Daily Readings for October 10, 2016

1ST READING

This attempt to describe the two covenants does not work. It does teach us that those under the Law are bound in a type of slavery. Only by the grace of the Holy Spirit can they be freed. This is the struggle we face — knowing what we should do, discovering we lack the strength to do it on our own, and realizing that God has given us the strength through His Spirit. Let us surrender our lives to the Spirit today.

Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31 – 5: 1

22 Brothers and sisters: It is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman. 23 The son of the slave woman was born naturally, the son of the freeborn through a promise. 24 Now this is an allegory. These women represent two covenants. One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar. 26 But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children; break forth and shout, you who were not in labor; for more numerous are the children of the deserted one than of her who has a husband. 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are children not of the slave woman but of the freeborn woman. 5:1 For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

P S A L M

Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5, 6-7

R: Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.

1 Praise, you servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. (R) 3 From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the Lord to be praised. 4 High above all nations is the Lord; above the heavens is his glory. (R) 5 Who is like the Lord, our God, who 6 looks upon the heavens and the earth below? 7 He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor. (R)

GOSPEL

Our Father in heaven has joyfully bestowed on us His Kingdom. This is a promise we need to claim every day. We should live redeemed lives. At baptism, we have been given the grace and power to follow Christ as His disciples. Let us harness this life for holiness and evangelization.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Luke 11:29-32

29 While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to  think: Our Father in heaven has joyfully bestowed on us His Kingdom. This is a promise we need to claim every day. them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. 30 Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. 32 At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

Daily Readings for October 9, 2016

1ST READING

Elisha shows to the foreigner, Naaman, the power of the God of Israel. Naaman is convinced and he takes soil from Israel back to his own land in order to build a shrine at which to worship the God of the Jews. Do we know how powerful God is? Have we experienced His miracles in our lives? It is time to pray for and expect miracles to happen. God wants to manifest His presence in our midst if only we will call on Him in faith.

2 Kings 5:14-17

14 Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of Elisha, the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean of his leprosy. 15 Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God. On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel. Please accept a gift from your servant.” 16 Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives whom I serve, I will not take it”; and despite Naaman’s urging, he still refused. 17 Naaman said: “If you will not accept, please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth, for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the Lord.”

P S A L M

Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

R: The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R)

2ND READING

Paul may have been arrested and put in chains, but his enemies cannot take away his spirit. He will continue to proclaim the Gospel until his last breath. In fact, Paul still continues to proclaim it through the writings he left behind. Let us learn from his experiences as we face our day-to-day challenge.

2 Timothy 2:8-13

8 Beloved: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; 12 if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. 13 If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

GOSPEL

Gratitude is an important aspect of respect. One of the first things we were taught as children was to say, “Thank you,” to those who have given us something or done something for us. Why should it be any different with God? To be healed of leprosy in Jesus’ time was a remarkable event. The former leper will be reintegrated into society. Lepers were avoided and exiled, but after being healed by Jesus, these men are now free to return to a normal way of life.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Luke 17:11-19

11 As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him 13 and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” 14 And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; 16 and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? 18 Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” 19 Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

Daily Readings for October 8, 2016

1ST READING

Without the Spirit of God, the law can never be fulfilled. The law cannot empower us to keep it. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to do this. As Christians, we need to surrender our lives to the power of the Spirit and allow the grace of God to make us His disciples and to make us holy.

Galatians 3:22-29

22 Brothers and sisters: Scripture confined all things under the power of sin, that through faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. 23 Before faith came, we were held in custody under law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed. 24 Consequently, the law was our disciplinarian for Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian. 26 For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.

P S A L M

Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! (R) 4 Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. 5 Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered. (R) 6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus challenges us to become people of action when it comes to our faith. God hears a lot of words every day. But He wants to see those words inspire us to action. John teaches that the people around us will know we are Christians by the love we have for one another. This means that our faith must be expressed in concrete acts of love and mercy every day, giving life to the truths of the Gospels through our actions.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Luke 11:27-28

27 While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” 28 He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Daily Readings for October 7, 2016

Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

1ST READING

St. Paul explains salvation as he has personally experienced it. Before his conversion, he was a man who lived by the law, and now he has experienced the Spirit of God in his life. The Law is important but it no longer governs our lives. We now live under the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 3:7-14

7 Brothers and sisters: Realize that it is those who have faith who are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture, which saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, foretold the good news to Abraham, saying, Through you shall all the nations be blessed. 9 Consequently, those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham who had faith. 10 For all who depend on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, Cursed be everyone who does not persevere in doing all the things written in the book of the law. 11 And that no one is justified before God by the law is clear, for the one who is righteous by faith will live. 12 But the law does not depend on faith; rather, the one who does these things will live by them. 13 Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by ecoming a curse for us, for it is written, Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree 14 that the blessing of Abraham might be extended to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

P S A L M

Psalm 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

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) 3 Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. 4 He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the Lord. (R) 5 He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. 6 He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. (R)

GOSPEL

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Rosary. This is a traditional prayer that dates back less than a thousand years and is a powerful tool for intercession. We ask the intercession of Mary for our intentions, asking her to represent us before her Son, Jesus. Let us remember that we have a powerful intercessor in Mary, as well as the angels and the saints.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The prince of this world will now be cast out, and when I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all to myself, says the Lord.

Luke 11:15-26

15 When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” 16 Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. 17 But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 18 And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. 19 If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 24 When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ 25 But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”

Daily Readings for October 6, 2016

1ST READING

Paul is sad to see that some of the Galatian community are returning to their past sins. Discipleship is about making a permanent change in our lives and being conformed to the person of Christ who is our ideal. Through this, Paul teaches us to rely on the Spirit rather than the flesh. Let us pray for the grace to follow his advice and experience true and lasting change.

Galatians 3:1-5

1 O stupid Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 I want to learn only this from you: did you receive the Spirit from works of the law, or from faith in what you heard? 3 Are you so stupid? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? 4 Did you experience so many things in vain? — if indeed it was in vain. 5 Does, then, the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works mighty deeds among you do so from works of the law or from faith in what you heard?

P S A L M

Luke 1:69, 70-71, 72, 73-75

R: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

69 He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. (R) 70 Through his holy prophets he promised of old 71 that he would save us from our enemies, from the hand of all who hate us. (R) 72 He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. (R) 73 This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us 74 free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, 75 holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. (R)

GOSPEL

God the Father is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Jesus assures us that the Father will pour out His blessings on His people, especially when we ask for them. The message is to never give up. God will not let our prayer go unheard if we persevere in it. We may not get the answer we want but the perfect one will always be forthcoming.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.

Luke 11:5-13

5 Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ 7 and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. 9 And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? 12 Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 13 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”