17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: July 29, 2012

First Reading (2 Kings 4: 42–44)
A reading from the second book of Kings.
A man came from Baal-shalishah bringing bread and wheat to the man of God. These were from the first part of the harvest, twenty loaves of barley and wheat. Elisha told him, "Give the loaves to these men that they may eat." His servant stated to him, "How am I going to divide these loaves among one hundred men?" Elisha insisted, "Give them to the men that they may eat, for the Lord says: They shall eat and have some remaining." So the man set it before them; they ate and there were some bread remaining, just as the Lord stated.

Second Reading (Ephesians 4: 1–6)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and sisters: I, the prisoner of Christ, invite you to live the vocation you have received. Be humble, kind, patient, and bear with one another in love. Make every effort to keep among you the unity of Spirit through bonds of peace. Let there be one body and one spirit, for God, in calling you, gave the same Spirit to all. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God, the Father of all, who is above all and works through all and is in all.

Gospel (John 6: 1–15)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, near Tiberias, and large crowds followed him because of the miraculous signs they saw when Jesus healed the sick. So he went up into the hills and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Then lifting his eyes, Jesus saw the crowds that were coming to him and asked Philip, "Where shall we buy bread so that these people may eat?" Jesus asked this question to test Philip, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred silver coins would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a piece." Then one of Jesus' disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, stated, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" Jesus stated, "Have the people recline." There was plenty of grass there for the people, about five thousand men, sat down to rest. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish and gave them as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten enough, he told his disciples, "Gather up the pieces left over, that nothing may be lost." So the disciples gather them up and filled twelve baskets with the bread, that is with pieces left by those who had eaten. When the people saw this sign that Jesus had been given, they stated, "This is really the Prophet, he who is to come into the world." Jesus realized that they would come and take him by force to make him king, therefore, he retreated to the hills alone.

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: July 22, 2012

First Reading (Jeremiah 23: 1-6)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah.
"Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the sheep of my pasture." This is the message of the Lord, God of Israel, to the shepherds in charge of the people, "You have scattered my sheep and driven them away instead of caring for them. Now I will deal with you because of your evil deeds. I will gather the remnant of my sheep from every land to which I have driven them and I will bring them back to the grasslands. They will be fruitful and increase in number. I will appoint shepherds who will take care of them. No longer will they fear or be terrified. Nobody will be lost." The Lord added, "The day is coming when I will raise up a king who is David's righteous successor. He will rule wisely and govern with justice and righteousness. That will be a grandiose era when Judah will enjoy peace and Israel will live in safety. He will be called "The Lord our savior.”

Second Reading (Ephesians 2: 13-18)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and sisters: In Jesus Christ you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. For Christ is our peace, he who has made the two peoples one, destroying in his own flesh the wall — the hatred — which separated us. He abolished the Law with its commands and precepts. He made peace in uniting the two peoples in him, creating out of the two, one New Man. He destroyed hatred and he reconciled us both to God through the cross, making the two one body. He came to proclaim peace; peace to you who were far off, peace to the Jews who were near. Through him we — the two peoples — approach the Father in one Spirit.

Gospel (Mark 6: 30-34)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
The apostles returned and reported to Jesus all they had done and taught. Then Jesus stated to them, "Go off by yourselves to a remote place and have some rest." For there were so many people coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. They went away in a boat to a secluded area by themselves. However, people saw them leaving and many could guess where they were going. So, from all the towns they hurried there on foot, arriving ahead of them. As Jesus went ashore he saw a huge crowd, and he had compassion on them for they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began a long teaching session with them.

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: July 15, 2012

First Reading (Amos 7: 12–15)
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Amos.
Amaziah, priest of Bethel, stated to Amos, "Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah. There earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal temple." Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The Lord took me from following the flock and stated to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'"

Second Reading (Ephesians 1: 3–14)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Blessed be God, the Father of Christ Jesus our Lord, who in Christ has blessed us from heaven with every spiritual blessing. God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and without sin in his presence. From eternity he destined us in love to be his sons and daughters through Jesus Christ, thus fulfilling his free and generous will. This goal suited him: that his loving-kindness which he granted us in his Beloved might finally receive all glory and praise. For in Christ we obtain freedom, sealed by his blood, and have the forgiveness of sins. In this appears the greatness of his grace which he lavished on us. In all wisdom and understanding, God has made known to us his mysterious design, in accordance with his loving-kindness in Christ. In him and under him, God wanted to unite, when the fullness of time had come, everything in heaven and on earth. By a decree of Him who disposes all things according to his own plan and decision we, the Jews, have been chosen and called and we were awaiting the Messiah, for the praise of his glory. You, on hearing the word of truth, the Gospel that saves you, have believed in him. And as promised, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit, the first pledge of what we shall receive, on the way to our deliverance as a people of God, for the praise of his glory.

Gospel (Mark 6: 7–13)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Jesus called the twelve disciples to him and sent them out two by two, giving them authority over evil spirits. Jesus additionally ordered them not to take anything for the journey except a staff; the disciples do not bring food, no bag, and no money in their belts. They were supposed to wear sandals and not supposed to bring an extra tunic. Jesus added, "In whatever house you are welcome, stay there until you leave the place. If any place that the people do not receive you and they refuse to listen to you, leave there after shaking the dust off your feet. It will be a testimony against them." So they set out to proclaim that this was the time to repent. They drove out plenty of demons and healed many people who were ill by anointing them.

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: July 8, 2012

First Reading (Ezekiel 2: 2-5)
A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.
A spirit come upon me as he spoke and kept me standing and then I heard him speak, "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a people who have rebelled against me; they and their fathers have sinned against me to this day. Now I am sending you to these defiant and stubborn people to tell them 'this is the Lord God's word.' So, whether they listen or not this set of rebels will know there is a prophet among them."

Second Reading (2 Corinthians 12: 7-10)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
I better give up lest somebody think more of me than what is seen in me or heard from me. Lest I become proud after so many and extraordinary revelations, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a true messenger of Satan, to slap me in the face. Three times I prayed to the Lord that it leave me, but he answered, "My grace is enough for you; my great strength is revealed in weakness." Gladly, then, will I boast of my weakness that the strength of Christ may be mine. So I rejoice when I suffer infirmities, humiliations, want, persecutions: all for Christ! For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Gospel (Mark 6: 1-6)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Leaving that place, Jesus returned to his own country, and his disciples followed him. When the sabbath came, he began teaching in the synagogue, and most of those who heard him were astonished. They commented, "How did this come to him? What kind of wisdom has been given to him that he also performs such miracles? Who is he but the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joset and Judas and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here among us?" So they took offense at him. And Jesus stated to them, "Prophets are despised only in their own country, among their relatives and in their own family." And he could work no miracles there, but only healed a few sick people by laying his hands on them. Jesus himself was astounded at their unbelief. Jesus then went around the villages, teaching.

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: July 1, 2012

First Reading (Wisdom 1: 13-15 and 2: 23-24)
A reading from the book of Wisdom.
God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living. Since he has created everything, all creatures of the universe are for our good; there is no deadly poison in them and the netherworld has no dominion over the earth, because immortal is not submitted to death. Indeed God created man to be immortal in the likeness of his own nature, but the envy of the devil brought death to the world, and those who take his side shall experience death.

Second Reading (2 Corinthians 8: 7, 9, and 13-15)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: You excel in everything: in the gifts of faith, speech and knowledge; you feel concern for every cause and, besides, you are first in my heart. Excel also in this generous service. You know well the generosity of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Although he was rich, he made himself poor to make you rich through his poverty. I do not mean that others should be at ease and you burdened. Strive for equality; at present give from your abundance what they are short of, and in some way they also will give from their abundance what you lack. Then you will be equal and what Scripture states shall come true: To the one who had much, nothing was in excess; to the one who had little, nothing was lacking.

Gospel (Mark 5: 21-43)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Jesus then crossed to the other side of the lake and while he was still on the shore, a large crowd gathered around him. Jairus, an official of the synagogue, came up and seeing Jesus, threw himself at his feet and asked him earnestly, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her so that she may get well and live." Jesus went with him and many people followed, pressing from every side. Among the crowd was a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a lot at the hands of many doctors and had spent everything she had, but instead of getting better, she was worse. Since she had heard about Jesus, this woman came up behind him and touched his cloak thinking, "If I just touch his clothing, I shall get well." Her flow of blood dried up at once, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her complaint. But Jesus was conscious that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" His disciples answered, "You see how the people are crowding around you. Why do you ask who touched you?" But he kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, aware of what had happened, came forward trembling and afraid. She knelt before him and told him the whole truth. Then Jesus stated to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace and be free of this illness." While Jesus was still speaking, some people arrived from the official's house to inform him, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any further?" But Jesus ignored what they stated and told the official, "Do not fear, just believe." And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house, Jesus saw a great commotion with people weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus entered and stated to them, "Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." They laughed at him. But Jesus sent them outside and went with the child's father and mother and his companions into the room where the child lay. Taking her by the hand, he stated to her, "Talitha kumi!" which means: "Little girl, get up!" The girl got up at once and began to walk around. (She was twelve years old.) The parents were astonished, greatly astonished. Jesus strictly order them not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Nativity of Saint John the Baptist)

Date: June 24, 2012
Readings for the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
First Reading (Isaiah 49: 1–6)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Listen to me, O islands, pay attention, peoples from distant lands. The Lord called me from my mother's womb; he pronounced my name before I was born. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword. He hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me into a polished arrow set apart in his quiver. He stated to me, "You are Israel, my servant, through you I will be known." "I have labored in vain," I thought, and spent my strength for nothing. Yet what is due me was in the hand of the Lord, and my reward was with my God. I am important in the sight of the Lord, and my God is my strength. And now the Lord has spoken, he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him. He stated, "It is not enough that you should be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob, to bring back the remnant of Israel. I will make you the light of the nations, that my salvation will reach to the ends of the earth."

Second Reading (Acts 13: 22–26)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Paul stated in front of the assembly: "After that time, God removed him and raised up David as king, to whom he bore witness saying: I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all I want him to do. It is from the descendants of David that God has now raised up the promised savior of Israel, Jesus. Before he appeared, John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for all the people of Israel. As John was ending his life's work, he stated: 'I am not what you think I am, for after me another one is coming whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.' Brothers, children and descendants of Abraham, and you also who fear God, it is to you that this message of salvation has been sent."

Gospel (Luke 1: 57–66 and 80)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful Lord had done a wonderful thing for her and they rejoiced with her. When on the eighth day they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother stated, "Not so; he shall be called John." They stated to her, "No one in your family has that name"; and they asked the father by means of signs for the name he wanted to give. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote on it, "His name is John," and they were very surprised. Immediately, Zechariah could speak again and his first words were in praise of God. A holy fear came on all in their neighborhood, and throughout the Hills of Judea the people talk about these events. All who heard of it pondered in their minds and wondered, "What will this child be?" For they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him. As the child grew up, he was seen to be strong in the Spirit; he lived in the desert till the day when he appeared openly in Israel.

Readings for the 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time
First Reading (Job 38: 1 and 8–11)
A reading from the book of Job.
Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm: Who shut the sea behind closed doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling clothes; when I set its limits with doors and bars in place, when I stated, "You will not go beyond those bounds; here is where your proud waves must halt?"

Second Reading (2 Corinthians 5: 14–17)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: Indeed the love of Christ holds us and we realize that if he died for all, all have died. He died for all so that those who live may live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and rose again for them. So from now on, we do not regard anyone from a human point of view; and even if we once knew Christ personally, we should now regard him in another way. For all that same reason, the one who is in Christ is a new creature. For him the old things have passed away; a new world has come.

Gospel (Mark 4: 35–41)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
On the same day when evening came, Jesus stated to his disciples, "Let us go across to the other side." So they left the crowd and took him away in the boat he had been sitting in, and other boats set out with him. Then a storm gather and it began to blow a gale. The furious waves spilled over the boat so that it was soon began to fill with water. Jesus was asleep in the stern, reclining on a soft cushion. The disciples woke Jesus up and exclaimed, "Master, do you not care if we sink?" As Jesus awoke, he rebuke the wind and ordered the sea, "Quiet now! Be still!" After those words, the furious wind dropped down and the furious waves vanished. All was calm, silent, and steady. Jesus stated to his disciples, "Why are you so frightened? Do you still have no faith?" The disciples were very terrified and astonished at the same time. They discussed with one another, "Who can this be? Even the wind and sea obey him!"

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: June 17, 2012

First Reading (Ezekiel 17: 22–24)
A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.
Thus states the Lord: "At the top of cedar I will take one of its upper-most branches, a tender twig and plant it. On a lofty, massive mountain, on a high mountain of Israel I will plant it. It will produce branches and bear fruit and become a magnificent cedar. Birds of all kinds will nest in it and find shelter in its branches. And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord, I who bring down the lofty tree and make the lowly tree tall. I will make the tree that is full of sap wither and the dry tree bloom. I, the Lord, have spoken and this will I do."

Second Reading (2 Corinthians 5: 6–10)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: So we feel confident always. We know that while living in the body, we wander away from the Lord, living by faith, without seeing; but we dare to think that we would rather be away from the body to go and live with the Lord. So, whether we have to keep this house or lose it, we only wish to please the Lord. Anyway we all have to appear before the tribunal of Christ for each one to receive what he deserves for his good or evil deeds in the present life.

Gospel (Mark 4: 26–34)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Jesus stated this to the crowd, "In the kingdom of God it is like this. A man scatters seed upon the soil. Whether he is asleep or awake, be it day or night, the seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how. The soil produces of itself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when it is ripe for harvesting they take the sickle for the cutting: the time for harvest has come." Jesus additionally stated, "What is the kingdom of God like? To what shall we compare it? It is like a mustard seed which, when sown, is the smallest of all the seeds scattered upon the soil. But once sown, it grows up and becomes the largest of the plants in the garden and even grows branches so big that the birds of the air can take shelter in its shade." Jesus used many such stories or parables, to proclaim the word to them in a way they would be able to understand. He would not teach them without parables; but privately to his disciples he explained everything.