Encountering the Lord fills a person with an inexhaustible spiritual joy.

This isn't just temporary happiness but a profound inner transformation

that compels believers to share God's goodness and be a source of encouragement. 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

1 Samuel 4:1-11 

At that time

Samuel was a prophet of Israel. The Israelites went out to battle against the Philistines.

They encamped at Ebenezer, while the Philistines encamped at Aphek.

The Philistines then drew up in battle formation.

They attacked Israel and after a fierce fighting, Israel was defeated,

leaving about four thousand men dead on the battlefield.

When the troops retreated to their camp, the elders of Israel asked,

"Why has Yahweh allowed us to be defeated by the Philistines?

 

Let us take the Ark of God from Shiloh and bring it here

so that Yahweh may be with us and save us from our enemies."

So the people sent messengers to Shiloh to take the Ark of Yahweh who is seated on the cherubim.

Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, accompanied the Ark.

 

As soon as the Ark of Yahweh entered the camp, the Israelites began to cheer so loudly that the earth resounded.

The Philistines heard the shouting and asked, "What does this loud shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?"

And they were told that the Ark of Yahweh had been brought to the camp. 

 

The Philistines were overcome with fear. They exclaimed, "A god has come into the camp. Woe to us!

For nothing like this has happened before. Woe to us! Who can save us from the power of these mighty gods?

These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all sorts of plague and in the desert.

Take courage and conduct yourselves like men, O Philistines,

lest you become slaves to the Hebrews in the same way they have been slaves to you. Be manly and fight." 

 

So the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated. Everyone fled to his home.

It was a disastrous defeat; thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel were killed.

The Ark of God was captured and the two sons of Ell, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.

 

Ps 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25 

Redeem us, Lord, because of your mercy.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to Jesus and begged him, "If you want to, you can make me clean."

Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I do want to; be clean."

The leprosy left the man at once and he was made clean. As Jesus sent the man away, he sternly warned him,

"Don't tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the priest;

 

and for the cleansing, bring the offering ordered by Moses; in this way, you will give to them your testimony." 

However, as soon as the man went out, he began spreading the news everywhere,

so that Jesus could no longer openly enter any town.

But even though he stayed in the rural areas, people came to him from everywhere.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Grace received, grace given.

When we hear good news, we can't help but share it with others.

Anyone who encounters the Lord is always filled with joy that overflows to others.

This challenges us each time we receive the grace of God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Grace received, grace given. May we also learn to extend that gift of forgiveness

and reconciliation to those we have hurt and those who have hurt us.

Has your encounter with Christ brought joy to your life? How did you share it with others?