1st READING
Should we put up walls and bulwarks to protect ourselves from the temptations of the world? We need to be aware of temptations and the powers at work that lead us away from God. However, we also need to interact with the world to share the Good News with those who have not heard it. Our calling is to live the Gospel and provide the Christian alternative to a secular existence.
Isaiah 26:1-6
1 On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: “A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. 2 Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. 3 A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.” 4 Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock. 5 He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; he tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. 6 It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.
PSALM
Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27
R: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. (R) 19 Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This gate is the Lord’s; the just shall enter it. 21 I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior. (R) 25 O Lord, grant salvation! O Lord, grant prosperity! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and he has given us light. (R)
GOSPEL
When we fail to listen to the Word of God, we’ll have no way of knowing what He wants us to do or how He wants us to live. Those who have faith in Christ are called to live out the Gospel. We are called to be evangelizers— bearers of the Good News to the world. Francis Xavier left Europe to bring the Gospel to the East. He gave up everything to respond to God’s call to take the Gospel to the ends of the world.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call him while he is near.
Matthew 7:21, 24-27 21
21 Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 24 “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 26 And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
