Daily Readings for February 28, 2015

1ST READING

All we need to do is obey the Lord. The good things we have in life have been given to us by God. Discipleship is our willingness to choose not to do what Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden. Obedience in love is the best response to God’s goodness to us. Let us use our free will wisely so that we draw closer to God and not farther from Him.

Deuteronomy 26:16-19

16 Moses spoke to the people, saying: “This day the Lord, your God, commands you to observe these statutes and decrees. Be careful, then, to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 Today you are making this agreement with the Lord: he is to be your God and you are to walk in his ways and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees, and to hearken to his voice. 18 And today the Lord is making this agreement with you: you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you; and provided you keep all his commandments, 19 he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations he has made, and you will be a people sacred to the Lord, your God, as he promised.”

P S A L M

Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8

R: Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

1 Blessed are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart. (R) 4 You have commanded that your precepts be diligently kept. 5 Oh, that I might be firm in the ways of keeping your statutes! (R) 7 I will give you thanks with an upright heart, when I have learned your just ordinances. 8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me. (R)

GOSPEL

Perfection is a lofty goal. Nevertheless, the Scriptures command us to aim for it. This indicates the high regard in which God holds us. God has never given up on us and He never will. Why should we give up on the goal of perfection if He is on our side?

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Matthew 5:43-48

43 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may bechildren of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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Daily Readings for February 27, 2015

1ST READING

The mercy of God is truly amazing. Everything that He calls us to do, such as forgiving the sins of others against us, He has already done with us. This gives us confidence that it is possible for us to do the same. Jesus has showed us the way and it is now up to us to follow His example. This is what it means to appropriate the grace of salvation that God gives us – to become a beacon of faith for others.

Ezekiel 18:21-28

21 Thus says the Lord God: If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced. 23 Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked?” says the Lord God. “Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live? 24And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil, the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does, can he do this and still live? None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die. 25 You say, ‘The Lord’s way is not fair!’ Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? 26 When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. 27 But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; 28 since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

P S A L M

Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7, 7-8

R: If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! 2 Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. (R) 3 If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? 4 But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. (R) 5 I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn. 7 Let Israel wait for the Lord. (R) For with the Lord is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption; 8 and he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities. (R)

GOSPEL

Righteousness is not just about obedience to the letter of the law but about fulfilling the spirit of the law. It is the way to salvation and lasting conversion. Are we committed to live it? Christian discipleship is always a challenge, especially in our pluralistic society where there is not much support given to those who want to live a righteous life. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Matthew 5:20-26

20 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. 21 “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. 22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.  26Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

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Daily Readings for February 26, 2015

1ST READING

Esther realizes she is the last hope of her people. She is the only one who can intercede on behalf of the Israelites before the king. She is the queen but the king does not tolerate people who plead with him. However, Esther dares to do this out of love for God, her faith and her people. We need her belief and courage to be successful disciples of Jesus. Are we willing to bring our concerns into God’s throne room, or do we not have enough belief in ourselves?

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25

28[C:12] Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the Lord. 30[C:14] She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said: “God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, 31[C:15] for I am taking my life in my hand. 32[C:16] As a child I used to hear from the books my forefathers that you, O Lord, always free those who are pleasing to you. 39[C:23] Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord, my God. And now, come to help me, an orphan. 40[C:24] Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion, and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish. 41[C:25] Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness.”

P S A L M

Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 7-8

R: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; 2 I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. (R) Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. 3 When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. (R) 7 Your right hand saves me. 8 The Lord will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O Lord, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands. (R)

GOSPEL

Aside from confidence in God’s love for us, we also need strength to persevere in what we believe so that we are not discouraged by the obstacles that confront us as we follow God’s will. Confidence and perseverance are essential characteristics of any saint’s life. Let us pray that we may join their ranks as we live out our calling.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A clean heart create for me, God; give me back the joy of your salvation.

Matthew 7:7-12

7 Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, 10 or a snake when he asks for a fish? 11 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. 12 “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

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Daily Readings for February 25, 2015

1ST READING

Jonah eventually obeys God and does what is asked of him. The result is the repentance of Nineveh. But Jonah is not happy. This means that God will relent on His threat to destroy Nineveh and he, Jonah, will look foolish. Let us never allow the opinion of others to hinder our commitment to proclaim and live the Gospel. What matters is that we do all that God asks us to do.

Jonah 3:1-10

1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 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. 6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. 7 Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles: “Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. 8 Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand. 9 Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish.” 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 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19

R: A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

1[3] Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 2[4] Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) 10[12] A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. 11[13] Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. (R) 16[18] For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. 17[19] My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (R)

GOSPEL

We are all given opportunities to repent. What will make the difference in our lives is whether we take them up or not. This will define our character. This is the challenge of the moral life — realizing that our choices do matter. We have to be attentive to the movement of grace in our lives and cooperate with it each time we make a moral choice.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart for I am gracious and merciful.

Luke 11:29-32

29 While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. 30 Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. 32 At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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Daily Readings for February 24, 2015

1ST READING

God speaks through Isaiah about His Word that has power to accomplish all that it promises. If we believe this, then we will be able to accomplish all that God asks of us, confident that He has given us the grace to do so. The grace of God is the secret of the saints. They knew they did not have the power to accomplish anything on their own strength, but with God’s grace it is a totally different story.

Isaiah 55:10-11

10 Thus says the Lord: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come  own and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, 11 So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

P S A L M

Psalm 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19

R: From all their distress God rescues the just.

3[4] Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol his name. 4[5] I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (R) 5[6] Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 6[7] When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (R) 15[16] The Lord has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry. 16[17] The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. (R) 17[18] When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. 18[19] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. (R)

GOSPEL

The Lord’s Prayer is concise and to the point. This is how we should pray. We cannot mess around with God. After all, He knows what we need even before we ourselves do. Let us trust in His love for us and be up-front with Him about all that we need to accomplish His will. He will provide whatever we need. This is the nature of faith and belief in God — there has to be a certain level of faith and belief in ourselves as well.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Matthew 6:7-15

7 Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, 10 thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread; 12 and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; 13 and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 “If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

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Daily Readings for February 23, 2015

1ST READING

The first principle of holiness is that we cannot get there on our own. The second principle is that Jesus is the model of holiness. We should fix our eyes on His life if this is what we truly desire for our own. The best model for holiness is God Himself. Let us do all that we can to get to know Him by meditating on the Scriptures and committing to pray daily. Consistency is a key to growing in faith and holiness.

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18

1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them: Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy. 11 “You shall not steal. You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another. 12You shall not swear falsely by my name, thus profaning the name of your God. I am the Lord. 13 “You shall not defraud or rob your neighbor. You shall not withhold overnight the wages of your day laborer. 14 You shall not curse the deaf, or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am the Lord. 15 “You shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgment. Show neither partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty, but judge your fellow men justly. 16 You shall not go about spreading slander among your kin; nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor’s life is at stake. I am the Lord. 17 “You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove him, do not incur sin because of him. 18Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

P S A L M

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15

R: Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

7[8] The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8[9] The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) 9[10] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; The ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just. (R) 14[15] Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (R)

GOSPEL

Faith is more than just assent to the truths about God — it is a lifestyle that we have to live. It is challenging to remain on the right path to God. Sometimes our loyalty will be tested. What is more important to us —faithfulness to God or the approval of friends? The first is the most important, so let us pray for the grace to choose obedience over popularity.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Matthew 25:31-46

31 Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, 32 and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ 44 Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ 45 He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ 46 And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

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Daily Readings for February 22, 2015

1ST READING

A covenant can be understood as a commitment with consequences attached to it. If one side breaks the agreement, then there is punishment involved. With Israel’s covenant with God, there are always natural consequences for our sins. However, God does not impose punishment on His people — He forgives them and lets them start afresh.

Genesis 9:8-15

8 God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark. 11 I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.” 12 God added: “This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you: 13 I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, 15 I will recall the covenant I have made between me and you and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings.”

P S A L M

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

R: Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

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

This baptismal homily links the sacrament with the freeing of the Israelites from Egypt through the waters of the Red Sea. Our slavery to sin is broken by the gift of Jesus’ forgiveness. Just as the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, so are we freed from the powers of sin. It is up to us to choose to live in this victory and to reject the temptations of the devil and his minions.

1 Peter 3:18-22

18 Beloved: Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit. 19 In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison, 20 who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water. 21 This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

GOSPEL

Jesus knows the experience of temptation. But He resists it every time it comes. We need to pray for the grace to resist sin. Jesus has freed us and to return to the way of sin is to reject Him. Let us embrace the gift of freedom that He offers us so that we will also receive the new life He has won for us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Mark 1:12-15

12 The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, 13 and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. 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.”

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Daily Readings for February 21, 2015

1ST READING

We are called to fight the modern-day injustices in our world. This is not going to be an easy task, as the principles by which society operates today are getting more and more distant from those of the Gospel. This is an unfortunate fact but we should not lose hope. Let us double our efforts at being good witnesses of Gospel values.

Isaiah 58:9-14

9 Thus says the Lord: If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; 10 if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday; 11 then the Lord will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land. He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails. 12 The ancient ruins shall be rebuilt for your sake, and the foundations from ages past you shall raise up; “Repairer of the breach,” they shall call you, “Restorer of ruined homesteads.” 13 If you hold back your foot on the sabbath from following your own pursuits on my holy day; if you call the sabbath a delight, and the Lord’s holy day honorable; if you honor it by not following your ways, seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice. 14 Then you shall delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will nourish you with the heritage of Jacob, your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

P S A L M

Psalm 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.

1 Incline your ear, O Lord; answer me, for I am afflicted and poor. 2 Keep my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God. (R) 3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for to you I call all the day. 4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. (R) 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness to all who call upon you. 6 Hearken, O Lord, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my pleading. (R)

GOSPEL

Levi recognizes an imperative in Jesus’ call and follows Him immediately. Tax collectors are scum, as most were corrupt and considered traitors because they cooperated with the Roman authorities that enslaved the Jews. This is what sin will do to us if we allow it to enslave us with its lies. Let us refuse the temptations of sin and give it no power in our lives.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live.

Luke 5:27-32

27 Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. 29 Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. 32 I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

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Daily Readings for February 20, 2015

1ST READING

As prophets to the modern world, we are called to proclaim the Good News. Isaiah calls forth conversion from the people so that they may set their lives back on track to God. There are many tracks in the world, a lot of which are dead ends or lead to the wrong destination. Through the witness of our lives, we are called to set an example of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

Isaiah 58:1-9

1 Thus says the Lord God: Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins. 2 They seek me day after day, and desire to know my ways, like a nation that has done what is just and not abandoned the law of their God; they ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God. 3 “Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?” Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits, and drive all your laborers. 4 Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with wicked claw. Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard on high! 5 Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance that a man bow his head like a reed, and lie in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; 7 sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!

P S A L M

Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 18-19

R: A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

1 [3] Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 2 [4] Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) 3 [5] For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always. 4 [6] “ Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” (R) 16 [18] For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. 17 [19] My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (R)

GOSPEL

There is a time for everything under heaven. As we follow the call of Jesus in our lives, let us recognize that there are times to celebrate and times to repent. We are complicated people and as such no two lives of a disciple of Jesus are the same. There will be similarities but also differences. Let us do what we can to help one another to be faithful to God’s calling.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and the Lord will be with you.

Matthew 9: 14-15

14The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” 15Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

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Daily Readings for February 19, 2015

1ST READING

Today, we face the same moral choices as the people did during Moses’ time. What does your life stand for? What do you want your legacy to be? Your answers to these questions will have the greatest bearing on your legacy, as they will create your character and witness to others what is important to you. This is the nature of moral choices – they reveal the type of person we are and who we want to be.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

15 Moses said to the people: “Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the Lord, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy. 17 If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, 18 I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy. 19 I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, 20by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land which the Lord swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

P S A L M

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

R: Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

1 Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, 2 But  delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. (R) 3 He is like a tree planted near running water, That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. (R) 4 Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. (R)

GOSPEL

A morally bankrupt person has lost the true sense of who he or she is. He has become detached from the anchors of his life and has little focus, or what he focuses on is more damaging than good. This is not what Jesus wants for us. He wants us to look beyond the pleasures of the world. He wants us to embrace the fullness of life that He offers through the gift of salvation and eternal life.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Luke 9:22-25

22 Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” 23 Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

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Daily Readings for February 18, 2015

ASH WEDNESDAY

1ST READING

Prophecy has a prominent role in the Scriptures. However, it is important that we understand it correctly. Predicting the future is an element of prophecy but this is not its primary role in the context of faith. Prophecy is the proclamation of who God is and what He will do in our lives. The prophet’s role is to speak about God’s will and desire for His people. Today, we are made prophets through baptism. Our role is to live the Gospel as a witness of God’s truth to an unbelieving world.

Joel 2:12-18

12 Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; 13 Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. 14 Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, Offerings and libations for the Lord, your God. 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion! proclaim a fast, call an assembly; 16 gather the people, notify the congregation; assemble the elders, gather the children and the infants at the breast; let the bridegroom quit his room, and the bride her chamber. 17 Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep, and say, “Spare, O Lord, your people, and make not your heritage a reproach, with the nations ruling over them! Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” 18 Then the Lord was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people.

P S A L M

Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17

R: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

1 [3] Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 2 [4]Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) 3 [5] For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always. 4 [6] “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” (R) 10 [12] A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. 11 [13] Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. (R) 12 [14] Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. 15 [17] O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. (R)

2ND READING

Lent is a time for reconciling with God and with others. Jesus’ ministry is a ministry of reconciliation where we are called to acknowledge our sinfulness and repent of them. Our God is always willing to forgive. Learning to trust in God’s forgiveness helps us to also forgive those who sin against us. These two go hand in hand – we cannot expect God to forgive our sins if we are unwilling to forgive those who sin against us.

2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2

20 Brothers and sisters: We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. 6:1 Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

GOSPEL

Faith in God is a very personal reality in our lives. Our relationship with Him can be a very private affair. However, faith is not completely private or personal as it makes demands on the way we live. We are communal creatures and faith affects our relationships with others. Choosing faith may be private and personal, but the consequences are a very public matter as they will govern the way we relate to one another.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. 2 When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 5 “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 16 “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

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Daily Readings for February 17, 2015

1ST READING

God chose Noah to be the remnant from which humanity will rebuild after the disaster of the Flood. This tells us that God works with those who want to work with Him. No matter how few or many the faithful may be, God will pay attention to them in order to bring about His will. Let us make sure that we will be counted among those who are faithful.

Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10

5 When the Lord saw how great was man’s wickedness on earth, and how no desire that his heart conceived was ever anything but evil, 6 he regretted that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was grieved. 7 So the Lord said: “I will wipe out from the earth the men whom I have created, and not only the men, but also the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air, for I am sorry that I made them.” 8 But Noah found favor with the Lord. 7:1 Then the Lord said to Noah: “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for you alone in this age have I found to be truly just. 2 Of every clean animal, take with you seven pairs, a male and its mate; and of the unclean animals, one pair, a male and its mate; 3 likewise, of every clean bird of the air, seven pairs, a male and a female, and of all the unclean birds, one pair, a male and a female. Thus you will keep their issue alive over all the earth. 4 Seven days from now I will bring rain down on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and so I will wipe out from the surface of the earth every moving creature that I have made.” 5 Noah did just as the Lord had commanded him. 10 As soon as the seven days were over, the waters of the flood came upon the earth.

P S A L M

Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10

R: The Lord will bless his people with peace.

1 Give to the Lord, you sons of God, give to the Lord glory and praise, 2 Give to the Lord the glory due his name; adore the Lord in holy attire. (R) 3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the Lord, over vast waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is mighty; the voice of the Lord is majestic. (R) The God of glory thunders, 9 and in his temple all say, “Glory!” 10 The Lord is enthroned above the flood; the Lord is enthroned as king forever. (R)

GOSPEL

It is amusing to reflect on the disciples’ difficulty in understanding the meaning of what Jesus is trying to teach them. We are better than His disciples. This is why prayer is important. Soaking our minds and hearts in the Word of God is important — so that we give ourselves the best possible opportunity to understand His call on our lives.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him and we will come to him.

Mark 8:14-21

14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. 17When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, 19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered him, “Twelve.” 20 “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

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Daily Readings for February 16, 2015

1ST READING

Cain kills Abel out of jealousy. God preferred Abel’s offering because he gave the best of his produce to the Lord. This was what led Cain to kill his brother. This is an example of how jealousy leads us into sin. We need to avoid such a silly thing as jealousy because it leads us into far more serious sins.

Genesis 4:1-15, 25

1 The man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have produced a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 Next she bore his brother Abel. Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the soil, 4 while Abel, for his part, brought one of the best firstlings of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not. Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen. 6 So the Lord said to Cain: “Why are you so resentful and crestfallen? 7 If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.” 8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out in the field.” When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 The Lord then said: “What have you done! Listen: your brother’s blood cries out to me from the soil! 11 Therefore you shall be banned from the soil that opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce. You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the Lord: “My punishment is too great to bear. 14 Since you have now banished me from the soil, and I must avoid your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, anyone may kill me at sight.” 15 “Not so!” the Lord said to him. “If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold.” So the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight. 25 Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son whom she called Seth. “God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel,” she said, “because Cain slew him.”

P S A L M

Psalm 50:1, 8, 16-17, 20-21

R: Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.

1 God the Lord has spoken and summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting. 8 “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offerings are before me always.” (R) 16 “Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth 17 Though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” (R) 20 “You sit speaking against your brother; against your mother’s son you spread rumors. 21 When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.” (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus is not interested in providing more signs. Is not His resurrection from the dead definitive in this regard? What Jesus wants from us is action in terms of applying the lessons of discipleship in our lives. Winston Churchill was known for his habit of sending daily messages to his generals in WWII that simply read, “Action this day!” Similarly, let us follow Jesus and build His Kingdom. This is our call. We do not need to wait for any more signs to convince us of this.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.

Mark 8:11-13

11 The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 12 He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.

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Daily Readings for February 15, 2015

1ST READING

In ancient times, leprosy was considered a very contagious disease and there was no known cure. Only in recent times were medicines developed to treat it. Linking leprosy, a physical disease with uncleanness, to sin is unfair. There is no link between sin and leprosy. However, in societies with little medical knowledge, emphasizing the need to avoid contact with particular diseases was often accomplished by giving religious reasons for doing so. This is what we read about here. It is wrong, but nevertheless, it was the practice of the society that time.

Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46

1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule or blotch which appears to be the sore of leprosy, he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest, or to one of the priests among his descendants. 44 If the man is leprous and unclean, the priest shall declare him unclean by reason of the sore on his head. 45 “The one who bears the sore of leprosy shall keep his garments rent and his head bare, and shall muffle his beard; he shall cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ 46 As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean, since he is in fact unclean. He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.”

P S A L M

Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11

R: I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.

1 Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. (R) 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the Lord,” and you took away the guilt of my sin. (R) 11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart. (R)

2ND READING

Paul is sure of himself. He presents himself as a model for others, as he is sure that he has modeled himself on Christ. We should also model ourselves after Christ’s life and be an example for others to follow.

1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1

31 Brothers and sisters, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32 Avoid giving offense, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved. 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

GOSPEL

Jesus is a man of mercy. Here, He heals a man with leprosy. As a result this man will be able to re-enter society again as a normal and active member. As a leper, he was marginalized. Leprosy is to the body what sin is to the spirit. A sinner cannot be united with God as His love rejects all sin. This is where the mercy of God comes in and He forgives our sins. Let us avail of every opportunity we are given to repent and be cleansed of our sins.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A great prophet has arisen in our midst, God has visited his people.

Mark 1:40-45

40A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” 41Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” 42The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. 43Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 44He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” 45The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

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