4th Sunday of Lent

Date: March 15, 2015

First Reading (2 Chronicles 36: 14–16 and 19–23)
A reading from the second book of Chronicles.
Furthermore, all the heads of the priesthood, and the people, too, were exceedingly unfaithful, following the disgusting example of the nations around them, and so they defiled the house which the Lord himself had made holy. The Lord, the God of their ancestors, continued to send prophets to warn his people, since he had compassion on them and on his dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, ignored his words, and laughed at his prophets, until at last the anger of the Lord rose so high against his people that there was no further remedy. They burned down the house of God, broke down the walls of Jerusalem, set fire to all its palaces, and destroyed everything of value in it. The survivors were deported by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon; they were to serve him and his descendants as slaves until the kingdom of Persia came to power. This is how the work of the Lord was fulfilled that he spoke through Jeremiah, "The land will lie desolate for seventy years, to make up for its Sabbath rests that have not been observed." And in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill what he had stated through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to issue the following command and send it out in writing to be read aloud everywhere in his kingdom: "Thus speaks Cyrus king of Persia: the Lord, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has ordered me to build him a house in Jerusalem, in Judah. Now, all of you who belong to his people, go there and may the Lord your God be with you."

Second Reading (Ephesians 2: 4–10)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
God, who is rich in mercy, revealed his immense love. As were dead through our sins, he give us life with Christ. By grace you have been saved! And he raised us to life with Christ, giving us a place with him in heaven. In showing us such kindness in Christ Jesus, God willed to reveal and unfolding in the coming ages the extraordinary riches of his grace. By the grace of God you have been saved through faith. This has not come from you: it is God's gift. This was not the result of your works, so you are not to feel proud. What we are is God's work. He has created us in Christ Jesus for the good works he has prepared that we should devote ourselves to them.

Gospel (John 3: 14–21)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus stated this to Nicodemus, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. Yes, God so loved the world that gave his only Son that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but may have eternal life. God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world; instead, through him the world is to be saved. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned. He who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the Name of the only Son of God. This is how the Judgment is made: Light has come into the world and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For whoever does wrong hates the light and does not come to the light for fear that his deeds will be shown as evil. But whoever lives according to the truth comes into the light so that it can be clearly seen that his works have been done in God."

3rd Sunday of Lent

Date: March 8, 2015

First Reading (Exodus 20: 1–17)
A reading from the book of Exodus.
God spoke all these words. He stated, "I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Do not have other gods before me. Do not make yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything in heaven, or on the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them. For I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, for the sin of the fathers, when they rebel against me, I punish the sons, the grandsons and the great-grandsons; but I show steadfast love until the thousandth generation for those who love me and keep my commandments. Do not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain for Yahweh will not leave unpunished anyone who takes his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy. For six days you will labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath for Yahweh your God. Do not work on that day, neither you, nor your son, nor your daughter nor your servants, men or women, nor your animals, nor the stranger who is staying with you. For in six days Yahweh made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day he rested; that is why Yahweh has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. Honor your father and your mother that you may have a long life in the land that Yahweh has given you. Do not kill. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not give false witness against your neighbor. Do not covet your neighbor's house. Do not covet your neighbor's wife, or his servant, man or woman, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is his."

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 1: 22–25)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
The Jews ask for miracles and the Greeks for a higher knowledge, while we proclaim a crucified Messiah. For the Jews, what a great scandal! And for the Greeks, what nonsense! But he is Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God for those called by God among both Jews and Greeks. In reality, the "foolishness" of God is wiser than humans, and the "weakness" of God is stronger than humans.

Gospel (John 2: 13–25)
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, Jesus drove them all out of the Temple court, together with the oxen and 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 turning my Father's house into a marketplace!" Jesus' disciples recalled the words of Scripture: Zeal for your House devours me as a 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." The Jews then replied, "The building of this temple has already taken forty-six years, and you will 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. Jesus stayed in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival and many believed in his Name when they saw the miraculous signs he performed. But Jesus did not trust himself to them, because he knew all of them. He had no need of evidence about anyone for he himself knew what there was in each one.

2nd Sunday of Lent

Date: March 1, 2015

First Reading (Genesis 22: 1–2, 9–13 and 15–18)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
Some time later, God tested Abraham and stated to him, "Abraham!" And he answered, "Here I am." Then God stated, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom your love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I shall point out to you." When Abraham arrived at the place where God directed them, Abraham built the altar and set the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the wood placed on the altar. He then stretched out his hand to seize the knife and slay his son. But the Angel of God called to Abraham from heaven before he had a chance to kill his son. "Abraham! Abraham!" And he stated, "Here I am." "Do not lay your hand on the boy; do not harm him, for now I know that you actually fear God, and you have not held back from me your only son." Abraham looked around and saw behind him a ram caught by its horns in a bush. He offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. And the Angel of God called from heaven a second time, "By myself I have sworn, it is the Lord who speaks, because you have done this and not held back your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the lands of their enemies. All the nations of the earth will be blessed through your descendants because you have obeyed me."

Second Reading (Romans 8: 31b–34)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
If God is with us, who shall be against us? If he did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not give us all things with him? Who shall accuse those chosen by God: he takes away their guilt. Who will dare to condemn them? Christ who died, and better still, rose and is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us?

Gospel (Mark 9: 2–10)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain. There his appearance was changed before their eyes. Even his clothes shone, becoming as white as no bleach of this world could make them. Elijah and Moses appeared to them; the two were talking with Jesus. The Peter spoke and stated to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." For he did not know what to say; they were overcome with awe. But a cloud formed, covering them in a shadow, and from the cloud came this word, "This is my Son, my Beloved; listen to him." And suddenly, as they looked around, they no longer saw anyone except Jesus with them. As they came down the mountain, Jesus ordered them to tell nobody what they had seen, until the Son of Man be risen from the dead. So they kept this to themselves, despite the fact they discussed with one another what 'to rise from the dead' could possibly define.

1st Sunday of Lent

Date: February 22, 2015

First Reading (Genesis 9: 8–15)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
God spoke to Noah and his son, "See I am making a covenant with you and with your descendants after you; also with every living animal with you: birds, cattle, that is, with every living creature of the earth that came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you. Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." God stated, "This is the sign of the covenant I make between me and you, and every animal living with you for all future generations. I set my bow in the clouds and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember the covenant between me and you and every kind of living creature, so that never again will floodwaters destroy all flesh."

Second Reading (1 Peter 3: 18–22)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Peter.
Remember how Christ died, once and for all, for our sins. He, the just one, died for the unjust in order to lead us to God. He died as humans do, but was raised to life by the Spirit, and it was then that he went to preach to the imprisoned spirits. They were the generation who did not believe when God, in his great patience, delayed punishing the world while Noah was building the ark in which a small group of eight people escaped through water. That was a type of the baptism which now saves you; this baptism is not a matter of physical cleansing but of asking God to reconcile us through the resurrection of Christ Jesus. He has ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, having subjected the angels, Dominations and Powers.

Gospel (Mark 1: 12–15)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
The Spirit drove Jesus into the desert. He stayed in the desert for forty days and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, but angels ministered to him. After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee and began preaching the Good News of God. He proclaimed, "The time has come; the kingdom of God is at hand. Change your ways and believe in the Good News."

Ash Wednesday

Date: February 18, 2015

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.
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 and 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."

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: February 15, 2015

First Reading (Leviticus 13: 1–2 and 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.
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.

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: February 8, 2015

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: 16–19 and 22–23)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
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 the weak, I made myself weak, to win the 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.