Saturday, October 24, 2009

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 25, 2009

First Reading (Jeremiah 31: 7-9)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah.
The Lord say this: Shout with joy for Jacob; rejoice for the greatest of nations. Proclaim your praise and say: "The Lord has saved his people, the remnant of Israel!" Behold, I will bring him back from the land of the north, gather them from the ends of the earth, the lame and the blind, mothers and women in labor - a great throng will return. They went away weeping, they will return in joy. I will lead them by the streams of water, on a level path so that nobody will stumble, for I am Israel's father and Ephraim is my first-born.

Second Reading (Hebrews 5: 1-6)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.
Every High Priest is taken from among mortals and appointed to be their representative before God to offer gifts and sacrifices of sin. He is able to understand the ignorant and erring for he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he is bound to offer sacrifices for his sins as well as for the sins of the people. Besides, one does not presume to take this dignity, but takes it only when called by God, as Aaron was. Nor did Christ become High Priest in taking upon himself this dignity, but it was given to him by the One who says: You are my son, I have begotten you today. And in another place: You are a priest forever in the priestly order of Melchizedek.

Gospel (Mark 10: 46-52)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Jesus and his disciples went to Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. When Bartimaeus realized that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many people scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but in spite of the people's comments, he cried louder, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and stated, "Call him." So Jesus' disciples called the blind man saying, "Take heart. Get up, for Jesus is calling you." He immediately threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and approached Jesus. Then Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus replied, "Master, I desire to see again!" And Jesus replied to him, "Go your way, for your faith has made you well." And immediately, Bartimaeus could see, and he followed Jesus along the road.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 18, 2009

First Reading (Isaiah 53: 10-11)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah.
It was the will of the Lord to crush him with grief. When he makes himself an offering for sin, he will have a long life and see his descendants. Through him the will of the Lord is done. For the anguish he suffered, he will see the light and obtain perfect knowledge. My just servant will justify the multitude; he will bear and take away their guilt.

Second Reading (Hebrews 4: 14-16)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.
Brothers and sisters: Since we have a great High Priest, Jesus, the Son of God, who has entered heaven, let us, then, hold fast to the faith we profess. Our high priest is not indifferent to our weaknesses, for he was tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. Let us, then, with confidence approach God, the giver of grace; we will obtain mercy and through his favor, help in due time.

Gospel (Mark 10: 35-45)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and created a proposal, "Master, we want to you to grant what we are going to ask of you." Jesus replied, "What do you want me to do for you?" They answered, "Grant us to sit one at your right and one at your left when you come in your glory." However, Jesus stated to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized in the way I am baptized?" They answered, "We can." Jesus told them, "The cup that I drink you all drink, and you will be baptized in the way I am baptized. But to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to grant. It has been prepared for others." On hearing this, the other ten disciples were angry about the unfairness with James and John. Therefore, Jesus summoned the Twelve to him and explained, "As you know, the so-called rulers of the nations act as tyrants and their great ones oppress them. But it shall not be so among you; whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be the first among you shall make himself slave of all. Think of the Son of Man who has not come to be served but to serve and to give his life to redeem many."

Saturday, October 10, 2009

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 11, 2009

First Reading (Wisdom 7: 7-12)
A reading from the book of Wisdom.
I prayed, and prudence was given to me; I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me. I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, nor did I liken any priceless gem to her; because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire, beyond health and comeliness I loved her, and I choose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep. Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands; and I rejoiced in them all, because Wisdom is their leader, though I had not known that she is the mother of these.

Second Reading (Hebrews 4: 12-13)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.
Brothers and sisters: Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is hidden from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

Gospel (Mark 10: 17-30)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
While Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Jesus, knelt before him, and questioned him, "Good Master, what should I do to obtain eternal life?" Jesus replied to him, "Why do you call me good? Nobody is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not cheat; and honor your father and your mother." The man replied to Jesus, "Master, I have obeyed all these commandments ever since my childhood." Jesus looked at him, smiles, loves him, and replies, "For you, one thing is lacking. Go and sell what you possess and give to the poor, then you will have great riches in heaven. Then come and follow me." After Jesus has stated this, the man's face fell, went away sad and happy simultaneously, for he had many possessions and wealth in heaven. Jesus looked around and stated to his disciples, "How difficult it is for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were astonished at Jesus' words. Therefore, Jesus repeated what he said to them as a reply, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is very straightforward for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were exceedingly astounded and questioned among themselves, "Then who can be rescued?" Jesus looked at them and stated, "For human beings it is impossible but not for God. All things are possible for God." Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus replied, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel, who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."

Saturday, October 3, 2009

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 4, 2009

First Reading (Genesis 2: 18-24)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
The Lord God stated, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make an appropriate friend for him." Therefore, the Lord God summoned out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals; however, none proved to be the appropriate match for the man. Therefore, the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The Lord God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man stated, "This one, at last, is one of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called 'woman' for out of 'her man' this one has been taken." And that is why a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.

Second Reading (Hebrews 2: 9-11)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.
Brothers and sisters: We do see Jesus "crowned with glory and honor" because he suffered death, he who "for a little while" was made "lower than the angels," that by the grace of God he might experience death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them, "brothers".

Gospel (Mark 10: 2-16)
A reading from the goly Gospel according to Mark.
The Pharisees approached and questioned Jesus, "Is it legal for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. Jesus stated in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses allowed him to write a bill of divorce and release her." However, Jesus told them, "Whereas of this hardness of your hearts, he wrote you this commandment. However, from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife], and the two shall become one flesh. Therefore they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." In the house, Jesus' disciples questioned Jesus about this. He answered them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, then she commits adultery." People were bringing their little children to Jesus to have him touch them, and the disciples rebuked them for this. When Jesus noticed the commotion, he was furious and told his disciples, "Let the children come to me and do not stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he took the children in his arms and laying his hands on them, he blessed them.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: September 27, 2009

First Reading (Numbers 11: 25-29)
A reading from the Book of Numbers.
The Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses, the Lord bestowed it on the seventy elders; and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied. Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad, were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp. They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tend; yet the spirit came to rest on them as well, and they also prophesied in the camp. Therefore, when a young man quickly told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp," Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth been Moses' aide, stated, "Moses, my lord, stop them." However, Moses answered him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that all the people are prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!"

Second Reading (James 5: 1-6)
A reading from the letter of Saint James.
Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. You have condemned; you have murdered the rightous one; he offers you no resistance.

Gospel (Mark 9: 38-48)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
John told to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you solemnly, will surely not lose his reward. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe [in me] to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. Therefore, if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed that with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the quenchable fire. In addition, if your foot causes you to sin, slice it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled rather than having two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. Plus, if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with only one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire cannot be extinguished.'"

Sunday, September 20, 2009

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: September 20, 2009

First Reading (Wisdom 2: 12, 17-20)
A reading from the book of Wisdom.
Let us set a trap for the righteous, for he annoys us and opposes our way of life; he reproaches us for our breaches of the Law and accuses us of being false to our upbringing. Let us see the truth of what he says and find out what his end will be. If the righteous is a son of God, then God will defend him and deliver him from his adversaries. Let us humble and torture him to prove his self-control and test his patience. When we have condemned him to a shameful death, we may test his words.

Second Reading (James 3:16 - 4:3)
A reading from the letter of Saint James.
Wherever there is jealousy and ambition, you will also find discord and all that is evil. Instead, the wisdom which comes from above is pure and peace loving. People with this wisdom show understanding and listen to advice; they are full of compassion and good works; they are impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow peace reap a harvest of justice. What causes these fights and quarrels among you? Is it not your inner longings which mark war within your own selves? When you long for something you cannot have, you kill for it and when you do not get what you desire, you squabble and fight. The fact is, you do not have what you want because you do not pray for it. You pray for something and you do not get it because you pray with the wrong motive of indulging your pleasures. You adulterers! Do you not know that making friends with the world makes you enemies of God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be the world's friend becomes God's enemy.

Gospel (Mark 9: 30-37)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
After leaving the place, Jesus and his disciples made their way through Galilee; but Jesus did not want people to know where he was because he was teaching his disciples. He told them, "The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands. They will kill him, but three days after his death, he will rise." The disciples, however, did not understand these words and they were afraid to question Jesus what he meant.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: September 13, 2009

First Reading (Isaiah 50: 5-9)
A reading of the book of the Prophet Isaiah.
The Lord God has opened my ear. I have not rebelled, nor have I withdrawn. I offered my back to those who strike me, and cheeks to those who pulled my beard; neither did I shield my face from blows, spittle and disgrace. I have not despaired, for the Lord God comes to my help. So, like a flint I set my face, knowing that I will not be disgraced. He who avenges me is near. Who then will accuse me? Let us confront each other. Who is now my accuser? Let him approach. If the Lord God is my help, who will condemn me? All of them will wear out like cloth; the moth will devour them.

Second Reading (James 2: 14-18)
A reading from the letter of Saint James.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, to profess faith without showing works? Such faith has no power to rescue you. If a brother or sister is in need of clothes or food and one of you says, "May things go well for you; be warm and satisfied," without attending to their material needs, what good is that? So it is for faith without deeds: it is totally dead. Say to whoever challenges you. You have faith and I have good deeds; show me your faith apart from actions and I, for my part, will show you my faith in the way I act.

Gospel (Mark 8: 27-35)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Jesus set out with his disciples for the villages around Caesarea and Philippi; and on the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" The disciples answered him, "Some say you are John the baptist; others say you are Elijah or one of the prophets." Then Jesus asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah." Jesus told his disciples not to tell anyone about him. Jesus then began to teach them that the Son of Man had to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. He would be killed and after three days, he would rise again. Jesus stated all of this quite openly, so that Peter took him aside and began to protest strongly. But Jesus, turning around and looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind me, Satan! You are thinking not as God does, but as people do." Then Jesus called the people of his disciples and stated, "If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me. For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it; and if you lose your life for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel, you will save it.