Daily Readings for August 29, 2019

1st READING

Jeremiah reminds us to be ready for everything and anything as we follow the Lord. This is good advice since we cannot always prepare for what is to come. We first see the lay of the land before we decide what to do and how to do it. Other times, we prepare for one thing but we encounter something quite different.

1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 (or Jeremiah 1:17-19)

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

PSALM

Psalm 90:3-4, 12-13, 14, 17 (or Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17)

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

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

GOSPEL

John the Baptist was ready for anything, even the task of correcting the most powerful leader in the city. He must have known that Herod would not take his correction lightly. But John is willing to do this because he knows that someone has to stand up for it. As Christians in a world that is forsaking many of its Christian roots, let us stand firm and speak the truth even at great cost.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 6:17-29 (or Matthew 24:42-51)

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

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for August 28, 2019

1st READING 

In today’s reading, Paul mentions to Timothy that much of the work of evangelization is drudgery. Evangelization is needed for the Gospel to take root in a new city. But that does not mean that it is going to be stimulating work. Pastoring and forming people as disciples can be draining work. You could spend months, and at times even years, in forming someone and he may still choose to walk away from the faith.

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

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

PSALM

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

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

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

GOSPEL 

St. Augustine led a wild life before his conversion. He had a mistress and even fathered a son with her. And yet, God chooses him to become one of the most influential thinkers and writers in the life of the Church. There are few who have the influence of St. Augustine in presenting the various Church doctrines and teachings of the faith.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 23:27-32

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

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for August 27, 2019

1st READING 

When we proclaim the Gospel , there is no need to dress it up in special phrases and stories. Because it the truth of God’s love for us, it has its own power. It only needs to be spoken for it to take effect. His love compels a response from those who hear and experience it.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

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

PSALM

Psalm 139:1-3, 4-6

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

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

GOSPEL

Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, was a persistent woman. She interceded for more than fifteen years for her son’s conversion and she wept many tears of grief. She did not give up and trusted that the Lord would hear her prayer. As a result, Augustine’s conversion won for the Church a great theologian in history.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 23:23-26

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

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for August 26, 2019

1st READING

When the Gospel was first preached to the Gentiles it involved their turning away from idols in order to embrace Christianity. We are not used to preaching the Gospel into a hostile culture or situation, though it may become more common in the years to come as society becomes more secularized and distant from Christianity.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the Church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly 3 calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, 4 knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen. 5 For our Gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction. You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake. 8 In every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves openly declare about us what sort of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God 10 and to await his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.

PSALM 

Psalm 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 9

R: The Lord takes delight in his people.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2 Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king. (R) 3 Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory. (R) 5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; 6 let the high praises of God be in their throats. 9 This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia. (R)

GOSPEL

Religion, like any society or organization, can easily develop rules or understandings that are quite silly and ought to be excised from the organization. The Jews had accumulated more than five hundred laws in addition to the Ten Commandments by Jesus’ time! We hear of a couple of them today and it is obvious that they are ridiculous.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 23:13-22

13 Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter . [14] 15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. 16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ 17 Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ 19 You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; 21 one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; 22 one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for August 25, 2019

1st READING

God will always accept our offer to serve the Gospel. He will direct us in our service through the Holy Spirit and guide us through the structures of the Church. Let us respect the Church authority in our ministries as they represent God’s authority over us. Let us work together with them as best as we can and always with humility.

Isaiah 66:18-21

18 Thus says the Lord: I know their works and their thoughts, and I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. 19 I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. 20 They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations as an offering to the Lord, on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the Lord, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the Lord in clean vessels. 21 Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the Lord.

PSALM 

Psalm 117:1, 2

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)

2nd READING

God will discipline us in our faith life. He disciplines us because He loves us and wants us to be more like Him. Let us welcome the challenge of discipline because it is a sign of God’s love. He loves us and He is the source of all legitimate authority. Sin sometimes causes us to abuse authority and we must avoid this.

Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13

5 Brothers and sisters: You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; 6 for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.” 7 Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? 11 At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. 12 So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. 13 Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.

GOSPEL

The road to heaven is narrow while the path to perdition is wide. However expansive a choice may be, it still restricts the arena in which we can act. In any given situation, the right paths are fewer than the paths that lead to sin. Let us pray for the grace to discern which paths to take. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Luke 13:22-30

22 Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. 25 After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ 26 And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ 27 Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for August 24, 2019

Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle

1st READING 

The faith of the Apostles is the foundation upon which the Church is built. We need to build our own faith so that we can sustain our relationships in a manner befitting our faith. Let us be grateful to the martyrs and saints who gave their lives in the service of the Church.

Revelation 21:9-14

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

PSALM

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

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

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

GOSPEL

Philip meets Jesus and then he goes to Nathaniel (Bartholomew) and tells him about Jesus. We are all indebted to hundreds, maybe even thousands, of men and women who link our faith to that of the Apostles. In turn, we become links to Jesus for those who follow us. This is a pattern for evangelization that helps us effectively share the faith with others.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

John 1:45-51

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

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for August 23, 2019

1st READING 

Ruth is a good woman who is committed to her mother-in-law. She is the epitome of faithfulness and loyalty. Let us foster loyalty and faithfulness in our relationship with Jesus. May we grow in discipleship and be better witnesses to the Gospel.

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

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

PSALM

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

R: Praise the Lord, my soul!

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

GOSPEL

The two greatest commandments are about love of God and love of neighbor. If we always take the loving path in our relationships with God and others then we will be able to obey the rest of the commandments. Love for God and neighbor summarizes all of the commandments. May we grow in our love for God and one another.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 22:34-40

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

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for August 22, 2019

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

1st READING

Jephthah makes a vow that he will regret because he will have to sacrifice his daughter to the Lord. Did he do the right thing? Here are the lessons we can learn: One, do not make extravagant commitments, particularly those that may lead to immoral actions; two, do not ever think that God would ask you to sacrifice someone else’s life to Him. Jesus’ sacrifice is the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Judges 11:29-39 (or Isaiah 9:1-6)

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

PSALM 

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

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

5 Blessed the man who makes the Lord his trust; who turns not to idolatry or to those who stray after falsehood. (R) 7 Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; 8 then said I “Behold I come.” (R) “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me. 9 To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” (R) 10 I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know. (R)

GOSPEL

If we are not willing to live as disciples of Jesus then He will find others who are. Because what would be the point of storing up graces for people who are not interested? Let us accept the graces God offers us and use them well for His service.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 22:1-14 (or Luke 1:26-38 or Luke 1:39-47)

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

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for August 21, 2019

1st READING

Leadership is a big responsibility, particularly in the spiritual arena, as we are dealing with issues that pertain to eternal life. Notable here is God’s choice and their humility in response to it. This is the example of Jesus, Mary, and the saints. Only a few sought leadership roles—they were more likely to have it imposed on them.

Judges 9:6-15

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

PSALM

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

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

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

GOSPEL 

God is merciful and He chooses to whom and how He gives His grace. Instead of questioning His generosity to others, let us be grateful for the blessings He gives us. Every person is different and God will build relationships with us according to our character and nature. Let us allow God to work with us in the way He chooses.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 20:1-16

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

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Daily Readings for August 20, 2019

1st READING

God chooses Gideon, an unlikely person from the lower class, and will use him to save Israel from the Midianites. Gideon struggles to accept that God will use him for such a significant purpose. God knows what He is doing. When He calls us, let us trust in Him. It may be unlikely that He will choose us, but He might just surprise you with His choice.

Judges 6:11-24

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

PSALM

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

R: The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

9 I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord—for he proclaims peace to his people, and to his faithful ones, and to those who put in him their hope. (R) 11 Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 12 Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 13 The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 14 Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)

GOSPEL

The many distractions in the world prevent us from responding in faith to God. Money is one of the most powerful distractions. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us about the difficulties of the wealthy. We need to learn how to use money properly and not allow it to use us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 

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

Matthew 19:23-30

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

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Daily Readings for August 19, 2019

1st READING

The people saw their servitude under other nations as God’s punishment for their unfaithfulness. It could also mean that being unfaithful to God has consequences and this placed the Israelites outside His mercy. They have abandoned their faith and that left them at the mercy of the worldly powers.

Judges 2:11-19

11 The children of Israel offended the Lord by serving the Baals. 12 Abandoning the Lord, the God of their fathers, who led them out of the land of Egypt, they followed the other gods of the various nations around them, and by their worship of these gods provoked the Lord. 13 Because they had thus abandoned him and served Baal and the Ashtaroth, 14 the anger of the Lord flared up against Israel, and he delivered them over to plunderers who despoiled them. He allowed them to fall into the power of their enemies round about whom they were no longer able to withstand. 15 Whatever they undertook, the Lord turned into disaster for them, as in his warning he had sworn he would do, till they were in great distress. 16 Even when the Lord raised up judges to deliver them from the power of their despoilers, 17 they did not listen to their judges, but abandoned themselves to the worship of other gods. They were quick to stray from the way their fathers had taken, and did not follow their example of obedience to the commandments of the Lord. 18 Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, he would be with the judge and save them from the power of their enemies as long as the judge lived; it was thus the Lord took pity on their distressful cries of affliction under their oppressors. 19 But when the judge died, they would relapse and do worse than their ancestors, following other gods in service and worship, relinquishing none of their evil practices or stubborn conduct.

PSALM 

Psalm 106:34-35, 36-37, 39-40, 43, 44

R: Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

34 They did not exterminate the peoples, as the Lord had commanded them, 35 but mingled with the nations and learned their works. (R) 36 They served their idols, which became a snare for them. 37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. (R) 39 They became defiled by their works, and wanton in their crimes. 40 And the Lord grew angry with his people, and abhorred his inheritance. (R) 43 Many times did he rescue them, but they embittered him with their counsels. 44 Yet he had regard for their affliction when he heard their cry. (R)

GOSPEL

The young man will gain perfection only if He trusts God completely, and not his earthly possessions. It is comforting to rely on earthly treasures but our attachment to these hinder us in fully trusting God. Our challenge is the same as the young man’s—to place our lives in the hands of God and let go of our attachment to all that is worldly.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 19:16-22

16 A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” 17 He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; 19 honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

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Daily Readings for August 18, 2019

1st READING

Jeremiah’s life as a prophet was a difficult one. His prophecies warned of disaster; he predicted defeat in wars. Nobody likes to hear bad news, and he was often persecuted for these. Jeremiah complains about this, but he does not give up. He perseveres despite the persecution and obstacles. Like Jeremiah, let us go on in spite of the difficulties in our ministries.

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

4 In those days, the princes said to the king: “Jeremiah ought to be put to death; he is demoralizing the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such things to them; he is not interested in the welfare of our people, but in their ruin.” 5 King Zedekiah answered, “He is in your power,” for the king could do nothing with them. 6 And so they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah, which was in the quarters of the guard, letting him down with ropes. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. 8 Ebed-melech, a court official, went there from the palace and said to him: 9 “My lord king, these men have been at fault in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah, casting him into the cistern. He will die of famine on the spot, for there is no more food in the city.” 10 Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Cushite to take three men along with him, and draw the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before he should die.

PSALM 

Psalm 40:2, 3, 4, 18

R: Lord, come to my aid!

2 I have waited, waited for the Lord, and he stooped toward me. (R) 3 The Lord heard my cry. He drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp; he set my feet upon a crag; he made firm my steps. (R) 4 And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many shall look on in awe and trust in the Lord. (R) 18 Though I am afflicted and poor, yet the Lord thinks of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, hold not back! (R)

2nd READING

Hebrews 12:1-4 

Fellow Christians and the many saints who have gone before us inspire us to persevere in our faith in good times and bad. There will always be difficulties and the battle with sin continues to challenge our faithfulness to God. Let us be ready to give our all in the service of God’s Kingdom.

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.

GOSPEL

Jesus desires to accomplish His mission. He knows that it is through His passion, death, and resurrection that He will save the world. Only through Jesus can anyone be saved, even those who have never heard of Him. Proclaiming the Gospel to all men and women is important so that people will know about Jesus’ saving love.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Luke 12:49-53

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

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Daily Readings for August 17, 2019

1st READING 

Joshua desires that the peoples’ commitment to God be true and uncompromised. He wants all other religions discarded and left in the past. The people affirm that it is the Lord they wish to serve above all others, and reject the gods of those they have driven from the Promised Land. The issue of infidelity will rise time and time again in the life of the Israelites. It seems that they have a difficult time letting go of their syncretistic ways.

Joshua 24:14-29

14 Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, and addressed them, saying: “Fear the Lord and serve him completely and sincerely. Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 16 But the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods. 17 For it was the Lord, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 18 At our approach the Lord drove out all the peoples, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. Therefore, we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.” 19 Joshua in turn said to the people, “You may not be able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If, after the good he has done for you, you forsake the Lord and serve strange gods, he will do evil to you and destroy you.” 21 But the people answered Joshua, “We will still serve the Lord.” 22 Joshua therefore said to the people, “You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the Lord.” They replied, “We are, indeed!” 23 Joshua continued: “Now, therefore, put away the strange gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” 24 Then the people promised Joshua, “We will serve the Lord, our God, and obey his voice.” 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem, 26 which he recorded in the book of the law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was in the sanctuary of the Lord. 27 And Joshua said to all the people, “This stone shall be our witness, for it has heard all the words which the Lord spoke to us. It shall be a witness against you, should you wish to deny your God.” 28 Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his own heritage. 29 After these events, Joshua, son of Nun, servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten.

PSALM

Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11

R: You are my inheritance, O Lord.

1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R)

GOSPEL

Children know who their parents are and whom they can trust. Their faith is simple and complete. Let children be our inspiration in trusting God — simple and implicit. We will live free of the distractions and complications, as long as we remain focused on doing the will of God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 19:13-15

13 Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

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Daily Readings for August 16, 2019

1st READING 

Joshua and the people took the Promised Land by force, and there would have been battles. Are we ready to battle the powers of sin and overcome the work of the devil? Even though the devil knows that he has lost the battle, he will keep on fighting to win over people to his ways. Let us be vigilant and reject the devil’s wiles.

Joshua 24:1-13

1 Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, summoning their elders, their leaders, their judges, and their officers. When they stood in ranks before God, 2 Joshua addressed all the people: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: in times past your fathers, down to Terah, father of Abraham and Nahor, dwelt beyond the River and served other gods. 3 But I brought your father Abraham from the region beyond the River and led him through the entire land of Canaan. I made his descendants numerous, and gave him Isaac. 4 To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. To Esau I assigned the mountain region of Seir in which to settle, while Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. 5 “Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and smote Egypt with the prodigies which I wrought in her midst. 6 Afterward I led you out of Egypt, and when you reached the sea, the Egyptians pursued your fathers to the Red Sea with chariots and horsemen. 7 Because they cried out to the Lord, he put darkness between your people and the Egyptians, upon whom he brought the sea so that it engulfed them. After you witnessed what I did to Egypt, and dwelt a long time in the desert, 8 I brought you into the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I delivered them into your power. You took possession of their land, and I destroyed them the two kings of the Amorites before you. 9 Then Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab, prepared to war against Israel. He summoned Balaam, son of Beor, to curse you; 10 but I would not listen to Balaam. On the contrary, he had to bless you, and I saved you from him. 11 Once you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho, the men of Jericho fought against you, but I delivered them also into your power. 12 And I sent the hornets ahead of you that drove them [the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites] out of your way; it was not your sword or your bow. 13 “I gave you a land which you had not tilled and cities which you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.”

PSALM

Psalm 136:1-3, 16-18, 21-22, 24

R: His mercy endures forever.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever; 2 give thanks to the God of gods, for his mercy endures forever; 3 give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his mercy endures forever. (R) 16 Who led his people through the wilderness, for his mercy endures forever; 17 who smote great kings, for his mercy endures forever; 18 and slew powerful kings, for his mercy endures forever. (R) 21 And made their land a heritage, for his mercy endures forever; 22 the heritage of Israel his servant, for his mercy endures forever; 24 and freed us from our foes, for his mercy endures forever. (R)

GOSPEL

Society needs the sacrament of marriage. The Church protects the sanctity of marriage from the inroads of a secular culture. We should not give in to relativism in marriage that is evident in western countries. We need to stand firm in our belief that marriage matters.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but, as it truly is, the word of God.

Matthew 19:3-12

3 Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” 4 He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female 5 and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.” 7 They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” 8 He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts, Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.” 10 His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 He answered, “Not all can accept his word, but only those to whom that is granted. 12 Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”

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