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

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 

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

Monday, July 30, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
God told me, "God replied to me," they assert--- and yet most of the time they are talking to themselves.
-- St. John of the Cross

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Jeremiah 13:1-11
The Linen Shorts 13
1 The Lord told me to go and buy myself some linen shorts and to put them on; but he told me not to put them in water.
2 So I bought them and put them on. 3 Then the Lord spoke to me again and said,
4 “Go to the Euphrates River and hide the shorts in a hole in the rocks.”

Tuesday, July 10, {St. Veronica Giuliani, Virgin (Feast)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Dismiss all anger and look into yourself a little. Remember that he of whom you are speaking is your brother, and, as he is in the way of salvation, God can make him a Saint, in spite of his present weakness.
-- St. Thomas of Villanova

READINGS FOR TODAY
Tuesday, July 10, {St. Veronica Giuliani, Virgin (Feast)}First Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:6-11, 16, 176 The God who said, “Out of darkness the light shall shine!” is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God's glory shining in the face of Christ.
7 Yet we who have this spiritual treasure are like common clay pots, in order to show that the supreme power belongs to God, not to us.
8 We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair;
9 there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed.

Monday, July 09, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
If we say less than we should, it is easy to add. But having said too much, it is hard to take it away.
-- St. Francis de Sales

READINGS FOR TODAY
Monday, July 09, 2012 (Weekday)First Reading: Hosea 2:16-18, 21-22
16 Then once again she will call me her husband—she will no longer call me her Baal.
17 I will never let her speak the name of Baal again.
18 At that time I will make a covenant with all the wild animals and birds, so that they will not harm my people. I will also remove all weapons of war from the land, all swords and bows, and will let my people live in peace and safety.
21-22 At that time I will answer the prayers of my people Israel.
I will make rain fall on the earth, and the earth will produce grain and grapes and olives.

Psalm: Psalm 145:2-9
2 Every day I will thank you; I will praise you forever and ever.
3 The Lord is great and is to be highly praised; his greatness is beyond understanding.
4 What you have done will be praised from one generation to the next; they will proclaim your mighty acts.
5 They will speak of your glory and majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
6 People will speak of your mighty deeds, and I will proclaim your greatness.
7 They will tell about all your goodness and sing about your kindness.
8 The Lord is loving and merciful, slow to become angry and full of constant love.
9 He is good to everyone and has compassion on all he made.

Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26
(The Official's Daughter and the Woman Who Touched Jesus' Cloak)
18 While Jesus was saying this, a Jewish official came to him, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died; but come and place your hands on her, and she will live.”
19 So Jesus got up and followed him, and his disciples went along with him.
20 A woman who had suffered from severe bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If only I touch his cloak, I will get well.”
22 Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, my daughter! Your faith has made you well.” At that very moment the woman became well.
23 Then Jesus went into the official's house. When he saw the musicians for the funeral and the people all stirred up,
24 he said, “Get out, everybody! The little girl is not dead—she is only sleeping!” Then they all started making fun of him.
25 But as soon as the people had been put out, Jesus went into the girl's room and took hold of her hand, and she got up. 26 The news about this spread all over that part of the country.

Thursday, June 07, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The pure soul is a beautiful rose, and the Three Divine Persons descend from Heaven to inhale its fragrance.
-- St. John Vianney
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-158 Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from death, who was a descendant of David, as is taught in the Good News I preach.
9 Because I preach the Good News, I suffer and I am even chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not in chains,
10 and so I endure everything for the sake of God's chosen people, in order that they too may obtain the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus and brings eternal glory.
11 This is a true saying:
 “If we have died with him,
 we shall also live with him.
  If we continue to endure,
 we shall also rule with him.
 If we deny him,
 he also will deny us.
13 If we are not faithful,
 he remains faithful,
 because he cannot be false to himself.”
 An Approved Worker
14 Remind your people of this, and give them a solemn warning in God's presence not to fight over words. It does no good, but only ruins the people who listen. 15 Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth.

Psalm: Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14
4 Teach me your ways, O Lord;  make them known to me.
5 Teach me to live according to your truth, for you are my God, who saves me.
 I always trust in you.
8 Because the Lord is righteous and good, he teaches sinners the path they should follow.
9 He leads the humble in the right way and teaches them his will.
10 With faithfulness and love he leads all who keep his covenant and obey his commands.
14 The Lord is the friend of those who obey him and he affirms his covenant with them.

Gospel:   Mark 12:28-34
(Matthew 22.34-40; Luke 10.25-28)
28 A teacher of the Law was there who heard the discussion. He saw that Jesus had given the Sadducees a good answer, so he came to him with a question: “Which commandment is the most important of all?”
29  Jesus replied, “The most important one is this: ‘Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. 
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with
all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 
31 The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment more
important than these two.”
32  The teacher of the Law said to Jesus, “Well done, Teacher! It is true, as you say, that only the Lord is God and that there is no other god but he. 
33 And you must love God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength; and you must love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is more important to obey these two commandments than to offer on the altar animals and other sacrifices to God.”
 34 Jesus noticed how wise his answer was, and so he told him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” After this nobody dared to ask Jesus any more questions.

Monday, June 04, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Those who trust in themselves are worse than the devil!!
-- St. John of the Cross

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Peter 1:2-72 May grace and peace be yours in full measure through your knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
 God's Call and Choice
3 God's divine power has given us everything we need to live a truly religious life through our knowledge of the one who called us to share in his own  glory and goodness.
4 In this way he has given us the very great and precious gifts he promised, so that by means of these gifts you may escape from the destructive lust that is in the world, and may come to share the divine nature.
5 For this very reason do your best to add goodness to your faith; to your goodness add knowledge;
6 to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add endurance; to your endurance add godliness;
7 to your godliness add Christian affection; and to your Christian affection add love.

Psalm: Psalm 91:1-2, 14-16
(God Our Protector)1 Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty,
2 can say to him, “You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust.”
14 God says, “I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them.
16 I will reward them with long life; I will save them.”

Gospel: Mark 12:1-12
(The Parable of the Tenants in the Vineyard)
(Matthew 21.33-46; Luke 20.9-19) 1 Then Jesus spoke to them in parables: “Once there was a man who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press, and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to tenants and left home on a trip.
2 When the time came to gather the grapes, he sent a slave to the tenants to receive from them his share of the harvest.
3 The tenants grabbed the slave, beat him, and sent him back without a thing.
4 Then the owner sent another slave; the tenants beat him over the head and treated him shamefully.
5 The owner sent another slave, and they killed him; and they treated many others the same way, beating some and killing others.
6 The only one left to send was the man's own dear son. Last of all, then, he sent his son to the tenants. ‘I am sure they will respect my son,’ he said.
7 But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the owner's son. Come on, let's kill him, and his property will be ours!’
8 So they grabbed the son and killed him and threw his body out of the vineyard.
9 “What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do?” asked Jesus. “He will come and kill those tenants and turn the vineyard over to others. 
10 Surely you have read this scripture? ‘The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.
11 This was done by the Lord; what a wonderful sight it is!’”
12 The Jewish leaders tried to arrest Jesus, because they knew that he had told this parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

Sunday, June 03, 2012 {The Most Holy Trinity (Solemnity)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Whenever we suffer some affliction, we should regard it both as punishment and as a correction. Our holy Scriptures themselves do not promise us peace, security and rest. On the contrary, the Gospel makes no secret of the troubles and temptations that await us, but it also says that he who perseveres to the end will be saved. So we must not grumble, my brothers, and for as the Apostle says: some of them murmured and were destroyed by serpents. Is there any affliction now endured by mankind that was not endured by our fathers before us? What sufferings of ours even bear comparison with what we know of their sufferings? How then can you think that past ages were better than your own?
-- St. Augustine

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
32 “Search the past, the time before you were born, all the way back to the time when God created human beings on the earth. Search the entire earth. Has anything as great as this ever happened before? Has anyone ever heard of anything like this?
33 Have any people ever lived after hearing a god speak to them from a fire, as you have?
34 Has any god ever dared to go and take a people from another nation and make them his own, as the Lord your God did for you in Egypt? Before your very eyes he used his great power and strength; he brought plagues and war, worked miracles and wonders, and caused terrifying things to happen.
39 So remember today and never forget: the Lord is God in heaven and on earth. There is no other god.
40 Obey all his laws that I have given you today, and all will go well with you and your descendants. You will continue to live in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to be yours forever.”

Psalm: Psalm 33:4-6, 9, 18-20, 22
4 The words of the Lord are true, and all his works are dependable.
5 The Lord loves what is righteous and just; his constant love fills the earth.
6 The Lord created the heavens by his command, the sun, moon, and stars by his spoken word.
9 When he spoke, the world was created; at his command everything appeared.
18 The Lord watches over those who obey him, those who trust in his constant love.
19 He saves them from death; he keeps them alive in times of famine.
20 We put our hope in the Lord; he is our protector and our help.
22 May your constant love be with us, Lord, as we put our hope in you.

Second Reading: Romans 8:14-17
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: Matthew 28:16-20
(Jesus Appears to His Disciples)
(Mark 16.14-18; Luke 24.36-49; John 20.19-23; Acts 1.6-8)16 The eleven disciples went to the hill in Galilee where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him, even though some of them doubted.
18 Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”

Sunday, May 27, 2010 Pentecost Sunday (Solemnity)

REFLECTION FOR TODAYPrayer is to our soul what rain is to the soil. Fertilize the soil ever so richly, it will remain barren unless fed by frequent rains.
-- St John Vianney

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading:  Acts 2:1-11
The Coming of the Holy Spirit 1 When 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, 341 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 or  Galatians 5:16-251 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.
 One Body with Many Parts 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
Galatians 5:16-25
The Spirit and Human Nature 16 What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. 
17 For what our human nature wants is opposed
to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do.
18 If the Spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the Law.
19 What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions;
20 in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups;
21 they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires.
25 The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives.
Gospel: John 20:19-23 or  John 15:26-27;  John 16:12-15; John 20:19-23
Jesus Appears to His Disciples (Promises to Send a Helper)
(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. 
23 If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
OR
John 15:26-2726 “The Helper will come—the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God and who comes from the Father. I will send him to you from the Father, and he will speak about me.
27 And you, too, will speak about me, because you have been with me from the very beginning.
OR
John 16:12-1512 “I have much more to tell you, but now it would be too much for you to bear. 
13 When, however, the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, he
will lead you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own authority, but he will speak of what he hears and will tell you of things to come.
14 He will give me glory, because he will take what I say and tell it to you.
15 All that my Father has is mine; that is why I said that the Spirit will take what I give him and tell it to you.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 {Saint Isidore the Farmer (Optional Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Unless you strive after virtues and practice them, you will never grow to be more than dwarfs.
-- St. Theresa of Avila

READINGS FOR TODAY
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 {Saint Isidore the Farmer (Optional Memorial)}
First Reading: Acts 16:22-34
22 And the crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas.
Then the officials tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered them to be whipped.
23 After a severe beating, they were thrown into jail, and the jailer was ordered to lock them up tight.
24 Upon receiving this order, the jailer threw them into the inner cell and fastened their feet between heavy blocks of wood.

Wednesday, March 07, 2012 {Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs (Commemoration)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
She [Mary] stands out among the poor and humble of the Lord, who confidently hope for and receive salvation from him. After a long period of waiting the times are fulfilled in her, the exalted Daughter of Sion, and the new plan of salvation is established.
-- Lumen Gentium
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Jeremiah 18:18-20(A Plot against Jeremiah)18 Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
19 Give heed to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of those who contend with me.
20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them.

Tuesday, March 06, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The person with fortitude is the one who perseveres in doing what his conscience tells him he ought to do. He does not measure the value of a task exclusively by the benefit he derives from it, but rather by the service he renders to others.
-- St. Josemaria Escriva
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Readings: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
(Justice, Not Sacrifices/ An Invitation from the Lord)
10 You are no better than the leaders and people of Sodom and Gomorrah! So listen to the Lord God:
16 Wash yourselves clean! I am disgusted with your filthy deeds. Stop doing wrong and learn to live right.
See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help those in need.”
18 I, the Lord, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool.

Monday, March 05, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
As iron is fashioned by fire and on the anvil, so in the fire of suffering and under the weight of trials, our souls receive that form which our Lord desires them to have.
-- St. Madeline Sophie Barat

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Daniel 9:4-10
4 I prayed to Yahweh my God, and made confession, and said, Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments,

5 we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your ordinances;

6 neither have we listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

Sunday, March 04, 2012 (Second Sunday of Lent)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Irrational feeding darkens the soul and makes it unfit for spiritual experiences.

-- St. Thomas Aquinas

READINGS FOR TODAY

First Reading: Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18

(God Commands Abraham to Offer Isaac)

1 It happened after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”

He said, “Here I am.”

2 He said, “Now take your son, your only son, whom you love, even Isaac, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there for a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.”

9 They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood.

Saturday, March 03, 2012 {St. Katharine Drexel, Virgin (Commemoration)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Laetáre, Jerúsalem: et convéntum fácite, omnes qui dilígites eam: gaudéte cum laetítia, qui in tristítia fuístis: ut exsultétis, et satiémini ab ubéribus consolatiónis vestrae. Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation.
-- Introit, Laetáre Sunday, St. Andrew's Missal, 1945

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Deuteronomy 26:16-19
(The Lord's Own People)
16 This day Yahweh your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances: you shall therefore keep and do them with all your heart, and with all your soul.
17 You have declared Yahweh this day to be your God, and that you would walk in his ways, and keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his ordinances, and listen to his voice:
18 and Yahweh has declared you this day to be a people for his own possession, as he has promised you, and that you should keep all his commandments;

Friday, March 02, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Inordinate love for the flesh is cruelty, because under the appearance of pleasing the body, we kill the soul.
-- St. Bernard of Clairvaux
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Ezekiel 18:21-2821 But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 None of his transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he has done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? says the Lord Yahweh; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?

Thursday, March 01, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Our Lord knew that to draw strength and efficacy from fasting, something more than abstinence from prohibited food is necessary. Thus He instructed His disciples and, consequently, disposed them to gather the fruits proper to fasting. Among many others are these four: fasting fortifies the spirit, mortifying the flesh and its sensuality; it raises the spirit to God; it fights concupiscence and gives power to conquer and deaden its passions; in short, it disposes the heart to seek to please only God with great purity of heart.
-- St. Francis de Sales

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 1 Esther 12: 14-16, 23-25
14 In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, who kept the concubines: she came in to the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.
15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her.
16 So Esther was taken to king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Go to your adoration as one would go to Heaven, to the divine banquet. Tell yourself, in four hours, in two hours, in one hour our Lord will give me an audience of grace and love. He has invited me; He is waiting for me; He is longing for me.
-- St. Peter Julian Eymard

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Jonah 3:1-10
(Jonah Obeys the Lord)
1 The word of Yahweh came to Jonah the second time, saying,
2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you.”
3 So Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to the word of Yahweh. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey across.