Ordinary Weekday, St. Felix of Nola
Saint Felix of Nola (d. ca. 250) was a Christian presbyter at Nola near Naples in Italy. He sold off his possessions in order to give to the poor. He was believed to have died a martyr’s death.
Green
Entrance Antiphon
Upon a lofty throne, I saw a man seated, whom a host of angels adore, singing in unison: Behold him, the name of whose empire is eternal.
Collect
Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen. 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 1:1-6
At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son, the Son that he has appointed to inherit everything and through whom he made everything there is. He is the radiant light of God’s glory and the perfect copy of his nature, sustaining the universe by his powerful command; and now that he has destroyed the defilement of sin, he has gone to take his place in heaven at the right hand of divine Majesty. So he is now as far above the angels as the title which he has inherited is higher than their own name. God has never said to any angel: You are my Son, today I have become your father; or: I will be a father to him and he a son to me. Again, when he brings the First-born into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him.
Psalm 96 (97) :1-2, 6-7, 9
R/ All you angels, worship the Lord.
1.The Lord is king, let earth rejoice,the many coastlands be glad.
His throne is justice and right.
2.The skies proclaim his justice;all peoples see his glory. All you spirits, worship him.
3.For you indeed are the Lord most high above all the earth, exalted far above all spirits.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ac16:14
Alleluia, alleluia!Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 1:14-20
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’ As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him. Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.
Prayer over the Offerings
May your people’s oblation, O Lord, find favour with you, we pray, that it may restore them to holiness and obtain what they devoutly entreat. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 35: 10
With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.
Prayer after Communion
Humbly we ask you, almighty God, be graciously pleased to grant that those you renew with your Sacraments may also serve with lives pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
If you have any doubts about the identity of Jesus, then today’s First Reading should clear them. Jesus is the only Son of God; he is the perfect copy of God’s nature; through him all things were made, and he maintains all things by his word; he is seated at God’s right hand; all God’s angels worship him. What could all this mean, except that Jesus is God, that he is the alpha and the omega, that he is the one through whom all good things come? It is this Jesus that is calling you today to repent and believe in his message. It is this Jesus that is calling you to follow him and be a fisher of men. He wants you to join him in saving souls and spreading his word and making the world experience his love and mercy. What is your response to his call?