Friday, March 25, 2016 (Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday)

 

Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday)

First Reading

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

5213Behold, my servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.14As many were astonished at him -- his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men -- 15so shall he startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they shall see, and that which they have not heard they shall understand.531Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. 8By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10Yet it was the will of the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand; 11he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities.12Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalms 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25

1In thee, O LORD, do I seek refuge; let me never be put to shame; in thy righteousness deliver me!5Into thy hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. 11I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. 12I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. 14But I trust in thee, O LORD, I say, "Thou art my God." 15My times are in thy hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors! 16Let thy face shine on thy servant; save me in thy steadfast love! 24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!

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Second Reading

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

414Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.57In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear.8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;9and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

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Gospel

John 18:1--19:42

181When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples across the Kidron valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" 5They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6When he said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 7Again he asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, let these men go." 9This was to fulfil the word which he had spoken, "Of those whom thou gavest me I lost not one." 10Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. 11Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?" 12So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him. 13First they led him to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Ca'iaphas, who was high priest that year. 14It was Ca'iaphas who had given counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 15Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. As this disciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of the high priest along with Jesus, 16while Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17The maid who kept the door said to Peter, "Are not you also one of this man's disciples?" He said, "I am not." 18Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves; Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. 19The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.20Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together; I have said nothing secretly. 21Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me, what I said to them; they know what I said." 22When he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" 23Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" 24Annas then sent him bound to Ca'iaphas the high priest. 25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, "Are not you also one of his disciples?" He denied it and said, "I am not." 26One of the servants of the high priest, a kinsman of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?"27Peter again denied it; and at once the cock crowed. 28Then they led Jesus from the house of Ca'iaphas to the praetorium. It was early. They themselves did not enter the praetorium, so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover. 29So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" 30They answered him, "If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have handed him over." 31Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death." 32This was to fulfil the word which Jesus had spoken to show by what death he was to die. 33Pilate entered the praetorium again and called Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" 34Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?" 35Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me; what have you done?" 36Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world." 37Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice." 38Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again, and told them, "I find no crime in him. 39But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover; will you have me release for you the King of the Jews?" 40They cried out again, "Not this man, but Barab'bas!" Now Barab'bas was a robber.191Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. 2And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe; 3they came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their hands. 4Pilate went out again, and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you, that you may know that I find no crime in him." 5So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!" 6When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him." 7The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God."8When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid; 9he entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave no answer. 10Pilate therefore said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?"11Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin." 12Upon this Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend; every one who makes himself a king sets himself against Caesar." 13When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, and in Hebrew, Gab'batha. 14Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" 15They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." 16Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. 17So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Gol'gotha. 18There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." 20Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, "Do not write, `The King of the Jews,' but, `This man said, I am King of the Jews.'"22Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." 23When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; 24so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfil the scripture, "They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." 25So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene.26When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" 27Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. 28After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), "I thirst." 29A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 31Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; 33but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.34But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35He who saw it has borne witness -- his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth -- that you also may believe. 36For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, "Not a bone of him shall be broken." 37And again another scripture says, "They shall look on him whom they have pierced." 38After this Joseph of Arimathe'a, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body. 39Nicode'mus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds' weight. 40They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid. 42So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Friday, January 06, 2012 {St. Andre Bessette, Religious (Optional Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
In the royal galley of divine Love, there is no galley slave: all rowers are volunteers.
-- St. Francis De Sales

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 1 John 5:5-13
(The Witness about Jesus Christ/ Eternal Life)
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
7 For there are three who testify :

Friday, December 30, 2011 {The Holy Family (Feast)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
 Mary's virginity and giving birth, and even the Lord's death escaped the notice of the prince of this world; these three mysteries worthy of proclamation were accomplished in God's silence.
-- St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Epesius 19:1


READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14
2 for the Lord has given fathers authority over their children and given children the obligation to obey their mothers.
3 If you respect your father, you can make up for your sins,
4 and if you honor your mother, you are earning great wealth.

Friday, November 18, 2011 {Dedication of the Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul (Optional Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Burning the candle at both ends for God's sake may be foolishness to the world, but it is a profitable Christian exercise-for so much better the light. Only one thing in life matters. Being found worthy of the Light of the World in the hour of His visitation. We need have no undue fear for our health if we work hard for the kingdom of God; God will take care of our health if we take care of His cause. In any case it is better to burn out than to rust out.
-- Bishop Fulton Sheen

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Acts 28:11-16, 30-31
11 After three months we sailed away on a ship from Alexandria, called “The Twin Gods,” which had spent the winter in the island.
12 We arrived in the city of Syracuse and stayed there for three days.
13 From there we sailed on and arrived in the city of Rhegium. The next day a wind began to blow from the south, and in two days we came to the town of Puteoli.

Friday, November 11, 2011 {St. Martin of Tours, Bishop (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Certainly nothing can so effectually humble us before the mercy of God as the multitude of his benefits. Nor can anything so much humble us before His justices as the enormity of our innumerable offences. Let us consider what He has done for us and what we have done against Him.
-- St. Francis de Sales

READINGS FOR TODAY (Well, You Must be so foolish if you don't Know God oh!!!!,
Not me oh!!!, The Bible says so)
First Reading: Wisdom 13:1-9
(The Foolishness of Nature Worship)
1 Anyone who does not know God is simply foolish. Such people look at the good things around them and still fail to see the living God. They have studied the things he made, but they have not recognized the one who made them.
2 Instead, they suppose that the gods who rule the world are fire or wind or storm or the circling stars or rushing water or the heavenly bodies.
3 People were so delighted with the beauty of these things that they thought they must be gods, but they should have realized that these things have a master and that he is much greater than all of them, for he is the creator of beauty, and he created them.

Friday, October 28, 2011 {Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles (Feast)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Mary, I wish always to be your child. I give you my heart; keep it for ever. O Jesus, O Mary, be always my friends. I pray you both to let me die rather than commit a sin.
-- St Dominic Savio

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Ephesians 2:19-22
19 So then, you Gentiles are not foreigners or strangers any longer; you are now citizens together with God's people and members of the family of God.
20 You, too, are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets,
the cornerstone being Christ Jesus himself.
21 He is the one who holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred temple dedicated to the Lord.

Friday, October 07, 2011 {Our Lady of the Rosary (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Mary was raised to the dignity of Mother of God rather for sinners than for the just, since Jesus Christ declares that he came to call not the just, but sinners.
-- St. Anselm


READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Acts 1:12-14
(Judas' Successor)
12 Then the apostles went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is about half a mile away from the city.
13 They entered the city and went up to the room where they were staying: Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas son of James. 
14 They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.

Friday, September 09, 2011 {St. Peter Claver, Priest (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 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 the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service,
13 though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted and insulted him; but I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.


Psalms: Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11
1 Preserve me, O God, for in thee I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, "Thou art my Lord; I have no good apart from thee."
5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot.
7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
11 Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.


Gospel:  Luke 6:39-42
39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?
40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.
41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
42 Or how can you say to your brother, `Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.


REFLECTION FOR TODAY
I pray You to destroy in me all that is not of You. Grant that I may live but in You, by You and for You, so that I may truly say, with St. Paul, "I live - now not I - But Christ lives in me.


-- St. John Gabriel

Friday, September 02, 2011 {Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart}

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Colossians 1:15-20
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation;
16 for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities -- all things were created through him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.
19 For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.


Psalms: Psalm 100:2-5
2 Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!
5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.


Gospel: Luke 5:33-39
33 And they said to him, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink."
34 And Jesus said to them, "Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?
35 The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days."
36 He told them a parable also: "No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it upon an old garment; if he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.
37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.
38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.
39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new; for he says, `The old is good.'"


REFLECTION FOR TODAY
[God] does not want each person to keep all the counsels, but only those appropriate to the diversity of persons, times, opportunities, and strengths, as charity requires; for it is charity, as queen of all virtues, all commandments, all counsels, and, in short, of all laws and all Christian actions that gives to all of them their rank, order, time, and value.


-- St Francis de Sales

Friday, August 19, 2011 {St. Louis, Bishop (Optional Memorial)}

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22
1    In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
3    But Elim'elech, the husband of Na'omi, died, and she was left with her two sons.
4    These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years;
5    and both Mahlon and Chil'ion died, so that the woman was bereft of her two sons and her husband.
6    Then she started with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food.
14    Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
15    And she said, "See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law."
16    But Ruth said, "Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God;
22    So Na'omi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

Psalms: Psalm 146:5-10
5    Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6    who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith for ever;
7    who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free;
8    the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
9    The LORD watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the fatherless; but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10    The LORD will reign for ever, thy God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40
34    But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sad'ducees, they came together.
35    And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, to test him.
36    "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"
37    And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
38    This is the great and first commandment.
39    And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
40    On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
As by the Word of God, Jesus our Savior was made Flesh and had both Flesh and Blood for our salvation, so also the food which has been blessed by the word of prayer instituted by Him is both the Flesh and Blood of Jesus Incarnate.

-- St Justin Martyr

Friday, August 05, 2011 {Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome (Optional Memorial)}

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:32-40
32     "For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of.
33     Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live?
34     Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
35     To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.
36     Out of heaven he let you hear his voice, that he might discipline you; and on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire.
37     And because he loved your fathers and chose their descendants after them, and brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power,
38     driving out before you nations greater and mightier than yourselves, to bring you in, to give you their land for an inheritance, as at this day;
39     know therefore this day, and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.
40     Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you this day, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD your God gives you for ever."

Psalms: Psalm 77:12-16, 21
12     I will meditate on all thy work, and muse on thy mighty deeds.
13     Thy way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?
14     Thou art the God who workest wonders, who hast manifested thy might among the peoples.
15     Thou didst with thy arm redeem thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. [Selah]
16     When the waters saw thee, O God, when the waters saw thee, they were afraid, yea, the deep trembled.

Gospel: Matthew 16:24-28
24     Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
25     For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
26     For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?
27     For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done.
28     Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
If according to times and needs you should be obliged to make fresh rules and change current things, do it with prudence and good advice.

-- St Angela Merici

Friday, July 29, 2011 {St. Martha (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37
1     The LORD said to Moses,
4     "These are the appointed feasts of the LORD, the holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at the time appointed for them.
5     In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, is the LORD's passover.
6     And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to the LORD; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.
7     On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work.
8     But you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD seven days; on the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work."
9     And the LORD said to Moses,
10     "Say to the people of Israel, When you come into the land which I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest;
11     and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, that you may find acceptance; on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
15     "And you shall count from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven full weeks shall they be,
16     counting fifty days to the morrow after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a cereal offering of new grain to the LORD.
27     "On the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present an offering by fire to the LORD.
34     "Say to the people of Israel, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month and for seven days is the feast of booths to the LORD.
35     On the first day shall be a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work.
36     Seven days you shall present offerings by fire to the LORD; on the eighth day you shall hold a holy convocation and present an offering by fire to the LORD; it is a solemn assembly; you shall do no laborious work.
37     "These are the appointed feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the LORD offerings by fire, burnt offerings and cereal offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day;

Psalms: Psalm 81:3-6, 10-11
3     Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.
4     For it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
5     He made it a decree in Joseph, when he went out over the land of Egypt. I hear a voice I had not known:
6     "I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket.
10     I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11     "But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would have none of me.

Gospel: John 11:19-27 or Luke 10:38-42
John 11:19-27
19     and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.
20     When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house.
21     Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
22     And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you."
23     Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24     Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25     Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
26     and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
27     She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world."

OR
Luke 10:38-42
38     Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house.
39     And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.
40     But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."
41     But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;
42     one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her."

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Look what fame he had, what a worldwide following gathered around him! But why? Perhaps because he was a philosopher? Because he was wise? Because he had resources at his disposal? Because he said Mass humbly, heard confessions from dawn to dusk and was-it is not easy to say it-one who bore the wounds of our Lord. He was a man of prayer and suffering.


-- Pope Paul VI (21 Feb. 1971) commenting on the life of Padre Pio

Friday, July 22, 2011 {St. Mary Magdalen (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17
1     And God spoke all these words, saying,
2     "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3     "You shall have no other gods before me.
4     "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;
5     you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,
6     but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7     "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
8     "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9     Six days you shall labor, and do all your work;
10     but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates;
11     for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.
12     "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
13     "You shall not kill.
14     "You shall not commit adultery.
15     "You shall not steal.
16     "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17     "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor's."

Psalms: Psalm 19:8-11
8     the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9     the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
10     More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
11     Moreover by them is thy servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Gospel: John 20:1-2, 11-18
1     Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag'dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
2     So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."
11     But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb;
12     and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.
13     They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."
14     Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
15     Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."
16     Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rab-bo'ni!" (which means Teacher).
17     Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."
18     Mary Mag'dalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Take heed not to foster thy own judgment, for, without doubt, it will inebriate thee; as there is no difference between an intoxicated man and one full of his own opinion, and one is no more capable of reasoning than the other.

-- St. Francis de Sales

Friday, July 01, 2011 {The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus}

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Deuteronomy 7:6-11
6 "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, out of all the peoples that are on the face of the earth.
7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love upon you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples;
8 but it is because the LORD loves you, and is keeping the oath which he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
10 and requites to their face those who hate him, by destroying them; he will not be slack with him who hates him, he will requite him to his face.
11 You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which I command you this day.

Psalms: Psalm 103:1-4, 6-7, 8, 10
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
6 The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor requite us according to our iniquities

Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-16
7 Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.
8 He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.
9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his own Spirit.
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
16 So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes;
26 yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.
27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
REFLECTION FOR TODAY
My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings.

-- St Isaac Jogues

Friday, June 24, 2011 {The Birth of St. John the Baptist (Solemnity)}

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6

1     Listen to me, O coastlands, and hearken, you peoples from afar. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.

2     He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away.

3     And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified."

4     But I said, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God."

5     And now the LORD says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength --

6     he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."

Psalms: Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15

1     O LORD, thou hast searched me and known me!

2     Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up; thou discernest my thoughts from afar.

3     Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

13     For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother's womb.

14     I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful. Wonderful are thy works! Thou knowest me right well;

15     my frame was not hidden from thee, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.

Second Reading: Acts 13:22-26

22     And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; of whom he testified and said, `I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'

23     Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.

24     Before his coming John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25     And as John was finishing his course, he said, `What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'

26     "Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80

57     Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son.

58     And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

59     And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechari'ah after his father,

60     but his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John."

61     And they said to her, "None of your kindred is called by this name."

62     And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called.

63     And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all marveled.

64     And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.

65     And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea;

66     and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.

80     And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
And whence comes our pride if not from our forgetfulness of the Eucharist---thar pride which finds cause for self-exaltation in the graces recieved, in the gifts of God. Are you afflicted with this pride when you communicate, when you feel within you the presence of Jesus, Who says to you," What! You exalt yourselves with the dignities and graces I have given you, with the privileged love I bear you! But see, I annihilate Myself. Do at least as I do!" Meditation on the self abasement of our Lord in the Sacrament is the true road to humility.

-- St. Peter Eymard

Friday, June 03, 2011 Sts. Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs (Memorial)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 18:9-18
9     And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent;
10     for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city."
11     And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12     But when Gallio was proconsul of Acha'ia, the Jews made a united attack upon Paul and brought him before the tribunal,
13     saying, "This man is persuading men to worship God contrary to the law."
14     But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, I should have reason to bear with you, O Jews;
15     but since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I refuse to be a judge of these things."
16     And he drove them from the tribunal.
17     And they all seized Sos'thenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to this.
18     After this Paul stayed many days longer, and then took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aq'uila. At Cen'chre-ae he cut his hair, for he had a vow.

Psalms: Psalm 47:2-7
2     For the LORD, the Most High, is terrible, a great king over all the earth.
3     He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
4     He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. [Selah]
5     God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
6     Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7     For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!

Gospel: John 16:20-23
20     Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
21     When a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world.
22     So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
23     In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name.

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
Alas, my dear brethren, the man who lives according to the direction of his passions and abandons the service of God is both unhappy and capable of so little! Put an army of one hundred thousand men around a dead man and let them employ all their power to bring him back to life. No, no, my dear children, he will not come to life again. But let someone who is despised by the world, but who enjoys the friendship of God, command this dead man to take up life again; immediately you will see him arise and walk. We have other proofs of this too. If it were necessary to be wealthy or to be very learned to serve God, a great many people would be unable to do it. But, no, my dear children, extensive learning or great wealth are not at all necessary for the service of God. On the contrary, they are often a very big obstacle to it. Yes, my dear brethren, let us be rich or poor, in whatever state we may be, learned or otherwise, we can please God and save our souls.
-- St. John Vianney