Daily Readings for July 16, 2018

1st READING

God is not interested in the hypocrisy of those who offer expensive sacrifices at the altar of the temple but fail to care for the widow and orphan. This tells us about the nature of true holiness – the love of God and neighbor. Love of God and love of neighbor cannot be separated. It is either we have both or nothing.

Isaiah 1:10-17

10 Hear the word of the Lord, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah! 11 “What care I for the number of your sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I have had enough of whole- burnt rams and fat of fatlings; in the blood of calves, lambs and goats I find no pleasure. 12 When you come in to visit me, who asks these things of you? 13 Trample my courts no more! Bring no more worthless offerings; your incense is loathsome to me. New moon and sabbath, calling of assemblies, octaves with wickedness these I cannot bear. 14 Your new moons and festivals I detest; they weigh me down, I tire of the load. 15 When you spread out your hands, I close my eyes to you; though you pray the more, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood! 16 Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; 17 learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.”

P S A L M 

Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23

R: To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

8 “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offerings are before me always. 9 I take from your house no bullock, no goats out of your fold.” (R) 16 “Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, 17 though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” (R) 21 “When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes. 23 He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” (R)

GOSPEL 

Jesus reminds us that our faith will lead us to make choices that may cause conflict in our relationships. If we have to choose between good and evil then we must always choose the good even at the cost of displeasing others. The truth is what it is — we cannot change it for the sake of someone’s opinion. Let us proclaim the truth no matter what the cost. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 10:34-11:1

34 Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. 35 For I have come to set a man ‘against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and one’s enemies will be those of his household.’ 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever  finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 40 Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple — amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” 11:1 When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples, he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.

Daily Readings for July 15, 2018

1st READING

Amos is a poor country boy from the southern kingdom of Judah. God sent Him to preach in the affuent, northern kingdom of Israel. The people in Bethel look down on Amos because he does not have the pedigree, and tell him to go back to his country. But Amos continues to prophesy because this is what God has told him to do – to preach the truth whether the people want to hear it or not.

Amos 7:12-15

12 Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos, “Off with you, visionary,  flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, 13 but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” 14 Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets. I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. 15 The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”   

P S A L M 

Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

8 [9] I will hear what God proclaims for he proclaims peace. 9 [10] Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 10 [11] Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 11 [12] Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 12 [13] The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 13 [14] Justice shall walk before him, and prepare the way of his steps. (R) 

2nd READING 

In his letters, Paul always gives praise to the wonders of God and His mercy. Paul has received the grace of conversion — from a persecutor of Christians to one of the greatest proponents of the faith. The magnificence and power of God is deeply ingrained in Paul’s spirituality, and he is moved to give praise to Him.

Ephesians 1:3-14

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, 4 as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, 6 for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. 7 In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him 10 as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth. 11 In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, 12 so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. 13 In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.

GOSPEL 

Jesus sends out His disciples on a mission and instructs them not to take anything with them. This teaches us about our dependence on God. As seminarians, we were sent out in pairs with similar instructions. It was scary at  first, but the experience was a fulfilling one as we received God’s providence and care. Some reactions from Church people were interesting. Some were inspired while others thought we were lunatics.  

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 

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

Mark 6:7-13

7 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick — no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9 They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. 11 Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” 12 So they went off and preached repentance. 13 The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Daily Readings for July 14, 2018

1st READING

We are unworthy to serve in God’s Kingdom. But when He calls to serve, He purifies us for our service. We do not deserve such grace – God simply chooses to bless those who accept His call. Let us be open and accept the gift of salvation even though we may not deserve it. To be a disciple of Jesus is challenging, but it is a fruitful and fulfilling way to live.

Isaiah 6:1-8

1 In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple. 2 Seraphim were stationed above, each of them had six wings: with two they veiled their faces, with two they veiled their feet, and with two they hovered aloft. 3 They cried one to the other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” 4 At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 He touched my mouth with it. “See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said, “send me!”

P S A L M 

Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5

1 The Lord is king, in splendor robed; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength. (R) And he has made the world firm, not to be moved. 2 Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, O Lord. (R) 5 Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed: holiness befits your house, O Lord, for length of days. (R)  

GOSPEL 

No one can match the wisdom and knowledge of God. Desiring to be at par with Him is the height of sin and can lead us to fall hard like Adam and Eve. Today, Jesus reminds us that He is the Master and we are His slaves. Though unworthy, Jesus treats us as His equal, as His brothers and sisters.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you. 

Matthew 10:24-33

24 Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! 26 Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 27 What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. 30 Even all the hairs of your head are counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. 33 But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

Daily Readings for July 13, 2018

1st READING

All God asks of us is repentance – the desire to reform our lives and surrender it to His merciful love. As we re ect on today’s reading from Hosea, let us ask the Spirit to lead us more deeply in a spirit of repentance and conversion. Let us identify the areas of our lives that need change and reform them in God’s love.

Hosea 14:2-10

2 Thus says the Lord: Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. 3 Take with you words, and return to the Lord. Say to him, “Forgive all iniquity, and receive what is good, that we may render as offerings the bullocks from our stalls. 4 Assyria will not save us, nor shall we have horses to mount. We shall say no more, ‘Our god,’ to the work of our hands for in you the orphan nds compassion. 5 I will heal their defection,” says the Lord, “I will love them freely for my wrath is turned away from them. 6 I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; he shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, 7 and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. 8 Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain. They shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. 9 Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols? I have humbled him, but I will prosper him. “I am like a verdant cypress tree” and because of me you bear fruit! 10 Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them.

P S A L M 

Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 14, 17

R: My mouth will declare your praise.

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) 6 [8] Behold, you are pleased with sincerity of heart, and in my inmost being you teach me wisdom. 7 [9] Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be puri ed; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (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. 15 [17] O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. (R) 

GOSPEL 

Jesus reminds us often in the Scriptures that life as His disciple will be like His own life of service, su ering, death, and resurrection. Resurrection is encouraging; service for others is doable. But suffering and death are also inevitable. Su ering and death do not come from God — these are consequences of our sins. If we persevere, God will give us the gift of the resurrection. And that makes all di culties worth it.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you to all truth and remind you of all I told you.

Matthew 10:16-23

16 Jesus said to his Apostles: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. 20 For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of my name but whoever endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, ee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

Daily Readings for July 12, 2018

1st READING

Today’s reading is a moving declaration of God’s love. It is a different understanding of His relationship with us. Saints like Bernard of Clairvaux and others focus on understanding this amazing love.

Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9

1 Thus says the Lord: When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more I called them, the farther they went from me, sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms. 4 I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks. Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer. 8 My heart is overwhelmed; my pity is stirred. 9 I will not give vent to my blazing anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again for I am God and not man, the Holy One present among you. I will not let the flames consume you.

P S A L M 

Psalm 80:2, 3, 15-16

2 O shepherd of Israel, hearken. From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. 3 Rouse your power. (R) 15 Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven, and see: Take care of this vine, 16 and protect what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong. (R)GOSPEL

GOSPEL 

We cannot force people to believe and have faith. Each person is given a choice whether to follow Jesus or not on the path of salvation. Sometimes, it is tempting to coerce people into having faith in God and to justify that it is for their own good. But faith is a free choice made in favor of God. Let us win people to the faith by witness and love, not by coercion and false pretenses.  

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 

The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel.

Matthew 10:7-15

7 Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. 9 Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; 10 no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. 12 As you enter a house, wish it peace. 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. 14 Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words — go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. 15 Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”