Sunday's Readings

Sunday 25 February 2018 - Second Sunday of Lent (Year B)

Liturgy of the Word

God put Abraham to the test. ‘Abraham, Abraham,’ he called.’ Here I am’ he replied. ‘Take your son,’ God said ‘your only child Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him as a burnt offering, on a mountain I will point out to you.’

When they arrived at the place God had pointed out to him, Abraham built an altar there, and arranged the wood. Then he bound his son Isaac and put him on the altar on top of the wood. Abraham stretched out his hand and seized the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven. ‘Abraham, Abraham’ he said. ‘I am here’ he replied. ‘Do not raise your hand against the boy’ the angel said. ‘Do not harm him, for now I know you fear God. You have not refused me your son, your only son.’

Then looking up, Abraham saw a ram caught by its horns in a bush. Abraham took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. The angel of the Lord called Abraham a second time from heaven. ‘I swear  by my own self – it is the Lord who speaks – because you have done this, because you have not refused me your son, your only son, I will shower  blessings on you, I will make your descendants as many as the stars of  heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants shall
gain possession of the gates of your enemies. All the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by your descendants, as a reward for your  obedience.’

Response:

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

Second Reading: Rom 8:31-34

With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give. Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen? When God acquits, could anyone condemn?  Could Christ Jesus? No! He not only died for us – he rose from the dead, and there at God’s right hand he stands and pleads for us.

Gospel Acclamation:

Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

From the shining cloud, the Father’s voice is heard: this is my beloved Son, hear him.

Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Gospel: Mk 9:2-10

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark:

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.

Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what
to say; they were so frightened.

And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.

As they came down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ could mean.

Next Sunday’s Readings:

Ex 20:1-17

1 Cor 1:22-25

Jn 3:16

Jn 2:13-25

The scriptural quotations are taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Co Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.

The English translation of the Psalm Responses, the Alleluia and Gospel Verses, and the Lenten Gospel Acclamations, and the Titles, Summaries, and Conclusion of the Readings, from the Lectionary for Mass � 1997, 1981, 1968, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.