Daily Readings for January 31, 2015

1ST READING

 

Faith in God is what has characterized the great figures of salvation history. Faith makes a big difference to our lives. As we allow our faith to speak to the world through the decisions we make, we need to draw strength from those who have gone before us. This is what the author of this letter is encouraging the Christians of his time to do. The lives of saints are a great source of inspiration – better than any secular witness can offer.

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

1 Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. 2 Because of it the ancients were well attested. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. 9 By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God. 11 By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age — and Sarah herself was sterile — for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. 12 So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. 13 All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth, 14 for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland. 15If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, 18 of whom it was said, Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name. 19 He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.

 

P S A L M

 

Luke 1:69, 70-72, 73-75

R: Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

69 He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. (R) 70 Through his holy prophets he promised of old. 71 that he would save us from our sins from the hand of all who hate us. 72 He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. (R) 73 This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to set us free from the bond of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, 75 holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Saint John Bosco, whose feast we celebrate today, came to know his vocation as a young boy. He invited friends and other young boys to listen to his stories from the Scriptures. He drew these boys to him by his athletic prowess and magic skills. He encouraged them to grow in their faith before entertaining them. We need to learn how to draw people to the Lord in spite of today’s difficult environment. We need to attract them to the Gospel message through our lives. Let us pray for inspiration on how to do this.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

Mark 4:35-41

35 On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. 38 Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” 41 They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

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Daily Readings for January 30, 2015

1ST READING

The author of this letter is aware that many Christians are being persecuted and under pressure to recant their faith. He encourages them by reminding them of the price they have already paid in remaining faithful and how that will stand for little or nothing if they give way to persecution now. We need to heed this call to perseverance and faithfulness in the midst of our own trials and temptations today so that we will be strengthened to remain firm in our faith and hold true to the principles of the Gospel.

Hebrews 10:32-39

32 Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. 33 At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated. 34 You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense. 36 You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised. 37 For, after just a brief moment, he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay. 38 But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him. 39 We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.

P S A L M

Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40

R: The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will grant you your heart’s requests. (R) 5 Commit to the Lord your way; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will make justice dawn for you like the light; bright as the noonday shall be your vindication. (R) 23 By the Lord are the steps of a man made firm, and he approves his way. 24 Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate, for the hand of the Lord sustains him. (R) 39 The salvation of the just is from the Lord; he is their refuge in time of distress. 40 And the Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. (R)

GOSPEL

This parable reminds us that our growth in faith and holiness is partially a mystery, dependent on the grace of God and how He chooses to work in our lives. Let us always thank God for His grace as it continues to draw us into the presence of His love and mercy and so transform us into the men and women He has created us to be. This is the work of salvation — God working within us to recreate us in His image and likeness, driving out our sins and developing our gifts.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Mark 4:26-34

26 Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land 27 and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” 30 He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32 But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. 34 Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

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Daily Readings for January 29, 2015

1ST READING

The curtain referred to here is that which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple and through which the High Priest entered once a year to offer sacrifice. The Jews certainly respected the place where they believed God dwelt. Jesus tears down this curtain and announces to us that God dwells in our hearts first and foremost, not some physical place. Yes, we believe He is present in the Blessed Sacrament but we need first to focus on His presence in each and every person. This is the basis for our understanding of human dignity — life from conception until death.

Hebrews 10:19-25

19 Brothers and sisters: Since through the blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary 20 by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, 21 and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,” 22 let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy. 24 We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. 25 We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.

P S A L M

Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

1 The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. 2 For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (R) 3 Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in his holy place? (R) 4 He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) 5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. 6 Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. (R)

GOSPEL

The light of the Gospel has been given to us. It is alive in our hearts, minds and souls. Will we let it shine so that others can see it? We have received the Gospel without price; we should also share it with others without price. Let us do everything we can to allow the truth of the Gospel to be manifest in our lives so that the Good News will continue to go forth into the world.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path.

Mark 4:21-25

21 Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. 23 Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” 24He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. 25 To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

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Daily Readings for January 28, 2015

1ST READING 

Jesus has made the definitive offering for our sins, both past and future. This is neither a license for us to sin with impunity nor an invitation to treat temptations lightly. What then is the appropriate response to God who has forgiven our sins? How do we express our gratitude? How do we make it known to God that we will not take His gift of salvation for granted?

Hebrews 10:11-18

11 Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; 13 now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying: 16 This is the covenant I will establish with them after those days, says the Lord: “I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them upon their minds,” 17 he also says: Their sins and their evildoing I will remember no more. 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer of fering for sin.

P S A L M

Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4

R: You are the priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.

1 The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.” (R) 2 The scepter of your power the Lord will stretch forth from Zion: “Rule in the midst of your enemies.” (R) 3 “Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor; before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.” (R) 4 The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” (R)

GOSPEL

We celebrate today the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, a great theologian and philosopher who synthesized much of the Church’s theology and provided the framework for the study of our faith for the next 700 years. It is only in the last century that approaches besides scholasticism were seriously considered. He was also a holy Dominican monk who, despite his enormous intellect, was known for his humility. May theologians today be inspired by the holiness and orthodoxy of St. Thomas as they seek to advance in understanding the faith.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever.

Mark 4:1-20

1 On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land. 2And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, 3 “Hear this! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. 6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. 7Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. 8 And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” 9 He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” 10 And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. 11 He answered them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, 12 so that they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.” 13 Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. 17 But they have no roots; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, 19 but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. 20 But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

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Daily Readings for January 27, 2015

1ST READING

Jesus has abolished the law regarding animal sacrifices. This means that through the sacrifice of His life on the cross, the definitive offering for our sins has been given once and for all. What a tremendous grace this is for us. It is the offering of our lives, in imitation of Jesus’ self-offering, that is now the focus. We need to pay attention to the decisions we make so that our lives will reflect the faith in Jesus that we proclaim to have.

Hebrews 10:1-10

1 Brothers and sisters: Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect those who come to worship by the same sacrifices that they offer continually each year. 2 Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer have had any consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is only a yearly remembrance of sins, 4 for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins. 5 For this reason, when he came into the world, he said: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you took no delight in. 7 Then I said, As is written of me in the scroll, Behold, I come to do your will, O God. 8 First he says, Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in. These are offered according to the law. 9 Then he says, Behold, I come to do your will. He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 By this “will,” we have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.

P S A L M

Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 10, 11

R: Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

1[2] I have waited, waited for the Lord, and he stooped toward me. 3[4] And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. (R) 6[7] Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; 7[8] then said I, “Behold I come.” (R) 9[10] I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know. (R) 10[11] Your justice I kept not hid within my heart; your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of; I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth in the vast assembly. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus is not interested in designations according to rank, party affiliation or heritage. What matters to Him is each individual’s choice to follow Him or not. Do we accept His offer of salvation or reject it and follow the ways of the world? If we accept, at least He knows where we stand and He can work with us where we are. If we hide behind titles, no one really knows what we stand for.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Mark 3:31-35

31The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. 32 A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” 33 But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 35 For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

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Daily Readings for January 26, 2015

1ST READING

Paul is encouraging Timothy and Titus in their role as leaders of the Christian community in their respective cities. Leaders need to grow in love for their communities or else the capacity and desire to serve well will diminish over time. This love should also be reciprocated. We need to fervently love and pray for our leaders. This is one of the greatest signs of love we can give to people — to pray for them constantly.

2 Timothy 1:1-8 (or Titus 1:1-5)

1 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. 4 I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, 5 as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you. 6 For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. 8 So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.

P S A L M

Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 10

R: Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. 2 Sing to the Lord; bless his name. (R) Announce his salvation, day after day. 3 Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. (R) 7 Give to the Lord, you families of nations, give to the Lord glory and praise; 8 give to the Lord the glory due his name! (R) 10 Say among the nations: The Lord is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. (R)

GOSPEL

Mark reminds us to honor the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. One of the best ways to do this is to rejoice in the gifts that God gave to each one of us in the Body of Christ. It is not possible for one person to have every gift. We need to work with one another so that we will have the whole range of gifts available for our work with the Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.

Mark 3:22-30 (or Luke 10:1-9)

22 The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” 23 Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. 28 Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. 29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” 30 For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

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Daily Readings for January 25, 2015

1ST READING

A true prophet speaks the Word of God no matter what the personal cost of doing so may be. Jonah first runs away from this task but is eventually convicted, after a number of extraordinary events, to obey God’s calling. The result is the repentance of the people of an enormous city – they heed his words and repent of their sin. For us, this is a lesson in obedience. We will never know what might hinge on our obedient response to God’s will in our lives. It could mean the salvation of many others, as well as our own.

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah, saying: 2 “Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you.” 3 So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh, according to the Lord’s bidding. Now Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,” 5 when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. 10 When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.

P S A L M

Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R: Teach me your ways, O Lord.

4 Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. (R) 6 Remember that your compassion, O Lord, and your love are from of old. 7 In your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. (R) 8 Good and upright is the Lord; thus he shows sinners the way. 9 He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way. (R)

2ND READING

Our lives here on earth are only a passing reality. They can seem very important to us in the here and now, but the truth of the matter is, they are only an infinitesimal part of the whole picture that extends into eternity. This truth helps us realize why we need to respond to God’s grace now. Tomorrow may be too late as we do not know when God will call us to Himself and face judgment. Let us follow God’s will completely and immediately.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

29 I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out. From now on, let those having wives act as not having them, 30 those weeping as not weeping, those rejoicing as not rejoicing, those buying as not owning, 31 those using the world as not using it fully. For the world in its present form is passing away.

GOSPEL

Jesus begins His proclamation of the Kingdom of God and immediately calls others to assist Him. We, too, are called to be His apostles, sent into the world to live and proclaim the truth of the Gospel wherever we may be. This aspect of our calling should be our first priority so that we may live our faith to the full and bear witness to the truth of the Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.

Mark 1:14-20

14 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” 16 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. 19 He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. 20 Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

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Daily Readings for January 24, 2015

1ST READING

The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross ended the blood offerings at the Temple. Jesus’ death and resurrection cover all the sins of humanity, both past and present. His sacrifice is made at a particular point in time but it has a bearing for all time due to His divinity. Only Jesus can offer a sacrifice such as this one because He is both God and Man.

Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14

2 A tabernacle was constructed, the outer one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering; this is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies. 11But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation, 12 he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own Blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, 14 how much more will the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

P S A L M

Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R: God mounts his throne to shouts of joy; a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

1[2] All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, 2[3] For the Lord, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. (R) 5[6] God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts. 6[7] Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. (R) 7[8] For the king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. 8[9] God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. (R)

GOSPEL

Today we celebrate one of the great Reformation saints, Francis de Sales. He spent much of his time trying to convince the intellectuals and the rich of his time to remain with the Catholic faith and not convert to Protestantism. He also wrote many pamphlets defending the Catholic Church’s teachings on a variety of subjects. He was the right man in the right place at the right time. God knows what He is doing when He raises up saints. Let us be inspired by St. Francis de Sales and know more about our faith so that we will be able to defend it when questions arise.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.

Mark 3:20-21

20 Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. 21 When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

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Daily Readings for January 23, 2015

1ST READING

Jesus fulfills the Old Covenant and makes it obsolete through what He does and who He is. It is crucial for us to believe this; otherwise, we would still be bound by the old law and its practices. Jesus can institute a new covenant because He has fulfilled the old one and made way for the establishment of a new one based in faith, like the old one, but fully empowered to bring about the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26) necessary for salvation. The Gospel writers demonstrate how Jesus is obedient to the law to the point of fulfilling its requirements.

Hebrews 8: 6-13

6 Brothers and sisters: Now our high priest has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second one. 8 But he finds fault with them and says: Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will conclude a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they did not stand by my covenant and I ignored them, says the Lord. 10 But this is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds and I will write them upon their hearts. I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his fellow citizen and kin, saying, “Know the Lord,” for all shall know me, from least to greatest. 12 For I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sins no more. 13 When he speaks of a “new” covenant, he declares the first one obsolete. And what has become obsolete and has grown old is close to disappearing.

P S A L M

Psalm 85:8, 10, 11-12, 13-14

R: Kindness and truth shall meet.

7[8] Show us, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation. 9[10] Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 10[11] Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 11[12] Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 12[13] The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 13[14] Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus prays before the major events in His life unfold because He wants to be sure that He is working according to the Father’s will. Today He names His Apostles, those whom He will prepare for the ministry and life of the Church after He has returned to the Father. One of the twelve will betray Him. We, too, will struggle with difficult relationships and even betrayal in our work for the Gospel. This is a consequence of working with sinners, ourselves included. Let us do the best we can in our service to the Kingdom of God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Mark 3:13-19

13 Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. 14 He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; 17 James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, 19 and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

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Now I Understand Why

Twelve years back, I almost wanted to trade everything just to forget "my worst relationship ever" and "my first heartbreak ever". The pain that that relationship caused me is beyond words. But time heals all wounds, and who am I not to forgive. I decided to let go and let God. 

My journey continued, and along the way I allowed some individuals to enter my world. However, failed relationship followed another until I got tired of believing in "happy ever after". Each of those failed relationship embedded deep cuts and painful wounds leaving me almost nothing but an empty heart. I gave up on love. But love didn't.

Who would have thought that after 12 long years, our roads will cross again. And it never occurred to me that you could rekindle so easily everything I thought were already gone.

I almost lost the tune, but now you make me hear the music again.

I came to that point in my life wherein I was about to believe that love and relationship wasn't really meant for me. But God never fails to amaze me. Now I realized why it didn't work out with anyone else. Because everything that happened to me, lead me back to where I truly belong.

Daily Readings for January 22, 2015

1ST READING

The holiness of Jesus is important in our understanding of the enduring nature of His sacrifice. If Jesus were not without sin, then His sacrifice would be imperfect and, thus, unable to save us. This is why the divinity of Christ is essential to our understanding of Jesus as the one sent by God the Father. He must be one with the Father in divinity, or else His sacrifice is limited and not able to cover all sins.

Hebrews 7:25–8:6

25 Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them. 26 It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens. 27 He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests, but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law, appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever. 8:1 The main point of what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up. 3 Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus the necessity for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are those who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They worship in a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tabernacle. For God says, “See that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 Now he has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises.

P S A L M

Psalm 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 17

R: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

6[7] Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; 7[8] then said I, “Behold I come.” (R) “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, 8[9] To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” (R) 9[10] I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know. (R) 16[17]May all who seek you exult and be glad in you, And may those who love your salvation say ever, “The Lord be glorified.” (R)

GOSPEL

Mark mentions the multitude of healings that have occurred through the ministry of Jesus. He is preparing us for the naming of the Twelve Apostles who will travel and minister with Jesus. Why do they respond to Jesus’ call so freely? They have seen what He does and how He lives and believe Him to be someone very special. Miracles of healing were one way of attracting people to listen to what Jesus had to say.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.

Mark 3:7-12

7 Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. 8 Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. 9 He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. 10 He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. 11 And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” 12 He warned them sternly not to make him known.

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Daily Readings for January 21, 2015

1ST READING

Melchizedek is a very mysterious character. He appears from nowhere to Abraham, who offers him a tithe, and then he disappears just as quickly. All we really know about him is that his name literally means “my king is righteous.” The author of this letter seems to use him as an affirmation of the enduring nature  of the priesthood of Christ. The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross will endure for all time, in the same way that the priesthood of Melchizedek has become known to endure.

Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17

1 Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, met Abraham as he returned from his defeat of the kings and blessed him. 2 And Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. His name first means righteous king, and he was also “king of Salem,” that is, king of peace. 3 Without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. 15 It is even more obvious if another priest is raised up after the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become so, not by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 For it is testified: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

P S AL M

Psalm 110: 1, 2, 3, 4

R: You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.

1 The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.” (R) 2 The scepter of your power the Lord will stretch forth from Zion: “Rule in the midst of your enemies.” (R) 3 “Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor; before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.” (R) 4 The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus breaks the sabbath again, not to antagonize the people but to reinforce what He is saying about the need to place love above everything else. If we focus on laws as being our savior or that of our society, then there will come a time when society will collapse under the weight of its imposition. Only love, lived freely, can provide a viable alternative. This is the challenge we face today with many people advocating change in laws regarding sexual morality. Only true love can teach us what is right and wrong; the law does not have the power to command us internally; only love does.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.TODAY’S

Mark 3:1-6

1 Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. 2 They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. 3 He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” 4 Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. 5 Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

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Daily Readings for January 20, 2015

1ST READING

Jesus is the source of our sure hope because He has risen from the dead and demonstrated that God is indeed true to His promises, even that of bringing forth new life from death. We read today the importance of Christian hope, which has the power to carry us through temptation and suffering. Let us never lose sight of it as we strive to become the best disciples of Jesus that we can be.

Hebrews 6:10-20

10 Brothers and sisters: God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones. 11 We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises. 13 When God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 and said, I will indeed bless you and multiply you. 15 And so, after patient waiting, Abraham obtained the promise. 16 Now, men swear by someone greater than themselves; for them an oath serves as a guarantee and puts an end to all argument. 17 So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose, he intervened with an oath, 18 so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us. 19 This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

P S AL M

Psalm 111:1-2, 4-5, 9, 10

R: The Lord will remember his covenant forever.

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (R) 4 He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the Lord. 5 He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. (R) 9 He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. 10 His praise endures forever. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus emphasizes that it is love that He is looking for, not legalism. In one sense legalism is easy. It forces us to work together as a community and not as individuals. A community that is legalistic compels cooperation under the framework of universal laws that often do not allow the individual to flourish. It is important that as we grow in discipleship we also learn to celebrate our differences and work hard to see how they can be used together for the work of the Kingdom of God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.

Mark 2:23-28

23 As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. 24 At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” 25 He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? 26 How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” 27 Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. 28 That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

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Daily Readings for January 19, 2015

1ST READING

The idea that Jesus learned obedience through suffering is important, as the fundamental sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden was one of pride, namely disobedience to the command of God. Jesus undoes their disobedience through His obedience to the Father’s will. He knows the power of temptation through His experience in the desert. He chose to resist it by standing on the Word of God. Jesus trusted in the promises of God and did not give in to the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil.

Hebrews 5:1-9

1 Brothers and sisters: Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness 3 and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 4 No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: You are my son; this day I have begotten you; 6 just as he says in another place, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. 7 In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; 9 and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

P S AL M

Psalm 110: 1, 2, 3, 4

R: You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

1 The Lord to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.” (R) 2 The scepter of your power the Lord will stretch forth from Zion: “Rule in the midst of your enemies.” (R) 3 “Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor; before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.” (R) 4 The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” (R)

GOSPEL

The Gospel is based on a heart’s response to God’s offer of love, not on obedience to a set of external laws. What God is looking for is our love in order to draw out our uniqueness and beauty as individuals. Laws will discover the “least common denominators” in a group of people. Love will discover the person himself. This is why Jesus speaks of a “new wineskin” — in other words, a new approach to His relationship with us. It is the only path to the fullness of life that God promises.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

Mark 2:18-22

18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. 22 Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”

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Daily Readings for January 18, 2015

Feast of Sto. Niño

1ST READING

The Feast of the Sto. Niño reminds us to meditate upon the childhood of Jesus. Jesus was not all miracles and signs and wonders. He, too, was a child. We should deepen our faith in both the humanity and the divinity of Jesus. One way to do this is to imagine and ponder on the reality of His childhood. Here is a God and Savior who was once needy and totally dependent on others for survival.

Isaiah 9:1-6

1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 2 You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. 3 For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. 4 For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. 5 For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him: Wonder-counselor, God-hero, Father-forever, Prince of Peace. 6 His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

P S AL M

Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R)

2ND READING

The mystery of the incarnation never ceases to amaze us. It is a constant source of material for prayer and contemplation. Of all the mysteries of Christ, I find this one the most fascinating because it directly involves me. It is the same humanity that I have — that we all have — that Christ assumed in order to redeem us. What a wonderful source of food for thought.

Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18

3 Brothers and sisters: Blessed be the God and Father of our Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, 4 as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, 6 for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. 15 Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. 18 May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.

GOSPEL

Jesus calls the children to Himself as examples of one aspect of discipleship — that of unreflective trust in the providence and care of God our Father. Many people do not have a good relationship with their father, nevertheless, the Church has and will continue to use this image for explaining at least some aspect of our relationship with God. Let us pray for the grace to look beyond the shortcoming of our father and open our lives more fully to God, the perfect father.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

Mark 10:13-16

13 People were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” 16 Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

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