Daily Readings for October 31, 2015

1ST READING

Paul attempted to explain that the hardness of the Jews’ hearts did not make sense. It is simply a fact that the Jews failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. But thank God, some of them did and, thus, we have Christianity today. There is no point trying to analyze this, as we will not be able to make sense of it. Let us just proclaim the Good News of salvation to the ends of the earth.

Romans 11:1-2, 11-12, 25-29

1 Brothers and sisters: I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Of course not! For I, too, am a child of Israel, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 11 Hence I ask, did they stumble so as to fall? Of course not! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is enrichment for the Gentiles, how much more their full number. 25 I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not become wise in your own estimation: a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, 26 and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The deliverer will come out of Zion, he will turn away godlessness from Jacob; 27 and this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins. 28 In respect to the Gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarchs. 29 For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

P S A L M

Psalm 94:12-13, 14-15, 17-18

R: The Lord will not abandon his people.

12 Blessed the man whom you instruct, O Lord, whom by your law you teach, 13 giving him rest from evil days. (R) 14 For the Lord will not cast off his people, nor abandon his inheritance; 15 but judgment shall again be with justice, and all the upright of heart shall follow it. (R) 17 Were not the Lord my help, my soul would soon dwell in the silent grave. 18 When I say, “My foot is slipping,” your mercy, O Lord, sustains me. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus constantly goes back to the call to humility. He tells us to seek the lower places at a banquet in case a more important guest arrives and we are forced to give him our seat. The humble person never promotes himself, especially at the expense of others. The humble person knows that what other people think is not that important — what matters is what God thinks. His grace will rest far more easily on the shoulders of a humble person than a proud one.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.

Luke 14:1, 7-11

1 On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. 7 He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, 9 and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. 10 Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Daily Readings for October 30, 2015

1ST READING

Paul could not understand why the Jews failed to recognize Christ as the Messiah. This was ingenuous on his part, and it took a pretty major intervention from God to get him to convert to the Christian faith. For 2,000 years, God prepared the Jews years for the coming of the Messiah and they missed Him — at least from the point of view of Christianity. They are still awaiting the coming of the Messiah.

Romans 9:1-5

1 Brothers and sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness 2 that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. 4 They are children of Israel; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5 theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

P S A L M

Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

R: Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

12 Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. 13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. (R) 14 He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat he fills you. 15 He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! (R) 19 He has proclaimed his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. 20 He has not done thus for any other nation; his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus confronts the leaders of the people — those who have the power to make life easier for the poor. He presents a conundrum that forces them to face their hypocrisy. As leaders of community, let us make sure that we do not make life difficult especially for those unable to cope with our demands. Let us be a Church of the poor and stand in solidarity with those who most need our help.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

Luke 14:1-6

1 On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. 2 In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. 3 Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” 4 But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. 5 Then he said to them, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” 6 But they were unable to answer his question.

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Daily Readings for October 29, 2015

1ST READING 

Paul ends this chapter by affirming that there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of God. But we can separate ourselves from His love when we choose to sin. We are the masters of our own destiny, just as the lives of the martyrs witness to us in the centuries to come after Jesus proclaimed the Gospel. They chose death over sin because they did not want to be separated from Christ.

Romans 8:31-39

31 Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. 34 Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? 36 As it is written: For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

P S A L M

Psalm 109:21-22, 26-27, 30-31

R: Save me, O Lord, in your mercy.

21 Do you, O God, my Lord, deal kindly with me for your name’s sake; in your generous mercy rescue me; 22 for I am wretched and poor, and my heart is pierced within me. (R) 26 Help me, O Lord, my God; save me, in your mercy, 27 and let them know that this is your hand; that you, O Lord, have done this. (R) 30 I will speak my thanks earnestly to the Lord, and in the midst of the throng I will praise him, 31 for he stood at the right hand of the poor man, to save him from those who would condemn his soul. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus clearly sees that His life fits into the pattern of the lives of the prophets. He can see that His fate will be the same as theirs. Though this must sadden Him on one level, still it is His desire to carry out the will of God, as He knows this will be the turning point for the redemption of all (cf. Luke 12:48-50). Jesus is not afraid of what lies ahead, but He does what He has to do and is willing to see it through.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

Luke 13:31-35

31 Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. 33 Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! 35 Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for October 28, 2015

Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles

1ST READING

When you build a house, it is important that the walls are aligned and vertical. If they are not, the house will fall down. If not now, then later on. The same is true in the spiritual life. If we fail to align our lives with the truths of the  Gospel, then we will eventually fall away from the faith. This is not just a possibility. It is inevitable.

Ephesians 2:19-22

19 Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. 21 Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; 22 in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

P S A L M

Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5

R: Their message goes out through all the earth.

1 [2] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 [3] Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. (R) 3 [4] Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; 4 [5] through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. (R)

GOSPEL

It must have been quite an imposing experience to see all of the miracles that Jesus worked. I wonder what it was like to be an apostle, thinking that one day they would have to carry on the preaching of Jesus after He has gone. I would have placed this at the back of my mind, to be dealt with when the time arrived. Maybe this is why the apostles were not sure about what to do when Jesus ascended into heaven.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.

Luke 6:12-16

12 Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. 13 When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for October 27, 2015

1ST READING

When you build a house, it is important that the walls are aligned and vertical. If they are not, the house will fall down. If not now, then later on. The same is true in the spiritual life. If we fail to align our lives with the truths of the  Gospel, then we will eventually fall away from the faith. This is not just a possibility. It is inevitable.

Ephesians 2:19-22

19 Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. 21 Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; 22 in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

P S A L M

Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5

R: Their message goes out through all the earth.

1 [2] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 [3] Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. (R) 3 [4] Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; 4 [5] through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. (R)

GOSPEL

It must have been quite an imposing experience to see all of the miracles that Jesus worked. I wonder what it was like to be an apostle, thinking that one day they would have to carry on the preaching of Jesus after He has gone. I would have placed this at the back of my mind, to be dealt with when the time arrived. Maybe this is why the apostles were not sure about what to do when Jesus ascended into heaven.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.

Luke 6:12-16

12 Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. 13 When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for October 26, 2015

1ST READING

Paul introduces the “flesh” in the theology of the spiritual life. This concept encapsulates the attraction to and the nature of sin. Thus, Paul is able to contrast the works of the flesh with those of the Spirit by giving the choices we have. If we give in to the attraction of the world and the flesh, we allow sin to reign in our lives. If we surrender to grace, then it will be the Holy Spirit who drives us from within.

Romans 8:12-17

12 Brothers and sisters: We are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

P S A L M

Psalm 68:2, 4, 6-7, 20-21

R: Our God is the God of salvation.

1 [2] God arises; his enemies are scattered, and those who hate him flee before him. 3 [4] But the just rejoice and exult before God; they are glad and rejoice. (R) 5 [6] The father of orphans and the defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. 6 [7] God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners to prosperity. (R) 19 [20] Blessed day by day be the Lord, who bears our burdens; God, who is our  salvation. 20 [21] God is a saving God for us; the Lord, my Lord, controls the passageways of death. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus knew that His accusers will work on the Sabbath whether it is necessary or not, and still get away with it. This disappointed Jesus because the leaders of the Jewish faith just pretended to be concerned about the faith; in reality, they were hypocrites. Jesus teaches us that the welfare of the people must be uppermost in our minds, not what day of the week it happens to be. Do keep the Sabbath free of work but if someone needs help, we should help them.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

Luke 13:10-17

10 Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. 11 And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” 13 He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” 15 The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? 16 This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?” 17 When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.

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Daily Readings for October 25, 2015

1ST READING

Jeremiah affirmed that God is merciful and that He wants to lead us back to Himself. Let us rejoice and give praise to God! This is at the heart of the life of a disciple. Paul invites us to rejoice constantly in the goodness of God and to praise Him at all times. Remember that everything we have has been given to us by God out of His goodness.

Jeremiah 31:7-9
7 Thus says the Lord: Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The Lord has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel. 8 Behold, I will bring them back from the land of the north; I will gather them from the ends of the world, with the blind and the lame in their midst, the mothers and those with child; they shall return as an immense throng. 9 They departed in tears, but I will console them andguide them; I will lead them to brooks of water, on a level road, so that none shall stumble. For I am a father to Israel, Ephraim is my first-born.


P S A L M

Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

R: The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

1 When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. (R) Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. (R) 4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert. 5 Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. (R)  6 Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. (R)


2ND READING

Melchizedek is the mysterious priest of the Old Testament to whom Abraham paid a tithe as an offering. He then disappeared, only to reappear a couple of times just as mysteriously. We know little about Melchizedek, but he symbolizes the enduring and eternal nature of priesthood. Let the Holy Spirit deepen our understanding of His role as we seek to follow God’s will for our lives.

Hebrews 5:1-6
1 Brothers and sisters: Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness 3 and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 4 No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: You are my son: this day I have begotten you”; 6 just as he says in another place: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”


GOSPEL

Jesus desires to heal all people. There are some who will be healed at the hands of doctors and medical science. Others will heal naturally and others will be healed by miracles. Some will not be healed until the Second Coming. How do we explain this? We do not know the answer because nobody knows the mind of the Lord.

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

Mark 10:46-52
46 As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. 47 On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” 50 He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 51 Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” 52 Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

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Daily Readings for October 24, 2015

1ST READING

Paul outlines his understanding of life lived under the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot transform our lives according to the principles of the Gospel. With the Holy Spirit, everything good becomes possible. The Holy Spirit is ready and waiting for us to call upon Him to help us grow in holiness. Let us enlist His help to overcome sin and grow in the grace of God.

Romans 8:1-11

1 Brothers and sisters: Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law, weakened by the flesh, was powerless to do, this God has done: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for the sake of sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous decree of the law might be fulfilled in us, who live not according to the flesh but according to the spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with the things of the spirit. 6 The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace. 7 For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you.

P S A L M

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

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

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

GOSPEL

St. Anthony Mary Claret performed more baptisms than any other priest during his time. He was also a great bishop of the Church, a beloved pastoral figure to all who knew him. Let us be inspired by the lives of the saints who are examples of faith that we admire and emulate. Let us be faithful to live a life of discipleship and service.

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 13:1-9

1 Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. 2 He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? 3 By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! 4 Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them — do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? 5 By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” 6 And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, 7 he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ 8 He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; 9 it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’ ”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for October 23, 2015

1ST READING

Paul outlines his understanding of life lived under the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot transform our lives according to the principles of the Gospel. With the Holy Spirit, everything good becomes possible. The Holy Spirit is ready and waiting for us to call upon Him to help us grow in holiness. Let us enlist His help to overcome sin and grow in the grace of God.

Romans 8:1-11

1 Brothers and sisters: Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law, weakened by the flesh, was powerless to do, this God has done: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for the sake of sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous decree of the law might be fulfilled in us, who live not according to the flesh but according to the spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with the things of the spirit. 6 The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace. 7 For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you.

P S A L M

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

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

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

GOSPEL

St. Anthony Mary Claret performed more baptisms than any other priest during his time. He was also a great bishop of the Church, a beloved pastoral figure to all who knew him. Let us be inspired by the lives of the saints who are examples of faith that we admire and emulate. Let us be faithful to live a life of discipleship and service.

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 13:1-9

1 Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. 2 He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? 3 By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! 4 Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them — do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? 5 By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” 6 And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, 7 he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ 8 He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; 9 it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’ ”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for October 22, 2015

1ST READING

We need to decide whom to serve for the rest of our lives. Is it Jesus or sin? The wages of sin is death, whereas those of faith in Jesus is eternal life. This makes the choice quite clear, doesn’t it? Why then do we fall into the temptation of sin and follow it rather than Jesus?

Romans 6:19-23

19 Brothers and sisters: I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature. For just as you presented the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness for lawlessness, so now present them as slaves to righteousness for sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. 21 But what profit did you get then from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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  

Hearing the Gospel and becoming a disciple of Jesus will compel us to make a stand on the issues that really matter. This is what Jesus is saying about division. Members of the same family will not all agree on the moral approach to an issue if some believe in the Gospel and others do not. Thus, the Gospel brings division in our relationships. The only way to heal the division is for men and women to believe in the Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.

Luke 12:49-53

49 Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! 50 There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughterin- law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

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Daily Readings for October 21, 2015

1ST READING

Paul exhorts us to renounce sin from our lives. Why does it take us so long to get rid of sin? His explanation of baptism is very concise and beautiful. Let us take time to reflect on it and allow it to sink in, so that we will be more motivated to put sin to death and allow the grace of baptism to transform us.

Romans 6:12-18

12 Brothers and sisters: Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires. 13 And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin as weapons for wickedness, but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life and the parts of your bodies to God  as weapons for righteousness. 14 For sin is not to have any power over you, since you are not under the law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Of course not! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient from the heart to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18 Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness.

P S A L M

Psalm 124:1-3, 4-6, 7-8

R: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

1 Had not the Lord been with us, let Israel say, 2 had not the Lord been with us, when men rose up against us, 3 then would they have swallowed us alive. When their fury was inflamed against us. (R) 4 Then would the waters have overwhelmed us; the torrent would have swept over us; 5 over us then would have swept the raging waters. 6 Blessed be the Lord, who did not leave us a prey to their teeth. (R) 7 We were rescued like a bird from the fowlers’ snare; broken was the snare, and we were freed. 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (R)

GOSPEL

This parable challenges us to know our responsibilities in the work of the Kingdom of God. How often do we reflect about what God is asking us to do with our lives? We tend to just go with the flow. Is this really the way to obey God’s will? Perhaps we are a bit frightened of what God might ask us to do, so we avoid broaching the question. Is this being responsible?

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Luke 12:39-48

39 Jesus said to his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” 41 Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” 42 And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 47 That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; 48 and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

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Daily Readings for October 20, 2015

1ST READING

Paul did not intend to focus on the sin of Adam and Eve such that it gains the name “Original Sin.” In fact, he focused on God’s power to overcome sin and defeat it on the cross. Jesus’ obedience unto death is the exact opposite of the self-indulgence of Adam and Eve. This is why His act is so much greater than that of Adam and Eve. They may have committed original sin, but the power of redemption is so much greater.

Romans 5:12, 15, 17-19, 20-21

12 Brothers and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned. 15 If by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. 17 For if, by the transgression of one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. 18 In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. 19 For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous. 20 Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

P S A L M

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

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

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

GOSPEL

We need to be prepared for the time when God will call us to Himself. It is not our responsibility to leave great inheritances to our children. It is rarely a good thing for someone to easily have wealth. It distorts the fundamental truth that hard work is good for the soul. Wealth should be seen as an opportunity to help those who are hopeless. You may leave a reasonable amount for your kids, but also leave a legacy that will endear your memory to others who will welcome you to heaven with open hands.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Luke 12:35-38

35 Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps 36 and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. 38 And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”

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Daily Readings for October 19, 2015

1ST READING

Paul tells us that Abraham believed that God would be faithful to His promises. He was willing to give to God his only son, Isaac, and trusted that God would give him many descendants. God stopped Abraham from killing Isaac and provided a ram in his place. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises God made to Abraham, the descendants of Jesus being descendants by faith, not blood. We are all sons and daughters of both Abraham and God through our faith.

Romans 4:20-25

20 Brothers and sisters: Abraham did not doubt God’s promise in unbelief; rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God 21 and was fully convinced that what God had promised he was also able to do. 22 That is why it was credited to him as righteousness. 23 But it was not for him alone that it was written that it was credited to him; 24 it was also for us, to whom it will be credited, who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over for our transgressions and was raised for our justification.

P S A L M

Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75

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

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

GOSPEL

You cannot take any of your earthly possessions with you to heaven. What legacy do we want to leave behind when we die? Do we want to leave behind a legacy of selfishness and lack of concern for the poor? Or should we look at ways to distribute the wealth we have made over our lifetime? It is especially important for those who have made their wealth using questionable means. Do we have a responsibility to correct the injustices we may have committed? Remember that death is as certain as the next sunrise.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Luke 12:13-21

13 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” 14 He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” 15 Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” 16 Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. 17 He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ 18 And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods 19 and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ 21 Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”

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Daily Readings for October 18, 2015

1ST READING

Atonement is one of the ways theologians understand the saving work of Jesus. Sin has damaged our relationship with God, and the damage done through the willful sinning of humanity needs to be atoned for. Jesus did this through His death on the Cross. Did He have to die? St. Bernard of Clairvaux said that a single drop of Jesus’ blood would be sufficient.

Isaiah 53:10-11

10 The Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the Lord shall be accomplished through him. 11 Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

P S A L M

Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

R: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

4 Upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. (R) 18 See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R) 20 Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield. 22 May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you. (R)

2ND READING

Jesus is the perfect high priest because He does not have to offer sacrifice for His own sins, as He does not have any. Jesus stands in solidarity with us in our humanity and avoids the temptation to sin, thus making it possible for us to do the same. He has won a total victory over sin and death (with the assistance of His Father) and He has given that victory to us. Let us be sure that we do not waste this second opportunity, to give our lives in the service of God and His Kingdom.

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Brothers and sisters: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. 16 So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

GOSPEL

James and John did not realize that their request would be met with a negative answer from Jesus. Jesus taught them that service, not glory and honor, is at the heart of the ministry of a disciple. There is nothing in Jesus’ proclamation of the Gospel that even hints that their request will be met with a positive response. Let us not make the same mistake as James and John did.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:35-45

35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” 37 They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. 42 Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. 43 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; 44 whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Daily Readings for October 17, 2015

1ST READING

Paul explains the faith of Abraham. We must also understand it so that we can imitate it. Let us take time to read through chapter 4 and understand Paul’s point. Once understood, it will give us an insight into faith that is freeing. It is God who works the miracle of faith if we are willing to trust in His promises completely.

Romans 4:13, 16-18

13 Brothers and sisters: It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. 16 For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, I have made you father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist. 18 He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what was said, thus shall your descendants be.

P S A L M

Psalm 105:6-7, 8-9, 42-43

R: The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R) 8 He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations, 9 which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (R) 42 For he remembered his holy word to his servant Abraham. 43 And he led forth his people with joy; with shouts of joy, his chosen ones. (R)

GOSPEL

St. Ignatius of Antioch fervently desired to give his life for his faith. In the letters he wrote to various Christian communities, Ignatius asked them not to pray for his release. He wanted to give the most perfect witness of faith — martyrdom. This may not be for all of us, but we should reflect on the desire of Ignatius and be inspired by him. Let us pray for the grace to embrace our faith and to remain true to it no matter what obstacle may confront us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord, and you also will testify.

Luke 12:8-12

8 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 10 “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

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