Daily Readings for August 10, 2015

Feast of St. Lawrence, decon, martyr

1ST READING

Martyrs cheerfully gave their lives for the faith. This is an encouragement for us. If you read the account on St. Lawrence’s death, you will discover that he was of good humor. His cheerfulness may have resulted from seeing how close he was to eternal life.

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.

P S A L M

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 one 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

A faithful disciple knows that there is always a price to pay for his commitment to the Lord. St. Lawrence knew that when he committed himself to Christianity, a day of reckoning was possible. It is encouraging to us that he did not falter when called to give up his life for the faith he professed.

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 grainof 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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Daily Readings for August 9, 2015

1ST READING

Elijah is tired. He knows that he is a sinner just like the rest of the people. However, when God chooses someone for a particular work, He will question any refusal. In this case, God insists and Elijah relents – he will do as the Lord asks him to do. God’s humility is such that He chooses to use us as His instruments of grace and does not just “snap His fingers” to get something done. God’s willingness to engage with us is a sign of His commitment to our well-being.

1 Kings 19:4-8

4 Elijah went a day’s journey into the desert, until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He prayed for death, saying: “This is enough, O Lord! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree, but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat. 6 Elijah looked and there at his head was a hearth cake and a jug of water. After he ate and drank, he lay down again, 7 but the angel of the Lord came back a second time, touched him, and ordered, “Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!” 8 He got up, ate and drank; then strengthened by that food he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

P S A L M

Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

1 [2] I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 2 [3] Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. (R) 3 [4] Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol his name. 4 [5] I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (R) 5 [6] Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 6 [7] When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (R) 7 [8] The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 [9] Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him. (R)

2ND READING

We need to forgive others, as God is ready to forgive us. We have to be as generous as God in forgiving everyone. As we receive God’s forgiveness in our lives, we should be ready to forgive those who have sinned against us.

Ephesians 4:30-5:2

30 Brothers and sisters: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. 5:1 So be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.

GOSPEL

The New Covenant is better and stronger than the Old Covenant. All of those who came out of Egypt by miraculous means have died. If we eat the Bread of Life and accept the gift of salvation that Jesus offers us, we will never die. This is the Good News proclaimed by Jesus but rejected by so many until today. Let us do our best to convince those whose minds are closed to the Gospel truth.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.

John 6:41-51

41 The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven,” 42 and they said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered and said to them, “Stop murmuring among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; 50 this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.

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Daily Readings for August 8, 2015

1ST READING

Today is the Feast of St. Dominic Guzman, the founder of the Dominicans. Let us pray for their ministries throughout the world as they develop their charism in preaching. Let us particularly pray that they may reach the “unchurched” with the Gospel through their schools and universities. In a world where there is a plethora of ideas, there has never been a more important time for the charism of preaching the Gospel, clearly and effectively.

Deuteronomy 6:4-13

4 Moses said to the people: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! 5 Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. 7 Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. 8 Bind them at your wrist as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates. 10 “When the Lord, your God, brings you into the land which he swore to your fathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that he would give you, a land with fine, large cities that you did not build, 11 with houses full of goods of all sorts that you did not garner, with cisterns that you did not dig, with vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant; and when, therefore, you eat your fill, 12 take care not to forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. 13 The Lord, your God, shall you fear; him shall you serve, and by his name shall you swear.

P S A L M

Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

R: I love you, Lord, my strength.

1 [2] I love you, O Lord, my strength, 2 [3] O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. (R) My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold! 3 [4] Praised be the Lord, I exclaim! And I am safe from my enemies. (R) 46 [47] The Lord lives! And blessed be my Rock! Extolled be God my savior! 50 [51] You who gave great victories to your king and showed kindness to your anointed, to David and his posterity forever. (R)

GOSPEL

St. Dominic ministered at a time when the Catholic faith was attacked by Catharists and Albigensians. It was Dominic’s commitment to both a life of simplicity — refusing the luxury often afforded the clergy at that time — and simple but faithful preaching of the Gospel and the teachings of the Church that helped to turn the tide on these heresies. May each of usbe committed to faithfully live and proclaim the Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.

Matthew 17:14-20

14 A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him, 15 and said, “Lord, have pity on my son, who is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Jesus said in reply, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured. 19 Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

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Daily Readings for August 7, 2015

1ST READING

God reminded the people to never forget what He has done for them. This is one of the most important keys to a strong and enduring faith. If we always reflect on the many things God has done for us, we will trust that He can and will continue to do as He promised. One of the reasons we lose faith is that we forget what God has done for us and lose sight of the source of our strength and hope.

Deuteronomy 4:32-40

32 Moses said to the people: “Ask now of the days of old, before your time, ever since God created man upon the earth; ask from one end of the sky to the other: Did anything so great ever happen before? Was it ever heard of? 33 Did a people ever hear the voice of God speaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live? 34 Or did any god venture to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, with his strong hand and outstretched arm, and by great terrors, all of which the Lord, your God, did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? 35 All this you were allowed to see that you might know the Lord is God and there is no other. 36 Out of the heavens he let you hear his voice to discipline you; on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard him speaking out of the fire. 37 For love of your fathers he chose their descendants and personally led you out of Egypt by his great power, 38 driving out of your way nations greater and mightier than you, so as to bring you in and to make their land your heritage, as it is today. 39 This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the Lord is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other. 40 You must keep his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you today, that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have long life on the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you forever.”

P S A L M

Psalm 77:12-13, 14-15, 16, 21

R: I remember the deeds of the Lord.

11 [12] I remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I remember your wonders of old. 12 [13] And I meditate on your works; your exploits I ponder. (R) 13 [14] O God, your way is holy; what great god is there like our God? 14 [15] You are the God who works wonders; among the peoples you have made known your power. (R)  15 [16] With your strong arm you redeemed your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. 20 [21] You led your people like a flock under the care of Moses and Aaron. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus predicted His passion so that His disciples will be prepared when it comes. These predictions are reminders that we, too, have to take up our crosses and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We may not be crucified but we will have to endure many daily “little crucifixions” as we grow in holiness and faith. When we embrace the cross, we conform ourselves to Christ and enter more deeply into the life of discipleship. Without the cross, there is no power to overcome sin.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 16:24-28

24 Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct. 28 Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

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Daily Readings for August 6, 2015

1ST READING

In the Transfiguration, the Father gives us a hint of the true identity of Jesus as His Son. This reading from the Book of Daniel presents a vision of a great king being honored by the multitudes. Let this vision remind us that the day will come when every knee will bend at the name of Jesus. It is our job as men and women of faith to prepare the way for the Second Coming of Jesus.

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

9 As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; his throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. 10 A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. 13 As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, 14 the One like a Son of man received dominion, splendor, glory and kingship; all peoples, nations and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

P S A L M

Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9

R: The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.

1 The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad. 2 Clouds and darkness are round about him; justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. (R) 5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. (R) 9 Because you, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth, exalted far above all gods. (R)

2ND READING

Proverbs 29:18 states that “A nation without God’s guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God’s law.” Another translation tells us that when prophecy dies among a people, so do they. As disciples of Jesus, we have decided to take on a prophetic ministry within the life of the Church for the sake of the world. We will proclaim the truth of the Gospel. We will ensure that the Good News is proclaimed to all men and women.

2 Peter 1:16-19

16 Beloved: We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

GOSPEL

The Transfiguration of Jesus must have had a profound effect on the lives of Peter, James and John. They experienced an epiphany – a manifestation of the glory of God. This gave them an insight into the person of Jesus as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets in the Old Testament. It also suggested that they, along with the other Apostles, will be given a unique perspective of Jesus’ ministry and a major part to play at some time in the future.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.

Mark 9:2-10

2 Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 4 Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. 7 Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” 8 Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

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