Daily Readings for March 21, 2018

1ST READING

It would have been a priceless experience to see the face of King Nebuchadnezzar as the three young men walked around in the white-hot furnace. No wonder the king declares that the God of the three men is a great God. He blesses God and salutes the men’s faith and trust in Him. Let this remind us that God will always stand by His people.

Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95

14 King Nebuchadnezzar said: “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up? 15 Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! 18 But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up.” 19 King Nebuchadnezzar’s face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual 20 and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace. [91] Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Assuredly, O king,” they answered. [92] “But,” he replied, “I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.” [95] Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”

P S A L M

Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

R: Glory and praise forever!

29 [Dan 3:52] “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; and blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.” (R) 30 [Dan 3:53] “Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. (R) 31 [Dan 3:54] “Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 32 [Dan 3:55] “Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 33 [Dan 3:56] “Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.” (R)

GOSPEL

Freedom is elusive in a world governed by sin. It is never easy to hold on to freedom and run with it. We need the Holy Spirit to help us understand that true freedom is liberty to fulfill the purpose for which we were created — to give glory to God. Let us pray for the grace to be free to follow God’s will and focus on our eternal reward.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.

John 8:31-42

31 Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. 36 So if a Son frees you, then you will truly be free. 37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. 38 I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.” 39 They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. 40 But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. 41 You are doing the works of your father!” So they said to him, “We are not born of fornication. We have one Father, God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”

Daily Readings for March 20, 2018

1ST READING

It’s not easy to live as a disciple of Jesus. There are some who claim that you will never suffer if you have faith in God. This is not true. We are affected by the sin of humanity and there will always be suffering and hardship in the world. Let us put our trust in God in both the good and bad times.

Numbers 21:4-9

4 From Mount Hor the children of Israel set out on the Red Sea road, to bypass the land of Edom. But with their patience worn out by the journey, 5 the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!” 6 In punishment the Lord sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. 7 Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned in complaining against the Lord and you. Pray to the Lord to take the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people, 8 and the Lord said to Moses, “Make a seraph and mount it on a pole, and whoever looks at it after being bitten will live.” 9 Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

P S A L M

Psalm 102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21

R: O Lord hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.

1 [2] O Lord hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you. 2 [3] Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; in the day when I call, answer me speedily. (R) 15 [16] The nations shall revere your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory, 16 [17] when the Lord has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; 17 [18] when he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer. (R) 18 [19] Let this be written for the generation to come, and let his future creatures praise the Lord: 19 [20] “The Lord looked down from his holy height, from heaven he beheld the earth, 20 [21] to hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die.” (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus is direct to the point and does not cushion what He says to the Pharisees. They remain unwilling to listen to what Jesus tells them. For Jesus, all sinners — the Pharisees included – need redemption. They may not accept this truth now but they will in time. Let us pray for the grace to realize our need for salvation that comes from Jesus’ resurrection.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

John 8:21-30

21 Jesus said to the Pharisees: “I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “He is not going to kill himself, is he, because he said, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. 24 That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” 25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world.” 27 They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him.” 30 Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.

Daily Readings for March 19, 2018

Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1ST READING

God, in His faithfulness, told David that His Kingdom will endure forever. David, a good king that he was, also had weaknesses and flaws. But God still chose to use David as an instrument of power and made Israel a great nation. It was God’s power at work, and thus the enduring kingdom is His work, too.

2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16

4 The Lord spoke to Nathan and said: 5 “Go, tell my servant David, 12 ‘When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. 13 It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”

P S A L M

Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

R: The son of David will live forever.

1 [2] The promise of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness, 2 [3] for you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. (R) 3 [4] “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 4 [5] forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.” (R) 26 [27] “He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the rock, my savior!’ 28 [29] Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm.” (R)

2ND READING

What is the primary role of a father? It is to lead his family and friends by example, to make sacrifices, and walk in holiness and truth. Sometimes it is difficult to step out and lead people along a path that only a few want to follow. Such is the life of a pilgrim; such is the life of one who desires to lead. Let us pray that all fathers be given the grace to form their families in God’s way despite worldly distraction and opposition.

Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22

13 Brothers and sisters: It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. 16 For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, I have made you father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist. 18 He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “Thus shall your descendants be.” 22 That is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

GOSPEL

Joseph is the protector of the Holy Family. He even leads Mary and Jesus in escaping to Egypt when Herod declared the killing of newly born boys. The three were refugees before Jesus had even begun to walk. Let us always be compassionate and merciful towards refugees seeking asylum in the different parts of the world.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord; they never cease to praise you.

Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 (or Luke 2: 41-51)

16 Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. 18 Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 20 Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. 21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Daily Readings for March 18, 2018

Fifth Sunday of Lent

1ST READING

God places His Law of love in our hearts — love of God and love of neighbor. This is the inspiration behind an encounter with Him and welcoming His love. If we love with His love daily, then we focus on love and avoid sin.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

31 The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 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 broke my covenant and I had to show myself their master, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer will they need to teach their friends and relatives how to know the Lord. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the Lord, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.

P S A L M

Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15

R: Create a clean heart in me, O God.

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) 10 [12] A clean heart create for me O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. 11 [13] Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. (R) 12 [14] Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. 13 [15] I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you. (R)

2ND READING

It is fascinating to reflect on how Jesus learned about obedience through suffering. Maybe suffering is the closest that Jesus can come to sinning — in suffering He experienced some of the effects of sin. This is also the closest He gets to understanding about what it means to run from the will of God.

Hebrews 5:7-9

7 In the days when Christ Jesus was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; 9 and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

GOSPEL

How much do we desire to see Jesus? Do we deepen our relationship with Him? These are good questions to reflect on as we move toward Easter. There are things that we need to change and repent of in order to strengthen our relationship with Him. Let us pray for the grace to put our relationship with Jesus first and immerse in His infinite love.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever serves must follow me, says the Lord; and where I am, there also will my servant be.

John 12:20-33

20 Some Greeks who had come up to worship at the Passover Feast 21 came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 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. 27 “I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. 31 Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

Daily Readings for March 17, 2018

1ST READING

Because he trusted the Lord and remained firm in his faith, Jeremiah survives his ministry as a prophet despite opposition from the people. He does not seek revenge, only vindication; he does not seek fame or glory, only to do the Father’s will. Jeremiah is an example of a disciple of Jesus who obeys God’s will no matter what the consequences may be.

Jeremiah 11:18-20

18 I knew their plot because the Lord informed me; at that time you, O Lord, showed me their doings. 19 Yet, I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, had not realized that they were hatching plots against me: “Let us destroy the tree in its vigor. Let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will not be spoken no more.” 20 “But you, O Lord of hosts, O just Judge, searcher of mind and heart, let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause!

P S A L M

Psalm 7:2-3, 9-10, 11-12

R: O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.

1 [2] O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me, 2 [3] lest I become like the lion’s prey, to be torn to pieces, with no one to rescue me. (R) 8 [9] Do me justice, O Lord, because I am just, and because of the innocence that is mine. 9 [10] Let the malice of the wicked come to an end, but sustain the just, O searcher of heart and soul, O just God. (R) 10 [11] A shield before me is God, who saves the upright of heart; 11 [12] a just judge is God, a God who punishes day by day. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus fascinates the crowd with His authority and capacity to perform miracles. Left in wonder and awe, the people ask, “How can a simple man do so many healings, miracles and extraordinary acts?” The answer: Jesus is the Son of God, and His identity is becoming more and more evident as His ministry progresses.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.

John 7:40-53

40 Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, “This is truly the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? 42 Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” 43 So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. 44 Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. 45 So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” 47 So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? 48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, 51 “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” 52 They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”