Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saint David (520 – 589)
Psalter: Week III
The earliest life of St David dates from five centuries after his death in 589. He became abbot and bishop at Mynyw. He is credited with a monastic rule and also with a Penitentiary.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 12: 6
O Lord, I trust in your merciful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me.
Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, always pondering spiritual things, we may carry out in both word and deed that which is pleasing to you. 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: Ecclesiasticus 17:1-13
The Lord fashioned man from the earth, to consign him back to it. He gave them so many days’ determined time, he gave them authority over everything on earth. He clothed them with strength like his own, and made them in his own image. He filled all living things with dread of man, making him master over beasts and birds. He shaped for them a mouth and tongue, eyes and ears, and gave them a heart to think with. He filled them with knowledge and understanding, and revealed to them good and evil. He put his own light in their hearts to show them the magnificence of his works. They will praise his holy name, as they tell of his magnificent works. He set knowledge before them, he endowed them with the law of life. Their eyes saw his glorious majesty, and their ears heard the glory of his voice. He said to them, ‘Beware of all wrong-doing’; he gave each a commandment concerning his neighbour. Their ways are always under his eye, they cannot be hidden from his sight.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 102(103):13-18
R/ The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.
As a father has compassion on his sons, the Lord has pity on those who fear him; for he knows of what we are made, he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass; he flowers like the flower of the field; the wind blows and he is gone and his place never sees him again.
But the love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear; his justice reaches out to children’s children when they keep his covenant in truth.
Gospel Acclamation: Psalm 102(103):13-18 ≈
Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.
Prayer over the Offerings
As we celebrate your mysteries, O Lord, with the observance that is your due, we humbly ask you, that what we offer to the honour of your majesty may profit us for salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 9: 2-3
I will recount all your wonders,I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we may experience the effects of the salvation which is pledged to us by these mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In Jesus’ time, it was the custom for mothers to bring their children to be blessed by a respected Rabbi on their first birthdays. Children tended to accept Rabbis more because of their friendlier demeanour, as trust naturally develops with those who display kindness. Although children are at times shy, the Rabbis’ easily approachable nature made the children feel at ease. Similarly, Jesus is our friend who invites us to put ourselves entirely in His care. By so doing, He can lead and guide us just as the Rabbis did with the children. This Gospel passage highlights the extent to which Jesus demands proof from us to convince us of His ability to help us. However, the passage suggests that approaching Jesus with suspicion may limit the help He can provide. May we embrace our Lord with a childlike faith.