Daily Readings for November 10, 2017

Memorial of St. Leo the Great, pope and Doctor of the Church

1ST READING

The Gospel will be proclaimed to the ends of the earth, only if we are committed to this task. The Church needs to rediscover its evangelical heritage and exercise its right to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Some countries may have made it illegal to proclaim the Gospel and there is no other recourse but to live with it and just do the best we can.

Romans 15:14-21

14 I myself am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another. 15 But I have written to you rather boldly in some respects to remind you, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in performing the priestly service of the Gospel of God, so that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast in what pertains to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to lead the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have finished preaching the Gospel of Christ. 20 Thus I aspire to proclaim the Gospel not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on another’s foundation, 21 but as it is written: Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.

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)

GOSPEL

This is a difficult parable to understand. The Master seems to be praising a man for his untruthful practices. If we move to Gospel principles, the same pattern should be evident. If we claim that we live by the Gospel, then our lives must reflect it. We must live according to Gospel principles and no other.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him.

Luke 16:1-8

1 Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. 2 He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ 3 The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ 5 He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ 7 Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ 8 And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. “For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.”

Daily Readings for November 9, 2017

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

1ST READING

All good things come from the Lord. The Jews believed that the presence of God (shekinah) dwelt in the Temple and thus, in a way, the Temple could be seen as the source of life. It is similar with the Church or the Body of Christ for Christians. It is in the community of the faithful that the fullest blessing of God resides. He will bless us as individuals, but even more in our communities where the gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifest and shared for the good of all.

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

1 The Angel brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the facade of the temple was toward the east; the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He led me outside by the north gate, and around to the outer gate facing the east, where I saw water trickling from the southern side. 8 He said to me, “This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh. 9 Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. 12 Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

P S A L M

Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9

R: The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High.

1 [2] God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. 2 [3] Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea. (R) 4 [5] There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High. 5 [6] God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed; God will help it at the break of dawn. (R) 7 [8] The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. 8 [9] Come! behold the deeds of the Lord, the astounding things he has wrought on earth. (R)

2ND READING

We work together to build the Kingdom of God. I have recently completed the Camino, a walk of nearly 800 kilometers from southern France to Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, I passed through Leon. It has a magnificent cathedral that was built by a town of 5,000 people in 50 years, without the help of any machinery. It is almost impossible to believe that it can be done. It is a testament to the will of a community to build something that gives glory to God in a fantastic way.

1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17

9 Brothers and sisters: You are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder, I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, 11 for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.

GOSPEL

There is a perception that the Church is in decline. So many monasteries and churches are closing down and being converted to museums and other uses. This is sad as it reflects a growing discontent in the life of faith. What can we do about it? All we can do is live the Gospel as best as we can, and hope that our witness will convince people that the Gospel is real.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord, that my name may be there forever.

John 2:13-22

13 Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. 15 He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, 16 and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” 17 His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. 18 At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

Daily Readings for November 8, 2017

1ST READING

Paul says that love does no evil to our neighbor. This is so true and if people would test their actions against this principle more thoroughly, we could avoid a lot of hurt. Too often, we are focused only on our own pleasure and we forget about the effects of our actions to others. This is a recipe for disaster. We need to remember that what we do affects other people, so before taking  any action, we should consider others as well.

Romans 13:8-10

8 Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, [namely] “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

P S A L M

Psalm 112:1-2, 4-5, 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) 4 He dawns through the darkness, a light for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. 5 Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice. (R) 9 Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (R)

GOSPEL

Following Jesus means renouncing everything else and focusing on what God wants us to do. I remember going through this thought process at the time of my conversion: If I really believe that God has done all this for me, then I need to ask Him what He wants me to do with my life, and then do it. As clear as a bell, I got back the message that He wanted me to become a priest and that is what I did.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you.

Luke 14:25-33

25 Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, 26 “If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? 29 Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work, the onlookers should laugh at him 30 and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ 31 Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? 32 But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. 33 In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

Daily Readings for November 6, 2017

1ST READING

God does not revoke His choice of the Jews as His people. In their refusal to accept Jesus as the Messiah, the Jews disinherit themselves from the gift of the Gospel. But this does not change the fact that God has and will continue to bless the Jewish people. We all have the right to choose to accept the Gospel or not.

Romans 11:29-36

29 Brothers and sisters: The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. 32 For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? 35 Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To God be glory forever. Amen.

P S A L M

Psalm 69:30-31, 33-34, 36-37

R: Lord, in your great love, answer me.

29 [30] But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help, O God, protect me. 30 [31] I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving. (R) 32 [33] “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! 33 [34] For the Lord hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” (R) 35 [36] For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. They shall dwell in the land and own it, 36 [37] and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall inhabit it. (R)

GOSPEL

Currying favor with the rich and powerful is not going to make it easier for us to get into heaven. Serving the poor and the oppressed will. This is one of the ironies of the Gospel, which can be difficult to accept if one is used to moving in exalted circles. We just need to take a look at Jesus’ life to see that a life of service and love impresses Him the most. Connections and pedigreed families do not.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, says the Lord.

Luke 14:12-14

12 On a sabbath, Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. 13 Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; 14 blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Daily Readings for November 7, 2017

1ST READING

Paul encourages the Romans to love their neighbor with a sincere heart. How different our world would be if everyone heeds this encouragement. It is a challenge to love others in every situation, because there will always be people who will rub us wrongly. We need to draw on the depths of our Christian spirit in order to love them no matter what.

Romans 12:5-16

5 Brothers and sisters: We, though many, are one Body in Christ and individually parts of one another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; 7 if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; 8 if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. 11 Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.

P S A L M

Psalm 131:1, 2, 3

R: In you, O 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)

GOSPEL

People give all sorts of excuses to avoid encountering God and making a choice to follow Him or not. A few are given in the Gospel today. Let us never avoid encountering God. There is nothing more exciting or fulfilling than to follow Him. It will mean making changes in our lifestyle, but they will be changes for the better and never for the worse.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Luke 14:15-24

15 One of those at table with Jesus said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.” 16 He replied to him, “A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. 17 When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.’ 18 But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’ 23 The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. 24 For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.’ ”