5th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)
MAIN IDEAS AND MASS READINGS
OUTLINE
1. MAIN IDEAS
This Sunday, we contemplate Jesus as the Lord who “heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds (Cf. Responsorial Psalm.” The Gospel narrates us how Jesus cured many sick people of their illnesses. Then he woke up early in the morning to pray and from there, went to the nearby villages to preach, for this is the reason why He came into the world.
We are also called to evangelise, even if at times, or most of the time, we have to go against the current. However, we should remember what St. Paul said in the 2nd Reading: “woe to me if I do not preach it! “
United with Christ through prayer and most especially in the Holy Eucharist, may we joyfully bear fruits of apostolate and evangelization for the salvation of the world (cf. Prayer after Communion).
2. MASS READINGS
READING I
Jb 7:1–4, 6–7
Job spoke, saying: Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of hirelings? He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages. So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me. If in bed I say, “When shall I arise?” then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn. My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope. Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
Praise the Lord, for he is good;
sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;
it is fitting to praise him.
The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem;
the dispersed of Israel he gathers.
R.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.
R.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
to his wisdom there is no limit.
The Lord sustains the lowly;
the wicked he casts to the ground.
R.
READING II
1 Cor 9:16–19, 22–23
Brothers and sisters: If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the Gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the Gospel.
Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the Gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.
ALLELUIA
He took our sicknesses away, and carried our diseases for us.
GOSPEL
Mk 1:29–39
On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.