Daily Readings for August 10, 2019

Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon, marytr

1st READING 

Following Jesus is a serious commitment that sometimes calls for the ultimate sacrifice —dying for the sake of the Gospel. St. Lawrence died with a cheerful heart because he believed that he is saved through Christ. Let us pray for faith and trust like that of the martyrs. The world is becoming more hostile to the Christian faith as it always stands by the truth. Let us remain firm in the truth and be the witnesses the world needs to turn around its ungodliness.

2 Corinthians 9:6-10

6 Brothers and sisters: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. 10 The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

PSALM

Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9

R: Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

1 Blessed the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands. 2 His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. (R) 5 Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice; 6 he shall never be moved; the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance. (R) 7 An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes. (R) 9 Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (R)

GOSPEL

Martyrdom, as St. Lawrence shows us, is the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus speaks of a seed that dies to remind us that a disciple needs to “die to self.” This is a part of a disciple’s everyday experience. May we be faithful to this call and embrace our life as a disciple of Jesus.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life, says the Lord.

John 12:24-26

24 Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

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