Daily Readings for October 11, 2018

1st READING

Paul is angry at the Galatians for going back to some work-based understanding of salvation. It is contrary to the grace-based salvation that comes only from Jesus Christ. Even in the midst of his anger, Paul still loves them and wants them to return to the true faith.

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

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: 74 to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, 75 holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. (R)

GOSPEL

Perseverance is an important trait to have. We will come across many situations where we will need the doggedness to go through a difficult situation. Sometimes, we need to persevere in prayer when we are confronting sin and when serving in our ministries. Let us pray for the grace to persevere and cry out to God for help.

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?”

Daily Readings for October 10, 2018

1st READING

Paul gives his version of how he came to have the apostolate to the Gentiles and Peter to the Jews. Paul had a missionary gift that has been unsurpassed in the history of the Church. It is perhaps comparable to some of the men who first took the Gospel to Eastern Asia, the Americas, and Africa. The distances they traveled far exceeded Paul’s. However, it is difficult and probably not all that helpful to try and compare the situations.

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 also 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

1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever. (R) 

GOSPEL

We all need to pray every day. If you are not into this habit yet, then now is the time to begin. Start by praying for a short time, and then build it up to what you think is suitable for your situation. There is no excuse for not praying every day. It is the lifeblood of our faith and, without it, our faith will die. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us pray daily.

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 9, 2018

1st READING

Paul explains that the Gospel he preaches is one that has been revealed to him and the Apostles who accompanied Jesus. Paul mentions that he has spoken with Peter, who has approved the message he proclaims.

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.) 21 Then 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 

This story of Martha and Mary reminds us that we have to  find the balance between “being” and “doing.” “Being” is more important because this is where our “doing” — our service — comes from. Let us be faithful in our prayer and Scripture reading so that we may render a meaningful service.  

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 8, 2018

1st READING

Paul is not happy with the Galatian community as they forsake the Gospel for a heretical sect. He cannot believe that the Galatians have been seduced by heresy. The world is full of false belief and moral systems. Let us ensure that we receive our formation from reputable sources and that they form us in the truth.

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.

GOSPEL 

When a person’s life is endangered, the humanity of a person overrides any concern for different belief systems. We would be scandalized if rescue workers determined the order of rescue according to religion. Our best friend and a complete stranger share the same human dignity. We cannot prefer one to the other. Let us reach out to help our friends but let us also help others.

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 7, 2018

1st READING 

The creation of man and woman tells us of their complementary nature and their natural desire for each other. We live at a time when the world is confused about the meaning of human sexuality. It seems that emotions are more important for people than their physical appearance. This is a type of gnostic heresy that denies the unity of body and soul in the human person.

Genesis 2:18-24

18 The Lord God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” 19 So the Lord God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name. 20 The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man. 21 So the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 The Lord God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, 23 the man said: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.” 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.

PSALM 

Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

R: May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

1 Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways! 2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. (R) 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table. (R) 4 Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. 5 The Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. (R) 6 May you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel! (R)

2nd READING 

Jesus was perfected through His suffering. What does this mean? The primordial sin of humanity is rebellion and disobedience. Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s will is a counterfoil for our sin. Here we see the absolute perfection of Jesus — His willingness to suffer even though He did not deserve it.

Hebrews 2:9-11

9 Brothers and sisters: He “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,” that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers.”

GOSPEL

The sanctity of marriage is necessary for the protection of the family. When family life breaks down, society loses its coherence and strength. Society becomes vulnerable to drugs, gambling, alcohol, and many other destructive human behaviors. Let us support the marriages in our communities. Family life is the launching pad of children into adulthood.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 

If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is brought to perfection in us.

Mark 10:2-16

2 The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. 3 He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” 5 But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” 10 In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” 13 And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” 16 Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.