Daily Readings for July 31, 2016

1ST READING

Human beings are acquisitive by nature. We gather things to be comforted by them or to have them as a support when troubles come. This should be kept in the right perspective. We cannot bring anything with us when we die. We have to leave them all behind. Let us ask ourselves what we truly need, not what we want.

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

2 Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! 2:21 Here is one who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and yet to another, who has not labored over it, he must leave his property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune. 22 For what profit comes to a man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun? 23 All his days sorrow and grief is his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest. This also is vanity.

P S A L M

Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17

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

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) 5 You make an end of them in their sleep; the next morning they are like the changing grass, 6 which at dawn springs up anew, but by evening wilts and fades. (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)

2ND READING

St. Paul is convinced that Jesus must be the focus of our faith. One of the biggest challenges the Church faces today is how to call people into a deeper and more fulfilling discipleship by overcoming a cultural and sacramental understanding of the Christian faith. We need to choose to be in relationship with Jesus and serve His Kingdom.

Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11

1 Brothers and sisters: If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. 9 Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.

GOSPEL

Here is another parable that calls us to focus on eternal blessings. It is easy to be distracted by the pleasures of the world. Jesus tells the squabbling brothers to resolve their differences and to focus on things that really matter, such as whether or not their faith life is in order.

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 themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”

Daily Readings for July 30, 2016

1ST READING

The leaders do not like the prophecies of Jeremiah. Some want to kill him and end his troublemaking. But God protects Jeremiah. The prophet continues to proclaim the message God gives Him and is persecuted by the leaders of the community. Let us be open to what the prophets of today are saying to us.

Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24

11 The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people, “This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” 12 Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: “It was the Lord who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard. 13 Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the Lord your God, so that the Lord will repent of the evil with which he threatens you. 14 As for me, I am in your hands; do with me what you think good and right. 15 But mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens. For in truth it was the Lord who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear.” 16 Thereupon the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the Lord, our God, that he speaks to us.” 24 So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah, so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

P S A L M

Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34

R: Lord, in your great love, answer me.

14 [15] Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink! May I be rescued from my foes, and from the watery depths. 15 [16] Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me, nor the abyss swallow me up, nor the pit close its mouth over me. (R) 29 [30] But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help, O God, protect me. 30 [31] I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving. (R) 32 [33] “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! 33 [34] For the Lord hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” (R)

GOSPEL

The story of John the Baptist is an important one. John has preceded Jesus in many things, having been sent to prepare His way. We now catch a glimpse of what the end of Jesus will be through the death of John the Baptist. Herod feared the people’s reaction and, because of his pride, he had John killed. Jesus died because of our sins – sins that result from our own weaknesses and rebellion – and from our fear of standing up for what is right.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 14:1-12

1 Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus 2 and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of  Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, 4 for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. 6 But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod 7 so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, 10 and he had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

Daily Readings for July 29, 2016

Memorial of St. Martha, disciple of the Lord

1ST READING

Martha may have been a people-pleaser. That was probably why she could not help but serve others. Maybe she avoided sitting at the feet of Jesus and the challenge of having to respond to His Word. She could have other reasons for running around doing things and not sitting down to soak in the presence of Jesus in her house.

Jeremiah 26:1-9

1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, this message came from the Lord: 2 “Thus says the Lord:  Stand in the court of the house of the Lord and speak to the people of all the cities of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord. Whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing. 3 Perhaps they will listen and turn back, each from his evil way, so that I may repent of the evil I have planned to inflict upon them for their evil deeds. 4 Say to them: Thus says the Lord: If you disobey me, not living according to the law I placed before you 5 and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send you constantly though you do not  obey them, 6 I will treat this house like Shiloh, and make this the city which all the nations of the earth shall refer to when cursing another.” 7 Now the priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the Lord. 8 When Jeremiah finished  speaking all that the Lord bade him speak to all the people, the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying, “You must be put to death! 9 Why do you prophesy in the name of the Lord ‘This house shall be like Shiloh,’ and ‘This city shall be desolate and deserted’?” And all  the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

P S A L M

Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14

R: Lord, in your great love, answer me.

4 [5] Those outnumber the hairs of my head who hate me without cause. Too many for my strength are they who wrongfully are my enemies. Must I restore what I did not steal? (R) 7 [8] Since for your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. 8 [9] I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons, 9 [10] because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me. (R) 13 [14] But I pray to you, O Lord, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. (R)

GOSPEL

To become a disciple of Jesus we need to make a conscious decision to enter into a relationship with Him. This is intentional discipleship. If all Catholics did this, then the Church would be transformed into a hive of activity. The power of the Gospel will be unleashed in the life of the Church.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

John 11:19-27 (or Luke 10:38-42)

19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother Lazarus who had died. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, 26 and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

Daily Readings for July 28, 2016

1ST READING

When the Master Potter molds us, He never destroys us. He brings new things into our lives to renew us as He has created us to be. Let us not despair over the difficult task ahead of us. God will help us overcome all things through His grace.

Jeremiah 18:1-6

1 This word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Rise up, be off to the potter’s house; there I will give you my message.” 3 I went down to the potter’s house and there he was, working at the wheel. 4 Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 “Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done?” says the Lord. “Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.”

P S A L M

Psalm 146:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

1 Praise the Lord, O my soul; 2 I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I live. (R) 3 Put not your trust in princes, in the sons of men, in whom there is no salvation. 4 When his spirit departs he returns to his earth; on that day his plans perish. (R) 5Blessed 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)

GOSPEL

We need to do a little “spring cleaning” in our lives. This will help us focus on discipleship and Jesus who should be the most important person for us. Is this what you want, too?

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 13:47-53

47 Jesus said to the disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. 48 When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. 49 Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” 51 Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” 52 And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” 53 When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.

Daily Readings for July 27, 2016

1ST READING

Jeremiah laments his experience as a prophet — a life of suffering and hardship. We can relate to Jeremiah because he is true to who he is. If he does not like something, he will say so. The challenge of discipleship is that it restricts what we can do due to our various commitments. We can rejoice in or resent our busyness as disciples.

Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21

10 Woe to me, mother, that you gave me birth! a man of strife and contention to all the land! I neither borrow nor lend yet all curse me. 16 When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart, because I bore your name, O Lord, God of hosts. 17 I did not sit celebrating in the circle of merrymakers; under the weight of your hand I sat alone because you filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain continuous, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become for me a treacherous brook, whose waters do not abide! 19 Thus the Lord answered me, “If you repent, so that I restore you, in my presence you shall stand. If you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my mouthpiece. Then it shall be they who turn to you, and you shall not turn to them; 20 and I will make you toward this people a solid wall of brass. Though they fight against you, they shall not prevail, for I am with you, to deliver and rescue you,” says the Lord. 21 “I will free you from the hand of the wicked, and rescue you from the grasp of the violent.”

P S A L M

Psalm 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18

R: God is my refuge on the day of distress.

1 [2] Rescue me from my enemies, O my God; from my adversaries defend me. 2 [3] Rescue me from evildoers; from bloodthirsty men save me. (R) 3 [4] For behold, they lie in wait for my life; mighty men come together against me. Not for any offense or sin of mine, O Lord. (R) 9 [10] O my strength! for you I watch; for you, O God, are my stronghold, 10 [11] As for my God, may his mercy go before me; may he show me the fall of my foes. (R) 16 [17] But I will sing of your strength and revel at dawn in your mercy; You have been my stronghold my refuge in the day of distress. (R) 17 [18] O my strength! your praise will I sing; for you, O God, are my stronghold, my merciful God! (R)

GOSPEL

What is your most precious treasure in life? Jesus is our most precious treasure because without Him there is no life. We need Him so that we can embrace the fullness of His calling. Without Him it will be impossible to do whatever He asks us to do, as Mary suggests at the wedding feast of Cana. Let us focus on Jesus and the gift of salvation He offers us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.

Matthew 13:44-46

44 Jesus said to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 46 When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

Daily Readings for July 26, 2016

Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Virgin Mary

1ST READING

We remember people by their legacies. Joachim and Anne left us their daughter, Mary, and never has there been such a great gift given to the world aside from Jesus. May we be judged by how we serve those around us. What legacy do you want to leave behind?

Sirach 44:1, 10-15 (or Jeremiah 14:17-22)

1 Now will I praise those godly men, our ancestors, each in his own time: 10 These were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten; 11 Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants; 12 Through God’s covenant with them their family endures, their posterity, for their sake. 13 And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out; 14 Their bodies are peacefully laid away, but their name lives on and on. 15 At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the assembly proclaims their praise.

P S A L M

Psalm 132: 11, 13-14, 17-18 (or Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13)

R: God will give him the throne of David, his father.

11 The Lord swore to David a firm promise from which he will not withdraw: “Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.” (R) 13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; he prefers her for his dwelling. 14 “Zion is my resting place forever; in her will I dwell, for I prefer her.” (R) 17 “In her will I make a horn to sprout forth for David; I will place a lamp for my anointed. 18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon him my crown shall shine.” (R)

GOSPEL

There is no excuse for not listening to the voice of the Spirit. We should be attentive to His leading because we need it every day. Let us open our hearts to the Word of God and learn from His truth. This will free us to become the disciples God intended us to be.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 13:36-43 (or Matthew 13:16-17)

36 Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, 38 the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Daily Readings for July 25, 2016

Feast of St. James, Apostle

1ST READING

We are earthen vessels that are hurt and broken. Through faith, we hold within us an incredible treasure that has the power to transform the whole world — the resurrected Christ. Let us plant this truth firmly in our minds and hearts so that sin will not lead us astray again.

2 Corinthians 4:7-15

7 Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we too believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. 15 Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

P S A L M

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

R: Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

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)

GOSPEL

The sons of Zebedee got it wrong. They misunderstand the nature of the Gospel if they think discipleship is all about earning the right to sit next to Jesus at the heavenly banquet. We also get distracted from the important aspects of the Gospel and indulge in petty rivalries and jealousy. This never serves the Kingdom of God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

Matthew 20:20-28

20 The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. 21 He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” 22 Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” 23 He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. 26 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; 27 whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. 28 Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Daily Readings for July 24, 2016

1ST READING

The dialogue between Abraham and God is about demonstrating His incredible mercy. God is willing to spare all for the sake of only a few people. Herein lies the heart of God for His people — He wants to save us and not destroy us. He wants to redeem us and not punish us.


Genesis 18:20-32

20 In those days, the Lord said: “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave, 21 that I must go down and see whether or not their actions fully correspond to the cry against them that comes to me. I mean to find out.” 22 While Abraham’s visitors walked on farther toward Sodom, the Lord remained standing before Abraham. 23 Then Abraham drew nearer to him and said, “Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? 24 Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city, would you wipe out the place rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to make the innocent die with the guilty, so that the innocent and the guilty would be treated alike! Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?” 26 The Lord replied, “If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27 Abraham spoke up again, “See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am but dust and ashes! 28 What if there are five less than fifty innocent people? Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?” He answered, “I will not destroy it, if I find forty-five there.” 29 But Abraham persisted, saying, “What if only forty are found there?” He replied, “I will forebear doing it for the sake of the forty.” 30 Then Abraham said, “Let not my Lord grow impatient if I go on. What if only thirty are found there?” He replied, “I will forebear doing it if I can find but thirty there.” 31 Still Abraham went on, “Since I have thus dared to speak to my Lord, what if there are no more than twenty?” The Lord answered, “I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty.” 32 But he still persisted: “Please, let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last time. What if there are at least ten there?” He replied, “For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it.”


P S A L M

Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8

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

1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; 2 I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. (R) Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. 3 When I called you answered me; you built up strength within me. (R) 6 The Lord is exalted, yet the lowly he sees, and the proud he knows from afar. 7 Though I walk amid distress, you preserve me; against the anger of my enemies you raise your hand. (R) Your right hand saves me. 8 The Lord will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O Lord, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands. (R)


2ND READING

Jesus dealt with the power of sin by nailing it to the cross. By His sacrifice, sin no longer has control over us. Let us surrender our sins to the power of Christ and let His grace set us free.


Colossians 2:12-14

12 Brothers and sisters: You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And even when you were dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; 14 obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross.


GOSPEL

We know how we should relate with one another. However, we often allow the evil spirit to bring doubt to our minds and hearts. We allow our sinful desires to overwhelm the truth. This has to stop. We gain nothing from delaying repentance and living as disciples of Jesus. Today may be the only time we have to do this.


GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

You have received a Spirit of adoption, through which we cry, Abba, Father.


Luke 11:1-13

1 Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread 4 and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” 5 And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ 7 and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. 9 And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? 12 Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 13 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Daily Readings for July 23, 2016

1ST READING

Jeremiah cannot understand why the people continue to listen to and follow false prophets. This is the perverse nature of sin. As disciples of Jesus, let us discern His word well so that we will always walk in God’s ways and not the world’s. It is God’s ways that will redeem us; the world will only take us away from Him.

Jeremiah 7:1-11

1 The following message came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 Stand at the gate of the house of the Lord, and there proclaim this message: Hear the word of the Lord, all you of Judah who enter these gates to worship the Lord! 3 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Reform your ways and your deeds, so that I may remain with you in this place. 4 Put not your trust in the deceitful words. This is the temple of the Lord! The temple of the Lord! The temple of the Lord! 5 Only if you thoroughly reform your ways and your deeds; if each of you deals justly with his neighbor; 6 if you no longer oppress the resident alien, the orphan, and the widow; if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place, or follow strange gods to your own harm, 7 will I remain with you in this place, in the land I gave your fathers long ago and forever. 8 But here you are, putting your trust in deceitful words to your own loss! 9 Are you to steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, go after strange gods that you know not, 10 and yet come to stand before me in this house which bears my name, and say, “We are safe; we can commit all these abominations again’? 11 Has this house, which bears my name, become in your eyes a den of thieves? I too see what is being done,” says the Lord.

P S A L M

Psalm 84:3, 4, 5-6, 8, 11

R: How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

2 [3] My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. (R) 3 [4] Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young — your altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God! (R) 4 [5] Blessed they who dwell in your house! Continually they praise you. 5 [6] Blessed the men whose strength you are! 7 [8] They go from strength to strength. (R) 10 [11] I had rather one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (R)

GOSPEL

We are sinners and have patterns of sin in our lives. This is not good but it is not a reason to despair. God is a merciful judge and will help us to overcome our sins if we allow Him. We have to surrender our lives to His grace if we want victory over sin. We need to persevere in fighting against sin. It takes time to overcome the bad habits of our past.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.

Matthew 13:24-30

24 Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. 26 When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. 27 The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ 28 He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

Daily Readings for July 22, 2016

1ST READING

Sin is a rebellion against God — we act according to our own desires rather than submit to His will. The covenant that God makes with His people is a commitment to surrender to His plan. Rebellion is contrary to this idea.

Jeremiah 3:14-17

14 “Return, rebellious children,” says the Lord, “for I am your Master; I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan, and bring you to Zion. 15 I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart who will shepherd you wisely and prudently. 16 When you multiply and become fruitful in the land, says the Lord, they will in those days no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the Lord!’ They will no longer think of it, or remember it, or miss it, or make another. 17 At that time they will call Jerusalem the Lord’s throne. There all nations will be gathered together to honor the name of the Lord at Jerusalem, and they will walk no longer in their hardhearted wickedness.”

P S A L M

Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12, 13

R: The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

10 Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, he guards them as a shepherd his flock. (R) 11 The Lord shall ransom Jacob; he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror. 12 Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion, they shall come streaming to the Lord’s blessings the grain, the wine, and the oil, the sheep and the oxen. (R) 13 Then the virgins shall make merry and dance, and young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console and gladden them after their sorrows. (R)

GOSPEL

Mary Magdalene is one of the first to see the Risen Lord. What a privileged place she holds in our tradition. Let us ensure that the Good News we have received remains as the foundation on which we should build our lives. Mary Magdalene testifies to the power of repentance and the transforming power of faith. She is now considered as one of the great collaborators of Jesus in His mission.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Tell us, Mary, what did you see on the way? I saw the glory of the risen Christ, I saw his empty tomb.

John 20:1-2, 11-18 (or Matthew 13:18-23)

1 On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” 11 Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. 13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. 17 Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then repeated what he told her.

Daily Readings for July 21, 2016

1ST READING

When we abandon the Lord’s will, the structures we build will ultimately collapse because they are not founded on His grace. It is critical that we discern the will of God. Let us do what God wants us to do.

Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13

1 This word of the Lord came to me: 2 Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear! I remember the devotion of your youth, how you loved me as a bride, following me in the desert, in a land unsown. 3Sacred to the Lord was Israel, the first fruits of his harvest; should any presume to partake of them, evil would befall him, says the Lord. 7 When I brought you into the garden land to eat its goodly fruits, you entered and defiled my land, you made my heritage loathsome. 8 The priests asked not, “Where is the Lord?” Those who dealt with the law knew me not: the shepherds rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after useless idols. 12 Be amazed at this, O heavens, and shudder with sheer horror, says the Lord. 13 “Two evils have my people done: they have forsaken me, the source of living waters; they have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water.

P S A L M

Psalm 36:6-7, 8-9, 10-11

R: With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.

5 [6] O Lord, your mercy reaches to heaven; your faithfulness, to the clouds. 6 [7] Your justice is like the mountains of God; your judgments, like the mighty deep. (R) 7 [8] How precious is your mercy, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 [9] They have their fill of the prime gifts of your house; from your delightful stream you give them to drink. (R) 9 [10] For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light. 10 [11] Keep up your mercy toward your friends, your just defense of the upright of heart. (R)

GOSPEL

The parables are not always easy to understand but they are all about the Kingdom of God. Each parable tells us something about the nature of His Kingdom and exhorts us to ensure this is in place in our lives. Let us read the parables anew and allow them to challenge us to grow in our faith and discipleship.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 13:10-17

10 The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?” 11 He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. 12 To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. 14 Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. 15 Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. 17 Amen,  I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Daily Readings for July 20, 2016

1ST READING

If we follow God’s will, then we should never doubt it. It does not matter how impossible a task may seem at first. If God has asked us to do it, we can be 100 percent sure that He will give us the grace to do so. This is the promise of God. Let us trust in the goodness and justice of God and so always have the grace we need to do the work of His Kingdom.

Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10

1 The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, of a priestly family in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin. 4 The word of the Lord came to me thus: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” 6 “Ah, Lord God!” I said, “I know not how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord answered me, “Say not ‘I am too young.’ To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. 9 Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying, “See, I place my words in your mouth! 10 This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.”

P S A L M

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

R: I will sing of 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

A good disciple is fertile soil for the Word of God to grow in his life. You know a good disciple by the fruits of the Spirit in his life. If we grow in our faith, then the fruits of the Spirit also grow in our lives (refer to Galatians 5). Ask  yourself, “Am I growing in these or not?”

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 13:1-9

1 On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. 3 And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, 6 and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. 7 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. 8 But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. 9 Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Daily Readings for July 19, 2016

1ST READING

God is going to preserve a remnant of the people who will become the guardians and carriers of His glory to the next generations. Many of us abandon the call of discipleship because of worldly attachments. Pope Francis identifies worldliness in the Church as one of the greatest dangers we face today. He is reflecting on the fact that many abandon the challenge of discipleship for the pleasures of the world.

Micah 7:14-15, 18-20

14 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, that dwells apart in a wood land, in the midst of Carmel. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old; 15 as in the days when you came from the land of Egypt, show us wonderful signs. 18 Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, 19 and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; 20 you will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.

P S A L M

Psalm 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8

R: Lord, show us your mercy and love.

1 [2] You have favored, O Lord, your land; you have brought back the captives of Jacob. 2 [3] You have forgiven the guilt of your people; you have covered all their sins. 3 [4] You have withdrawn all your wrath; you have revoked your burning anger. (R) 4 [5] Restore us, O God our savior, and abandon your displeasure against us. 5 [6] Will you be ever angry with us, prolonging your anger to all generations? (R) 6 [7] Will you not instead give us life; and shall not your people rejoice in you? 7 [8] Show us, O Lord, your kindness, and grant us your salvation. (R)

GOSPEL

It is our response to the Gospel that Jesus is looking for. Words are meaningless without action. This is why discipleship is important. A disciple hears the Word of God and immediately acts on it. A disciple is nothing if he does not live out the Gospel in its entirety.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 12:46-50

46 While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” 48 But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Daily Readings for July 18, 2016

1ST READING

In Micah 6:8, we learn to engage in the world in a holy way: Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God. It is a summary of what it means to be holy. We need to spend more time reflecting on verses such as this one if we want to embrace God’s call for us.

Micah 6:1-4, 6-8

1 Hear what the Lord says: Arise, present your plea before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice! 2 Hear, O mountains, the plea of the Lord, pay attention, O foundations of the earth! For the Lord has a plea against his people, and he enters into trial with Israel. 3 O my people, what have I done to you, or how have I wearied you? Answer me! 4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, from the place of slavery I released you; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. 6 With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow before God most high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?  7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriad streams of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my crime, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.

P S A L M

Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23

R: To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

5 “Gather my faithful ones before me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” 6 And the heavens proclaim his justice; for God himself is the judge. (R) 8 “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offerings are before me always. 9 I take from your house no bullock, no goats out of your fold.” (R) 16 “Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, 17 though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” (R) 21 “When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes. 23 He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” (R)

GOSPEL

We must respond to the revelations we have received. God is just and will judge us on what is reasonable to expect of us. If we have never heard the Gospel, then we cannot be judged according to its content. There is an urgent need to proclaim the Gospel. We need to bring the Good News to those who have not heard it. It is easier to respond to the gift of salvation as proclaimed than to respond to “natural revelation” according to our conscience. The Gospel is an aid to salvation and never a hindrance.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 12:38-42

38 Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 40 Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 41 At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. 42 At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.”