Daily Readings for July 5, 2018

1st READING

Amaziah is a crook and a worthless shepherd. He wants to silence Amos because if he heeds Amos’s words, then his life of luxury and ease will end. People who come to power are consumed by it. It is diffcult to let it go. With power comes a bloated sense of entitlement. Humility is needed to fight this and bring everything into its proper perspective. Let us pray for humble leaders that care for us, their flock.

Amos 7:10-17

10 Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam, king of Israel: “Amos has conspired against you here within Israel; the country cannot endure all his words. 11 For this is what Amos says: Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land.” 12 To Amos, Amaziah said: “Off with you, visionary,  flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, 13 but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” 14 Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. 15 The Lord took me from following the  flock, and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ 16 Now hear the word of the Lord!” You say: prophesy not against Israel, preach not against the house of Isaac. 17 Now thus says the Lord: Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city, and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; your land shall be divided by measuring line, and you yourself shall die in an unclean land; Israel shall be exiled far from its land.

P S A L M 

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R: The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just. 

7 [8] The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8 [9] The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) 9 [10] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just. (R) 10 [11] They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb. (R)

GOSPEL  

Jesus clarifies that God does not visit the punishment for the sins of one person on another. Other people are affected by a person’s sins, but the evil that results from sin is not God’s punishment. Disorder is the consequence of sin. It is challenging to right the wrongs caused by our sinfulness, but this is what we should do. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Matthew 9:1-8

1 After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. 2 And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” 3 At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? 5 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” He then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 7 He rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

Daily Readings for July 4, 2018

1st READING

God rejects sacrifies that are hypocritical or tainted with sin. He looks for a pure heart, not one stained with sin, and especially not the types of sin that continually cause more and more hardship to the poor. Let us look at our lives and ensure that we do not fall into hypocrisy or sin.

Amos 5:14-15, 21-24

14 Seek good and not evil, that you may live; then truly will the Lord, the God of hosts, be with you as you claim! 15 Hate evil and love good, and let justice prevail at the gate; then it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will have pity on the remnant of Joseph. 21 I hate, I spurn your feasts, says the Lord, I take no pleasure in your solemnities. 22 Your cereal offerings I will not accept, nor consider your stall-fed peace offerings. 23 Away with your noisy songs! I will not listen to the melodies of your harps. But if you would offer me burnt offerings, 24 then let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream.

P S A L M 

Psalm 50:7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 16-17

R: To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

7 “Hear, my people, and I will speak; Israel, I will testify against you; God, your God, am I.”(R)8 “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offerings are before me always. 9 I take from your house no bullock, no goats out of your fold.” (R) 10 “For mine are all the animals of the forests, beasts by the thousand on my mountains. 11 I know all the birds of the air, and whatever stirs in the plains, belongs to me.” (R) 12 “If I were hungry, I should not tell you, for mine are the world and its fullness. 13 Do I eat the flesh of strong bulls, or is the blood of goats my drink?” (R) 16 “Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, 17 though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” (R)

GOSPEL 

The demons’ request that they be sent to inhabit a herd of swine affirms that they are unclean. The Jews were forbidden from eating pork as pigs were seen as unclean animals. Let us work against the demons’ attempts to control and infiltrate our lives. This is hard work and we must be vigilant because as soon as we let down our guard, they enter in our lives like a shot.

The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruit of his creatures. 

Matthew 8:28-34

28 When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. 29 They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” 30 Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. 31 The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. 33 The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.

Daily Readings for July 3, 2018

Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle

1st READING

We are united with all who stand with God throughout the ages. Jesus promises His disciples that not only will He be with us but that the faithful will stand in solidarity against sin and the devil. It is only by fighting together that we overcome the devil. Let us believe that we will never stand alone.

Ephesians 2:19-22

19 Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. 21 Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; 22 in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

P S A L M 

Psalm 117:1, 2

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 

Let us focus on Thomas’s profession of faith rather than his doubts in the testimony of the other Apostles. We all have our struggles with doubts and so to single him out is not only unfair but unjust. Instead of focusing on our or someone else’s struggles, let us focus on what we believe and strengthen them. This way we will move as victors, not losers through our lives.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!

John 20:24-29

24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”28 Thomas answered and said to him,“My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Daily Readings for July 2, 2018

1st READING

Amos is the great prophet of social justice. He fights the injustices of the structures in Jewish society – structures that keep poor people downtrodden. He protests the ruling policies and self-serving practices of the elite. We experience the same injustices in our society. Let us pray for the protection of the poor and the equal distribution of wealth to all.

Amos 2:6-10, 13-16

6 Thus says the Lord: For three crimes of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke my word; because they sell the just man for silver, and the poor man for a pair of sandals. 7 They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth, and force the lowly out of the way. Son and father go to the same prostitute, profaning my holy name. 8 Upon garments taken in pledge they recline beside any altar; and the wine of those who have been fined they drink in the house of their god. 9 Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorites before them, who were as tall as the cedars, and as strong as the oak trees. I destroyed their fruit above, and their roots beneath. 10 It was I who brought you up from the land of Egypt, and who led you through the desert for forty years, to occupy the land of the Amorites. 13 Beware, I will crush you into the ground as a wagon crushes when laden with sheaves. 14 Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong man shall not retain his strength; the warrior shall not save his life, 15 nor the bowman stand his ground; the swift of foot shall not escape, nor the horseman save his life. 16 And the most stouthearted of warriors shall flee naked on that day, says the Lord.

P S A L M 

Psalm 50:16-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23

R: Remember this, you who never think of God.

16 “Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, 17 though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” (R) 18 “When you see a thief, you keep pace with him, and with adulterers you throw in your lot. 19 To your mouth you give free rein for evil, you harness your tongue to deceit.” (R) 20 “You sit speaking against your brother; against your mother’s son you spread rumors. 21 When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.” (R) 22 “Consider this, you who forget God, lest I rend you and there be no one to rescue you. 23 He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” (R)

GOSPEL  

Jesus teaches in today’s Gospel that becoming His disciple is difficult. He explains that suffering is part of discipleship. Let us refkect upon these words, as they are as true today as they were 2,000 years ago. May we fully understand what it means to follow Jesus.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 8:18-22

18 When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. 19 A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” 21 Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

Daily Readings for July 1, 2018

1st READING

Death enters the world as a result of the work of the devil through sin. Sin causes the decaying process of aging. The devil has been forever banished from God’s presence. He cannot stand the thought that others will attain what he cannot. His motivation is envy and malice, rather than love and mercy.

Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24

13 God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living. 14 For he fashioned all things that they might have being; and the creatures of the world are wholesome, and there is not a destructive drug among them nor any domain of the nether world on earth, 15 for justice is undying. 2:23 For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him. 24 But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience it.

P S A L M 

Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13

R: I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

1 [2] I will extol you, O Lord, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. 3 [4] O Lord, you brought me up from the nether world; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit. (R) 4 [5] Sing praise to the Lord, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. 5 [6] For his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime his good will. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing. (R) 10 [11] “Hear, O Lord, and have pity on me; O Lord, be my helper.” 11 [12] You changed my mourning into dancing. 12 [13] O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks. (R) 

2nd READING

Let us support one another in our journey of faith. The generosity we show will be reciprocated in some way through the love of others for us. Let us pray for generous hearts and give to others.

2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15

7 Brothers and sisters: As you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this gracious act also. 9 For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 13 Not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their needs, so that their abundance may also supply your needs, that there may be equality. 15 As it is written: Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less.

GOSPEL

Jesus miraculously heals the girl whom many thought had already died. This miracle stuns the crowd – they do not know what to think about Jesus. His miracles prove that He is the Messiah, but the people still have other expectations that need to be satisfied. Let us wait for the unfolding of God’s plan. He has His way of doing things that we must respect and work with.  

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 

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

Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 (or Mark 5:21-43)

21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. 22 One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” 24 He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him. 35 While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue of official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” 36 Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 37 He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. 41 He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” 42 The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. 43 He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.