February 5, 2012 (Y-B)                            5^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

“ JESUS’ RESPONSE TO SUFFERING”

INTRODUCTION TO THE MASS

Most of us live very busy lives. As a result we may be spiritually impoverished. Today’s Gospel shows us how in the midst of all his work Jesus took time out to pray. The Eucharistic Celebration provides us with a great opportunity to take time out to be with the LORD. [Pause]

Let us now bring before the LORD our concerns, problems, and sins, so that we may receive his forgiveness and help.

LORD, we have sinned against you. LORD, have mercy.

LORD, show us your mercy and love. And grant us your salvation.

OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray [that God will watch over us and protect us]

Father,

Watch over your family and keep us safe in your care, for all our hope is in you.

Grant this through our LORD Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. R: Amen.

FIRST READING Jb 7:1-4, 6-7

A reading from the Book of Job

Job spoke, saying: Is not man's life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of hirelings? He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages. So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me. If in bed I say, "When shall I arise?" then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn. My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle; they come to an end without hope. Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again.  

The Word of the Lord

R. Thanks be to God 

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.

Praise the LORD, for he is good;

sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;

it is fitting to praise him.

The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem;

the dispersed of Israel he gathers.

R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.

He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

He tells the number of the stars;

he calls each by name.

R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

to his wisdom there is no limit.

The LORD sustains the lowly;

the wicked he casts to the ground.

R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.

SECOND READING: 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 

Brothers and sisters: If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

The Word of the Lord

R. Thanks be to God 

ALLELUIA

Alleluia, Alleluia.  

Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

GOSPEL: Mk 1: 29-39

V. The Lord be with you                                       R. And also with you.

X A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

R. Glory to you, Lord

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

The Gospel of the LORD.

R. Praise to you, LORD Jesus Christ.