Daily Readings for November 5, 2017

1ST READING

Malachi is railing against the unfaithfulness of presumably, the Jewish leaders. He says that they have abandoned the covenant of their fathers and led others to do the same. Malachi prophesies at a difficult time in Jewish history where they have been exiled for a few centuries. The Greeks are asserting their ascendancy and forcing people to believe in their gods. However, this does not excuse the people’s unfaithfulness and Malachi reminds them that adopting pagan ways will amount to nothing.

Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10

14 A great King am I, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. 2:1 And now, O priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen, 2 and if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. 8 You have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction; you have made void the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts. 9 I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people, since you do not keep my ways, but show partiality in your decisions. 10 Have we not all the one father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with one another, violating the covenant of our fathers?

P S A L M

Psalm 131:1, 2, 3

R: In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

1 O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me. (R) 2 Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me. (R) 3 O Israel, hope in the Lord, both now and forever. (R)

2ND READING

Paul explains that the ministry of the Gospel entails hard work and we have to commit to see it through. If we do not persevere, we may drive people away from the Gospel due to our lack of commitment. What Jesus says in the  Gospel is true — the one who sets his hand to the plough and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13

7 Brothers and sisters: We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. 8 With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us. 9 You recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 13 And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.

GOSPEL

The Gospel is often counter-intuitive. At the end of today’s Gospel, we find Jesus saying that “the greatest among you should be your servant.” The people who exalt themselves in this life will find it difficult to enter the Kingdom of God as it requires humility, not self-importance. We need to remember this as we live in a world that tells us we need to promote ourselves in order to advance in life. Yes, that might be the case in the world, but when it comes to the Gospel, humility will win the day every time.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

You have but one Father in heaven and one master, the Christ.

Matthew 23:1-12

1 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5 All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, 7 greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8 As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Daily Readings for November 4, 2017

1ST READING

Paul cannot understand why the Jews have failed to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In chapters nine to 11 of his letter to the Romans, he tries to figure this out but fails at every attempt. Sometimes, we just do not understand why things happen. Many people choose to do what they want and we can’t do anything to change that.

Romans 11:1-2, 11-12, 25-29

1 Brothers and sisters: I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Of course not! For I too am a child of Israel, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 11 Hence I ask, did they stumble so as to fall? Of course not! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is enrichment for the Gentiles, how much more their full number? 25 I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not become wise in your own estimation: a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, 26 and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The deliverer will come out of Zion, he will turn away godlessness from Jacob; 27 and this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins. 28 In respect to the Gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarchs. 29 For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

P S A L M

Psalm 94:12-13, 14-15, 17-18

R: The Lord will not abandon his people.

12 Blessed the man whom you instruct, O Lord, whom by your law you teach, 13 giving him rest from evil days. (R) 14 For the Lord will not cast off his people, nor abandon his inheritance; 15 but judgment shall again be with justice, and all the upright of heart shall follow it. (R) 17 Were not the Lord my help, my soul would soon dwell in the silent grave. 18 When I say, “My foot is slipping,” your mercy, O Lord, sustains me. (R)

GOSPEL

When we go to a party, we should never assume that we are the most important guest. All of the glory belongs to God, not us. It is not for us to claim credit for the good works that He does through us. Again, to God belongs all the glory. It is when we start thinking too highly of ourselves that sin enters in, and we do more harm than good by our actions.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.

Luke 14:1, 7-11

1 On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. 7 He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, 9 and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. 10 Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you, he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Daily Readings for November 3, 2017

1ST READING

St. Martin de Porres, whose feast day we celebrate today, was a simple man who gave his life in the service of the poor in Lima, Peru. He loved people in very practical ways. The many miracles that he worked seem to be God’s affirmation of the way in which he chose to love. We can see from his life the need to give primacy to loving our neighbor in the simplest of things.

Romans 9:1-5

1 Brothers and sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness 2 that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. 4 They are the children of Israel; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5 theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ. God who is over all be blessed forever. Amen.

P S A L M

Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

R: Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

12 Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. 13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. (R) 14 He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat he fills you. 15 He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! (R) 19 He has proclaimed his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. 20 He has not done thus for any other nation; his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia. (R)

GOSPEL

Is it right to break a law when it is seen as less important than the actions being considered? For example, the busiest day in a priest’s life is Sunday and it is impossible for him to “keep the Sabbath.” Is he “breaking the law?” Definitely not. The law is not applicable in this particular situation. This is the same kind of situation we find in today’s Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Luke 14:1-6

1 On a sabbath, Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. 2 In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. 3 Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” 4 But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. 5 Then he said to them, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” 6 But they were unable to answer his question.

Daily Readings for November 2, 2017

All Souls Day

1ST READING

Today, we pray for all those who have died. The Book of Wisdom reminds us that they are in the hands of God and this is true for us. Without God, it is very difficult for us to be holy like Him. It is only by the grace of God that we can follow Him as His disciple. It is only by His grace that we can live out the Gospel.

Wisdom 3:1-9 (or 2 Maccabees 12:43-46)

1 The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. 2 They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction 3 and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. 4 For if in the sight of others, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; 5 chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. 6 As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings, he took them to himself. 7 In the time of their visitation, they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; 8 they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. 9 Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.

P S A L M

Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6 (or Psalm 27:1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 13-14)

R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)

2ND READING

St. Paul reminds us that we are called to conform our lives to Christ. The pattern of Christ’s life should be our example as we seek to become His disciples. It is God’s love that transforms and enables us to accept His grace — the grace of conversion. Let us use His life as the basis and pattern for our own.

Romans 5:5-11 (or Romans 6:3-9 or Romans 8:31-35, 37-39)

5 Brothers and sisters: Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6 For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. 10 Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

GOSPEL

Jesus reminds us that God does not want us to be lost to sin. We can choose to live outside the grace and mercy of God if we so desire, but this is not His will for us. He wants us all to be redeemed. If we choose otherwise, so be it. God, in His mercy and grace, gives us the freedom to make that choice.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

This is the will of my Father, says the Lord, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life.

John 6:37-40 (or John 14:1-6 or Matthew 25:31-46 or Matthew 5:1-12)

37 Jesus said to the crowds: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, 38 because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. 39 And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”

Daily Readings for November 1, 2017

Solemnity of All Saints

1ST READING

As we celebrate the Feast of All Saints, let us remember that this is not just about remembering those who have gone before us and lived holy lives, but that we, too, are called to the same glory. Let us draw inspiration from those who have preceded us, so that we can live the Gospel to the full in our day — just as they did in their day.

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14

2 I, John, saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea, 3 “Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” 4 I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the Israelites. 9 After this, I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. 10 They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshipped God, 12 and exclaimed: “Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” 13 Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” 14 I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.” He said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.”

P S A L M

Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

1 The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. 2 For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (R) 3 Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? or who may stand in his holy place? 4 One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) 5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. 6 Such is the race that seeks him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. (R)

2ND READING

No matter how good our life is, it is nothing compared to eternal life with God. This is difficult to grasp for most of us. If only we could  understand it clearly, we would make sacrifices to live holy lives now, and prepare ourselves for eternity with God. We need to let go of our attachments to wordly things so that the things of heaven will capture our hearts.

1 John 3:1-3

1 Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.

GOSPEL

Saintly living is about doing the basics well, so that everything else can flow from them. The Beatitudes remind us about how to follow Christ, and to live and act as He did in relation to others. This is what the saints do so well — they recognize that the call to love makes simple demands on us in terms of our relationships with one another. And then they respond to these demands in love.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

Matthew 5:1-12

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”