Daily Readings for February 15, 2016

1ST READING

The call to holiness is universal. This is a revolutionary decision of the Second Vatican Council when it comes to dealing with the people of God. The Council recognizes that the call to holiness is not just for the clerics and religious but for all men and women of faith. Each of us has to discover the way to embrace this challenge and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in us.

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18

1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them: Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy. 11 You shall not steal. You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another. 12 You shall not swear falsely by my name, thus profaning the name of your God. I am the Lord. 13 You shall not defraud or rob your neighbor. You shall not withhold overnight the wages of your day laborer. 14 You shall not curse the deaf, or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am the Lord. 15 You shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgment. Show neither partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty, but judge your fellow men justly. 16 You shall not go about spreading slander among your kin; nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor’s life is at stake. I am the Lord. 17 You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove him, do not incur sin because of him. 18 Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

P S A L M

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15

R: Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

7 [8] The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8[9] The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) 9 [10] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just. (R) 14 [15] Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (R)

GOSPEL

We will be judged by our actions. In this parable, Jesus teaches us that the measure of Christianity is our response to the call to love God and our neighbor. It is in loving one another that the world will see that we are Christians. Let us be open to what the Lord is asking us to do today.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Matthew 25:31-46

31 Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, 32 and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ 44 Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ 45 He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ 46 And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

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Daily Readings for February 14, 2016

1ST READING

The desert is a common meeting place with God as it has few distractions. The author reminds us that when we come before God, we come with nothing. We become vulnerable in His presence, acknowledging that He is our everything. How do we approach God — is it with humility and openness to what He wants to say to us, or do we come with our own agenda?

Deuteronomy 26:4-10

4 Moses spoke to the people, saying: “The priest shall receive the basket from you and shall set it in front of the altar of the Lord, your God. 5 Then you shall declare before the Lord, your God, ‘My father was a wandering Aramean who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as an alien. But there he became a nation great, strong and numerous. 6 When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us, 7 we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil and our oppression. 8He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; 9 and bringing us into this country, he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. 10 Therefore, I have now brought you the first fruits of the products of the soil which you, O Lord, have given me.’ And having set them before the Lord, your God, you shall bow down in his presence.”

P S A L M

Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15

R: Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

1 You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” (R) 10 No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, 11 for to his angels he has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways. (R) 12Upon their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the asp and the viper; you shall trample down the lion and the dragon. (R) 14 Because he clings to me, I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress; I will deliver him and glorify him. (R)

2ND READING

The Gospel is for all people — no one is excluded from hearing and responding to the Gospel message of salvation. We must be ready to share the Good News with others. We can never know if the opportunity we have 124 today to share the Gospel with someone will be the last opportunity to share it with that person. We’ll never know how important it might be to someone that we are ready and willing to share God’s message of love.

Romans 10:8-13

8 Brothers and sisters: What does the Scripture say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart — that is, the word of faith that we preach — 9 for if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord  and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame. 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

GOSPEL

Like us, Jesus was tempted every day, but He did not sin. Jesus has a perfect relationship with the Father in heaven so He has no need to sin. He is satisfied with the way things are in His life. The Father’s love is sufficient for Him. Let us pray that we will also come to know the Father’s love to that extent in our own lives.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Luke 4:1-13

1 Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert 2 for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command  this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live by bread alone.” 5 Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. 6 The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. 7 All this will be yours, if you worship me.” 8 Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” 9 Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, 11 and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” 12 Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” 13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

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Daily Readings for February 13, 2016

1ST READING

Righteous and virtuous living is the greatest sacrifice we can offer to the Lord. This is an offering of love that is far better than the sacrifice of animals. The messy offerings on altars of sacrifice do not necessarily involve our obedience and wholehearted commitment to the Lord. Obedience is doing what the Lord really desires from us and for us.

Isaiah 58:9-14

9 Thus says the Lord: If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; 10 if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday; 11 then the Lord will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land. He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails. 12 The ancient ruins shall be rebuilt for your sake, and the foundations from ages past you shall raise up; “Repairer of the breach,” they shall call you, “Restorer of ruined homesteads.” 13 If you hold back your foot on the sabbath from following your own pursuits on my holy day; if you call the sabbath a delight, and the Lord’s holy day honorable; if you honor it by not following your ways, seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice. 14 Then you shall delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will nourish you with the heritage of Jacob, your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

P S A L M

Psalm 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.

1 Incline your ear, O Lord; answer me, for I am afflicted and poor. 2 Keep my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. 3 You are my God. (R) Have mercy on me, O Lord, for to you I call all the day. 4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. (R) 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness to all who call upon you. 6 Hearken, O Lord, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my pleading. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus looks at the heart of every person and not just their deeds. Actions show us the state of one’s heart, but they do not always tell the whole story. Jesus sees more than a corrupt tax collector in Levi and calls him to be His disciple. Levi responds by leaving his job to give himself fully in the service of Jesus’ calling.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live.

Luke 5:27-32

27 Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. 29 Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. 32 I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

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Daily Readings for February 12, 2016

1ST READING

God is not interested in self-focused sacrifices and fasting. The idea of a sacrifice is to offer it for the sake of others. Let us direct our penances for their sake as well as ourselves. Let us be open to the needs of those around us and help them in their spiritual journeys. Many people have helped us in our own journey, so it is time to pay it forward.

Isaiah 58:1-9

1 Thus says the Lord God: Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins. 2 They seek me day after day, and desire to know my ways, like a nation that has done what is just and not abandoned the law of their God; they ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God. 3 “Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?” Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits, and drive all your laborers. 4 Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with wicked claw. Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard on high! 5 Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance that a man bow his head like a reed and lie in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; 7 sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!

P S A L M

Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 18-19

R: A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

1 [3] Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 2 [4] Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) 3 [5] For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always. 4 [6] Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight. (R) 16 [18] For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. 17 [19] My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (R)

GOSPEL

There is a time to fast and a time to feast. We must discern about when and where each is appropriate. God wants us to enjoy our lives to the full. However, we also need to take care of our spiritual and physical health. In the Gospel, Jesus is still with His disciples and so it is time to rejoice, not to fast. There will come a time when fasting is needed to keep our desires under control and focus our attention on the Lord.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and the Lord will be with you.

Matthew 9:14-15

14 The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

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Daily Readings for February 11, 2016

Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes

1ST READING

Discipleship is all about the choices we make. Every day we make a choice between actions that will bring life and those that will bring death. How will we choose? A disciple of Jesus decides based on the Word of God and the teachings of the Church. When we are in doubt, we defer to these authorities. Let us allow our minds and hearts to be formed by them so that we can make right decisions.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

15 Moses said to the people: “Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the Lord, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy. 17 If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, 18 I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy. 19 I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, 20 by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land that the Lord swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

P S A L M 17

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

R: Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

1 Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, 2 but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. (R) 3 He is like a tree planted near running water that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. (R) 4 Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. (R)

GOSPEL

To become a disciple of Jesus, we must be willing to take up our cross and follow in His footsteps. This is not an easy or a pleasant task. Jesus has shown us the way through His own passion and death. We will face our own share of difficulties as disciples at one time or another. Let us pray for the grace to face the trials and overcome them.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Luke 9:22-25

22 Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” 23 Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com