St.Cyril, monk & St. Methodius, bishop 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

James 1:1-11

 James, a servant of God

And of the Lord Jesus Christ, sends greetings to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.  Consider yourselves fortunate, my brothers and sisters, when you meet with every kind of trial,  for you know that the testing of your faith makes you steadfast.  Let your steadfastness become perfect with deeds, that you yourselves may be perfect and blame­less, without any defect.

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God who gives to all easily and unconditionally.   But ask with faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave driven and tossed on the sea by the wind.   Such a person should not expect anything from the Lord, since the doubter has two minds   and his conduct will always be insecure.

 Let the believer who is poor boast in been uplifted,   and let the rich one boast in being humbled, because he will pass away like the flower of the field.   The sun rises and its heat dries the grass; the flower withers and its beauty vanishes. So, too, will the rich person fade away even in the midst of his pursuits.

 

Ps 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76

Let your love come to me and I shall live.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Mark 8:11-13

 The Pharisees came and started to argue with Jesus. Hoping to embarrass him, they asked for some heavenly sign.   Then his spirit was moved. He gave a deep sigh and said, “Why do the people of this present time ask for a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this people.”  Then he left them, got into the boat again and went to the other side of the lake.

 

Gospel Reflection：

The Sigh of Jesus

There is something deeply human and saddening about Jesus giving a deep sigh. When we realize that nothing we say or do makes sense to those around us, we sigh. When unspeakable sorrow wells up within us, we sigh. God sighs when he sees in us shallowness of faith and rebellious resistance to truth, a resistance that prevents the Spirit from entering our hearts.

The Pharisees’ demand for a sign was a true sign of their lack of faith in him-for they had already concluded that Jesus was colluding with Beelzebul (MK 3:22). Jesus leaves without obliging them, for he knew that their minds were totally closed and no sign was going to convince them other wise. True faith does not need signs; it simply believes, trusts, and loves-the kind James asks us to embrace, in his letter today.

 

St. Cyril to St. Methodius: "I know that you greatly love your Mountain; but do not for the Sake of the Mountain give up your work of treaching."