Celebration of the Blessing of the Basilican Lateral Church

Date: November 9, 2014

First Reading (Ezekiel 47: 1–2, 8–9 and 12)
A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.
The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple and I saw water coming out from the threshold of the temple and flowing eastward. The temple faced the east and the water flowed from the south side of the temple, from the south side of the altar. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside, to the outer gate facing the east; and there I saw the stream coming from the south side. The man stated to me, "This was goes to the east, down to the Arabah, and when it flows into the sea of foul-smelling water, the water will become wholesome. Wherever the river flows, swarms of creatures will live in it; fish will be plentiful; and the seawater will become fresh. Wherever it flows, life will abound. Near the river on both banks, there will be all kinds of fruit trees, with foliage that will not wither; and fruit that will never fail; each month they will bear a fresh crop, because the water comes from the temple. The fruit will be good to eat and the leaves will be used for healing.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 3: 9b–11 and 16–17)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
You are God's field and building. I, as a good architect, according to the capacity given to me, I laid the foundation, and another is to build upon it. Each one must be careful how to build upon it. No one can lay a foundation other than the one which is already laid, which is Jesus Christ. Do you not know that you are God's temple, and that God's Spirit abides within you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him. God's temple is holy, and you are his temple.

Gospel (John 2: 13–22)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
As the Passover of the Jews was at hand, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple court he found merchants selling oxen, sheep and doves, and money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove them all our of the temple court, together with oxen and the sheep. He knocked over the tables of the money-changers, scattering the coins, and ordered the people selling doves, "Take all this away, and stop making a marketplace of my Father's house!" His disciples recalled the words of Scripture: Zeal for your house devours me like fire. The Jews then questioned Jesus, "Where are the miraculous signs which give you the right to do this?" And Jesus stated, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." Then Jews then replied, "The building of this temple has already taken forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" Actually, Jesus was referring to the temple of his body. Only when he had risen from the dead did his disciples remember these words; then they believed both the Scripture and the words Jesus had spoken.

Souls of the Faithful (All Souls Day)

Date: November 2, 2014

First Reading (2 Maccabees 12: 43–46)
A reading from the second book of Maccabees.
Judas took up a collection among his soldiers which amounted to two thousand pieces of silver and sent it to Jerusalem to be offered there as a sacrifice for sin. They did all this very well and rightly inspired by their belief in the resurrection of the dead. If they did not believe that their fallen companions would rise again, then it would have been a useless and foolish thing to pray for them. But they firmly believed in a splendid reward for those who died as believers; therefore, their concern was holy and in keeping with faith. This was the reason why Judas had this sacrificed offered for the dead—so that the dead might be pardoned for their sin.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 15: 12–34)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Well, then if Christ is preached as risen from the dead, how can some of you say, that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is empty, and our belief comes to nothing. And we become false witnesses of God, attesting that he raise Christ, whereas he could not raise him, if indeed, the dead are not raised. If the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith gives you nothing, and you are still in sin. Also, those who fall asleep, in Christ, are lost. If it is only for this life, that we hope in Christ, we are the most unfortunate of all people. But no, Christ has been raised from the dead, and he comes before all those who have fallen asleep. A human being brought death; a human being also brings resurrection of the dead. For, as in Adam all die, so in Christ, all will be made alive. However, each one in his own time: first Christ, then Christ's people, when he comes. Then, the end will come, when Christ delivers the kingdom to God the Father, after having destroyed every rule, authority and power. For he must reign and put all enemies under his feet. When we say that everything is put under his feet, we exclude, of course, the Father, who subjects everything to him. When the Father has subjected everything to him, the Son will place himself under the One who subjected everything to him. From then on, God will be all in all. Tell me: what are these people doing, who are baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead cannot be raised, why do they want to be baptized for the dead? As for us, why do we constantly risk our life? For death is my daily companion. I say that, brothers and sisters, before you, who are my pride in Christ Jesus our Lord. Was it for human interest that I fought in Ephesus like a lion tamer? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die! Do not be deceived; bad theories corrupt good morals. Wake up, and do not sin, because some of you are outstandingly ignorant about God; I say this to your shame.

Gospel (John 6: 37–40)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus stated to the Jews, "Yet all those whom the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I shall not turn away. For I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of the One who sent me. And the will of him who sent me is that I lose nothing of what he has given me, but instead that I raise it up on the last day. This is the will of the Father, that whoever sees the Son and believes in him shall live eternal life; and I will raise him up on the last day."

Feast of All Saints

Date: November 1, 2014

First Reading (Revelation 7: 2–4, 9–14)
A reading from the book of Revelation.
I saw another angel, ascending from the sunrise, carrying the seal of the living God, and he cried out with a loud voice, to the four angels empowered to harm the earth and the sea, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads." Then, I heard a number of those marked with the seal: a hundred and forty-four thousand, from all the tribes of the people of Israel. After this, I saw a great crowd, impossible to count, from every nation, race, people and tongue, standing before the throne, and the Lamb, clothed in white, with palm branches in their hands, and they cried out with a loud voice, "Who saves, but our God, who sits on the throne, and the Lamb?" All the angels were around the throne, the elders and the four living creatures; they, then, bowed before the throne, with their faces to the ground, to worship God. They stated, "Amen. Praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power and strength to our God forever and ever. Amen! At that moment, one of the elders spoke up, and stated to me, "Who are these people clothed in white, and where did they come from?" I answered, "Sir, it is you who know this." The elder replied, "They, are those who have come out of the great persecution; they have washed, and made their clothes white, in the blood of the Lamb."

Second Reading (1 John 3: 1–3)
A reading from the first letter of Saint John.
See what singular love the Father has for us: we are called children of God, and we really are. This is why the world does not know us, because it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children, and what we shall be has not yet been shown. Yet, when he appears in his glory, we know, that we shall be like him, for then we shall see him as he is. All who have such a hope, try to be pure, as he is pure.

Gospel (Matthew 5: 1–12a)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down and his disciples gathered around him. Then he spoke and began to teach them: "Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Fortunate are those who mourn; they shall be comforted. Fortunate are the gentle; they shall possess the land. Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy. Fortunate are those with pure hearts, for they shall see God. Fortunate are those who work for peace; they shall be called children of God. Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers. Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God."

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 26, 2014

First Reading (Exodus 22: 20–26)
A reading from the book of Exodus.
You shall not wrong or oppress a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not harm the widow or the orphan. If you do harm them and they cry out to me, I will hear them and my anger will blaze and I will kill you with the sword, and your own wives will be widows and your own children orphans. If you lend money to any of my people who are poor, do not act like a moneylender and do not charge him interest. If ever you take a person's cloak as a pledge, you must give it back to him by sunset, for it is all the cover he has for his body. In what else will he sleep? And when he cries to me I will hear him, for I am full of pity.

Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 1: 5c–10)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians.
You also know how we dealt with you for your sake. In return, you became followers of us an of the Lord when, on receiving the word, you experienced the joy of the Holy Spirit in the midst of great opposition. And you became a model for the faithful of Macedonia and Achaia, since from you the word of the Lord spread to Macedonia and Achaia, and still farther. The faith you have in God has become news in so many places that we need say no more about it. Others tell of how you responded to us and turn from idols to the Lord. For you serve the living and true God, and you wait for his Son from heaven whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who frees us from impending trial.

Gospel (Matthew 22: 34–40)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
When the Pharisees heard how Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. One of them, a teacher of the Law, tried to test him with this question, "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the Law?" Jesus answered, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and the most important of the commandments. But after this there is another one very similar to it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole Law and the Prophets are founded on these two commandments."

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 19, 2014

First Reading (Isaiah 45: 1 and 4–6) 
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. 
Thus states the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus: "For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen one, I have called you by your name and given you your mission although you do not know me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides me. I armed you when you did not know me, so that, from the rising to the setting of the sun, all may know that there is no one besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other." 

Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 1: 1–5b) 
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians. 
From Paul, Sylvanus and Timothy to the church of Thessalonica which is in God the Father and in Christ Jesus, the Lord. May the peace and grace of God be with you. We give thanks to God at all times for you and remember you in our prayers. We constantly recall before God our Father the work of your faith, the labors of your love and your endurance in waiting for Christ Jesus our Lord. We remember, brothers and sisters, the circumstances of your being called. The gospel we brought you was such not only in words. Miracles, Holy Spirit and plenty of everything were given to you. 

Gospel (Matthew 22: 15–21) 
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. 
The Pharisees went out and took counsel on how they could trap Jesus with his own words. They then sent their disciples with the members of Herod's party for this purpose. They stated to Jesus, "Master, we know that you are an honest man and truly teach God's way; you are not influenced by others nor are you afraid of anyone. Tell us, then, what you think: is it against the Law to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But Jesus understood their evil intent, and stated to them, "Hypocrites! Why are you testing me? Show me the coin with which you pay the taxes." They showed him a denarius, and Jesus stated to them, "Whose head is this, and whose name?" They answered, "Caesar's." Then Jesus replied, "Therefore, return to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 12, 2014 

First Reading (Isaiah 25: 6–10a) 
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. 
On this mountain the Lord Sabaoth will prepare for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, meat full of marrow, fine wine strained. On this mountain he will destroy the pall cast over all peoples, this very shroud spread over all nations, and death will be no more. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all cheeks and eyes; he will take away the humiliation of his people all over the world: for the Lord has spoken. On that day you will state: This is our God. We have waited for him to save us, let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. For on his mountain the hand of the Lord rests.

Second Reading (Philippians 4: 12–14 and 19–20) 
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians. 
Brothers and sisters: I know what it is to be in want and what it is to have plenty. I am trained for both: to be hungry or satisfied, to have much or little. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. However you did right in sharing my trials. God himself will provide you with everything you need, according to his riches, and show you his generosity in Christ Jesus. Glory to God, our Father, forever and ever. Amen. 

Gospel (Matthew 22: 1–14) 
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. 
Jesus went on speaking to the chief priests, the teachers of the Law, and the Jewish authorities in parables: "This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven. A king celebrated the wedding of his son. He sent his servants to call the invited guests to the wedding feast, but the guests refused to come. Again he sent other servants ordering them to state to the invited guests: 'I have prepare a banquet, slaughtered my fattened calves and other animals, and now everything is ready: come then, to the wedding feast.' But they paid no attention and went away, some to their fields, and others to their work. While the rest seized the servants of the king, insulted them and killed them. The king became angry. He sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. Then he stated to his servants: 'The wedding banquet is prepared, but the invited guests are not worthy. Go, then, to the crossroads and invite everyone you find to the wedding feast.' The servants went out at once into the streets and gathered everyone they found, good and bad alike, so that the hall was filled with guests. The king came in to see those who were at table, and he noticed a man not wearing the festal garment. So he stated to him: 'Friend, how did you get in without the wedding garment?' But the man remained silent. So the king stated to his servants: 'Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the dark where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Know that many are called, but few are chosen." 

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 5, 2014

First Reading (Isaiah 5: 1–7)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Let me sing for my beloved the love song of my beloved about his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up, cleared the stones, and planted the choicest vines. He built there a watchtower and hewed out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only wild grapes. Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more was there to do that I have not done for my vineyard? Good grapes was the yield I expected, why did it yield only sour grapes? Now I will let you know what I am going to do with my vineyard: I will remove its hedge and it will be burned; I will break down its wall and it will be trampled on. I will make it a wasteland, I will neither prune nor hoe it, and briers and thorns will grow there. I command the clouds, as well, not to send rain on it. The vineyard of the Lord Sabaoth is the people of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant vine. He looked for justice, but found bloodshed; He looked for righteousness but heard cries of distress.

Second Reading (Philippians 4: 6–9)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians.
Brothers and sisters: Do not be anxious about anything. In everything resort to prayer and supplication together with thanksgiving and bring your requests before God. Then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with whatever is truthful, holy, just, pure, lovely and noble. Be mindful of whatever deserves praise and admiration. Put into practice what you have learned from me, what I passed on to you, what you heard from me or saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel (Matthew 21: 33–43)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
Jesus stated this in front of the chief priests, the teachers of the Law, and the Jewish authorities: "Listen to another example: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it, dug a hole for the winepress, built a watchtower, leased the vineyard to tenants and then went to a distant country. When harvest time came, the landowner sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the harvest. But the tenants seized his servants, beat one, killed another and stoned another. Again the owner sent more servants, but they were treated in the same way. Finally, he sent his son, thinking: 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they thought: 'This is the one who is to inherit the vineyard. Let us kill him and his inheritance will be ours.' So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now, what will the owner of the vineyard do with the tenants when he comes?" They stated to him, "He will bring those evil to an evil end, and lease the vineyard to others who will pay him in due time." And Jesus replied, "Have you never read what the Scriptures say? The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing; and we marvel at it. Therefore I say to you: the kingdom of heaven will be taken from you and given to a people who will yield a harvest."