Daily Readings for July 5, 2015

1ST READING 

Prophets are sent to proclaim the Word of God, to ensure that the people do not forget His promises. The great challenge the prophets have always faced is the limited number of people willing to listen and respond to their words. The world distracts us with the lure of immediate pleasure and the joy of material possessions. These deaden our spirits and make it difficult for the Word of God to get through to us.

Ezekiel 2:2-5

2 As the Lord spoke to me, spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard the one who was speaking 3 say to me: Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day. 4 Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you. But you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord God! 5 And whether they heed or resist — for they are a rebellious house — they shall know that a prophet has been among them.

P S A L M

Psalm 123:1-2, 2, 3-4

R: Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.

1 To you I lift up my eyes who are enthroned in heaven — 2 as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters. (R) As the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord, our God, till he have pity on us. (R) 3 Have pity on us, O Lord, have pity on us, for we are more than sated with contempt; 4 our souls are more than sated with the mockery of the arrogant, with the  contempt of the proud. (R)

2ND READING

Paul admitted that he had moral struggles. Unlike St. Augustine 300 years later, he is not willing to reveal them to us. However, we take comfort at the fact that the greatest of saints also struggled morally. We should be grateful for the grace that God gives us to overcome them. When we struggle with our temptations, let us ask God to help us overcome them with His grace and blessing.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

7 Brothers and sisters: That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, 9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. 10 Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

GOSPEL

Jesus has difficulty speaking to those who have known Him all His life. It would be very hard for them to alter their knowledge of Him now that His ministry has begun. They remember Him as their neighbor. In the same way, we must allow the grace of God to prevail in our own lives and the lives of others. Let us never doubt His capacity to transform and redeem us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for he sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.

Mark 6:1-6

1 Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! 3 Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and John and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” 5 So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.

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Daily Readings for July 4, 2015

1ST READING

Stealing a birthright during their time was not frowned upon by God or anyone else except the victims. Perhaps the values of society then have developed to the point that we are used to it today. Are we desperate in the way we seek the grace of God? God has enough graces to go around, so we do not need to get those of others. God’s storehouse of goodness is inexhaustible — He blesses us all with so much. It is up to us what to do with His grace.

Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29

1 When Isaac was so old that his eyesight had failed him, he called his older son Esau and said to him, “Son!” “Yes, father!” he replied. 2 Isaac then said, “As you can see, I am so old that I may now die at any time. 3 Take your gear, therefore — your quiver and bow — and go out into the country to hunt some game for me. 4 With your catch prepare an appetizing dish for me, such as I like, and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my special blessing before I die.” 5 Rebekah had been listening while Isaac was speaking to his son Esau. So when Esau went out into the country to hunt some game for his father, 15 Rebekah [then] took the best clothes of her older son Esau that she had in the house, and gave them to her younger son Jacob to wear; 16 and with the skins of the kids she covered up his hands and the hairless parts of his neck. 17 Then she handed her son Jacob the appetizing dish and the bread she had prepared. 18 Bringing them to his father, Jacob said, “Father!” “Yes?” replied Isaac. “Which of my sons are you?” 19 Jacob answered his father: “I am Esau, your first-born. I did as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your special blessing.” 20 But Isaac asked, “How did you succeed so quickly, son?” He answered, “The Lord, your God, let things turn out well with me.” 21 Isaac then said to Jacob, “Come closer, son, that I may feel you, to learn whether you really are my son Esau or not.” 22 So Jacob moved up closer to his father. When Isaac felt him, he said, “Although the voice is Jacob’s, the hands are Esau’s.” 23 (He failed to identify him because his hands were hairy, like those of his brother Esau; so in the end he gave him his blessing.) 24 Again he asked Jacob, “Are you really my son Esau?” “Certainly,” Jacob replied. 25 Then Isaac said, “Serve me your game, son, that I may eat of it and then give you my blessing.” Jacob served it to him, and Isaac ate; he brought him wine, and he drank. 26 Finally his father Isaac said to Jacob, “Come closer, son, and kiss me.” 27 As Jacob went up and kissed him, Isaac smelled the fragrance of his clothes. With that, he blessed him, saying, “Ah, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field that the Lord has blessed! 28 “May God give to you of the dew of 29 “Let peoples serve you, and nations pay you homage; be master of your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, and blessed be those who bless you.”

P S A L M

Psalm 135:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: Praise the Lord for the Lord is good!

1 Praise the name of the Lord; praise, you servants of the Lord 2 who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. (R) 3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, which we love; 4 for the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession. (R) 5 For I know that the Lord is great; our Lord is greater than all gods. 6 All that the Lord wills he does in heaven and on earth, in the seas and in all the deeps. (R)

GOSPEL

Every new idea, whether in religion, science or any field of human inquiry will cause discomfort. This is a natural reality which we should not fear. We have to be like the wise steward who knows when to use the old things and when to embrace new ones. As we grow more in discipleship, we will be challenged to find new and different ways of approaching old experiences.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 9:14-17

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. 16 No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. 17 People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are  preserved.”

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Daily Readings for July 3, 2015

Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle

1ST READING

As we remember St. Thomas the Apostle, let us reflect on the fact that we cannot leave the work of the Church only to a few individuals, no matter how blessed or talented they may be. The commission to spread the Gospel is rooted in our baptism — something we all have received. The mystery of how the grace of God works differently in each individual is something we have to respect. Thus, we need to work with one another, so that our gifts are shared in the service of the Church’s mission.

Ephesians 2:19-22

19 Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. 21 Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; 22 in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

P S A L M

Psalm 117:1, 2

R: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! (R) 2 For steadfast is his kindness for us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever. (R)

GOSPEL

Thomas takes a while to accept the resurrection of Jesus. Can we blame him? None of us have responded to the Gospel in a perfect way. We have had our doubts at one point or another. What matters is that Thomas believed and continued to follow God’s will for his life.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!

John 20:24-29

24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail-marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

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Daily Readings for July 2, 2015

1ST READING

Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac is something to think about. He is obedient to the Word of God, but surely God cannot be serious? At that time, human sacrifice was a common practice. Some societies practiced it after the birth of Christ until our own time. Abortion can even be considered a form of sacrifice to the god of convenience and comfort. Maybe it is not so difficult to understand Abraham’s willingness to follow God’s command after all.

Genesis 22:1-19

1 God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2 Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a burnt offering on a height that I will point out to you.” 3 Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him his son Isaac, and two of his servants as well, and with the wood that he had cut for the burnt offering, set out for the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar. 5 Then he said to his servants: “Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you.” 6 Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. 7 As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham. “Father!” he said. “Yes, son,” he replied. Isaac continued, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” 8 “Son,” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the sheep for the burnt offering.” Then the two continued going forward. 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar. 10 Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the Lord’s messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 12 “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.” 13 As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, “On the mountain the Lord will see.” 15 Again the Lord’s messenger called to Abraham from heaven 16 and said: “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, 17 I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, 18 and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing — all this because you obeyed my command.” 19 Abraham then returned to his servants, and they set out together for Beer-sheba, where Abraham made his home.

P S A L M

Psalm 115:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

R: I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name give glory because of your kindness, because of your truth. 2 Why should the pagans say, “Where is their God?” (R) 3 Our God is in heaven; whatever he wills, he does. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the handiwork of men. (R) 5 They have mouths but speak not; they have eyes but see not; 6 They have ears but hear not; they have noses but smell not. (R) 8 Their makers shall be like them, everyone that trusts in them. 9 The house of Israel trusts in the Lord; he is their help and their shield. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus forgave the paralytic. But when His authority to forgive sins was challenged, Jesus healed the man’s physical disability. The people were aghast — Jesus forgave sins and had the power to heal a physical disability. This is beyond their and our comprehension. However, as we reflect upon these actions in the light of Jesus’ proclamation of the Gospel, it makes sense. Jesus forgives and heals.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Matthew 9:1-8

1 After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. 2 And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” 3 At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? 5 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, andgo home.” 7 He rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

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Daily Readings for July 1, 2015

1ST READING

Jealousy is insidious. It can destroy a community because of the attention and loyalty of the people turn inwards. This sounds like the death knell for a community, as its life only thrives when its members are focused on the needs of others. Jealousy will quickly exclude from our hearts and minds all concern for others and their needs.

Genesis 21:5, 8-20

5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 8 Isaac grew, and on the day of the child’s weaning,  Abraham held a great feast. 9 Sarah noticed the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham playing with her son Isaac; 10 so she demanded of Abraham: “Drive out that slave and her son! No son of that slave is going to share the inheritance with my son Isaac!” 11 Abraham was greatly distressed, especially on account of his son Ishmael. 12 But God said to Abraham: “Do not be distressed about the boy or about your slave woman. Heed the demands of Sarah, no matter what she is asking of you; for it is through Isaac that descendants shall bear your name. 13 As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a great nation of him also, since he too is your offspring.” 14 Early the next morning Abraham got some bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. Then, placing the child on her back, he sent her away. As she roamed aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba, 15 the water in the skin was used up. So she put the child down under a shrub, 16 and then went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away; for she said to herself, “Let me not watch the child die.” As she sat opposite him, he began to cry. 17 God heard the boy’s cry, and God’s messenger called to Hagar from heaven: “What is the matter, Hagar? Don’t be afraid; God has heard the boy’s cry in this plight of his. 18 Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand; for I will make of him a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled the skin with water, and then let the boy drink. 20 God was with the boy as he grew up.

P S A L M

Psalm 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13

R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

6 [7] When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. 7 [8] The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. (R) 9 [10] Fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for nought is lacking to those who fear him. 10 [11] The great grow poor and hungry; but those who seek the Lord want for no good thing. (R) 11 [12] Come, children, hear me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 [13] Which of you desires life, and takes delight in prosperous days? (R)

GOSPEL

Faith and trust in Jesus subdues all power. He can drive demons out of the people because He completely trusts in God’s love for Him and His abiding presence. He knows without a shadow of a doubt that God listens to His prayers. How do we grow in holiness and trust of God so that we have the same trust as Jesus? Let us look at our lives and remove any obstacle to our faith.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.

Matthew 8:28-34

28 When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. 29 They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” 30 Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. 31 The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. 33 The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.

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