Daily Readings for October 5, 2016

1ST READING

Paul tells the Galatians that he respects the authority of the Church and its leaders in Jerusalem. He realizes that the unity of the Church is a priority, and even if he thinks he can do a better job than Peter and the others, it is not his role. God has called him to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. He performs this task even if he has to work through some disagreements with the leaders in Jerusalem.

Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14

1 Brothers and sisters: After fourteen years I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 I went up in accord with a revelation, and I presented to them the Gospel that I preach to the Gentiles — but privately to those of repute — so that I might not be running, or have run, in vain. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter to the circumcised, 8 for the one who worked in Peter for an apostolate to the circumcised worked also in me for the Gentiles, 9 and when they recognized the grace bestowed upon me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas their right hands in partnership, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, we were to be mindful of the poor, which is the very thing I was eager to do. 11 And when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he clearly was wrong. 12 For, until some people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to draw back and separated himself, because he was afraid of the circumcised. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not on the right road in line with the truth of the Gospel, I said to Cephas in front of all, “If you, though a Jew, are living like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

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 toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever. (R)

GOSPEL

The “Our Father” is the most fundamental of all Christian prayers universally claimed and used by all Christian denominations. Its simplicity is endearing and it covers most aspects of prayer — worship, adoration, intercession and reconciliation — in a concise and precise form. Let us pray this prayer daily, remember its essence, and live it in our lives.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

You have received a spirit of adoption as sons through which we cry: Abba! Father!

Luke 11:1-4

1 Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread 4 and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”

Daily Readings for October 4, 2016

1ST READING

Paul prepares a simple version of his testimony to the Galatians. Let us be  ready with our own testimony in case we get an opportunity to share it with someone. Preparedness is one of the key traits of a disciple — always ready to be an instrument of God’s grace whenever He calls. Paul literally traveled the world to proclaim the Good News. Let us be prepared to do whatever God wants of us.

Galatians 1:13-24

13 Brothers and sisters: You heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, 14 and progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions. 15 But when he, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas and remained with him for fifteen days. 19 But I did not see any other of the Apostles, only James the brother of the Lord. 20(As to what I am writing to you, behold, before God, I am not lying.) 21Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown personally to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; 23 they only kept hearing that “the one who once was persecuting us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 So they glorified God because of me.

P S A L M

Psalm 139:1-3, 13-14, 14-15

R: Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

1 O Lord, you have probed me and you know me; 2 you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. 3 My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (R) 13 Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. 14 I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. (R) My soul also you knew full well; 15 nor was my frame unknown to you when I was made in secret, when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth. (R)

GOSPEL

St. Francis of Assisi, known as the poverello (poor one), was always ready to go where the Lord sent him. He literally desired to rebuild the Church at the request of God. His spiritual legacy continues to inspire those who seek to live a simple life in response to the Gospel calling. Maybe not all of us will embrace poverty in the same way he did, but we do need to embrace the example of his simple life. This is a great way to witness to the primacy of the Gospel in our lives.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.

Luke 10:38-42

38 Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. 39 She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. 40 Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” 41 The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. 42 There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

Daily Readings for October 3, 2016

1ST READING

  

It seems that Paul is battling false prophets and preachers in Galatia. He proclaims that there is only one true Gospel and that the community needs to be careful about who they invite to speak to them. Today, many claim to be a Christian but are not. Any person who denies the full divinity of Christ is not a Christian.

Galatians 1:6-12

6 Brothers and sisters: I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel 7 (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the Gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! 9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed! 10 Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. 11 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Gospel preached by me is not of human origin. 12 For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

P S A L M

Psalm 111:1-2, 7-8, 9, 10

R: The Lord will remember his covenant forever.

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (R) 7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; sure are all his precepts, 8 reliable forever and ever, wrought in truth and equity. (R) 9 He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. 10 His praise endures forever. (R)

GOSPEL

The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the all-time classics of the Gospels. Its message is simple — love your neighbor as you love yourself, or do to others as you would want them to do to you. The question is: How well do we live this principle in our daily lives?

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.

Luke 10:25-37

25 There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” 27 He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” 29 But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 32 Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 33 But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. 34 He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ 36 Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” 37 He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Daily Readings for October 2, 2016

1ST READING

What is your vision for your life? Habakkuk reminds us of the need to have meaning and direction in life. Let us reflect on what we think God is calling us to achieve in our life. Once we have an answer, let us set out to fulfill it. Scripture tells us that the people without a vision perish. It is because they will be assimilated into secular society. We need to work hard to retain our Christian identity in the midst of a secular world.

Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4

2 How long, O Lord? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not intervene. 3 Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord. 2:2 Then the Lord answered me and said: Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. 3 For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. 4 The rash one has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.

P S A L M

Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

R: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

1 Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord; let us acclaim the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him. (R) 6 Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us. 7 For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides. (R) Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 8 “Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, 9 where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had seen my works.” (R)

2ND READING

Paul tells Timothy to exercise the gifts of the Spirit he has been given and not to worry about what other people might think. Faithfulness to God’s call is the key. If God calls us to a particular ministry, we should do what we can and get involved. Using our spiritual gifts helps us and other people to grow in our faith in God.

2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14

6 Beloved: I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. 8 So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. 13 Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

GOSPEL

Even a little faith can make a big difference. Let us not aspire to make a “big splash” or to be the “main event” at an evangelistic rally. Rather be content in doing what God asks of us no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to be. This is the way to holiness. Faithfulness in the little things prepare us for the bigger things. Let us prove our trustworthiness by following God’s will today.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The word of the Lord remains forever. This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

Luke 17:5-10

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” 6 The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? 8 Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You  may eat and drink when I am finished’? 9 Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

Daily Readings for October 1, 2016

1ST READING

St. Thereses of Lisieux, whose feast we celebrate today, is called the Little Flower. She chose little ways to make a difference in her life. Even though she had grand dreams for her brief life, she lived within the confines of a convent. Her holiness is seen in the simple ways that she loved her fellow nuns in the little things that count.

Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17

1 Job answered the Lord and said: 2 I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. 3 I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know. 5 I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you. 6 Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes. 12 Thus the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his earlier ones. For he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses. 13 And he had seven sons and three daughters, 14 of whom he called the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Kerenhappuch. 15 In all the land no other women were as beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers. 16After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; and he saw his children, his grandchildren, and even his great-grandchildren. 17 Then Job died, old and full of years.

P S A L M

Psalm 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130

R: Lord, let your face shine on me.

66 Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust. (R) 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. (R) 75 I know, O Lord, that your ordinances are just, and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me. (R) 91 According to your ordinances they still stand firm: all things serve you. (R) 125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may know your decrees. (R) 130 The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus sends out His disciples in pairs. Not all of us will be sent out to proclaim the Gospel in faraway places like the disciples. Most of us will be confined to a small mission field such as our family. But this does not make our role any less significant. Two of the most important aspects of evangelization are prayer and intercession. Without these, the proclamation of the Good News will have no power.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Luke 10:17-24

17 The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” 18 Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. 19 Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” 21 At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 23 Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”