Introit: Ps 37:5-7 (antiphon: 37:4)
Gradual: [Ps. 34:9, 19, alt.]
Old Testament: Jer 11:18-20
Ps 54 (antiphon: v. 4)
Epistle: Jas 3:13„4:10
ProperVerse: Mark 9:35b
Gospel: Mk 9:30-37

Our Father Cares for His Children with the Gospel of His Son
The sinful heart is filled with "bitter jealousy and selfish ambition" (James 3:14), which causes hostility, quarrels and conflicts, even among those who are fellow members of the body of Christ. This should not be so! Rather, God "opposes the proud" with His Law, in order to humble them unto repentance; He "gives grace to the humble," in order to exalt them by His Gospel of forgiveness (James 4:6_10). This true "wisdom from above" is found in the gentleness, mercy and peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself and sacrificed Himself for the salvation of sinners (James 3:17). He was "like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter," committing Himself to God, His Father, "who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind" (Jer. 11:19_20). Therefore, "after three days," His Father exalted Him by raising Him from the dead (Mark 9:31). In Holy Baptism, He takes disciples of all ages into His arms like little children. In receiving Him through repentance and faith in His forgiveness of sins, they receive from His Father a share in the glory of His cross and resurrection (Mark 9:36_37).

Introit: Ps 135:1-3, 13-14 (antiphon: 135:13)
Gradual: [Ps. 91:11; 103:1]
Old Testament: Num 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
104:27-35 (antiphon: v. 24)
Epistle: Jas 5:(1-12) 13-20
ProperVerse: Mark 9:50b
Gospel: Mk 9:38-50

Christ Jesus, the Son of God, Cares for Us and Serves Us with the Forgiveness of Sins
When the people of Israel wept, complaining that they had no meat to eat (Num. 11:4), Moses cried out to the Lord that "the burden of all this people" was too heavy for him and that he was "not able to carry all this people alone" (Num. 11:11_14). So the Lord had Moses gather "seventy men of the elders of Israel" (Num. 11:16), and the Lord "took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders" (Num. 11:25), so that Moses would not carry the burden alone. All who thus labor are honored, and all the people are cared for, in the name of the Lord (Mark 9:39_41). Everything is done with reference to Christ Jesus. So we cling to Him, and we flee from all sins that would separate us from Him (Mark 9:42_48). The life of the Church is one of repentant faith in Christ. Christians confess their sins to one another, and they "pray for one another," that each would be raised up and healed by the Lord Jesus, who covers "a multitude of sins" and saves our souls from death (James 5:15_20).

Introit: Ps 127:3-5 (antiphon: 127:1a)
Gradual: [Ps. 91:11; 103:1]
Old Testament: Gen 2:18-25
Ps 128 (antiphon: v. 1)
Epistle: Heb 2:1-13 (14-18)
ProperVerse: Mark 10:14b
Gospel: Mk 10:2-16

Marriage Is a Sign that Manifests the Gospel of Christ and His Church
Humanity is created in the image and likeness of God. "It is not good that the man should be alone" (Gen. 2:18). For the Lord Himself is a perfect communion of three Persons „ the Father, Son and Holy Spirit „ in one God. Therefore, "the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs," which "he made into a woman" and brought "to the man" (Gen. 2:21_22). It is for this reason that "a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Gen. 2:24; Mark 10:7). This great mystery of holy marriage signifies Christ Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, and His Bride, the Church. Divorce and all manner of adultery contradict and undermine this sign, and in doing so, they confess a false Christ and a false gospel. "What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate" (Mark 10:9). In truth, Christ Jesus has atoned for all such sins, and He has perfected marriage in Himself "through suffering," that He might bring "many sons to glory" in His resurrection (Heb. 2:8_10).

Introit: Ps 112:3-6 (antiphon: 112:1)
Gradual: [Ps. 91:11; 103:1]
Old Testament: Am 5:6-7, 10-15
90:12-17 (antiphon: v. 1)
Epistle: Heb 3:12-19
ProperVerse: Gal 6:2
Gospel: Mk 10:17-22

Christ Jesus Is the One and Only Good by Whom You Inherit Eternal Life
The Lord is the Author and Giver of life, as well as a consuming fire of judgment against all "who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate" (Amos 5:12). "Seek the Lord and live," therefore, by hating what is evil, loving what is good and doing what is just and right, according to His Word. "And so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you" (Amos 5:6, 14_15). Understand that "no one is good except God alone" (Mark 10:18). The life that you are called to live is found neither in your "great possessions," nor in your good works, but only in Christ Jesus. Let go of "all that you have" and follow Him, even unto death, and "you will have treasure in heaven" (Mark 10:21_22). Do not harden your heart against His voice, nor turn away from Him, lest you "fall away from the living God." Rather, hear and heed His call, cling to His Word and "exhort one another every day," that you may remain steadfast in Christ and "firm to the end" (Heb. 3:12_15).