kind of shield, as neither dragons nor hunters were keen on revealing their supernatural abilities to the general public.

Jonathan’s hands rested on the duffel bag in his lap, the weight of the cash stuffed inside not feeling quite heavy enough for the value of the life it was being exchanged for. Up until yesterday, the dread that had been sitting in the pit of his stomach had been painful, but tolerable regardless. But the moment he had actually smelled Abiathar’s blood, that dread ballooned into something unmanageable. He was running on minimum food and rest, but his bestial instincts provided more than enough motivation.

Every time he closed his eyes, Jonathan saw the image of his previous boss, Abiathar’s father. The man he had spent the bulk of his years serving under. The man that, on his deathbed, had Jonathan swear his loyalty to his young successor and promise to protect him.

The final order from his boss, which he failed.

“We’re here.” Jacobi’s voice broke Jonathan from his thoughts. He hadn’t even realized the car had stopped moving. Slowly, he allowed his white knuckle grip on the strap of the bag to loosen.

The car was parked outside an unsuspecting warehouse, situated at the end of a one-lane road that stretched for god-knows-how-long into the mountains. The flash of headlights behind them indicated that Cassandra’s group had also just pulled in.

The plan had been agreed as such: Jacobi and Jonathan would be the primary negotiators. Cassandra and Damian would be stationed nearby, ready to intervene if shit hit the fan. Salem would remain in the SUV, monitoring the situation from his computer.

The building appeared to be abandoned, with foliage creeping up the walls and inside shattered windows. But Jonathan’s heightened dragon senses told another story- the smell of human activity was thick in the air, along with their foul sorcery. If he had to guess, the humans were likely operating underground, and this warehouse was nothing but a cover.

Jacobi leaned in to examine the rusted hanger doors, only for them to begin to shudder and rise by themselves. “Of course,” he muttered under his breath, “They’ve probably got cameras out here.”

A man stepped into view as the doors withdrew against the ceiling. He was tall for a human, with blond hair that was pulled back into a neat ponytail. His arms were folded behind his back as he regarded his visitors with a cool smile.

Adam. The leader of the hunters, flanked by at least thirty of his armed goons. This was the first time Jonathan had ever actually seen the man face to face, and he definitely lived up to the impression that the rumors built for him.

“My, my. You certainly spared no time getting here.” His voice had the nonchalant air that only the most dangerous of men carried, the kind that would stab you in the back with a smile.

Jonathan took a step forward, unwilling to let Adam assume control of the encounter. A few of the younger hunters gathered behind him flinched. By the look on some of their faces, it seemed like this was their first time challenging a dragon.

“The docks are yours. And the money is right here,” he said, raising up the duffel bag to eye level. “We’ve fulfilled our end of the deal. So where is the Black Dragon?”

Adam tilted his head, smiling as if reacting to an inside joke only he was privy to. “Ah, of course. Unlike you beasts, we humans hold true to our word. Follow me.”

Adam approached an uneven part of the floor, grabbing a protruding metal handle. A hatch door separated from the floor, revealing a narrow staircase that led underground. Adam stood by the entrance, gesturing for the two men to come forward.

Jacobi flashed a minuscule glance at Jonathan, a non verbal question of “Are we really doing this?” Jonathan replied with a shrug.

Sighing, Jonathan took the lead, walking towards Adam, before he was blocked by two broad-shouldered hunters with their arms crossed.

“If you will, please leave your weapons at the door. We’re trying to keep this as civil as possible. You see, fighting underground could lead to friendly fire,” Adam chimed in, removing a dagger from his own belt and tossing it to the ground.

“You think we came armed?” Jacobi retorted, raising an eyebrow. He eyed the hunters that surrounded them, probably running the mental calculations on how many of them he could kill before he was overpowered. His deadly intent was not lost on his adversaries, who shuffled anxiously and spared glances at Adam. Jonathan didn’t like where this was going.

“Just do it, Jacobi,” Jonathan said, his voice even. The addition of “I know what you’re thinking, don’t you fucking dare,” went unspoken.

Two handguns entered the pile with an unceremonious thud.

“I appreciate your compliance. We’re all adults here, so we should act like it.” Adam’s hand caressed the metal handrail as he turned back to offer Jonathan and Jacobi another smile. “Now, if you will follow me. The Black Dragon is waiting for you.”

————

The deeper they marched into the underground, single-file with an entourage of hunters both in front of and behind them, the deeper the pit in Jonathan’s stomach became. Something wasn’t right. Adam seemed to be almost giddy with anticipation. The most likely option nagged in the back of Jonathan’s mind- Abiathar was already dead, and they had just walked into a trap. He tried not to dwell on it.

If he wanted to kill us, he would have done it already, Jonathan reasoned to himself. We’re outnumbered and unarmed.

The procession stopped near the end of a long hallway, where another hunter stood in front of a heavy vault door. He was broad-shouldered, with red hair that was cropped close to his ears. The left sleeve of his trench coat was empty, hanging loosely by his side.

“What is the meaning of this? Why did you let those beasts in here?” the man spat, balling his remaining hand into a fist.

Frustration flickered across Adam’s carefree face. Something dark was visible in his eyes as he rolled his shoulders, approaching the other hunter. “Asher, you know damn well what they’re doing here. Open the door and move aside.”

Asher moved defensively in front of the door, pressing his back against the metal surface. “You didn’t tell me it was going to be over this quickly, sir.” His voice dipped at the end, as if he remembered he was speaking to a superior.

“I have no reason to indulge you in my plans. I will repeat myself once more: open the door, and move aside.”

“But-”

Wham!

Adam’s fist connected with Asher’s jaw without warning, slamming the man’s head into the concrete wall beside him. Asher barely had time to cup his bleeding jaw in his hands before Adam landed an elbow directly between his shoulder blades, forcing out the strangled gasp of air he had just gulped in. Asher collapsed to the ground in a heap, coughing.

Adam flicked the blood from his knuckles as he knelt down to retrieve a keycard from Asher’s belt.

Even Jonathan could feel the tension that had settled over the group. None of the other hunters dared to even breath, lest they catch the attention of their leader. The only person to make a sound was Jacobi, who let out a quiet snort.

“I apologize for that,” Adam started, pressing the card to the door’s sensor. A green light flashed in response. “My men aren’t always as disciplined as I would like. I’m sure you can relate.”

Inside, the room was dark, scarcely lit by a single bulb that hung from the center of the ceiling. Careful not to look too eager, Jonathan discreetly skimmed the room from behind Adam. The concrete floors were grimy, and a foul, metallic smell permeated the damp air. A folding chair lay on its side near a cheap table, which was populated by crushed cans of beer and a toolbox. In the corner, Jonathan could barely make out a pile of rags.

“Dragon,” Adam called into the empty room, “you have visitors!”

Jonathan’s heart was fighting to break out of his chest. Abiathar? He was in here? If he took a deep breath and focused, he could smell some trace that could be his leader, but the air was thick with so many other pungent smells that it made his head hurt.

To his right, he heard Jacobi suck in a gasp. “Jesus fucking Christ,” he whispered, the color draining from the man’s face.

Jonathan followed his line of sight. The pile of rags in the corner had twitched, and as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he realized it wasn’t a pile of rags at all.

It was Abiathar.

Huddled under a thin blanket, Abiathar’s face was barely visible beneath the matted black hair that had already grown past his shoulders. He shrank tighter into the corner as Adam came closer, reaching a hand out to grab him. For a moment, Jonathan struggled to process that the guttural squeal was coming from Abiathar, reacting to Adam grabbing him by the back of the head.

“Come on, mighty Black Dragon,” Adam jeered, yanking Abiathar off the floor and tossing him at Jonathan and Jacobi’s feet, “Your lackeys came all the way over here to get you. I thought you would be happy to see them.”

Time seemed to slow to a crawl. Jonathan was frozen at the sight of the naked young man sprawled out in front of him. Abiathar had always been lean, but now he was emaciated, his bones protruding miserably against his skin, as if flesh had been vacuumed sealed over them. Lashes, both healed and fresh, stretched across his back, the raw flesh weeping puss. He was shaking so violently that Jonathan could hear his teeth chatter.

Jonathan fought to dislodge the lump in his throat. “What…what the fuck did you do to him?”

Adam balanced the heel of his boot on Abiathar’s hip, lording over the boy with the same sick glee a trophy hunter has for his kill. “Exactly what one should do to such a beast- I tamed him. You should be thanking me, dragon. He will be much easier to deal with now.”

“You bastard!” Jonathan roared, the nails on his hand twisting into the claws of a dragon. A firm arm went across his chest, preventing him from lunging.

“Don’t,” Jacobi hissed through clenched teeth.

Adam let out a bemused huff. “What? I’ve delivered you your leader, alive. If you’re not happy with damaged goods, then I will do you another favor, and put him out of his misery.” Adam’s boot moved over Abiathar’s throat, threatening to press into his windpipe. Abiathar began to tremble even harder, arms wrapped around his torso defensively.

The wild eyes of a panicked animal met Jonathan’s stare from the floor. The rage that had almost consumed him turned to jelly in his veins, paralyzing him under the sudden weight of dread.

“That won’t be necessary. We’re taking him with us.” Jacobi’s voice didn’t waver, despite the sweat dripping down his face. His arms were stiff at his sides, a thin line of blood forming in his fists from his nails digging into his palms.

Adam immediately released the pressure on Abiathar’s throat. “That’s what I thought. Leave the money here and be on your way. My men will escort you back to the entrance.”

As soon as Adam exited the room, Jonathan was on his knees, trying to pull Abiathar into a sitting position. “Sir, can you hear me? Sir?”

Abiathar was limp in his arms, unable to support his own weight. He didn’t speak, but a whimper escaped his lips. He was uncomfortably warm and clammy to the touch, no doubt feverish from his infected wounds.

Abiathar’s head lolled against his chest. His entire body lurched against Jonathan’s bulkier form for support, and a shaking hand clung to the front of his shirt.

Was this really the same Abiathar that snapped at anyone who tried to intrude in his personal space?

“Jonathan, we need to leave, now.” Jacobi said, staring down at the hunters that remained at the door.

Jonathan shook his head. He had to get a grip. Pulling off his overcoat, he draped it across Abiathar’s frail shoulders, trying not to think about how it swallowed him up.

At first, he attempted to stand while supporting Abiathar by the arm, but Abiathar immediately fell back onto the ground in a heap. He could barely take a step. He sure as hell wasn’t going to make it up the stairs they had descended.

I’ll have to carry him, Jonathan thought, but hesitated the moment he tried to scoop him up.

He could hear Abiathar’s-not this pitiful boy, the real Abiathar- voice in the back of his mind, “Get your hands off me, old man. I’ll fucking kill you.”

Instead, Abiathar sunk into his touch, his whimpers quieting when Jonathan lifted him up. Jonathan had never imagined the Black Dragon could look so small, so vulnerable.

“I’ve got him,” Jonathan said, struggling to keep his voice even, “Let’s go.”

#victors writing #whump #captivity whump #hurt/comfort #whump writing #urban fantasy whump

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plasma-archer · 1 year

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My OC

This is Abiathar Aranov or Abi for short.

His first name is hebrew, which translates to, "great father figure".

His surname, Aranov, translates to, "Strength of the mountain".

I believe its time that I introduce my OC on this platform. It took me a while to get comfortable in sharing my original work. Above all, I wasn't sure if any one would like his design.

He is the main protagonist to a story that I've been working on for years at this point. Since spring 2013 to be exact. I started drawing my first draft, the paper was not the greatest quality, so I bought another sketch book with better paper. In total, I restarted this story five times.

#centaur #fantasy #centaur art #original character #ocs #oc #male character #firepower #stories #traditional drawing #digital sketch #digital art #digital drawing

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queenlucythevaliant · 2 years

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Hello! For the Bible names game, could I get #15? It's a special number in my family. Thank you!

15 is Abiathar, "father of abundance." He's cool! He was David's priest while running from Saul and later became High Priest and councilor to the king during David's reign.

One guy, referenced 31 times. See 1 Samuel 22:20.

#I like this one for your special family number #hope you do too 🙂#ask me hard questions

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 5 months

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David Defeats Nations

1 Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

3 And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.

5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

6 Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.

7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

9 Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;

10 He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.

11 Them also king David dedicated unto the Lord, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.

13 And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.

David’s Important Officers

14 So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.

15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.

16 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

17 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king. — 1 Chronicles 18 | King James Version (KJV) The King James Version Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: Genesis 49:6; 1 Samuel 30:14; 2 Samuel 8:1; 2 Samuel 8:16; 2 Samuel 8:18; 1 Kings 7:40; 1 Kings 7:51; 1 Kings 11:5; 2 Kings 11:10; 2 Kings 14:7; 1 Chronicles 11:6; 1 Chronicles 19:6; 1 Chronicles 24:6; 1 Chronicles 29:26; 2 Chronicles 4:11; 2 Chronicles 5:1; Ezra 4:20; Psalm 60:1

#David #David's military victories #David's officers #David's sons #1 Chronicles 18 #Book of First Chronicles #Old Testament #KJV #King James Version Bible

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albacore-aesthetic · 2 years

Photo

"Clouds on Abiathar Peak" by YellowstoneNPS is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

#nature #cloud #clouds #mountains

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myremnantarmy · 1 year

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𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot

Gospel Mk 2:23-28

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath,

his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.

At this the Pharisees said to him,

"Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?"

He said to them,

"Have you never read what David did

when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?

How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest

and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat,

and shared it with his companions?"

Then he said to them,

"The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.

That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath."

#jesus #catholic #my remnant army #jesus christ #virgin mary #faithoverfear #saints #jesusisgod #endtimes #artwork #jesusitrustinyou #follow jesus #jesusiscoming #gospel #word of god #bible #rosary

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brucedinsman · 7 days

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Daily Bible Reading 17 April, 2024

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 1-2, Luke 14:1-24 Book: 2 Samuel Author: Unknown but not Samuel, since the events of the book take place after his death. Some suggest Abiathar the priest (15:35) Date: Approximately 1010-970 BC, the reign of King David. In ten words or less: David becomes Israel’s greatest king, but with major flaws. “From Know Your Bible, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc.…

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#2024 #Daily BIble Reading

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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 1 year

Text

17th January >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

And/Or

Saint Antony, Abbot.

Tuesday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the feria (Tuesday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Tuesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Hebrews 6:10-20 In this hope we have an anchor for our soul.

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.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm 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.

R/ The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.

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.

R/ The Lord 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!

R/ The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 118:18

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

Or: cf. Ephesians 1:17,18

Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. Alleluia!

Gospel Mark 2:23-28 The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.

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.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

---------------------------------------

Saint Antony, Abbot

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Tuesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Ephesians 6:10-13,18 Put on God's armour and resist the devil.

Grow strong in the Lord, with the strength of his power. Put God’s armour on so as to be able to resist the devil’s tactics. For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the Sovereignties and the Powers who originate the darkness in this world, the spiritual army of evil in the heavens. That is why you must rely on God’s armour, or you will not be able to put up any resistance when the worst happens, or have enough resources to hold your ground.

Pray all the time, asking for what you need, praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion. Never get tired of staying awake to pray for all the saints.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-8,11

R/ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.’ O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.

R/ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart. I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

R/ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand happiness for ever.

R/ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation John 8:31-32

Alleluia, alleluia! If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples, and you will learn the truth, says the Lord. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 19:16-26 It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

There was a man who came to Jesus and asked, ‘Master, what good deed must I do to possess eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is one alone who is good. But if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said, ‘Which?’ ‘These:’ Jesus replied ‘You must not kill. You must not commit adultery. You must not bring false witness. Honour your father and mother, and: you must love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these. What more do I need to do?’ Jesus said, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But when the young man heard these words he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, I tell you again, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.’ When the disciples heard this they were astonished. ‘Who can be saved, then?’ they said. Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he told them ‘this is impossible; for God everything is possible.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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