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.”

Homosexual group publishes the 'Queen James Bible'

Don't like the Bible? Well, you could just create your own version. At least that's what a homosexual group has done. The world's first "gay friendly" Bible [book] has been published as the "Queen James Bible."

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online)- The Queen James Bible seeks to legitimize the homosexual equivalency movement by changing the language of the Bible. Multiple verses throughout the book have been rewritten so they read in a fashion different from their original intent.

According to the group behind the publication, the anti-homosexual prohibitions in Scripture are a modern addition. They point out that the word "homosexual" did not appear in the Bible until 1946.

The website promoting the book says, "The Queen James Bible resolves any homophobic interpretations of the Bible, but the Bible is still filled with inequality and even contradiction that we have not addressed... No Bible is perfect, including this one. We wanted to make a book filled with the word of God that nobody could use to incorrectly condemn God's LGBT children, and we succeeded."

Unfortunately, what they have succeeded in doing is misrepresenting the word of God. Nowhere in Scripture does God condemn any of his children who come to him in loving faith. What scripture does condemn are specific immoral acts, including sexual congress outside the context of marriage which can only exist between one man and one woman.

The claim that the Bible is imperfect is simply a postmodern assessment, the well-known byproduct of a bankrupt worldview.

In addition to changing scriptures throughout the Bible, the authors of the book claim that King James I was bisexual, despite the fact there is no concrete historical evidence to verify this. Even if it were true, it would have no effect on the veracity Scripture, since King James I merely commissioned the popular English translation. The actual work was done by clergy.

We will not cite here, the perverse translations generated by a group that endeavors to use Holy Scripture to promote a secular, sexuality agenda.

It is not expected that this book will catch on anytime soon, even in the homosexual community.

My advice to us all is to repent for the Kingdom of God is damn so near!!!
© 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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.