1st READING
Today’s reading affirms that God is great and almighty. Let us remember this when the world tells us the opposite. The basis of sin is rebellion and selfishness, so we must keep our focus on God. Let us always proclaim His majesty and might.
Revelation 15:1-4
1 I, John, saw in heaven another sign, great and awe-inspiring: seven angels with the seven last plagues, for through them God’s fury is accomplished. 2 Then I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire. On the sea of glass were standing those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and the number that signified its name. They were holding God’s harps, 3 and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations. 4 Who will not fear you, Lord, or glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
PSALM
Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 7-8, 9
R: Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds. His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) 7 Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; 8 let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy. (R) 9 Before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to rule the earth; he will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity. (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus knows that He will die a horrible death, and it will not be easy to His disciples. We need to be prepared for the suffering we will encounter. Let us ask God for the grace to persevere and to see us through..
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Luke 21:12-19
12 Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. 13 It will lead to your giving testimony. 14 Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15 for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16 You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
