Date: February 25, 2009
First Reading (Joel 2: 12-18)
A reading from the book of Joel.
The Lord says, "Yet even now, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning. Rend your heart, not your garment. Return to the Lord, your God — gracious and compassionate." The Lord is slow to anger, full of kindness and he repents of having punished. Who knows? Probably he will relent once more and spare some part of the harvest from which we may bring sacred offerings to the Lord, your God. Blow the trumpet in Zion, proclaim a sacred fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather the people, sanctify the community, bring together the elders, even the children and infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his bed, and the bride her room. Between the vestibule and the altar, let the priests, the Lord's ministers, weep and say: Spare your people, O Lord. Do not humble them or make them an object of scorn among the nations. Why should it be stated among the peoples: Where is their God? Yahweh has become jealous for his land; he has had pity on his people.
Second Reading (2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:2)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: So we present ourselves as ambassadors in the name of Christ, as if God himself makes an appeal to you; through us. Let God reconcile you, this we ask you in the name of Christ. He had no sin, but God made him bear our sin, so that in him we might share the holiness of God. Being God's helpers we implore you, let it not be in vain that you received this grace of God. For the Scripture says: At the favorable time I listened to you, on the day of salvation I helped you. This is the favorable time and this is the day of salvation.
Gospel (Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
Jesus states this by teaching his disciples up on the mountain: "Be careful not to make a show of your righteousness before people. If you do so, you will not gain anything from your Father in heaven. When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be seen in the synagogues and in the streets in order to be praised by the people. I assure you, they have been already paid in full. If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift remains really secret. Your Father who sees what is kept confidential, shall reward you. When you pray, do not be like those who want to be seen. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father who sees what is kept confidential, shall reward you. When you fast, do not put on a miserable face as what the hypocrites do. They put on a gloomy face, so people can see that they are fasting. I tell you this: they have been paid in full already. When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, because you are not fasting for appearances or for people, but for your Father who sees beyond appearances. And your Father, who sees what is kept confidential, shall reward you."
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Date: February 22, 2009
First Reading (Isaiah 43: 18–19, 21–22, and 24b–25)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah.
Do not dwell on the past, or remember the things of old. Look, I am doing a new thing: now it springs forth. Do you not see? I am opening up a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. I have formed this people for myself; they will proclaim my praise. You have not called upon me, O Jacob, indeed you were tired of me, O Israel; instead you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses. I it is, I am He who blots out your offenses for my own sake, and remembers your sin no more.
Second Reading (2 Corinthians 1: 18–22)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: God knows that our dealing with you is not Yes and No, just as the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we — Silvanus, Timothy and I — preach to you, was not Yes and No; with him it was simply Yes. In him all the promises of God have come to be a Yes, and we also say in his name: Amen! Giving thanks to God. God himself has anointed us and strengthens us with you to serve Christ; he has marked us with his own seal in a first outpouring of the Spirit in our hearts.
Gospel (Mark 2: 1–12)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
After some days, Jesus returned to Capernaum. As the news spread that he was at home, so many people gathered that there was no longer room even outside the door. While Jesus was preaching the Word to them, some people brought a paralyzed man to him. The four men who carried him could not approach closer to Jesus because of the crowd, so they opened the roof above the room where Jesus was, and through the hole, lowered the man on his mat. When Jesus saw the faith of these people, he stated to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now, some teachers of the Law who were sitting there wondered within themselves, "How can he speak like this insulting God? Who can forgive sins except God?" At once Jesus knew through his spirit what they were thinking and asked, "Why do you wonder? Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man: 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say: 'Rise, take up your mat and walk?' But now you shall know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." And he stated to the paralytic, "Stand up, take up your mat, and go home." The rose and in the sight of those people, he took up his mat and went out. The crowd were astonished and praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
First Reading (Isaiah 43: 18–19, 21–22, and 24b–25)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah.
Do not dwell on the past, or remember the things of old. Look, I am doing a new thing: now it springs forth. Do you not see? I am opening up a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. I have formed this people for myself; they will proclaim my praise. You have not called upon me, O Jacob, indeed you were tired of me, O Israel; instead you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses. I it is, I am He who blots out your offenses for my own sake, and remembers your sin no more.
Second Reading (2 Corinthians 1: 18–22)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: God knows that our dealing with you is not Yes and No, just as the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we — Silvanus, Timothy and I — preach to you, was not Yes and No; with him it was simply Yes. In him all the promises of God have come to be a Yes, and we also say in his name: Amen! Giving thanks to God. God himself has anointed us and strengthens us with you to serve Christ; he has marked us with his own seal in a first outpouring of the Spirit in our hearts.
Gospel (Mark 2: 1–12)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
After some days, Jesus returned to Capernaum. As the news spread that he was at home, so many people gathered that there was no longer room even outside the door. While Jesus was preaching the Word to them, some people brought a paralyzed man to him. The four men who carried him could not approach closer to Jesus because of the crowd, so they opened the roof above the room where Jesus was, and through the hole, lowered the man on his mat. When Jesus saw the faith of these people, he stated to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now, some teachers of the Law who were sitting there wondered within themselves, "How can he speak like this insulting God? Who can forgive sins except God?" At once Jesus knew through his spirit what they were thinking and asked, "Why do you wonder? Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man: 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say: 'Rise, take up your mat and walk?' But now you shall know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." And he stated to the paralytic, "Stand up, take up your mat, and go home." The rose and in the sight of those people, he took up his mat and went out. The crowd were astonished and praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Sunday, February 15, 2009
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Date: February 15, 2009
First Reading (Leviticus 13: 1–2, 45–46)
A reading from the book of Leviticus.
The Lord stated to Moses and Aaron, "If some has a boil, an inflammation or a sore on his skin which could develop into leprosy, he must be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of the priests, his descendants. A person infected with leprosy must wear torn clothing and leave his hair uncombed; he must cover his upper lip and cry, "Unclean, unclean." As along as the disease lasts he must be unclean; and therefore he must live away from others: he must live outside the camp.
Second Reading (1 Corinthians: 10:31 – 11:1)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. Give no offense to the Jews, or to the Greeks, or to the Church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything. I do not seek my own interest, but that if many, this is: that they be saved. Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.
Gospel (Mark 1: 40–45)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
A leper came to Jesus and implored him, "If you so will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretch out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." The leprosy left the man once and he was made clean. As Jesus sent the man away, he sternly warned him, "Do not tell anybody about this, but go and show yourself to the priest and for the cleansing bring the offering order by Moses; in this way you will make your declaration." However, in spite of Jesus' warning, as soon as the man went out, he began spreading the news everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter any town. But even though Jesus stayed in rural areas, people came to him from everywhere.
First Reading (Leviticus 13: 1–2, 45–46)
A reading from the book of Leviticus.
The Lord stated to Moses and Aaron, "If some has a boil, an inflammation or a sore on his skin which could develop into leprosy, he must be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of the priests, his descendants. A person infected with leprosy must wear torn clothing and leave his hair uncombed; he must cover his upper lip and cry, "Unclean, unclean." As along as the disease lasts he must be unclean; and therefore he must live away from others: he must live outside the camp.
Second Reading (1 Corinthians: 10:31 – 11:1)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. Give no offense to the Jews, or to the Greeks, or to the Church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything. I do not seek my own interest, but that if many, this is: that they be saved. Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.
Gospel (Mark 1: 40–45)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
A leper came to Jesus and implored him, "If you so will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretch out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." The leprosy left the man once and he was made clean. As Jesus sent the man away, he sternly warned him, "Do not tell anybody about this, but go and show yourself to the priest and for the cleansing bring the offering order by Moses; in this way you will make your declaration." However, in spite of Jesus' warning, as soon as the man went out, he began spreading the news everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter any town. But even though Jesus stayed in rural areas, people came to him from everywhere.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Date: February 8, 2009
First Reading (Job 7: 1–4 and 6–7)
A reading from the book of Job.
Job states, "Man's life on earth is a thankless job, his days are those of a mercenary. Like a slave he longs for the shade of evening, like a hireling waiting for his wages. Thus I am allotted months of boredom and nights of grief and misery. In bed I say, 'When shall the day break?' On rising, I think, 'When shall evening come?' and I toss restless till dawn. My days pass swifter than a weaver's shuttle, heading without hope to their end. My life is like wind, you well know it, O God; never will I see happiness again."
Second Reading (1 Corinthians 9: 16–23)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: Whereas I cannot boast of announcing the Gospel: I am bound to do it. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I could expect my reward, but I have been trusted this office against my will. How can I, then, deserve a reward? In announcing the Gospel, I will do it freely without making use of the rights given to me by the Gospel. So, feeling free with everybody, I have become everybody's slave in order to gain a greater number. To save the Jews I became a Jew with the Jews, and because they are under the Law, I myself submitted to the Law, although I am free from it. With the pagans, not subject to the Law, I became one of them, although I am not without a law of God, since Christ is my Law. Yet I wanted to gain those strangers to the Law. With people of unformed conscience I acted as if I were sharing their scruples in order to gain those who are still weak. So I made myself all things to all people in order to save, by all possible means, some of them. This I do for the Gospel, so that I too have a share of it.
Gospel (Mark 1: 29–39)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. As Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with fever, they immediately told him about her. Jesus went to her and taking her by the hand, raised her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening at sundown, people brought to Jesus all the sick and those who had evil spirits: the whole town was pressing around the door. Jesus healed many who had various diseases, and drove out many demons; but he did not let them speak, for they knew who he was. Very early in the morning, before daylight, Jesus went off to a lonely place where he prayed. Simon and the others went out also, searching for him; and when they found him, they stated, "Everyone is searching for you." Then Jesus answered, "Let us go to the nearby villages so that I may preach there too; for that is why I came." So Jesus set out to preach in all the synagogues through Galilee; he also cast out plenty of demons.
First Reading (Job 7: 1–4 and 6–7)
A reading from the book of Job.
Job states, "Man's life on earth is a thankless job, his days are those of a mercenary. Like a slave he longs for the shade of evening, like a hireling waiting for his wages. Thus I am allotted months of boredom and nights of grief and misery. In bed I say, 'When shall the day break?' On rising, I think, 'When shall evening come?' and I toss restless till dawn. My days pass swifter than a weaver's shuttle, heading without hope to their end. My life is like wind, you well know it, O God; never will I see happiness again."
Second Reading (1 Corinthians 9: 16–23)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: Whereas I cannot boast of announcing the Gospel: I am bound to do it. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I could expect my reward, but I have been trusted this office against my will. How can I, then, deserve a reward? In announcing the Gospel, I will do it freely without making use of the rights given to me by the Gospel. So, feeling free with everybody, I have become everybody's slave in order to gain a greater number. To save the Jews I became a Jew with the Jews, and because they are under the Law, I myself submitted to the Law, although I am free from it. With the pagans, not subject to the Law, I became one of them, although I am not without a law of God, since Christ is my Law. Yet I wanted to gain those strangers to the Law. With people of unformed conscience I acted as if I were sharing their scruples in order to gain those who are still weak. So I made myself all things to all people in order to save, by all possible means, some of them. This I do for the Gospel, so that I too have a share of it.
Gospel (Mark 1: 29–39)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. As Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with fever, they immediately told him about her. Jesus went to her and taking her by the hand, raised her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening at sundown, people brought to Jesus all the sick and those who had evil spirits: the whole town was pressing around the door. Jesus healed many who had various diseases, and drove out many demons; but he did not let them speak, for they knew who he was. Very early in the morning, before daylight, Jesus went off to a lonely place where he prayed. Simon and the others went out also, searching for him; and when they found him, they stated, "Everyone is searching for you." Then Jesus answered, "Let us go to the nearby villages so that I may preach there too; for that is why I came." So Jesus set out to preach in all the synagogues through Galilee; he also cast out plenty of demons.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Date: February 1, 2009
First Reading (Deuteronomy 18: 15–20)
A reading from the book of Deuteronomy.
"God will raise up for you a prophet like myself from among the people, from your brothers, to whom you shall listen. Remember that in Horeb, on the day of the Assembly, you stated, "I am afraid to die and I do not want to hear the voice of God again or see again that great fire." So God stated to me: "They have spoken well. I shall raise up a prophet from their midst, one of their brothers, who will be like you. I will put my words when the prophet speaks on my behalf, I myself will call him to account for it. But any prophet who says in my name anything that I did not command, or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.""
Second Reading (1 Corinthians 7: 32–35)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: I would like you to be free from anxieties. He who is not married is concerned about the things of the Lord and how to please the Lord. While he who is married is taken up with the things of the world and how to please his wife, and his is divided in his interests. Likewise, the unmarried woman and the virgin are concerned with the service of the Lord, to be holy in body and spirit. The married woman, instead, worries about the things of the world and how to please her husband. I say this for your own good. I do not wish to lay traps for you but to lead you to a beautiful life, entirely united with the Lord.
Gospel (Mark 1: 21–28)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Jesus and his first disciples entered the town of Capernaum and Jesus began to teach in the synagogue during the sabbath assemblies. The people were astonished at the way he taught, for he spoke as one having authority and not like the teachers of the Law. It transpired that a man with an evil spirit was in their synagogue and he shouted, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: You are the Holy One of God!" Then Jesus faced him, rebuked him with authority, "Be silent and come out of this man!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and with a loud shriek, it came out of him. All the people were astonished and they wondered, "What is this? With what authority he preaches! He even orders evil spirits and they obey him!" And Jesus' fame spread throughout all the country of Galilee.
First Reading (Deuteronomy 18: 15–20)
A reading from the book of Deuteronomy.
"God will raise up for you a prophet like myself from among the people, from your brothers, to whom you shall listen. Remember that in Horeb, on the day of the Assembly, you stated, "I am afraid to die and I do not want to hear the voice of God again or see again that great fire." So God stated to me: "They have spoken well. I shall raise up a prophet from their midst, one of their brothers, who will be like you. I will put my words when the prophet speaks on my behalf, I myself will call him to account for it. But any prophet who says in my name anything that I did not command, or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.""
Second Reading (1 Corinthians 7: 32–35)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: I would like you to be free from anxieties. He who is not married is concerned about the things of the Lord and how to please the Lord. While he who is married is taken up with the things of the world and how to please his wife, and his is divided in his interests. Likewise, the unmarried woman and the virgin are concerned with the service of the Lord, to be holy in body and spirit. The married woman, instead, worries about the things of the world and how to please her husband. I say this for your own good. I do not wish to lay traps for you but to lead you to a beautiful life, entirely united with the Lord.
Gospel (Mark 1: 21–28)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Jesus and his first disciples entered the town of Capernaum and Jesus began to teach in the synagogue during the sabbath assemblies. The people were astonished at the way he taught, for he spoke as one having authority and not like the teachers of the Law. It transpired that a man with an evil spirit was in their synagogue and he shouted, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: You are the Holy One of God!" Then Jesus faced him, rebuked him with authority, "Be silent and come out of this man!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and with a loud shriek, it came out of him. All the people were astonished and they wondered, "What is this? With what authority he preaches! He even orders evil spirits and they obey him!" And Jesus' fame spread throughout all the country of Galilee.
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