My food is to do the will of God my Father. Can we say and do likewise? Who is in charge of your life?
Those not walking the walk or talking the talk of faith deeply rooted in Christ, will not understand the dedication which comes from the joy of serving the Lord our God. Those on the journey striving to walk in the light who die to themselves, know and understand the beauty of sacrifice for the Lord. They will mourn the loss of the martyrs before us, but rejoice in their rising to new life with Christ.
Jesus let me be obedient unto You, now and always. Amen
First reading
2 Samuel 1:1-4,11-12,17,19,23-27
David returned from his rout of the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag. On the third day a man came from the camp where Saul had been, his garments torn and earth on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and did homage. ‘Where do you come from?’ David asked him. ‘I have escaped from the Israelite camp’ he said. David said to him, ‘What happened? Tell me.’ He replied, ‘The people have fled from the battlefield and many of them have fallen. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead too.’
Then David took hold of his garments and tore them, and all the men with him did the same. They mourned and wept and fasted until the evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, for the people of The Lord and for the House of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
Then David made this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan.
Alas, the glory of Israel has been slain on your heights!
How did the heroes fall?
Saul and Jonathan, loved and lovely, neither in life, nor in death, were divided.
Swifter than eagles were they, stronger were they than lions.
O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul who clothed you in scarlet and fine linen, who set brooches of gold
on your garments.
How did the heroes fall
in the thick of the battle?
O Jonathan, in your death I am stricken,
I am desolate for you, Jonathan my brother.
Very dear to me you were, your love to me more wonderful than the love of a woman.
How did the heroes fall
and the battle armour fail?
Gospel
Mark 3:20-21
Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.