Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

This is the Gospel of the poor,
liberation for the imprisoned,
sight for the blind,
freedom for the oppressed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Deuteronomy 4,32-40

'Put this question, then, to the ages that are past, that have gone before you, from when God created the human race on earth: Was there ever a word so majestic, from one end of heaven to the other? Was anything like it ever heard? Did ever a people hear the voice of the living God speaking from the heart of the fire, as you have heard it, and remain alive? Has it ever been known before that any god took action himself to bring one nation out of another one, by ordeals, signs, wonders, war with mighty hand and outstretched arm, by fearsome terrors -- all of which things Yahweh your God has done for you before your eyes in Egypt? 'This he showed you, so that you might know that Yahweh is the true God and that there is no other. To instruct you, he made you hear his voice from heaven, and on earth he let you see his great fire, and from the heart of the fire you heard his words. Because he loved your ancestors and, after them, chose their descendants, he has brought you out of Egypt, displaying his presence and mighty power, dispossessing for you nations who were larger and stronger than you, to make way for you and to give you their country as your heritage, as it still is today. 'Hence, grasp this today and meditate on it carefully: Yahweh is the true God, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper and live long in the country that Yahweh your God is giving you for ever.'

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The Son of Man came to serve,
whoever wants to be great
should become servant of all.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Moses' words invite us to think about the uniqueness and greatness of this love that God has manifested concretely and constantly in the history of his people. Like Isarel, we too need to ask why the Lord has chosen us and has loved us gratuitously. What do we have to offer, we poor men and poor women, to attract the attention of love from God? What merits can we boast about being part of the people the Lord has chosen to communicate salvation to the world? He has called us while we were dispersed, sinners, far and, with the fire of his love, has brought us together to make of us his people. He has chosen us, and he continues to speak to educate us to live as children of his and to send us to communicate to the world his saving mercy. Yes, as God acted towards Israel, so he has worked with the people that we are. Indeed, it has made us partakers of the mission entrusted to his own Son. The Word of God reminds us of this mission as the vocation of our life every day.