Daily Readings for January 31, 2017

1ST READING

The fight against sin is a fight to the death. Two things can happen: God prevails and we overcome the sin, or the devil prevails and we lose the battle. The choice is in our hands as God gave us free will. He offers us everything, but unfortunately we hesitate to receive that grace.

Hebrews 12:1-4

1 Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us 2 while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. 3 Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

P S A L M

Psalm 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32

R: They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

25 [26] I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him. 26 [27] The lowly shall eat their fill; they who seek the Lord shall praise him: “May your hearts be ever merry!” (R) 27 [28] All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; all the families of the nations shall bow down before him. (R) 29 [30] To him alone shall bow down all who sleep in the earth; before him shall bend all who go down into the dust. (R) And to him my soul shall live; 30 [31] my descendants shall serve him. Let the coming generation be told of the Lord 31 [32] that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born the justice he has shown. (R)

GOSPEL

The Gospel is for all people. Let us not limit the scope of service in the Kingdom of God. Let us be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. We cannot limit God by our small vision. Let us broaden our expectations and allow Him to lead us in ways we do not yet know.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.

Mark 5:21-43

21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. 22 One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he7fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” 24 He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him. 25 There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. 28 She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” 29 Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” 31 But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” 35 While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” 36 Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 37 He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. 41 He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” 42 The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. 43 He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

Daily Readings for January 30, 2017

1ST READING

God constantly works in the lives of His people. He always keeps His covenants. Unfortunately, we are the ones who do not always honor those covenants. Has God punished us for our disobedience? When we place our lives outside the blessing of His covenant, we experience sin and suffering. It has nothing to do with God punishing us for our sins.

Hebrews 11:32-40

32 Brothers and sisters: What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions, 34 put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders. 35 Women received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36 Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword’s point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented. 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth. 39 Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised. 40 God had foreseen something better for us, so that without us they should not be made perfect.

P S A L M

Psalm 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24

R: Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

19 [20] How great is the goodness, O Lord, which you have in store for those who fear you, and which, toward those who take refuge in you, you show in the sight of children. (R) 20 [21] You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plottings of men; You screen them within your abode from the strife of tongues. (R) 21 [22] Blessed be the Lord whose wondrous mercy he has shown me in a fortified city. (R) 22 [23] Once I said in my anguish, “I am cut off from your sight”; yet you heard the sound of my pleading when I cried out to you. (R) 23 [24] Love the Lord, all you his faithful ones! The Lord keeps those who are constant, but more than requites those who act proudly. (R) 

GOSPEL

Sin can get hold of anyone as if we are possessed by a demon. An example is habitual sin which can be very difficult to overcome. Let us humbly entrust ourselves to the power of God’s grace and allow Him to set us free from sin and embrace the call to holiness. It is never easy to overcome sin so we must be prepared to fight it out until we have won the battle.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 5:1-20

1 Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. 2 When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. 3 The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. 4 In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. 6 Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, 7 crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” 8 (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) 9 He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” 10 And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. 12 And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.” 13 And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. 14 The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. 15 As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. 16 Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. 17 Then they began to beg him to leave their district. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. 19 But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” 20 Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

Daily Readings for January 29, 2017

1ST READING

Seek justice; seek humility. Pope Francis is a prime example of this. Today’s world demands a commitment to the common good — something that is forgotten in the individualistic and materialistic First World. We need prayer and discernment to know how to apply the common good. The common good is based on the understanding of the dignity of the human person and freedom of conscience.

Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13

3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger. 3:12 But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord; 13 the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.

P S A L M

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

R: Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

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

2ND READING

God is the initiator of the gift of salvation. We need to humbly accept that God’s work is His alone. Our role is to proclaim the truth of the Gospel, but He will use us to bring it to the ends of the earth. Let us be humble enough to recognize the limited nature of our roles in this work.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26 Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, 28 and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, 29 so that no human being might boast before God. 30 It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.”

GOSPEL

The Beatitudes remind us of the true nature of the Gospel. The Gospel cannot be hijacked by the powerful, but it can be adopted by the weak and powerless. The Lord can easily work in a humble and contrite heart. The arrogant and self-sufficient leave very little room for God’s grace to operate. Will we accept His grace? Let us pray that we choose wisely, with the will of God in mind.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Rejoice and be glad; your reward will be great in heaven.

Matthew 5:1-12

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Daily Readings for January 28, 2017

Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and Doctor of the Church

1ST READING

Paul sees the faith of Abraham as indicative of the nature of our faith. Abraham believed that God could do the impossible, and God did not let him down. We, too, must believe that everything is possible with God. He redeems us from our sins and renews our relationship with Him. Let us pray that our faith will take us into the realm of human impossibilities.

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

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

P S A L M

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

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

69 He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. (R) 70 Through his holy prophets he promised of old. 71 that he would save us from our sins from the hands 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 bonds of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, 75 holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. (R)

GOSPEL

It is easy to judge the mistakes of others. Let us not judge but instead understand and see what we can do to make a bad situation better. It may be difficult to do but we must try to work with and for others if we are to be faithful to the Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 4:35-41

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

Daily Readings for January 27, 2017

1ST READING

One of the dangers we face in our faith is losing the fervor of our initial conversion. It is good to recall our fervor over the years and ensure that it remains in us. Sometimes we lose our radical edge and become comfortable in our faith. The challenge is to maintain this edge and seek new ways to commit ourselves to the work of God’s Kingdom.

Hebrews 10:32-39

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

P S A L M

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

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

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

GOSPEL

God is responsible for our conversion and growth in the Spirit. We cannot convert anyone, nor can we enable anyone to grow in holiness and overcome sin. This is the work of God, and so it must be. It is wrong to think that we have such power. We can be channels of God’s grace, preachers of His Word, and leaders of His people. However, we cannot save nor will we ever be able to save others.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 4:26-34

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

Daily Readings for January 26, 2017

Memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus, bishops

1ST READING

Timothy and Titus were left to care for communities evangelized by Paul. They helped him evangelize the communities and Paul knew that they needed good leaders if they were to grow. Good leadership is essential for growth in the Spirit. Timothy was young and so Paul encouraged him to stand firm in his gifts. Good leaders know how to draw the best from others. Let us pray that God raises more good leaders in the Church today.

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

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

P S A L M

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

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

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

GOSPEL

Jesus has given us many gifts and graces so that we can contribute to the work of the Gospel. It is our responsibility to share and contribute what we have no matter how small we may think it is. Each gift has a role to play in building the Kingdom of God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 4:21-25 (or Luke 10:1-9)

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

Daily Readings for January 25, 2017

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle

1ST READING

Paul was a Jew and yet he converted to Christianity. His conversion shows how the grace of God can work any miracle in one’s life. We should never doubt of His grace and mercy. We must never give up on anyone. Let us commend them to the Lord and His mercy.

Acts 22:3-16 (or Acts 9:1-22)

3 Paul addressed the people in these words: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to death, binding both men and women and delivering them to prison. 5 Even the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify on my behalf. For from them I even received letters to the brothers and set out for Damascus to bring back to Jerusalem in chains for punishment those there as well. 6 “On that journey as I drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from the sky suddenly shone around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 I replied, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.’ 9 My companions saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who spoke to me. 10 I asked, ‘What shall I do, sir?’ The Lord answered me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything appointed for you to do.’ 11 Since I could see nothing because of the brightness of that light, I was led by hand by my companions and entered Damascus. 12 “A certain Ananias, a devout observer of the law, and highly spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me and stood there and said, ‘Saul, my brother, regain your sight.’ And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; 15 for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard. 16 Now, why delay? Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away, calling upon his name.’ ”

P S A L M

Psalm 117:1, 2

R: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! (R) 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever. (R)

GOSPEL

Paul takes his commission from Christ and brings the Gospel to the Gentiles. At first this is met with consternation, but Peter is convinced through a dream that this is the essence of the Gospel, and so he endorses the ministry of Paul, and the rest is history. Let us believe that the grace of God goes before us in the work of salvation. It is not really up to us – it is the work of the Holy Spirit.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 16:15-18

15 Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Daily Readings for January 24, 2017

1ST READING

St. Francis de Sales, whose Feast we celebrate today, wrote many works in defense of the faith. His best-known work is his two-volume exposé on the love of God. Francis focused on God’s love as he lived at a time of much confusion and violence in the Church with the Protestant Reformation raging in Geneva, Switzerland. Love is the true and perfect sacrifice we can offer to God.

Hebrews 10:1-10

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

P S A L M

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

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

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

GOSPEL

Jesus is not interested in the conventions of the day. He is only interested in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel and calling others to help Him do so. We need to decide how committed we will be to do the work of the Gospel. This is60 what matters to Jesus – discipleship. Pope Francis calls us to be missionary disciples and we cannot do this without choosing Christ.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 3:31-35

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

Daily Readings for January 23, 2017

1ST READING

Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for our salvation. In the Eucharist, we remember and make present that one and only sacrifice of Jesus more than 2,000 years ago. We understand the unique nature of salvation. Jesus died for us and what He did is efficacious for all.

Hebrews 9:15, 24-28

15 Christ is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. 24 For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. 25 Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own; 26 if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. 27 Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, 28 so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

P S A L M

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

R: Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

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

GOSPEL

The works of Satan are marked by contradictions. They are never sensible. The challenge for Christians is recognizing these contradictions and rejecting the temptations. This is difficult but possible. Let us learn how to recognize the signs of the devil’s work in our lives.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 3:22-30

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

Daily Readings for January 22, 2017

1ST READING

Christians are supposed to be the great light — a light that will help the world to see the truth of the Gospel and the human person. Secular humanism, building on a foundation of rational skepticism, relativize our understanding of the human person to the point where nothing is universal anymore. Everything is left for the individual to decide — the meaning of love, sex, etc. This will lead to chaos and destruction. There will be nothing on which to build society unless there are truths we believe in.

Isaiah 8:23-9:3

23 First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land west of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles. Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness: for there is no gloom where but now there was distress. 9: 1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 2 You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. 3 For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

P S A L M

Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

R: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? (R) 4 One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his temple. (R) 13 I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. (R)

2ND READING

Disunity in the Body of Christ is a scandal. Before we blame others for this problem, let us first look at ourselves and ask how we might be contributing to the problem. Taking responsibility for our own faults is one of the essential tenets of discipleship. Self-understanding goes a long way in building a healthy and wholesome community.

1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17

10 I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you. 12 I mean that each of you is saying, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not  with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

GOSPEL

Jesus is a community man. He needs others to help Him in the work of evangelization. Working with others is essential to the successful proclamation of the Gospel. Leaders in the Church today need to take this truth seriously.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom and cured every disease among the people.

Matthew 4:12-23

12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: 15 Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. 17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. 23 He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Daily Readings for January 21, 2017

1ST READING

All sacrifices must now take on the form of Jesus’ sacrifice. Sacrificing bulls and goats is no longer meaningful as Christ has personalized the concept of sacrifice. Instead of offering animals, let us give our life to Christ. Commitment to Christ is a radical decision and we have to be firm about it.

Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14

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

P S A L M

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

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

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

GOSPEL

  

The relatives of Jesus thought He was out of His mind. They were clueless on how to handle His popularity. How would you handle the celebrity status of  your relatives? Let us put ourselves in their shoes. Let us empathize and show compassion to people especially when we find it difficult to understand them.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 3:20-21

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

Daily Readings for January 20, 2017

1ST READING

The covenant initiated by Christ is the best and last. There will be no changes and the revelation is now complete. This is a problem for those sects who say that they have new revelation – they cannot be Christian as they do not follow this truth. Because the Church has received the fullness of salvation, we have a responsibility to share it with others. We are a community that gives witness to and engages the world in a discussion for the sake of the Gospel.

Hebrews 8:6-13

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

P S A L M

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

R: Kindness and truth shall meet.

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

GOSPEL

Jesus called 12 men and worked closely with them for three years. He also formed 72 whom He sent out on mission. This tells us that the leaders in the Church need to undergo formation so that the Gospel is passed on to the next generation. We lack true discipleship in the Church today. Let us pray that more men and women will submit themselves to be formed fully in the Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 3:13-19

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

Daily Readings for January 19, 2017

1ST READING

Jesus is the only True Mediator between God and humanity. Jesus alone is fully divine and fully human. Only Jesus can bring the blessing of salvation to us from heaven. He bridges the created and eternal dimensions of existence. This is the wonder of the Incarnation — God becomes one of us. Even though we are sinners, God engaged us through His Incarnate Son and so delivered us from sin and death.

Hebrews 7:25-8:6

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

P S A L M

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

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

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

GOSPEL

The people were attracted to the message of Jesus because He lived what He proclaimed. Let us remember the power of the lived witness. This is why martyrdom will always be a special gift to the Church. The willingness to die for what we believe in — in the religious and secular spheres — has always been considered the highest form of commitment and witness to our faith. In John 15, Jesus said that we can have no greater love than to lay down our life for each other.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 3:7-12

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

Daily Readings for January 18, 2017

1ST READING

We have no idea who Melchizedek is, yet he has a place in the ordination rites and Eucharistic Prayer in the life of the Church. I like to meditate on the literal meaning of his name – my King is righteous – and is a good point for reflection for any aspiring leader in the Church. A true leader leads by example and that example must have holiness at its heart.


Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17
1 Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, met Abraham as he returned from his defeat of the kings and blessed him. 2 And Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. His name first means righteous king, and he was also “king of Salem,” that is, king of peace. 3 Without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. 15 It is even more obvious if another priest is raised up after the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become so, not by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 For it is testified: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.


P S A L M

Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4
R: You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.

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


GOSPEL

The Pharisees have fallen in a deep hole of hypocrisy. How can they question the healing of a person with a withered hand ? It simply shows the depth of their unfeeling hypocrisy, which we must avoid at all costs. Jesus always puts the needs of the individual first, and so should we.


GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.


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

Daily Readings for January 17, 2017

1ST READING

God is always faithful to His promises. But the trouble is that we are not. Let us believe in the good things God promises us. Let us remember that we have made a commitment to follow God’s will. It is when the discipline and suffering of discipleship is disconnected from the blessings of God that we go wayward in our faith.

Hebrews 6:10-20

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

P S A L M

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

R: The Lord will remember his covenant forever.

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (R) 4 He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the Lord. 5 He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. (R) 9 He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. 10 His praise endures forever. (R) 45

GOSPEL

We must always be wary of judging a situation too quickly and fail to consider the circumstances. The Church can judge the errors of the world and say so. However, it will be a far more constructive form of evangelization if it seeks to understand the situation of the world and then speaks the Gospel truth into it with love, mercy and compassion.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 2:23-28

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