Daily Readings for August 31, 2015

1ST READING

Ignorance of the ways of God is not an option for us who have heard the Gospel. We know the truth and what we need to do to be faithful to it. If we abandon our faith, we abandon what we know for our eternal salvation. None of us wants to go to hell, so let us persevere in faith, however imperfectly, until the day of salvation. Let us pray that all Christians will continue in their faith,  even when the path is difficult and long.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, console one another with these words.

P S A L M

Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 11-12, 13

R: The Lord comes to judge the earth.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. 3 Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. (R) For great is the Lord and mighty to be praised; awesome is he beyond all gods. For all the gods of the nations are things of naught, but the Lord made the heavens. (R) 11 Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; 12 let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult. (R) 13 Before the Lord, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus began His ministry by outlining a very ambitious agenda. He was, and continues to be, faithful to every aspect of it. Jesus gave everything to fulfill His Father’s will for His life, a will that called Him to lay down His life for our salvation. Jesus announced that there is a new era dawning on His ministry and He lived up to it. Let us all do our best to live up to it as well.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.

Luke 4:16-30

16 Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read 17 and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” 20 Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. 21 He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” 23 He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’ ” 24 And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. 25 Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. 26 It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27 Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. 29 They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

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Daily Readings for August 30, 2015

1ST READING

Moses insists on order in the life of God’s people, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is a perennial challenge in the Church today — allowing room for the new communities to develop while, at the same time, recognizing the need for order and structure. Let us look to those with wisdom to lead and guide us in our service of the Kingdom of God.

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8

1 Moses said to the people: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 In your observance of the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin upon you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it. 6 Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? 8 Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?”

P S A L M

Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

R: The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

2 Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart 3 and slanders not with his tongue. (R) Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; 4 by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the Lord. (R) 5 Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things shall never be disturbed. (R)

2ND READING

Submission to the will of God is an essential aspect of discipleship. Let us never see submission and surrender in a bad light when these words are used in connection to our relationship with God. God is our Creator – He has written the manual for humanity’s fulfillment and He has a plan for our lives. Let us surrender our will to our Creator’s plan.

James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27

17 Dearest brothers and sisters: All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. 18 He willed to give us birthby the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 21 Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. 22 Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

GOSPEL

In the life of faith, there is a tension between institution and charism. The danger is that our faith will become so codified that the Holy Spirit is unable to breathe and we lose sight of Him altogether. At the same time, we cannot allow the charisms to be exercised outside a framework – we need to ensure that they remain working in the right direction. There should be give and take on both sides. With legalism, the Spirit is denied access to the lives of the people; when there is only the Spirit, chaos can be very close by.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

1 When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, 2 they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. — 3 For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. 4 And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. — 5 So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” 6 He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. 8 You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” 14 He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. 15 Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. 21 “From within people, from their hearts, come evilthoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. 23 All these evils come from within and they defile.”

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Daily Readings for August 29, 2015

Memorial of the Martyrdom of John the Baptist

1ST READING

Jeremiah was a reluctant prophet. Perhaps he had other dreams or desires that he wished to fulfill. Are we like Jeremiah? Maybe he was frightened of what others would say or do to him when he proclaimed God’s Word to them. Whatever he felt, Jeremiah still submitted his life to God’s will. This is the lesson we should learn from his life.

Jeremiah 1:17-19

17 The word of the Lord came to me thus: Gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; 18 for it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land against Judah’s kings and princes, against its priests and people. 19 They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.

P S A L M

Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17

R: I will sing your salvation.

1 In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me, and save me. (R) 3 Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. (R) 5 For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth. 6 On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. (R) 15 My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation. 17 O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. (R)

GOSPEL

John the Baptist’s only crime was to speak the truth to Herod. He was killed for this. Herod was a coward. He knew John was a good man. But Herod was not strong enough to stand by his convictions. The crowd swayed him. We all struggle with peer pressure. Let us pray for the grace to be committed to the truth, as John was.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 6:17-29

17 Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. 18 John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. 20 Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. 21 She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. 22 Herodias’s own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” 23 He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 26 The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. 27 So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. 28 He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

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Daily Readings for August 28, 2015

1ST READING

St. Augustine is a giant of a saint. His writings are still studied today, some 1,600 years later. He is the most quoted person in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. His theology is the basis on which Aquinas built ( albeit with a different structure), Aristotelian philosophy rather than that of Plato. He was also a pastoral man as a bishop – calling his priests to live with him, so that he could care for them and form them in the Gospel. There is something here for the Church to look at in our times – a more centralized way of living for the clergy, so they can better support one another.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

1 Brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God — and as you are conducting yourselves — you do so even more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 This is the will of God, your holiness: that you refrain from immorality, 4 that each of you know how to acquire a wife for himself in holiness and honor, 5 not in lustful passion as do the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 not to take advantage of or exploit a brother or sister in this matter, for the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you before and solemnly affirmed. 7 For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness. 8 Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

P S A L M

Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 10, 11-12

R: Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

1 The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. 2 Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. (R) 5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. (R) 10 The Lord loves those that hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful ones; from the hand of the wicked he delivers them. (R) 11 Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. 12 Be glad in the Lord, you just, and give thanks to his holy name. (R)

GOSPEL

“Always be prepared,” is the Boy Scout motto I try to live by. But sadly I am more unprepared than prepared. Today’s Gospel reminds us to be prepared for when the Lord comes again, for our own death. After we die, we will no longer have the opportunity to repent and be converted. Let us be prepared for our death, by living a life of faith now.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Be vigilant at all times and pray, that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.

Matthew 25:1-13

1 Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, 4 but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. 11 Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ 12 But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

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Daily Readings for August 27, 2015

1ST READING

St. Monica, St. Augustine’s mother, is a great example of perseverance in prayer. She prayed for her son’s conversion until, finally, Augustine chose to be baptized at 32 years old. A few years later, he was ordained a priest and some more years later, as a bishop. Talk about a meteoric rise in the Church!

1 Thessalonians 3:7-13

7 We have been reassured about you, brothers and sisters, in our every distress and affliction, through your faith. 8 For we now live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God? 10 Night and day we pray beyond measure to see you in person and to remedy the deficiencies of your faith. 11 Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, 13 so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.

P S A L M

Psalm 90:3-4, 12-13, 14, 17

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

3 You turn man back to dust, saying, “Return, O children of men.” 4 For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night. (R) 12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. 13 Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! (R) 14 Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. 17 And may the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours; prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands! (R)

GOSPEL

The mañana habit (putting off for tomorrow that which we should do today) can be a very dangerous one. There are some things that we should never put off for tomorrow, like responding to the grace of God in our lives. We never know if this might be the only time that this grace will be offered to us. Come tomorrow, who knows what the situation might be? We may even be dead by then! As we follow Jesus, let us do all that we can today so that tomorrow, there will be new graces awaiting us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 24:42-51

42 Jesus said to his disciples: “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. 43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. 44 So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. 45 “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so. 47 Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is long delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with drunkards, 50 the servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour 51 and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

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Daily Readings for August 26, 2015

1ST READING

Spreading the Gospel is hard work. There will be times when we will go hungry. There will be times when the people would not want to listen. There will be times when we get rejected. Praise the Lord! It happened to Jesus and now we have the joy of being persecuted for the sake of His name. Should we give up? No! The harder it is for the Gospel to find root in a place, the deeper the rooting will be when it happens. We need to trust in the Lord and keep proclaiming the Gospel whether the people like it or not. We should continue living the Gospel in their midst as a powerful witness to the truth.

 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

9 You recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers. 11 As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his children, 12 exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into his Kingdom and glory. 13 And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.

P S A L M

Psalm 139:7-8, 9-10, 11-12

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

7 Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence where can I flee? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I sink to the nether world, you are present there. (R) 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall guide me, and your right hand hold me fast. (R) 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall hide me, and night shall be my light” — 12 for your darkness itself is not dark, and night shines as the day. (R)

GOSPEL

It is the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees that upsets Jesus the most. Hypocrisy is the death of an ideal. It is the surest way to kill something dead in its tracks. We should keep hypocrisy away from our lives and anything we are involved in. Let us live in simplicity and truth so that the scourge of hypocrisy will be dead to us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 23:27-32

27 Jesus said “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. 28 Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. 29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, 30 and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ 31 Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; 32 now fill up what your ancestors measured out!

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Daily Readings for August 25, 2015

1ST READING

Paul was not always welcome in the places he went to. There were many times when he was persecuted and thrown out of the city. If we are faithful to God’s calling, we will we find ourselves in the same situation. Jesus was not always welcome where He preached. In our world today, we will come up against hostility to the Gospel more than once.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

1 You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our reception among you was not without effect. 2 Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated, as you know, in Philippi, we drew courage through our God to speak to you the Gospel of God with much struggle. 3 Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives, nor did it work through deception. 4 But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, that is how we speak, not as trying to please men, but rather God, who judges our hearts. 5 Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed — God is witness — 6 nor did we seek praise from men, either from you or from others, 7 although we were able to impose our weight as Apostles of Christ. Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. 8 With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.

P S A L M

Psalm 139:1-3, 4-6

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

1 O Lord, you have probed me and you know me; 2 you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. 3 My journeys and my rest you   scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (R) 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know the whole of it. 5 Behind me and before, you hem me in and rest your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too lofty for me to attain. (R)

GOSPEL

Judgment Day is a reality. There will come a day when we will all be judged by God. We cannot proceed to eternal life without passing by this inevitable stopover. Is judgment something to be feared? If you live a good life, you will have nothing to fear. If you live a selfish and bad life, then maybe you have a lot to fear. It is really up to you.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 23:23-26

23 Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. 24 Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”

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Daily Readings for August 24, 2015

Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle

1ST READING

Very little is known about the Apostle St. Bartholemew. Today, we have a general reading referring to the Apostles as a whole and their place as foundation stones in the building of the Kingdom of God. Just as the Apostles provided the base for the foundation of the Church, so too must we in our own time. It is a difficult time to proclaim the Gospel, but that simply means we have to be single-minded in following the truths of the Gospel.

Revelation 21:9-14

9 The angel spoke to me saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 13 There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

P S A L M

Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18

R: Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

10 Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might. (R) 12 Making known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. 13 Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations. (R) 17 The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. (R)

GOSPEL

We once again meditate on the response of Jesus’ Apostles to His call to follow Him. The key to a life of discipleship is to trust in Jesus that whatever He asks us to do or wherever He leads us, we willingly follow, knowing that His will for our lives is perfect. We can be absolutely sure that this is the best thing that we can do with our lives.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.

John 1:45-51

45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” 46 But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

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Daily Readings for August 23, 2015

1ST READING

Just as every man and woman of faith who has gone before us, we must choose whom we will serve. In today’s world of many choices and opportunities, of many contrary and negative views of the Gospel, this is not an easy task. There is an underlying force that is working against the proclamation and living out the Gospel – sin. Sadly, religion is seen as a weak thing to do or believe in.

Joshua 24:1-2, 15-17, 18

1 Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, summoning their elders, their leaders, their judges and their officers. When they stood in ranks before God, 2 Joshua addressed all the people: 15 “If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 16 But the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods. 17 For it was the Lord, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 18 Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”

P S A L M

Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21

R: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

1 [2] I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 2 [3] Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. (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) 19 [20] Many are the troubles of the just one, but out of them all, the Lord delivers him; 20 [21] he watches over all his bones; not one of them shall be broken. (R)

2ND READING

The opening words of this reading set the scene – mutual submission. Just as the wife is submissive to her husband alone, he is also submissive to his wife. A truly loving relationship involves mutual submission and trust. The same is true in the life of faith. We must remember the teaching of Jesus that the greatest way to demonstrate our love is through service.

Ephesians 5:21-32 (or Ephesians 5:2, 25-32)

21 Brothers and sisters: Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. 24 As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her 26 to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, 27 that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.

GOSPEL

Jesus wants to know if His disciples are committed to Him. Nothing is worse than fighting a battle, only to discover that the people you thought were on your side have run away at the first sign of conflict. Peter answers for them by asking a rhetorical question: “Where else could we go?” And then he gives the real answer, “You have the words of everlasting life.”

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.

John 6:60-69

60 Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” 61 Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? 62 What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. 65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” 66 As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. 67 Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

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Daily Readings for August 22, 2015

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1ST READING

Mary holds an esteemed position in the Church and the Kingdom of God. She reigns as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Let us reflect on her role in our lives, in terms of her leading role as the first disciple of Jesus. She is the first Apostle, the first to receive the fullness of the resurrection from the dead. Let us thank God for our queen and mother and ask her to intercede for us each day.

Isaiah 9:1-6 (or Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17)

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 A L M

Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8(or Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4, 5)

R: Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.

1 Praise, you servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. (R) 3 From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the Lord to be praised. 4 High above all nations is the Lord; above the heavens is his glory. (R) 5 Who is like the Lord, our God, who is enthroned on high 6 and looks upon the heavens and the earth below? (R) 7 He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor 8 to seat them with princes, with the princes of his own people. (R)

GOSPEL

Mary never draws attention to herself. She is happy with a supporting role in salvation. She knows that she cannot save anyone — only Jesus can. She is obedient to all that God asks of her. Let us pray that we will be able to imitate Mary’s simplicity and obedience.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.

Luke 1:26-38(or Matthew 23:1-12)

26 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” 34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35 And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

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Daily Readings for August 21, 2015

1ST READING

Ruth’s loyalty to her mother-in-law is inspiring. God looks favorably upon her for this. We all need to make decisions regarding loyalty. Jesus makes it clear that those who follow Him need to put aside family and career and make discipleship the focus of their lives. Nothing less than this is worthy of a life given in the service of the Kingdom of God. Each of us needs to discern what earthly attachments we need to let go of in order to faithfully follow the Lord.

Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22

1 Once in the time of the judges there was a famine in the land; so a man from Bethlehem of Judah departed with his wife and two sons to reside on the plateau of Moab. 3 Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons, 4 who married Moabite women, one named Orpah, the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Chilion died also, and the woman was left with neither her two sons nor her husband. 6 She then made ready to go back from the plateau of Moab because word reached her there that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. 14 Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, but Ruth stayed with her. 15 Naomi said, “See now! Your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her god. Go back after your sister-in-law!” 16 But Ruth said, “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! For wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” 22 Thus it was that Naomi returned with the Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth, who accompanied her back from the plateau of Moab. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

P S A L M

Psalm 146:5-6, 6-7, 8-9, 9-10

R: Praise the Lord, my soul!

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord, his God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them. (R) The Lord keeps faith forever, 7 secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free. (R) 8 The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord raises up those that were bowed down; the Lord loves the just. 9 The Lord protects strangers. (R) The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. 10 The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia. (R)

GOSPEL

Love is the topic of a vast majority of the songs that have been written. However, our concept of love is selfish. We think only of what we can get out of love or the love that we can accumulate for ourselves, rather than how we can share it with others and give ourselves to them. Some songs speak of this type of love, too. However, we must always be discerning about taking to heart the secular songs of our time, as many of them do not reflect the true meaning of love.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Teach me your paths, my God, guide me in your truth.

Matthew 22:34-40

34 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and the first commandment. 39 The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

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Daily Readings for August 20, 2015

1ST READING

St. Bernard of Clairvaux was a fascinating man. He was the great inspiration for hundreds, if not thousands, of men to join the Cistercian reform of the Benedictine Order. His preaching was legendary, even to the point that women would lock the men in the house so that they could not attend Bernard’s preaching, as too many of them had left everything and followed Bernard back to the monastery. His wisdom was so profound that many, including the kings and Popes of his time, sought it.

Judges 11:29-39

29 The spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah. He passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and through Mizpah-Gilead as well, and from there he went on to the Ammonites. 30 Jephthah made a vow to the Lord. “If you deliver the Ammonites into my power,” he said, 31 “whoever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites shall belong to the Lord. I shall offer him up as a burnt offering.” 32 Jephthah then went on to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the Lord delivered them into his power, 33 so that he inflicted a severe defeat on them, from Aroer to the approach of Minnith (twenty cities in all) and as far as Abel-keramin. Thus were the Ammonites brought into subjection by the children of Israel. 34 When Jephthah returned to his house in Mizpah, it was his daughter who came forth, playing the tambourines and dancing. She was an only child: he had neither son nor daughter besides her. 35 When he saw her, he rent his garments and said, “Alas, daughter, you have struck me down and brought calamity upon me. For I have made a vow to the Lord and I cannot retract.” 36 She replied, “Father, you have made a vow to the Lord. Do with me as you have vowed, because the Lord has wrought vengeance for you on your enemies the Ammonites.” 37 Then she said to her father, “Let me have this favor. Spare me for two months, that I may go off down the mountains to mourn my virginity with my companions.” 38 “Go,” he replied, and sent her away for two months. So she departed with her companions and mourned her virginity on the mountains. 39 At the end of the two months she returned to her father, who did to her as he had vowed.

P S A L M

Psalm 40:5, 7-8, 8-9, 10

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

4 [5] Blessed the man who makes the Lord his trust; who turns not to idolatry or to those who stray after falsehood. (R) 6 [7] Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open toobedience 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)

GOSPEL

We always come up with excuses to explain why we have not accomplished a particular task or are late for an event. Forget about the excuses! Let us ask ourselves what is important to us and be committed to it. We need to manage our time and commitments and to prioritize things that matter. This requires discipline and the willingness to delay and, sometimes, even forgo certain pleasures as they are not really essential to our responsibilities.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 22:1-14

1 Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3 He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. 4 A second time he sent other servants, saying, “Tell those invited: ‘Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.’ ” 5 Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. 6 The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. 7 The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8 Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. 9 Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ 10 The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. 12 He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. 13 Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ 14 Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

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Daily Readings for August 19, 2015

1ST READING

Today’s First Reading warns us to be wary of those who seek leadership because they may not have our best interests at heart. Corruption at the highest level is inexcusable. Leaders who enrich only themselves at the expense of others should be locked away, probably for the rest of their lives. They have betrayed the most important trust a nation can give anyone. Corruption at this level is tantamount to treason. They have betrayed their countrymen and should be punished.

Judges 9:6-15

6 All the citizens of Shechem and all Beth-millo came together and proceeded to make Abimelech king by the terebinth at the memorial pillar in Shechem. 7 When this was reported to him, Jotham went to the top of Mount Gerizim, and standing there, cried out to them in a loud voice: “Hear me, citizens of Shechem, that God may then hear you! 8 Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves. So they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ 9 But the olive tree answered them, ‘Must I give up my rich oil, whereby men and gods are honored, and go to wave over the trees?’ 10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come; you reign over us!’ 11 But the fig tree answered them, ‘Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to wave over the trees?’ 12 Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come you, and reign over us.’ 13 But the vine answered them, ‘Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men, and go to wave over the trees?’ 14 Then all the trees said to the buckthorn, ‘Come; you reign over us!’ 15 But the buckthorn replied to the trees, ‘If you wish to anoint me king over you in good faith, come and take refuge in my shadow. Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’”

P S A L M

Psalm 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: Lord, in your strength the king is glad.

1 [2] O Lord, in your strength the king is glad; in your victory how greatly he rejoices! 2[3]You have granted him his heart’s desire; you refused not the wish of his lips. (R) 3 [4] For you welcomed him with goodly blessings, you placed on his head a crown of pure gold. 4 [5] He asked life of you: you gave him length of days forever and ever. (R) 5 [6] Great is his glory in your victory; majesty and splendor you conferred upon him. 6 [7] You made him a blessing forever; you gladdened him with the joy of your face. (R)

GOSPEL

God is merciful and He will forgive a repentant sinner and offer him the gift of eternal life, no matter how late in life the person repents. Is this fair? It is really up to God. Who are we to complain what He does with His mercy? Having an extra person in heaven will increase the amount of love there. We will not be deprived of God’s love, as His love is infinite. How God distributes His mercy, graces or gifts is the least of our worries. Our only concern is our faithfulness to what we have been given.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 20:1-16

1 Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ 5 So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. 6 Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my   vineyard.’ 8 When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ 9 When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. 10 So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ 13 He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? 15 Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

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Daily Readings for August 18, 2015

1ST READING

A visit from an angel of the Lord was a rare event and a sign of things to come. Gideon was called to lead the Israelites into a battle that was seemingly hopeless, but he prevailed in the end because the hand of the Lord was with him. Through our baptism, we are also called into battle against the enemy and we will prevail if we trust in the Lord at all times.

Judges 6:11-24

11 The angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite. While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press to save it from the Midianites, 12 the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, O champion!” 13 Gideon said to him, “My lord, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are his wondrous deeds of which our fathers told us when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ For now the Lord has abandoned us and has delivered us into the power of Midian.” 14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you.” 15 But Gideon answered him, “Please, my Lord, how can I save Israel? My family is the lowliest in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.” 16 “I shall be with you,” the Lord said to him, “and you will cut down Midian to the last man.” 17 Gideon answered him, “If I find favor with you, give me a sign that you are speaking with me. 18 Do not depart from here, I pray you, until I come back to you and bring out my offering and set it before you.” He answered, “I will await your return.” 19 So Gideon went off and prepared a kid and a measure of flour in the form of unleavened cakes. Putting the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, he brought them out to him under the terebinth and presented them. 20 The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and unleavened cakes and lay them on this rock; then pour out the broth.” When he had done so, 21 the angel of the Lord stretched out the tip of the staff he held, and touched the meat and unleavened cakes. Thereupon a fire came up from the rock that consumed the meat and unleavened cakes, and the angel of the Lord disappeared from sight. 22 Gideon, now aware that it had been the angel of the Lord, said, “Alas, Lord God, that I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” 23 The Lord answered him, “Be calm, do not fear. You shall not die.” 24 So Gideon built there an altar to the Lord and called it Yahweh-shalom.

P S A L M

Psalm 85:9, 11-12, 13-14

R: The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

8 [9] I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord — for he proclaims peace.To his people, and to his faithful ones, and to those who put in him their hope. (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

Riches are good if we use them well. These can also be a distraction and a hindrance to our salvation if we allow them to control us. Wealthy people should use wealth for the good of all and not just their own. Everything we have is a gift from God and can be taken away at a moment’s notice. Those in government who plunder their nation’s wealth await a very harsh judgment. Just remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich so that by his poverty you might become rich.

Matthew 19:23-30

23 Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

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