Catholic Daily Reading + Reflection: Sunday, 17 January 2021

Readings at Mass for Sunday January 17, 2021

Second Sunday of the Year (B)
Vestment: Green
Today’s Rosary: Glorious Mysteries
Vespers II of the Second Sunday of the Year
St Anthony Abbot (Memorial)

Unity Week: Tomorrow marks the beginning of the unity week which is from the 18th – 25th of Jan. Prayers for the unity of Christians should be used within the liturgy.

Theme of the Sunday: How Did We Arrive at Christ? In the first reading God tries to contact people, he calls them by their names. The gospel tells us we are all invited to meet Christ. We meet him only if somebody else tells us about him. The second reading tells us one consequence of such a meeting: we should live a completely new life.

Entrance Ant.

All the earth shall bow down before you, O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High!

Collet

Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. Through our Lord…

FIRST READING

“Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.”
A reading from the first Book of Samuel (1 Samuel 3:3b -10, 19)

In those days: Samuel was lying down within the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.”’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood forth, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 40:2 and 4ab.7-Sa.8b-9.10 (R. cf. 8a and 9a)

R. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

I waited, I waited for the Lord,
and he stooped down to me;
he heard my cry. 
He put a new song into my mouth,
praise of our God. R.

You delight not in sacrifice and offerings,
but in an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and victim.
Then I said, “See, I have come.” R.

In the scroll of the book it stands written of me:
“I delight to do your will, O my God;
your instruction lies deep within me.” R.

Your justice I have proclaimed
in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed; 
you know it, O Lord. R.

SECOND READING

“Your bodies are members of Christ.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20)

Brethren: The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA cf. John 1:41.17b

Alleluia. We have found the Messiah, who is Christ; grace and truth came through him. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“They saw where he was staying,‘ and they stayed with him ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 1:35-42)

At that time: John was standing with two of his disciples; and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

The Gospel of the Lord.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Here I am, Lord!

PRIEST: My brothers and sisters, we have been given the precious gift of faith, by which we respond to God’s call to follow his Son, Jesus Christ. Let us ask the Lord for his help to remain true to our Christian vocation.

READER: 
For the leaders of the Church, (pause) that they may continue, by their example, to lead all peoples to Christ, just as Eli helped Samuel to hear God’s voice. (pause) Hear us, Lord; as we follow your Son we pray Oh Lord.

For all those in authority, (pause) that they may see their role in society as Eli did, and recognize that God uses them to point the way to him, as Father of all. (pause) Hear us, Lord; as we follow your Son we pray Oh Lord.

For all those who no longer listen to God’s voice, (pause) that those closest to them may be open to the Holy Spirit, speaking through their love and patience of God’s abiding love for them every day of their lives. (pause) Hear us, Lord; as we follow your Son we pray Oh Lord.

For a greater response to God’s will in this community, (pause) that we may all help each other to hear God’s voice, which often speaks in unexpected people and places, and encourage each other to grow strong in the faith. (pause) Hear us, Lord; as we follow your Son we pray Oh Lord.

PRIEST:
We pray in silence for our own intentions, to God, who always listens to our voice.
Father, we pray that we may hear your voice every moment of our lives, and answer your call. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today’s Reflection

Two different rejections today, God delivered Israel from slavery. They rejected God as their king. Surprisingly, God let them be. Jesus came to save his people from sin, and they rejected his authority, accusing him of blasphemy. Life’s challenges blinded them from the presence of God’s goodness. Providentially, Jesus proved his authority by healing the paralyzed man. He teaches us that what God offers in him has no substitute. He is our king and saviour. We must, therefore, celebrate and imitate the faith of the four men, who trusted that Jesus was the answer to the paralytic’s problem, and put our faith and compassion to work for others in just the same way. Through our faith and prayers, God blesses uncountable people out there. Lord, forgive us, heal us and raise us up. Amen.

Personal Devotional: Day 16

21 Day Novena for Personal and Family Restoration in the New Year 2021 (2nd January - 23rd January 2021)

Fasting Guideline: (i) Fast on the first day of the prayers, (ii) Every Fridays throughout the period and (iii) The last day of the prayers from 6am – 6pm (If you have the grace to fast from 6am-12noon or 6am-6pm in the 21days of the prayers you’re free to do so).
Note: The sick, pregnant women, nursing mothers are please advised to exercise caution in the fast.


Day 14 – 17

1. Opening Prayer: The name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.


2. Prayer Point: Ask God for total restoration, blessings, favour, divine speed and every other blessing you want from the Lord.
Take this prayer point also for day 15, 16, and 17


3. Reflection: Joel 2:16-30, I Chronicles 4:9-10, ps. 126, and 23



4. Say 1,000 Thank You Jesus using the Thank you Jesus Chaplet (Personal Devotion) Holy Rosary 


5. Prayer of Confirmation and trust in God

Lord, God Almighty, I thank you for protecting me from every form of evil and bringing me the gift of your divine health.
I thank you for breaking the chains of oppression and delivering me from every form of sin, sickness, disease and lie of the enemy.
I thank you for the powerful name of Jesus to which every knee shall bow.
Thank you for giving me your authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing shall harm me. 
Thank you for your full armor, your name, your most precious Blood and your Holy Spirit.
No weapon formed against me shall prosper.
Thank you heavenly father for all your protection and provisions, for yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, now and forevermore. Amen



6. Recite the Rosary (Glorious Mysteries): Offer this mystery for those that intentionally give you pain(s), that through the intercession of our Mother Mary, God will turn their heart for good.



7. Concluding Prayers:

Dear Lord, I surrender to your mercy; Lord I surrender to your loving kindness; merciful God, I surrender to your saving grace. 
(Repeat as severally as you can)
“I surrender my life and my destiny to you oh Lord, wash it with the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.”

In the power and authority that you have given me, I say to all addictions, perversions,
chemical dependencies, hopelessness, worry, doubt, fear, despair and all symptoms
of any such illness, that you must submit to the name of Jesus.

I cast down every argument and proud obstacle that exalts itself against the knowledge of
God in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

In the name of the father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Please help spread the gospel. Share our posts on social media using the share buttons. He who wins a soul is wise. God bless you abundantly! 

 




Follow us on social media:
Facebook: @hottestnaijadotcom
Twitter: @wherehot
Instagram: @hottest9jablog