Daily Readings for September 15, 2015

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

1ST READING

God uses the suffering of His people to demonstrate His love for them, no matter how hard it is to understand. Some of the most loving people are also those who have suffered the most. This shows the power of love to overcome all obstacles if we are able and willing to let God speak to us through suffering.

Hebrews 5:7-9 (or 1 Timothy 3:1-13)

7 In the days when Christ was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; 9 and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

P S A L M

Psalm 31:2, 3, 3-4, 5-6, 15-16, 20 (or Psalm 101:1-2, 2-3, 5, 6)

R: Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

1 [2] In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, 2 [3] make haste to deliver me! (R) Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. 3 [4] You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me. (R) 4[5] You will free me from the snare they set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 [6] Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God. (R) 14 [15] But my trust is in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 [16] In your hands is my destiny; rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors. (R) 19 [20] How great is the goodness, O Lord, which you have in store for those who fear you, and which, toward those who take refuge in you, you show in the sight of the children of men. (R)

GOSPEL

Mary is closely united to her Son. Throughout the many trials and sufferings of Jesus, particularly as He approached death, this union meant tremendous suffering and sorrow for her. Mary did not have the benefit of hindsight, as we do now, to know what the marvelous result of the sufferings of Jesus would bring to the world.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary; without dying you won the martyr’s crown beneath the Cross of the Lord.

John 19: 25-27 (or Luke 2:33-35)

25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for September 14, 2015

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

1ST READING

In the Old Testament, we find a concrete example of God preparing His people for the advent of Christ and the salvation that He will bring. The bronze serpent, raised in front of the people, brings healing to those who look upon it. In the same way, the Cross of Jesus becomes the source of salvation for everyone willing to embrace it.

Numbers 21:4-9

4 With their patience worn out by the journey, 5 the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!” 6 In punishment the Lord sent among the people seraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. 7 Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned in complaining against the Lord and you. Pray to the Lord to take the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people, 8 and the Lord said to Moses, “Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who have been bitten looks at it, they will live.” 9 Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

P S A L M

Psalm 78:1-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38

R: Do not forget the works of the Lord!

1 Hearken, my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable, I will utter mysteries from of old. (R) 34 While he slew them they sought him and inquired after God again, 35 remembering that God was their rock and the Most High God, their redeemer. (R) 36 But they flattered him with their mouths and lied to him with their tongues, 37 though their hearts were not steadfast toward him, nor were they faithful to his covenant. (R) 38 But he, being merciful, forgave their sin and destroyed them not; often he turned back his anger and let none of his wrath be roused. (R)

2ND READING

Let me encourage you to meditate on this text often so that the truth that it proclaims will be made stronger each day in your heart, and that you will always live in its power. May you never forget the price that Jesus paid to save you.

Philippians 2:6-11

6 Brothers and sisters: Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 7 Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

GOSPEL

One of the themes of John’s Gospel is the image of Jesus being lifted up from the earth. Something significant is held aloft for all to see. A Christian who looks at Jesus lifted up on the cross gazes at the very act of our salvation. What a wonderful privilege! Let us always remember this when we gaze at a crucifix.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross you have redeemed the world.

John 3:13-17

13 Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for September 13, 2015

1ST READING

The suffering of the prophets of the Lord is well documented. Like Jesus’ Apostles, the prophets suffered greatly at the hands of men during their ministries. Following a life of faith will put one in conflict with the world at one time or another, and often this can lead to martyrdom. Isaiah’s four Servant Songs, of which this is the second, clearly describe a life of suffering for the servants of God.

Isaiah 50:5-9

5 The Lord God opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. 6 I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. 7 The Lord God is my help therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let that man confront me. 9 See, the Lord God is my help; who will prove me wrong?

P S A L M

Psalm 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

R: I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

1 I love the Lord because he has heard my voice in supplication, 2 because he has inclined his ear to me the day I called. (R) 3 The cords of death encompassed me; the snares of the netherworld seized upon me; I fell into distress and sorrow, 4 and I called upon the name of the Lord, “O Lord, save my life!” (R) 5 Gracious is the Lord and just; yes, our God is merciful. 6 The Lord keeps the little ones; I was brought low, and he saved me. (R) 8 For he has freed my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. 9 I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living. (R)

2ND READING

Faith must be accompanied by action. Good thoughts and well wishes will not comfort those in need. If possible, we must do more than that. Faith has always had a social dimension — that is, we are members of a faith community and should support one another. Let us know our community well so that we can support all our members.

James 2:14-18

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? 17 So also faith of itself, if itdoes not have works, is dead. 18 Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my  works.

GOSPEL

Renouncing one’s life is hard. We must ensure that we place the Kingdom of God at the forefront of our minds and hearts, as we discern God’s will for our lives. Jesus talks about this in terms of taking up our own crosses and following in His footsteps. As we understand Jesus’ call for our lives, let us respond generously to the grace He gives us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.

Mark 8:27-35

27 Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” 30 Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. 32 He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” 34 He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for September 12, 2015

1ST READING

Paul admitted his sinfulness. Like Paul, our leaders will not be without their faults. We need to work with our own weaknesses, as well as the weaknesses of others. This is part of our human condition. However, the good faith of a person will be evident in his struggle against his weaknesses, so we will know when to persevere with a leader or to challenge him. Do not allow hypocrisy to reign in our communities and destroy them. We must grow in holiness at all times.

1 Timothy 1:15-17 (or Galatians 4:4-7 or Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12)

15 Beloved: This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. 16 But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. 17 To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

P S A L M

Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5, 6-7 (or Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55)

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, 6 and 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

Laying the right foundation is very important when building a house. There are places where we should never build because of the instability of the land. The same is true in our spiritual lives. We should build in the right place with the right materials if we want to grow in our faith and be of service to God’s Kingdom. We should be patient as the Holy Spirit leads us in the right direction.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.

Luke 6:43-49 (or Luke 1:39-47)

43 Jesus said to his disciples: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is knownby its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. 45 A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. 48 That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. 49 But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for September 11, 2015

1ST READING

Paul has entrusted Timothy with the leadership of the Church in Ephesus. He also instructed them to raise leaders who will care for the Church in the years to come. Timothy was a young man, and many of the older people in the community lacked respect for him. This happens in the work of the Church. God has the right to choose whomever He wills to lead the mission of the Church. As disciples of Jesus, it is our responsibility to support our leaders and help them in their task.

1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14

1 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 to Timothy, my true child in faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. 13 I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. 14 Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

P S A L M

Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11

R: You are my inheritance, O Lord.

1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R)

GOSPEL

We should be careful in judging someone. We may be missing the plank in our own eye by removing the speck from others. It is quite easy to find fault in others, but we are far reluctant to admit the same faults in ourselves. Hypocrisy is an ugly thing. Let us ensure that we are in the right place before pointing at other people’s faults. Let us ensure that our own house is clean before complaining of the mess in our friend’s house.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

Luke 6:39-42

39 Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40 No disciple is superiorto the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com