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Sunday Reflection – 17 April 2022

EASTER SUNDAY, The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Also Read: Mass Readings for 17 April 2022 Homily for 17 April 2022 – Easter Sunday

First Reading: Acts 10: 34a, 37-43

Saved!

All the prophets testify about him (Jesus) that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (v.43)

In reflecting on this passage today we must read the previous verses of this chapter. Peter’s vision describes how God intended to make the Good News known to everyone, Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 10:11-16) Therefore, we hear our first Pope speak those prophetic words of how the church is to show no partiality. There is a miraculous meeting with Cornelius to prove God’s hand in all that has begun to take shape in the nascent church at the time. (Acts 10:1-33)

“…but in every nation, anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (v.35) Here, Peter sets out the criteria for salvation. May we realize the great opportunity set before us and accept the invitation of the Lord.

Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Song of Victory

16 the right hand of the Lord is exalted;

     the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”

 17 I shall not die, but I shall live,

     and recount the deeds of the Lord.

 The stone that the builders rejected

     has become the chief cornerstone.

 23 This is the Lord’s doing;

     it is marvelous in our eyes. Amen!

Second Reading: First Corinthians 5: 6b-8

New People!

Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

St. Paul is very clear in his directive here today. If we are a saved nation of believers, our honest attitude will be evident. Hence the slightest grain of malice in our heart, however rightful it may seem to us at that time, will only corrupt us. But we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood and adopted children of God, through Christ Jesus Our Lord!

Alleluia!

Gospel: Luke 24: 13-35

Emmaus!

While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. (15-16)

There are times in our lives when we may fail to recognize Jesus, especially in our darkest moments. The disciples were downcast and troubled, (…They stood still, looking sad.) (17) As Christ walked with them that evening, he empathized with them. He is also very near to us in our spirit. But we must be open to His promptings! Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. (27) We will find him near! 

Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (35)

The Holy Eucharist is the most direct and preferred way God mingles with us. Through His physical presence in the Holy Host, we are renewed in spirit. Therefore come gladly and often to the banquet he sets before us. We must avoid all distractions and impediments on our way to church, literally and spiritually. May the Holy Spirit be our compass on this journey. May he bless us with true discernment in all aspects of our lives. Amen!

The Lord has risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia!

HAPPY EASTER!

Maundy Thursday Homily – 14 April 2022

Holy Thursday, In the evening, begin the Easter Triduum of the Lord’s Solemnity Passion, Death, and Resurrection

Also Read: Mass Readings for 14 April 2022

Maundy Thursday

‘May I wash you?’ Jesus is asking you.

Jesus did not bother to ask this question before washing the feet of His disciples. But Peter made Him to ask the question. Only with the expressed permission of Peter Jesus did continue. They were all guests and Jesus was the host. When you accept His invitation, you have to let Him wash you. Jesus puts this strange condition. Today when we accept a dinner invitation, it is our responsibility to present the best of ourselves at the table. But Jesus is different. Because He knows, with all our efforts, we shall not be clean enough for His table.

Let Jesus clean you so that you are perfect at His table.  Jesus has invited you and I to His august table. He has invited us, in spite of us being not clean enough for His table. It is not another casual invitation to let it go easily. If you care yourself to be at His table let Him clean you and let Him feed you with His choice food and drink, His body and blood.

When we present ourselves at the confessional, we let Jesus clean us. When we take part in the holy mass with due preparation, we let Jesus feed us with His fine dishes. When man and woman receive the sacrament of matrimony, they let Jesus purify their love. With all other sacraments, we are letting Jesus make us cleaner, stronger, and closer to Him. When we read the Bible daily and have our daily personal and family prayer, we are letting Jesus help us walk closer to Him.

At the end of the dinner, He commanded his disciples to repeat what He did; to clean one another and to feed one another; not as a bothersome duty but as an expression of intense love shared from Jesus we have to love and forgive.  When we forgive one another, we are indeed making ourselves and others clean for the banquet of Jesus. Save love, Jesus let no condition for the banquet or the preparatory washing.

Looking at a multitude of more than five thousand, Jesus once commanded His disciples to feed them, although there were hardly five loaves left to share. Even if you have started with an empty basket, and you care to share at His command, your basket will never go empty. Remember, the Eucharist has not gone empty since the first Eucharist was celebrated.

During these sacred hours let us stay closer to His table so that He washes us clean and feeds us with His sacred dishes.

Amen.

Sunday Homily – 10 April 2022

PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’ Solemnity PASSION

Also Read: Mass Readings for 10 April 2022 Mass Reading Reflection for 10 April 2022

The Lord Needs You

Referring to a tied colt, Jesus said, ‘the Lord needs it’. As we enter the holiest week of the year, looking right into your eyes, Jesus tells you, “The Lord needs you.”

You may be tempted to act like the timid student of the class who would pretend that the question is directed to someone else. After all, why should he need me? You might say, ‘I am a regular person, taking care of my family and children, working from Monday to Friday, just to make sure that there is food on the table every day. Why He needs me?’ But yes, He needs you. You may be a poor, rich, sick, healthy, jobless, young, old, student, teacher, man, woman, homeless, or anything conceivable, yet He needs you! If Jesus had a use for the humble colt, He has better plans for you.

The owner had to let go of the colt that the plan of Jesus be executed. Unless you let yourself go for the plan of Jesus, you would remain tied down. During the past six weeks, with Jesus, we reflected on our lives, and probably identified many knots that tie us down. Now let Jesus untie us and go with Him, wherever He wants us to take. He wants us to take Him royally to places.

He wants you to take Him into your life.

He wants to take Him to your family and friends.

He wants you to take Him to your workplace.

He wants you to take Him to places where He is less appreciated and even mocked at.

He wants you to take Him to places only He knows.

If you are ready to carry Him like the humble colt, then this Palm Sunday is yours. Don’t hesitate, let Jesus untie your knots, and with Him go to wherever he takes you.

So be it.

Daily Mass Readings for Thursday, 31 August 2023

Ordinary Weekday

First Reading: First Thessalonians 3: 7-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 90: 3-5a, 12-13, 14 and 17
Alleluia: Matthew 24: 42a, 44
Gospel: Matthew 24: 42-51
Lectionary: 428

First Reading: First Thessalonians 3: 7-13

7 Therefore we were comforted, brethren, in you, in all our necessity and tribulation, by your faith,

8 Because now we live, if you stand in the Lord.

9 For what thanks can we return to God for you, in all the joy wherewith we rejoice for you before our God,

10 Night and day more abundantly praying that we may see your face, and may accomplish those things that are wanting to your faith?

11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

12 And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in charity towards one another, and towards all men: as we do also towards you,

13 To confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness, before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 90: 3-5a, 12-13, 14 and 17

R. (14) Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

3 Turn not man away to be brought low: and thou hast said: Be converted, O ye sons of men.

4 For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past. And as a watch in the night.

R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

12 Can number thy wrath? So make thy right hand known: and men learned in heart, in wisdom.

13 Return, O Lord, how long? and be entreated in favour of thy servants.

R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

14 We are filled in the morning with thy mercy: and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days.

17 And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: and direct thou the works of our hands over us; yea, the work of our hands do thou direct.

R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

Alleluia: Matthew 24: 42a, 44

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

42a, 44 Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 24: 42-51

42 Watch ye therefore, because ye know not what hour your Lord will come.

43 But know this ye, that if the goodman of the house knew at what hour the thief would come, he would certainly watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open.

44 Wherefore be you also ready, because at what hour you know not the Son of man will come.

45 Who, thinkest thou, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath appointed over his family, to give them meat in season.

46 Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come he shall find so doing.

47 Amen I say to you, he shall place him over all his goods.

48 But if that evil servant shall say in his heart: My lord is long a coming:

49 And shall begin to strike his fellow servants, and shall eat and drink with drunkards:

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day that he hopeth not, and at an hour that he knoweth not:

51 And shall separate him, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The readings on this page are taken from the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible. You can also read the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. (References, Copyrights).
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Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday, 30 August 2023

Ordinary Weekday

First Reading: First Thessalonians 2: 9-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 139: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12ab
Alleluia: First John 2: 5
Gospel: Matthew 23: 27-32
Lectionary: 427

First Reading: First Thessalonians 2: 9-13

9 For you remember, brethren, our labour and toil: working night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you, we preached among you the gospel of God.

10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and without blame, we have been to you that have believed:

11 As you know in what manner, entreating and comforting you, (as a father doth his children,)

12 We testified to every one of you, that you would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

13 Therefore, we also give thanks to God without ceasing: because, that when you had received of us the word of the hearing of God, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is indeed) the word of God, who worketh in you that have believed.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 139: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12ab

R. (1) You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy face?

8 If I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I descend into hell, thou art present.

R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

9 If I take my wings early in the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea:

10 Even there also shall thy hand lead me: and thy right hand shall hold me.

R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

11 And I said: Perhaps darkness shall cover me: and night shall be my light in my pleasures.

12ab But darkness shall not be dark to thee, and night shall be light as day.

R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

Alleluia: First John 2: 5

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

5 Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 23: 27-32

27 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you are like to whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear to men beautiful, but within are full of dead men’s bones, and of all filthiness.

28 So you also outwardly indeed appear to men just; but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

29 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; that build the sepulchres of the prophets, and adorn the monuments of the just,

30 And say: If we had been in the days of our Fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

31 Wherefore you are witnesses against yourselves, that you are the sons of them that killed the prophets.

32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

The readings on this page are taken from the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible. You can also read the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. (References, Copyrights).
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Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday, 29 August 2023

Martyrdom of John the Baptist Obligatory Memorial

First Reading: First Thessalonians 2: 1-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 139: 1-3, 4-6
Alleluia: Matthew 5: 10
Gospel: Mark 6: 17-29
Lectionary: 426/634

First Reading: First Thessalonians 2: 1-8

1 For yourselves know, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

2 But having suffered many things before, and been shamefully treated (as you know) at Philippi, we had confidence in our God, to speak unto you the gospel of God in much carefulness.

3 For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deceit:

4 But as we were approved by God that the gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who proveth our hearts.

5 For neither have we used, at any time, the speech of flattery, as you know; nor taken an occasion of covetousness, God is witness:

6 Nor sought we glory of men, neither of you, nor of others.

7 Whereas we might have been burdensome to you, as the apostles of Christ: but we became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish her children:

8 So desirous of you, we would gladly impart unto you not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls: because you were become most dear unto us.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 139: 1-3, 4-6

R. (1) You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

1 Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me:

2 Thou hast know my sitting down, and my rising up.

3 Thou hast understood my thoughts afar off: my path and my line thou hast searched out.

R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

4 And thou hast foreseen all my ways: for there is no speech in my tongue.

5 Behold, O Lord, thou hast known all things, the last and those of old: thou hast formed me, and hast laid thy hand upon me.

6 Thy knowledge is become wonderful to me: it is high, and I cannot reach to it.

R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

Alleluia: Matthew 5: 10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 6: 17-29

17 For Herod himself had sent and apprehended John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias the wife of Philip his brother, because he had married her.

18 For John said to Herod: It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

19 Now Herodias laid snares for him: and was desirous to put him to death, and could not.

20 For Herod feared John, knowing him to be a just and holy man: and kept him, and when he heard him, did many things: and he heard him willingly.

21 And when a convenient day was come, Herod made a supper for his birthday, for the princes, and tribunes, and chief men of Galilee.

22 And when the daughter of the same Herodias had come in, and had danced, and pleased Herod, and them that were at table with him, the king said to the damsel: Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

23 And he swore to her: Whatsoever thou shalt ask I will give thee, though it be the half of my kingdom.

24 Who when she was gone out, said to her mother, What shall I ask? But she said: The head of John the Baptist.

25 And when she was come in immediately with haste to the king, she asked, saying: I will that forthwith thou give me in a dish, the head of John the Baptist.

26 And the king was struck sad. Yet because of his oath, and because of them that were with him at table, he would not displease her:

27 But sending an executioner, he commanded that his head should be brought in a dish.

28 And he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a dish: and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.

29 Which his disciples hearing came, and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

The readings on this page are taken from the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible. You can also read the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. (References, Copyrights).
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Daily Mass Readings for Monday, 28 August 2023

Augustine, Bishop, Doctor Obligatory Memorial

First Reading: First Thessalonians 1: 1-5, 8b-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 149: 1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
Alleluia: John 10: 27
Gospel: Matthew 23: 13-22
Lectionary: 425

First Reading: First Thessalonians 1: 1-5, 8b-10

1 Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy: to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all; making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing,

3 Being mindful of the work of your faith, and labour, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father:

4 Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election:

5 For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.

8b In every place, your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak any thing.

9 For they themselves relate of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God.

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven (whom he raised up from the dead,) Jesus, who hath delivered us from the wrath to come.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 149: 1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

R. (4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

1 Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: let his praise be in the church of the saints.

2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: and let the children of Sion be joyful in their king.

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

3 Let them praise his name in choir: let them sing to him with the timbrel and the psaltery.

4 For the Lord is well pleased with his people: and he will exalt the meek unto salvation.

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

5 The saints shall rejoice in glory: they shall be joyful in their beds.

6a The high praise of God shall be in their mouth

9b This glory is to all his saints. Alleluia.

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

Alleluia: John 10: 27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

27 My sheep hear my voice: and I know them, and they follow me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 23: 13-22

13 But woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men, for you yourselves do not enter in; and those that are going in, you suffer not to enter.

14 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: because you devour the houses of widows, praying long prayers. For this you shall receive the greater judgment.

15 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you go round about the sea and the land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, you make him the child of hell twofold more than yourselves.

16 Woe to you blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but he that shall swear by the gold of the temple, is a debtor.

17 Ye foolish and blind; for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

18 And whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, is a debtor.

19 Ye blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

20 He therefore that sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things that are upon it:

21 And whosoever shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth in it:

22 And he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

The readings on this page are taken from the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible. You can also read the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. (References, Copyrights).
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Daily Mass Readings for Sunday, 27 August 2023

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Isaiah 22: 19-23
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 138: 1-2a, 2bc-3, 6, 8
Second Reading: Romans 11: 33-36
Alleluia: Matthew 16: 18
Gospel: Matthew 16: 13-20

Also Read: Mass Reading Reflection for 27 August 2023 Homily for 27 August 2023 – Sunday

Lectionary: 121

First Reading: Isaiah 22: 19-23

19 And I will drive thee out From thy station, and depose thee from thy ministry.

20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliacim the son of Helcias,

21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and will strengthen him with thy girdle, and will give thy power into his hand: and he shall be as a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Juda.

22 And I will lay the key of the house of David upon his shoulder: and he shall open, and none shall shut: and he shall shut, and none shall open.

23 And I will fasten him as a peg in a sure place, and he shall be for a throne of glory to the house of his father.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 138: 1-2a, 2bc-3, 6, 8

R. (8bc) Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

1 I will praise thee, O lord, with my whole heart: for thou hast heard the words of my mouth. I will sing praise to thee in the sight of his angels:

2a I will worship towards thy holy temple.

R. Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

2bc I will give glory to thy name. For thy mercy, and for thy truth.

3 In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me: thou shall multiply strength in my soul.

R. Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

6 For the Lord is high, and looketh on the low: and the high he knoweth afar off.

8 The Lord will repay for me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: O despise not the work of thy hands.

R. Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

Second Reading: Romans 11: 33-36

33 O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him, and recompense shall be made him?

36 For of him, and by him, and in him, are all things: to him be glory for ever. Amen.

Alleluia: Matthew 16: 18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

18 You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 16: 13-20

13 And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is?

14 But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?

16 Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.

18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

20 Then he commanded his disciples, that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.

The readings on this page are taken from the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible. You can also read the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. (References, Copyrights).
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Daily Mass Readings for Saturday, 26 August 2023

Ordinary Weekday/ Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

First Reading: Ruth 2: 1-3, 8-11; 4: 13-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128: 1b-2, 3, 4, 5
Alleluia: Matthew 23: 9b, 10b
Gospel: Matthew 23: 1-12
Lectionary: 424

First Reading: Ruth 2: 1-3, 8-11; 4: 13-17

1 Now her husband Elimelech had a kinsman, a powerful man, and very rich, whose name was Booz.

2 And Ruth the Moabitess said to her mother in law: If thou wilt, I will go into the field, and glean the ears of corn that escape the hands of the reapers, wheresoever I shall find grace with a householder that will be favourable to me. And she answered her: Go, my daughter.

3 She went therefore and gleaned the ears of corn after the reapers. And it happened that the owner of that field was Booz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

8 And Booz said to Ruth: Hear me, daughter, do not go to glean in any other field, and do not depart from this place: but keep with my maids,

9 And follow where they reap. For I have charged my young men, not to molest thee: and if thou art thirsty, go to the vessels, and drink of the waters whereof the servants drink.

10 She fell on her face and worshipping upon the ground, said to him: Whence cometh this to me, that I should find grace before thy eyes, and that thou shouldst vouchsafe to take notice of me a woman of another country?

11 And he answered her: All hath been told me, that thou hast done to thy mother in law after the death of thy husband: and how thou hast left thy parents, and the land wherein thou wast born, and art come to a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

4:13 Booz therefore took Ruth, and married her: and went in unto her, and the Lord gave her to conceive and to bear a son.

14 And the women said to Noemi: Blessed be the Lord, who hath not suffered thy family to want a successor, that his name should be preserved in Israel.

15 And thou shouldst have one to comfort thy soul, and cherish thy old age. For he is born of thy daughter in law: who loveth thee: and is much better to thee, than if thou hadst seven sons.

16 And Noemi taking the child laid it in her bosom, and she carried it, and was a nurse unto it.

17 And the women her neighbours, congratulating with her and saying: There is a son born to Noemi: called his name Obed: he is the father of Isai, the father of David.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128: 1b-2, 3, 4, 5

R. (4) See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

1 Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.

2 For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

3 Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

5 May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Alleluia: Matthew 23: 9b, 10b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

9b, 10b You have but one Father in heaven; you have but one master, the Christ.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 23: 1-12

1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,

2 Saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses.

3 All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not.

4 For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but with a finger of their own they will not move them.

5 And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge their fringes.

6 And they love the first places at feasts, and the first chairs in the synagogues,

7 And salutations in the market place, and to be called by men, Rabbi.

8 But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master; and all you are brethren.

9 And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven.

10 Neither be ye called masters; for one is your master, Christ.

11 He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

The readings on this page are taken from the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible. You can also read the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. (References, Copyrights).
August-2023 Sep ►
Sun 6 13 20 27
Mon 7 14 21 28
Tue 1 8 15 22 29
Wed 2 9 16 23 30
Thu 3 10 17 24 31
Fri 4 11 18 25
Sat 5 12 19 26
Archive 2023 2024

Daily Mass Readings for Friday, 25 August 2023

Ordinary Weekday/ Louis of France, Married Man/ Joseph Calasanz, Priest, Religious Founder

First Reading: Ruth 1: 1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146: 5-6ab, 6c-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
Alleluia: Psalms 25: 4b, 5a
Gospel: Matthew 22: 34-40
Lectionary: 423

First Reading: Ruth 1: 1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22

1 In the days of one of the judges, when the judges ruled, there came a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem Juda, went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons.

3 And Elimelech the husband of Noemi died: and she remained with her sons.

4 And they took wives of the women of Moab, of which one was called Orpha, and the other Ruth. And they dwelt there ten years.

5 And they both died, to wit, Mahalon and Chelion: and the woman was left alone, having lost both her sons and her husband.

6 And she arose to go from the land of Moab to her own country with both her daughters in law: for she had heard that the Lord had looked upon his people, and had given them food.

14b Orpha kissed her mother in law and returned: Ruth stuck close to her mother in law.

15 And Noemi said to her: Behold thy kinswoman is returned to her people, and to her gods, go thou with her.

16 She answered: Be not against me, to desire that I should leave thee and depart: for whithersoever thou shalt go, I will go: and where thou shalt dwell, I also will dwell. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.

22 So Noemi came with Ruth the Moabitess her daughter in law, from the land of her sojournment: and returned into Bethlehem, in the beginning of the barley harvest.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146: 5-6ab, 6c-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!

5 Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his helper, whose hope is in the Lord his God:

6 Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

7 Who keepeth truth for ever: who executeth judgment for them that suffer wrong: who giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth them that are fettered:

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

8 The Lord enlighteneth the blind. The Lord lifteth up them that are cast down: the Lord loveth the just.

9a The Lord keepeth the strangers

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

9bc He will support the fatherless and the widow: and the ways of sinners he will destroy.

10 The Lord shall reign for ever: thy God, O Sion, unto generation and generation.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

Alleluia: Psalms 25: 4b, 5a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

4b, 5a Teach me your paths, my God, guide me in your truth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 22: 34-40

34 But the Pharisees hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together:

35 And one of them, a doctor of the law, asking him, tempting him:

36 Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.

38 This is the greatest and the first commandment.

39 And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.

The readings on this page are taken from the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible. You can also read the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. (References, Copyrights).
August-2023 Sep ►
Sun 6 13 20 27
Mon 7 14 21 28
Tue 1 8 15 22 29
Wed 2 9 16 23 30
Thu 3 10 17 24 31
Fri 4 11 18 25
Sat 5 12 19 26
Archive 2023 2024

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