Chris Okotie’s Church explains why beauty queen contest will be carried out.

Chris Okotie’s Household of God church via their Facebook page, have explained the concept behind the beauty pageant they intend carrying
out this Sunday.
The beauty queen contest is tagged Queen Esther pageant competition.
According to them, it is geared towards selecting an ambassador for the church.
“The evening usually features the parade and display of beautiful women in costumes inspired
by popular female bible characters. The contestant with the most creative costume is then crowned as the Queen Esther and gets a
cash prize of one million naira,” the post read.

Readings and Reflections for the Week!!! (Dec 1st - Dec 7th, 2013)

Sunday, December 01, 2013 {First Sunday of Advent (Blessing of Advent wreath after homily)}
REFLECTIONS
My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my words to the King.
-- Psalm xliv. 2

READINGS
First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
1 The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,
3 and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Psalm: Psalm 122:1-9
1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!"
2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! "May they prosper who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers!"
8 For my brethren and companions' sake I will say, "Peace be within you!"
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. 

Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14
11Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed;
12 the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;
13 let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44
37 As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man.
38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,
39 and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man.
40 Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left.
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
43 But know this, that if the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into.
44 Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Monday, December 02, 2013 (Advent Weekday)
REFLECTION
God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.
-- Ps. xlvi. 6
READINGS 
First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 or Isaiah 4:2-6

All Souls Day is today!! + PRAYER FOR ALL THE DECEASED

@>-- Tday is November 2nd,Feast Of all Souls! Remember to attend mass & pray 4 d souls of d Faithful Departed! May d Lord Bless u as u do so!!O:)
Amen

PRAYER FOR ALL THE DECEASED
By Thy resurrection from the dead, O Christ,
death no longer hath dominion over those who die in holiness.
So, we beseech Thee, give rest to Thy servants [names] in Thy sanctuary and in Abraham's bosom. Grant it to those, who from Adam until
now have adored Thee with purity, to our fathers and brothers, to our kinsmen and friends, to all men who have lived by faith and
passed on their road to Thee, by a thousand
ways, and in all conditions, and make them worthy of the heavenly kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them.
We pray O LORD. Amen."

BBM on Android and IOS

BBM For Andriod & iPhone Now Available - See How To Download, Below is the Steps required to get it
working on your Device.
1. Visit www.bbm.com from your iPhone or
Android browser to download BBM.
2. Once the BBM app has been installed, open
it.
3. When asked to "Enter your email address to
check if you can start using BBM", use the
email address this message was sent to.
4. Get started with setting up BBM.
Note to iPhone users: Apps can take up to a
few hours to appear in the App Store so if you
don’t see it right away, it will be there soon.
Enjoy!!

Can't wait? Download it from my dropbox....
ANDROID ONLY... FOR NOW!!!

Picture of the week (St. DENIS) Bishop and Martyr (Feast Day: October 9)

St. Denis, Bishop and Martyr
(Feast Day: October 9)
Martyred by beheading. After his head was
chopped off, Denis is said to have picked it up and walked six miles from the summit of the hill preaching a sermon entire way.

St. Denis, Pray for us!

READINGS AND REFLECTIONS FOR THE WEEK (Sunday, October 06, 2013 - Saturday, October 12, 2013)

Sunday, October 06, 2013 (Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time)

REFLECTION
Cast thy care upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall not suffer the just to waver for ever.
-- Psalm liv, 23

READINGS

First Reading: Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4
Habakkuk Complains of Injustice
2 O Lord, how long must I call for help before you listen, before you save us from violence? 
3 Why do you make me see such trouble? How can you stand to look on such wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are all around me, and there is fighting and quarreling everywhere.
Habakkuk 2:2-4
2 The Lord gave me this answer: “Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance.  
3 Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed.   
4 And this is the message: ‘Those who are evil will not survive, but those who are righteous will live because they are faithful to God.’”

Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
Worship and Obey the Lord
1 Sing joyful songs to the Lord! Praise the mighty rock where we are safe.
2 Come to worship him with thankful hearts and songs of praise.
6 Bow down and worship the Lord our Creator!
7 The Lord is our God, and we are his people, the sheep he takes care of in his own pasture.
Listen to God's voice today!
8 Don't be stubborn and rebel as your ancestors did at Meribah and Massah out in the desert.
9 For forty years they tested God and saw the things he did.

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
6 For this reason I remind you to keep alive the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 
7 For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.
8 Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord; neither be ashamed of me, a prisoner for Christ's sake. Instead, take your part in suffering for the Good News, as God gives you the strength for it.
13 Hold firmly to the true words that I taught you, as the example for you to follow, and remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus. 
14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, keep the good things that have been entrusted to you.

Gospel: Luke 17:5-10
Faith
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Make our faith greater.”
6 The Lord answered, “If you had faith as big as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Pull yourself up by the roots and plant yourself in the sea!’ and it would obey you.
A Servant's Duty
7 “Suppose one of you has a servant who is plowing or looking after the sheep. When he comes in from the field, do you tell him to hurry along and eat his meal? 
8 Of course not! Instead, you say to him, ‘Get my supper ready, then put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may have your meal.’ 
9 The servant does not deserve thanks for obeying orders, does he? 
10 It is the same with you; when you have done all you have been told to do, say, ‘We are ordinary servants; we have only done our duty.’”


Monday, October 07, 2013 {Our Lady of the Rosary (Memorial)}

REFLECTION
He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him. I will fill him with length of days; and I will show him my salvation.
-- Psalm xc. 15, 16

READINGS
First Reading: Acts 1:12-14
Psalm: Luke 1:46-55
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38


Tuesday, October 08, 2013 (Weekday)

REFLECTION
Behold as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the handmaid are on the hands of her mistress: so are our eyes unto the Lord our God, until He have mercy on us. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us: for we are greatly filled with contempt.
-- Psalm cxx. 2,3

READINGS
First Reading: Jonah 3:1-10
Psalm: Psalm 130:1-4, 7-8
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42


Wednesday, October 09, 2013 (Weekday)

REFLECTION
Let my prayer be directed as incense in Thy sight; the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice.
-- Psalm cxl. 2

READINGS
First Reading: Jonah 4:1-11
Psalm: Psalm 86:3-6, 9-10
Gospel: Luke 11:1-4


Thursday, October 10, 2013 (Weekday)
REFLECTION
It is not the actual physical exertion that counts toward a man's progress, nor the nature of the task, but the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken.
-- St Francis Xavier

READINGS
First Reading: Malachi 3:13-20
Psalm: Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Gospel: Luke 11:5-13


Friday, October 11, 2013 (Weekday)
REFLECTION
The troubles of my heart are multiplied: deliver me from my necessities. See my abjection and my labour; and forgive me all my sins.
-- Psalm xxiv. 17, 18

READINGS
First Reading: Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2
Psalm: Psalm 9:2-3, 6, 16, 8-9
Gospel: Luke 11:15-26


Saturday, October 12, 2013 {St. Seraphin of Montegranaro, Religious (Memorial)}

REFLECTION
Many people would like to attain union with God but they cannot bear the contradictions he sends them. They hate the sickness which strikes them, or the poverty they suffer, or the insults they receive. Since they cannot be resigned, they never succeed in reaching total union with God.
-- St Alphonsus de Liguori

READINGS
First Reading: Joel 4:12-21
Psalm: Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
Gospel: Luke 11:27-28

What's his Name

There was a man,
+ He never went to school but he was called The TEACHER.
+ He never studied chemistry yet he turn
water 2 wine without a chemical reaction.
+ He did not study medicine yet He was called
great PHYSICIAN.
+ He never studied law yet he was called an
ADVOCATE.
+ He was never a science student yet He
proofed the LAW OF GRAVITY wrong, And
walk on water.
+ The baker's called him d BREAD OF LIFE.
+ The zoologist called him D LION OF JUDAH.
+ The botanist called him d TREE oF LIFE.
+ The footballer called him D GOD OF SOCCER.
+ The warrior called him d MIGHTY MAN In
BATTLE.
+ The nation called him d KING of KINGS.
+ Thou he was born in a manger yet the
world celebrate him.
===>What is the Name u called him????????

Readings and Reflections for the WEEk!! (Sunday, 29th Sept - Saturday, Oct 5th)

Sunday, September 29, 2013 (Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Reflection
God wishes us not to rest upon anything but His infinite Goodness. Do not let us expect anything but from Him, and let us put our trust and confidence in Him alone.
-- St Charles Borromeo

Readings
First Reading: Amohs 6:1, 4-7
(The Destruction of Israel)
1 How terrible it will be for you that have such an easy life in Zion and for you that feel safe in Samaria—you great leaders of this great nation Israel, you to whom the people go for help!
4 How terrible it will be for you that stretch out on your luxurious couches, feasting on veal and lamb! 
5 You like to compose songs, as David did, and play them on harps. 
6 You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest perfumes, but you do not mourn over the ruin of Israel. 
7 So you will be the first to go into exile. Your feasts and 

Picture of the Week(VIGIL1)

OPERATION kILL YOUR ENEMIES

 

 

 

 

SUITABLE cAPTION pLEASE!!!

READINGS AND REFLECTIONS FOR THE WEEK (4th August to 10th August, 2013)

Sunday, August 04, 2013 (Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

READINGS
First Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23
Psalm: Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, 17
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11
Gospel: Luke 12:13-21

REFLECTIONS
The dignity of man rests above all on the fact that he is called to communion with God. This invitation to converse with God is addressed to man as soon as he comes into being. For if man exists it is because God has created him through love, and through love continues to hold him in existence. He cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and entrusts himself to his Creator.
-- Gaudium et spes


Monday, August 05, 2013 [Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome (Optional Memorial)]
READINGS
First Reading: Numbers 11:4-15
Psalm: Psalm 81:12-17
Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

REFLECTION
When I am completely united to you, there will be no more sorrow or trials; entirely full of you, my life will be complete.
-- St. Augustine


Tuesday, August 06, 2013 [The Transfiguration of the Lord (Feast)]
READINGS
First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm: Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
Second Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-19
Gospel:Luke 9:28-36

REFLECTION
It is clear therefore that, in the supremely wise arrangement of God, sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture and the Magisterium of the Church are so connected and associated that one of them cannot stand without the others. Working together, each in its own way, under the action of the one Holy Spirit, they all contribute effectively to the salvation of souls.
-- Dei Verbum


Wednesday, August 07, 2013 (Weekday)
READINGS
First Reading: Numbers 13:1-2, 25 -- 14:1, 26-29, 34-35
Psalm: Psalm 106:6-7, 13-14, 21-23
Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

REFLECTION
Belief in the Eucharist is a treasure we must seek by submissiveness, preserve by piety, and defend at any cost. Not to believe in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest of misfortunes.
-- St Peter Emyard


Thursday, August 08, 2013 [Holy Father Dominic, Priest, Founder of the Order of Preachers (Feast)]
READINGS
First Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Psalm: Psalm 37:3-6, 30-31
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

REFLECTION
Behold a great priest who in his days pleased the Lord, and was found righteous; and in the time of wrath he was taken in exchange for the world.
-- Ecclus 44:16


Friday, August 09, 2013 [St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Virgin and Martyr (Optional Memorial)]
READINGS
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:32-40
Psalm: Psalm 77:12-16, 21
Gospel: Matthew 16:24-28

REFLECTION
I have found David My servant, with My holy oil I have anointed him; for My hand shall help him, and My arm shall strengthen him. The enemy shall have no advantage over him, and the son of iniquity shall not hurt him.
-- Psalm 88: 21-23


Saturday, August 10, 2013 [St. Lawrence, Deacon, Martyr (Feast)]
READINGS
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10
Psalm 112:1-2, 5-9
Gospel: John 12:24-26

REFLECTION
Consequently, methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are.
-- Gaudium et Spes

READINGS AND REFLECTIONS FOR THE WEEK (28th July to 3rd August, 2013)

Sunday, July 28, 2013 (Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Readings
First Reading: Genesis 18:20-32
Psalm: Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8
Second Reading: Colossians 2:12-14
Gospel: Luke 11:1-13

Reflections
Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings, O God, Thou hast perfected praise, because of Thy enemies.
-- Psalm viii. 3

Monday, July 29, 2013 {St. Martha (Memorial)}
Readings
First Reading: Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34
Psalm: Psalm 106:19-23
Gospel: John 11:19-27 or Luke 10:38-42

Reflections
The father of the just rejoiceth greatly, let Thy father and mother be joyful, and let her rejoice that bore Thee.
-- Proverbs xxiii. 24,25

Tuesday, July 30, 2013 (Weekday)
Readings
First Reading: Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5-9, 28
Psalm: Psalm 103:6-13
Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43

Reflections
For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God.
-- St. Irenaeus, Adversus haereses

Wednesday, July 31, 2013 {St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest (Memorial)}
Readings
First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm: Psalm 99:5-7, 9
Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46

Reflection
Come ye after me and I will make you to be fishers of men; and they, immediately leaving their nets, followed the lord.
-- Matt. 4: 19-20

Thursday, August 01, 2013 {St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)}
Readings
First Reading: Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38
Psalm: Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11
Gospel: Matthew 13:47-53

Reflections
He who walking on the sea could calm the bitter waves, who gives life to the dying seeds of the earth; he who was able to loose the mortal chains of death, and after three days' darkness could bring again to the upper world the brother for his sister Martha: He, I believe, will make Damasus rise again from the dust.
-- St Damasus (from an epitaph written for himself)

Friday, August 02, 2013 {Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula (Solemnity)}
Readings
First Reading: Sirach 24:1-4, 16, 22-24
Psalm: Psalm 34:5, 7, 9-10, 18-19
Second Reading: Galatians 4:3-7
Gospel: Luke 1:26-33

Reflection
The more Christian and conscious people are of their dignity and of their vital role in the Church, the more they urgently feel the need for priests who are truly priests.
-- Pope John Paul

Saturday, August 03, 2013 (Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Readings
First Reading: Leviticus 25:1, 8-17
Psalm: Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7-8
Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12

Reflection
Fidélium ánimae per misericordiam Dei requiéscant in pace. Amen May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
-- Fidélium ánimae

NOBODY FORCED ME INTO ISLAM CHARITY UZOECHINA INSISTS!!!

I wonder if she did this for the love of the religion or for money, you know we are very sharp in Africa, very very very Sharp, especially the Females!!!

MISS Charity Uzoechina, who still lives in the palace of Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, after converting to Islam, has finally broken her silence. She called on Nigerians to leave her alone to practice the religion of her choice.

Charity, Now Amina!!

In a telephone conversation with Vanguard yesterday, Charity insisted that nobody forced her into the religion and that she should be left alone.

She said: “I did it on my own. Nobody forced or enticed me to become a Muslim. I converted to Islam on my own. Am I the first to convert to Islam in Nigeria? So what is it?”

Her father, Pastor Raymond Uzoechina, had earlier said that Charity was abducted and hypnotised to say and do what she was doing. He challenged the Nupe to produce Charity in court for cross-examination by his lawyer.

However, Charity said: “I know people are influencing my father and I am praying for him and other members of my family to know that this is the right religion.”

On whether or not she would go home with her father if eventually the rift was settled, Charity, who has changed her name to Aisha, insisted that she was not interested in going back home with her father.

She said: “I am not going back to my father because of his actions in recent times. He has been threatening me and at my age (25), I am free to practice any religion of my choice and so, I should be left to decide.

“If I want to sue him to court, I can at this my age because it is my right to practice any religion I want.”

Niger CAN intervenes

Meanwhile, Niger State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has waded into matter and hoped that the issue would be resolved out of court before the August 1 date for ruling on the appeal filed by Pastor Uzoechina on the earlier ruling of the Sharia, granting the palace custody of Charity.

Niger State CAN Chairman, Rev. Musa Dada, told Vanguard that CAN had visited the Etsu Nupe’s palace along with other CAN officials from Abuja officially on the matter and that plans were on to settle the case out of court.

Rev. Dada, who was reluctant to discuss the issue in details, simply said: “We have met with the Etsu Nupe and other stake holders involved at the Etsu’s palace and we have made progress.

“I can assure you that probably before the August 1 (Thursday) date, when the case is expected to come up at the Sharia Court, Bida, something positive is likely to come out which will put an end to the rift.”

Source: See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/nobody-forced-me-into-islam-charity-uzoechina-insists/#sthash.NuLpEqjW.dpuf

Quote of the Week; Pope Francis on GAY people Things!!!

Our Very Holy Pope Francis is very sharp, true or false?


According to the Associated Press, below is what Pope Francis said when quizzed about gay priests during his transatlantic flight home following a week-long trip to Brazil...

Pope Francis

"Pope Francis reached out to gays on Monday, saying he wouldn’t judge priests for their sexual orientation.... "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" Francis asked.

Below is a longer version (and slightly different translation) of the Pope's quote via NCR:

"When I meet a gay person, I have to distinguish between their being gay and being part of a lobby. If they accept the Lord and have good will, who am I to judge them? They shouldn’t be marginalized. The tendency [to homosexuality] is not the problem...they’re our brothers.”

READINGS and REFLECTION FOR TODAY Sunday, July 14, 2013 (Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

REFLECION FOR THE DAY
Before Me there was no god formed, and after Me there shall be none;
for every knee shall be bowed to Me, and every tongue shall confess
Me.
-- Is xliii. 10, Is xlv. 24

READINGS FOR TODAY
Sunday, July 14, 2013 (Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:10-14

Psalm: Psalm 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36-37 or Psalm 19:8-11

Second Reading: Colossians 1:15-20

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

NBC’s Axe Dangles OnPastor Chris Oyakhilome!!!

9ja IT professionals: NBC’s Axe Dangles On
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
!!!:

The axe of Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC, is currently dangling on Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy Church. Lately, the funky pastor......pls read more

REFLECTION & SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday, May 20, 2013
St. Bernardine of Siena, OFM Priest (Memorial)
Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear; for the King hath greatly desired thy beauty;. With thy comeliness and thy beauty, set out, proceed prosperously, and reign.
-- Psalm 45:11,12

First Reading: Sirach 1:1-10
Psalm: Psalm 93:1-2, 5
Gospel: Mark 9:14-29


Tuesday, May 21, 2013 (Weekday)
If people would do for God what they do for the world, my dear people, what a great number of Christians would go to Heaven! But if you dear children, had to pass three or four hours praying in a Church, as you pass them at a dance or in a cabaret, how heavily the world would press upon you.
-- St John Vianney

First Reading: Sirach 2:1-11
Psalm: Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37


Wednesday, May 22, 2013 [St. Rita of Cascia, Religious (Optional Memorial)]
We firmly believe and confess without reservation that there is only one true God, eternal infinite (immensus) and unchangeable, incomprehensible, almighty and ineffable, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; three persons indeed, but one essence, substance or nature entirely simple.
-- Lateran Council IV

First Reading: Sirach 4:11-19
Psalm: Psalm 119:165, 168, 171-172, 174-175
Gospel: Mark 9:38-40


Thursday, May 23, 2013 (Weekday)
Since all things lie open to His eyes and ears, let us hold Him in awe and rid ourselves of impure desires to do works of evil, so that we may be protected by His mercy from the judgement that is to come. Which of us can escape His mighty hand?
-- Pope St. Clement

First Reading: Sirach 5:1-8
Psalm: Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Gospel: Mark 9:41-50


Friday, May 24, 2013 [Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi (Feast)]
You recall that one and the same Word of God extends throughout Scripture, that it is one and the same Utterance that resounds in the mouths of all the sacred writers, since He who was in the beginning God with God has no need of separate syllables; for He is not subject to time.
-- St. Augustine, Enarrationes in Psalmos

First Reading: Revelation 21:1-5
Psalm: Psalm 95:1-7
Gospel: John 10:22-30


Saturday, May 25, 2013 [Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary]
Christ said, 'I am the Truth'; he did not say 'I am the custom.'
-- St Toribio

First Reading: Sirach 17:1-15
Psalm: Psalm 103:13-18
Gospel: Mark 10:13-16


Sunday, May 26, 2013 [The Most Holy Trinity (Solemnity)]
Question the beauty of the earth, question the beauty of the sea, question the beauty of the air distending and diffusing itself, question the beauty of the sky. . . question all these realities. All respond: "See, we are beautiful." Their beauty is a profession [confessio]. These beauties are subject to change. Who made them if not the Beautiful One [Pulcher] who is not subject to change?
-- St. Augustine

First Reading: Proverbs 8:22-31
Psalm: Psalm 8:4-9
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Gospel: John 16:12-15

Sunday, May 19, 2013 [Pentecost Sunday (Solemnity)]

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY
The faults of children are not always imputed to the parents, especially when they have instructed them and given good example. Our Lord, in His wonderous Providence, allows children to break the hearts of devout fathers and mothers. Thus the decisions your children have made don't make you a failure as a parent in God's eyes. You are entitled to feel sorrow, but not necessarily guilt. Do not cease praying for your children; God's grace can touch a hardened heart. Commend your children to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. When parents pray the Rosary,at the end of each decade they should hold the Rosary aloft and say to her,"With these beads bind my children to your Immaculate Heart", she will attend to their souls.
-- St. Louise de Marillac

READINGS FOR TODAY
Sunday, May 19, 2013 [Pentecost Sunday (Solemnity)]
First Reading: Acts 2:1-11
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
1When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. 
2 Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 
3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. 
4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, religious people who had come from every country in the world. 
6 When they heard this noise, a large crowd gathered. They were all excited, because all of them heard the believers talking in their own languages. 
7 In amazement and wonder they exclaimed, “These people who are talking like this are Galileans! 
8 How is it, then, that all of us hear them speaking in our own native languages? 
9 We are from Parthia, Media, and Elam; from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia; from Pontus and Asia, 10 from Phrygia and Pamphylia, from Egypt and the regions of Libya near Cyrene. Some of us are from Rome, 11 both Jews and Gentiles converted to Judaism, and some of us are from Crete and Arabia—yet all of us hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things that God has done!”
Psalm: Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34
1 O Lord, my God, how great you are!
You are clothed with majesty and glory;
24 Lord, you have made so many things!
How wisely you made them all!
The earth is filled with your creatures.
29 When you turn away, they are afraid;
when you take away your breath, they die
and go back to the dust from which they came.
30 But when you give them breath,  they are created;
you give new life to the earth.
31 May the glory of the Lord last forever!
May the Lord be happy with what he has made!
34 May he be pleased with my song,
for my gladness comes from him.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13
3 I want you to know that no one who is led by God's Spirit can say “A curse on Jesus!” and no one can confess “Jesus is Lord,” without being guided by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 
5 There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. 
6 There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service. 
7 The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.
<b>One Body with Many Parts</b>
12 Christ is like a single body, which has many parts; it is still one body, even though it is made up of different parts. 
13 In the same way, all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free, have been baptized into the one body by the same Spirit, and we have all been given the one Spirit to drink.
OR
Romans 8:8-17
8 Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.
9 But you do not live as your human nature tells you to; instead, you live as the Spirit tells you to—if, in fact, God's Spirit lives in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 
10 But if Christ lives in you, the Spirit is life for you  because you have been put right with God, even though your bodies are going to die because of sin.   
11 If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you.
12 So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to. 
13 For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. 
14 Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children.
15 For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, “Father! my Father!” 
16 God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children. 
17 Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory.
Gospel: John 20:19-23
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
(Matthew 28.16-20; Mark 16.14-18; Luke 24.36-49)
19 It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said.
20 After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.”
22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”