Reading 1 Zec 12:10-11; 13:1
I will pour out on the house of David
and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem
a spirit of grace and petition;
and they shall look on him whom they have pierced,
and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son,
and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a firstborn.
On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great
as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
On that day there shall be open to the house of David
and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Reading 2 Gal 3:26-29
Brothers and sisters:Through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus.
For all of you who were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free person,
there is not male and female;
for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if you belong to Christ,
then you are Abraham’s children,
heirs according to the promise.
Alleluia Jn 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 9:18-24
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
They said in reply, “John the Baptist;
others, Elijah;
still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”
Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”
He scolded them
and directed them not to tell this to anyone.
He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
Then he said to all,
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
BODY PIERCINGS
"They shall look on Him Whom they have" pierced. –Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37
In American culture, most women, as well as a number of men, have their ears pierced. In recent decades, many get other body parts pierced as well. Though people might pierce their bodies for any number of reasons, body piercing is biblically a mark of slavery (Ex 21:6). Slaves had their ear pierced to identify them as lifelong slaves (Ex 21:6).
If you've had your body pierced by a piercing gun or tattoo needles, Jesus identifies with you. He has pierced hands and feet (Ps 22:17). His side was pierced with a sword (Jn 19:34, 37). "He was pierced for our offenses" (Is 53:5). No one has been pierced as painfully as Jesus has been. When people look at your piercings, they might admire them or stare at you, but when people look on Jesus' piercings, their hearts are pierced, and they mourn for their sins (Zec 12:10). Jesus' piercings have the power to change hearts.
Instead of looking at your own piercings or those of others, look on the pierced Jesus. Let your heart be pierced with love for Him. Offer your body to Him as a living sacrifice (Rm 12:1) and a weapon for righteousness (see Rm 6:16, RNAB). Jesus, pierced for our transgressions, make our hearts like Yours.
| PRAYER: | Prayer: Father, I will glorify You in my body (1 Cor 6:20). |
| PROMISE: | "Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." –Lk 9:24 |
| PRAISE: | Glory to You, Jesus, pierced for our sins. Alleluia! |
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