Bible Daily Readings

FIRST READING
26th November 2011 Saturday in the Thirty Fourth Week of General Time Daniel Daniel Luke 7:15-27 3: 82, 83, 84,85,86,87 21:34-36 Page 1007 Page 1002 Page 86
First reading from the Book of Daniel Chapter 7 verses 15 to 27

As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: "As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever - forever and ever." Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped what was left with its feet; and concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and concerning the other horn, which came up and to make room for which three of them fell out the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, and that seemed greater than the others. As I looked, this horn made war with the holy ones and was prevailing over them, until the Ancient One came; then judgment was given for the holy ones of the Most High, and the time arrived when the holy ones gained possession of the kingdom. This is what he said: "As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth that shall be different from all the other kingdoms; it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them. This one shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. He shall speak words against the Most High, shall wear out the holy ones of the Most High, and shall attempt to change the sacred seasons and the law; and they shall be given into his power for a time, two times, and half a time. Then the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and totally destroyed. The kingship and dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them." This is the word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
26th November 2011 Saturday in the Thirty Fourth Week of General Time Daniel Daniel Luke Daniel 7:15-27 3: 82, 83, 84,85,86,87 21:34-36 3: 82, 83, 84,85,86,87 Give glory and eternal praise to the Lord! Page 1007 Page 1002 Page 86
Response:
I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. When my enemies turned back, They stumbled and perished before you. R: Give glory and eternal praise to the Lord!
For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment. The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities you have rooted out; the very memory of them has perished. R: Give glory and eternal praise to the Lord!
The LORD has made himself known, he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Rise up, O LORD! Do not let mortals prevail; Let the nations be judged before you. R: Give glory and eternal praise to the Lord!
26th November 2011
Response:
Give glory and eternal praise to the Lord!
BIBLE READING
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 21 verse 34 to 36

Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her." Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive." Then some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well." For they no longer dared to ask him another question.
This is the word of the Lord.
INTRODUCTION
Give glory and eternal praise to the LORD!

Is our life earthbound or heaven bound? The Sadducees, unlike the Pharisees, did not believe in immortality, nor in angels or evil spirits. Their religion was literally grounded in an earthly image of heaven. They came to Jesus with a test question to make the resurrection look ridiculous. Jesus replies by dealing with the fact of the resurrection. The scriptures give proof of it. In Exodus 3:6, when God manifests his presence to Moses in the burning bush, the Lord tells him that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus defeats their arguments by showing that God is a living God of a living people. God was the friend of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when they lived. That friendship could not cease with death. As Psalm 73:23-24 states: "I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory." The ultimate proof of the resurrection is the Lord Jesus and his victory over death when he rose from the tomb. Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he exclaimed: "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25). Jesus asks us the same question. Do we believe in the resurrection and in the promise of eternal life with God? The Holy Spirit reveals to us the eternal truths of God's unending love and the life he desires to share with us for all eternity. Paul the Apostle, quoting from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 64:4; 65:17) states: "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," God has revealed to us through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:910). The promise of paradise heavenly bliss and unending life with an all-loving God is beyond human reckoning. We have only begun to taste the first-fruits! Do we live now in the joy and hope of the life of the age to come? "May the Lord Jesus put his hands on our eyes also, for then we too shall begin to look not at what is seen but at what is not seen. May he open the eyes that are concerned not with the present but with what is yet to come, may he unseal the heart's vision, that we may gaze on God in the Spirit, through the same Lord, Jesus Christ, whose glory and power will endure throughout the unending succession of ages." In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to our Lord Jesus to lead us to eternal life in Him.
Meditation: Is there anything holding you back from the joy and freedom of the Lord? God wants our hearts for him and for his kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness (Romans 14:17). But our hearts can be weighed down by many different things, such as greed, gluttony, drunkenness, and so many other harmful addictions and sinful habits. Jesus, our Lord and Master, offers us true freedom freedom from the power of sin and wasted life, and freedom from our unruly desires and disordered passions such as
making food, drink or anything else our master rather than our servant. Jesus wants our hearts to be ruled by one thing only his love and truth which enables us to choose whatever is good and to reject whatever is evil and harmful for us. Jesus also warns us of the temptation to slacken off to become spiritually idle, lazy, indifferent, or inattentive to God's word and guidance for our lives. We can fall asleep spiritually if we allow other things to distract us from the reality of God and his kingdom. It is very easy to get caught up in the things of the present moment or to be weighed down with anxious cares and concerns. The Lord knows our struggles, weaknesses, and shortcomings. And he assures us that we do not need to carry our burdens alone nor struggle without his help. He is always very present and ready to give us whatever strength, guidance, and help we need to fight temptation and to stay the course which he has set for us. But there is one thing he doesn't tolerate: indifference, an attitude of not caring, and doing nothing! The Lord wants us to cast our anxieties on him and to ask for his guidance and help. Do you pray for God's strength and wisdom? Until the Lord comes again we can expect troubles, trials, and temptations. Our adversary the devil does not rest in his attempt to lure us away from God's will for our lives. If he cannot succeed in getting us to renounce our faith in Christ, he will try, little by little, to distract us from pursuing God, especially in prayer and listening to his word. Ask the Lord Jesus to rekindle the fire of his love in you so that you will be ready and eager to meet him when he comes again. "Lord Jesus, rouse my spirit to the truth that this world is passing away. Give me a lively faith, a joyful hope, and a fervent love to see you face to face when you return in glory." Now that we are reborn, as I have said, in the likeness of our Lord, and have indeed been adopted by God as his children, let us put on the complete image of our Creator so as to be wholly like him, not in the glory that he alone possesses, but in innocence, simplicity, gentleness, patience, humility, mercy, harmony, those qualities in which he chose to become, and to be, one with us.
KEY VERSE: "For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth" (v 35). READING: Jesus often used the title "Son of Man" to describe his role as the humble servant of God who would be exalted through his death and resurrection. This was a reference to the Book of Daniel in which the "Son of Man" ascended to the throne of God to receive everlasting "dominion, glory, and kingship" (Dn 7:13-14). Jesus told his disciples not to be fearful of the cosmic events that would precede his arrival, but to be ever watchful for his return. He warned them not to indulge in carnal cravings and worldly anxieties that would dull their longing for that great day. He exhorted them to pray for the strength to endure the coming trials, and to be ever vigilant of his arrival (Greek, parousia). REFLECTING: In what ways am I preparing myself for Christ's coming in Advent? PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to live in faith as I await your glorious return.
The apocalyptic language of todays reading from Daniel is certainly graphic in its description of his anguish and the terror of his visions. The fourth beast with iron teeth and bronze claws and its ten horns was destroying everything in its path. The description reminded me of some of the crazy science fiction movie clips on TV which always cause me wonder that anyone would want to go see them. That does not seem
to have a place in the Bible, and is not an easy passage to pray with. Then the gospel account with Jesus warning that the final day will approach with the surprise of a trap that will assault us with tribulations. It all seems out of place as we come to the close of the Church year on this last day of ordinary time. Tomorrow is the beginning of advent, a time to strengthen our relationship with Jesus and prepare for his coming. One wonders why the dire warnings at this particular time. Shouldnt the readings be more hopeful to prepare us for the beginning of Advent? But, if we can get beyond these dire warnings, we see that there is hope. There is the promise that God will be a just judge. He will be there during the anxieties of our days and any sufferings that we encounter. He does not expect that we do it on our own; it is our faith and trust in God that saves us. He is honored by our trust not by our fear. As we finish this church year, may we put the anxieties of our lives in the loving hands of Jesus so that we can focus on preparing for his coming and bask in the warmth of his love. Jesus said to his disciples: 'Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.' -Luke 21:34-36 The Gospel passage for today is a short reading but yet so powerful. It contains a message that I need to remind myself of everyday. We all probably need that constant reminder that we can not be consumed with all the glamorous aspects of life, whether its spending money, drinking, gossiping, etc., but instead we should be asking for Gods strength to help us focus on living our lives and not giving into temptations. This passage is the perfect reminder of how we should be living our daily lives. It is so easy to get caught up in the craziness of our everyday lives and forget to take time to really focus on what Jesus is really asking of us. There are so many bad distractions that can lead us down the wrong paths and turn us away from the path God has planned for us. I try to challenge myself every morning to pray to God and ask for his help in allowing me to say no to temptations that could bring me further away from him and the life he has planned for me. If I take a little bit of time everyday to acknowledge that I will be facing challenges then it may be easier to feel Gods strength in helping me turn away from these temptations.
We all face temptations everyday. Let us each say a little prayer every morning to ask God to give us the courage and strength we need to say no to these temptations. We all have different temptations that we are faced with and we need God's help in different ways. I will continue to pray that God will fill our lives with his presence and fill us with the courage to do the things he is asking of us.
FIRST READING
19th November 2011 Saturday in the Thirty Third Week of General Time 1 Maccabees 6:1-13 Psalms Luke 9: 2-3, 4&6, 16&19 20:27-40 Page 493 Page 877 Page 84
First reading from the first Book of Maccabees Chapter 6 verses 1 to 13

King Antiochus was going through the upper provinces when he heard that Elymais in Persia was a city famed for its wealth in silver and gold. Its temple was very rich, containing golden shields, breastplates, and weapons left there by Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian king who first reigned over the Greeks. So he came and tried to take the city and plunder it, but he could not because his plan had become known to the citizens and they withstood him in battle. So he fled and in great disappointment left there to return to Babylon. Then someone came to him in Persia and reported that the armies that had gone into the land of Judah had been routed; that Lysias had gone first with a strong force, but had turned and fled before the Jews; that the Jews had grown strong from the arms, supplies, and abundant spoils that they had taken from the armies they had cut down; that they had torn down the abomination that he had erected on the altar in Jerusalem; and that they had surrounded the sanctuary with high walls as before, and also Beth-zur, his town. When the king heard this news, he was astounded and badly shaken. He took to his bed and became sick from disappointment, because things had not turned out for him as he had planned. He lay there for many days, because deep disappointment continually gripped him, and he realized that he was dying. So he called all his Friends and said to them, "Sleep has departed from my eyes and I am downhearted with worry. I said to myself, 'To what distress I have come! And into what a great flood I now am plunged! For I was kind and beloved in my power.' But now I remember the wrong I did in Jerusalem. I seized all its vessels of silver and gold, and I sent to destroy the inhabitants of Judah without good reason. I know that it is because of this that these misfortunes have come upon me; here I am, perishing of bitter disappointment in a strange land."
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
19th November 2011 Saturday in the Thirty Third Week of General Time 1 Maccabees 6:1-13 Psalms Luke Psalms 9: 2-3, 4&6, 16&19 20:27-40 9: 2-3, 4&6, 16&19 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart! Page 493 Page 877 Page 84
Response:
I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. When my enemies turned back, They stumbled and perished before you. R: I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart!
For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment. The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities you have rooted out; the very memory of them has perished. R: I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart!
The LORD has made himself known, he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Rise up, O LORD! Do not let mortals prevail; Let the nations be judged before you. R: I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart!
19th November 2011
Response:
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart!
BIBLE READING

Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her." Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive." Then some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well." For they no longer dared to ask him another question.
INTRODUCTION
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart!

Is our life earthbound or heaven bound? The Sadducees, unlike the Pharisees, did not believe in immortality, nor in angels or evil spirits. Their religion was literally grounded in an earthly image of heaven. They came to Jesus with a test question to make the resurrection look ridiculous. Jesus replies by dealing with the fact of the resurrection. The scriptures give proof of it. In Exodus 3:6, when God manifests his presence to Moses in the burning bush, the Lord tells him that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus defeats their arguments by showing that God is a living God of a living people. God was the friend of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when they lived. That friendship could not cease with death. As Psalm 73:23-24 states: "I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory." The ultimate proof of the resurrection is the Lord Jesus and his victory over death when he rose from the tomb. Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he exclaimed: "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25). Jesus asks us the same question. Do we believe in the resurrection and in the promise of eternal life with God? The Holy Spirit reveals to us the eternal truths of God's unending love and the life he desires to share with us for all eternity. Paul the Apostle, quoting from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 64:4; 65:17) states: "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," God has revealed to us through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:910). The promise of paradise heavenly bliss and unending life with an all-loving God is beyond human reckoning. We have only begun to taste the first-fruits! Do we live now in the joy and hope of the life of the age to come? "May the Lord Jesus put his hands on our eyes also, for then we too shall begin to look not at what is seen but at what is not seen. May he open the eyes that are concerned not with the present but with what is yet to come, may he unseal the heart's vision, that we may gaze on God in the Spirit, through the same Lord, Jesus Christ, whose glory and power will endure throughout the unending succession of ages." In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to our Lord Jesus to lead us to eternal life in Him.
5th November 2011 Saturday in the Thirty first Week of General Time Romans Psalms Luke 16: 3-9, 16, 22-27 145: 2-3, 4-5, 10-11 16: 9-15 Page 164 Page 666 Page 79
First reading from the Book of Romans Chapter 16 verses 3 to 9, 16 and 22 to 27

Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you. Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
12th November 2011 Saturday in the Thirty second Week of General Time Wisdom Psalms Luke 18: 14-16; 19: 6-9 105: 2-3, 36-37, 42-43 18: 1-8 Page 732 Page 641 Page 81
First reading from the Book of Wisdom Chapter 18 verses 14 to 16 and Chapter 19 verses 6 to 9
For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed, a stern warrior carrying the sharp sword of your authentic command, and stood and filled all things with death,
and touched heaven while standing on the earth. For the whole creation in its nature was fashioned anew, complying with your commands, so that your children might be kept unharmed. The cloud was seen overshadowing the camp, and dry land emerging where water had stood before, an unhindered way out of the Red Sea, and a grassy plain out of the raging waves, where those protected by your hand passed through as one nation, after gazing on marvelous wonders. For they ranged like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising you, O Lord, who delivered them.
12th November 2011 Saturday in the Thirty second Week of General Time Wisdom Psalms Luke Psalms 18: 14-16; 19: 6-9 105: 2-3, 36-37, 42-43 18: 1-8 105: 2-3, 36-37, 42-43 Remember the wonderful works Lord has done! Page 732 Page 641 Page 81
Response:
Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. R: Remember the wonderful works Lord has done!
He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the first issue of all their strength. Then he brought Israel out with silver and gold, and there was no one among their tribes who stumbled. R: Remember the wonderful works Lord has done!
For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant. So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. R: Remember the wonderful works Lord has done!
Response:
Remember the wonderful works Lord has done!

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Remember the wonderful works Lord has done!

In todays reading from Saint Luke, Jesus tells a parable about a defenseless widow, who is taken advantage of and refused her rights. Through sheer persistence she wears down an unscrupulous judge until he gives her justice. Persistence pays off, and that's especially true for those who trust in God. Jesus illustrates how God as our Judge is much quicker to bring us his justice, blessing, and help when we need it. But we can easily lose heart and forget to ask our heavenly Father for his grace and help. In this present life we can expect trials and adversity, but we are not without hope in God. The Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices perpetrated by his creatures and that God's love is stronger than death. The just who put their trust in God can look forward with hope to that day when they will receive their reward. "Lord Jesus, make our faith strong that we may never doubt your promises. When we face trials and difficulties, help us to trust in your unfailing love and to find joy and contentment in you alone." In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to our Lord Jesus to grant us perseverance in our faith in Him.
First reading from the Book of Romans Chapter 16 verses 3 to 9, 16 and 22 to 27

Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you. Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
5th November 2011 Saturday in the Thirty first Week of General Time Romans Psalms Luke Psalms 16: 3-9, 16, 22-27 145: 2-3, 4-5, 10-11 16: 9-15 145: 2-3, 4-5, 10-11 I will bless your name forever and ever! Page 164 Page 666 Page 79
Response:
Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. R: I will bless your name forever and ever!
One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. R: I will bless your name forever and ever!
All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your faithful shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power R: I will bless your name forever and ever!
Response:
I will bless your name forever and ever!

And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes. "Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. So he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God.
I will bless your name forever and ever!

Jesus taught his disciples that material goods should be used to build up the kingdom of God on earth. The phrase to make friends with "mammon" (dishonest wealth) roughly means to do good works with material possessions. Jesus told his disciples to be faithful and honest in all their dealings, whether large or small. If they could not be trusted with material goods, how could they be trusted in the greater matters of spiritual wealth? Jesus rebuked those who had their values turned upside down. He warned them that worldly goods could lead to dishonesty and greed. Then a person could end up being controlled by their possessions. One cannot be a servant of God and a slave to material goods at the same time. "Lord Jesus, may the fire of your love burn in our hearts that we may be wholly devoted to you above all else. Free us from greed and attachment to material things that we may be generous in using the gifts and resources you give us for your glory and for the good of our neighbors." In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to our Lord Jesus to help us to choose Him as our Master.
29th October 2011 Saturday in the Thirtieth Week of General Time Romans Psalms Luke 11: 1-2, 11-12, 25-29 94:12-13, 14-15, 17-18 14:1, 7-11 Page 161 Page 635 Page 77
First reading from the Book of Romans Chapter 11 verses 1 to 2, 11 to 12 and 25 to 29

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their stumbling salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their stumbling means riches for the world, and if their defeat means riches for Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! So that you may not claim to be wiser than you are, brothers and sisters, I want you to understand this mystery: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, "Out of Zion will come the Deliverer; he will banish ungodliness from Jacob." "And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins." As regards the gospel they are enemies of God for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved, for the sake of their ancestors; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
29th October 2011 Saturday in the Thirtieth Week of General Time Romans Psalms Luke Psalms 11: 1-2, 11-12, 25-29 94:12-13, 14-15, 17-18 14:1, 7-11 94:12-13, 14-15, 17-18 The LORD will not forsake his people! Page 161 Page 635 Page 77
Response:
Happy are those whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, giving them respite from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. R: The LORD will not forsake his people!
For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. R: The LORD will not forsake his people!
If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, "My foot is slipping," your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. R: The LORD will not forsake his people!
Response:
The LORD will not forsake his people!
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 14 verse 1 and 7 to 11
On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely. When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
The LORD will not forsake his people!

Who wants to be last? Isn't it only natural to desire respect and esteem from others? Jesus' parable of the guests invited to the marriage feast probes our motives for seeking honor and position. Self-promotion is most often achieved at the expense of others! Jesus' parable reinforces the teaching of Proverbs: Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of the prince. Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues because it enables us to view and judge ourselves correctly, the way God sees us. Humility leads to true self-knowledge, honesty, realism, strength, and dedication to give ourselves to something greater than ourselves. Humility frees us to love and serve others selflessly, for their sake, rather than our own. Paul the Apostles, gives us the greatest example and model of humility in the person of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, ...who humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to our Lord Jesus to grant us humility so that we can serve Him without sin, selfishness, and conceit.
22nd October 2011 Saturday in the Twenty ninth Week of General Time Romans Psalms Luke 8: 1-11 24: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 13: 1-9 Page 157 Page 587 Page 76
First reading from the Book of Romans Chapter 8 verses 1 to 11

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
22nd October 2011 Saturday in the Twenty ninth Week of General Time Romans Psalms Luke Psalms 8: 1-11 24: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 13: 1-9 Page 157 Page 587 Page 76
105: 6-7, 8-9, 42-43 Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face!
Response:
The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face!
Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face!
They will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of their salvation. Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face!
Response:
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face!
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 13 verses 1 to 9

At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face!

The first reading from Romans focuses on what our lives are really meant to be. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. And Gods Spirit within is not something that can be measured or quantified. Rather, Gods presence within each of us is gift in our unique creation in Gods image. Jesus' parable of the barren fig trees illustrated his warning about the consequences of allowing sin and corruption to take root in our hearts and minds. A fig tree normally matured within three years, producing plentiful fruit. If it failed, it was cut down to make room for more healthy trees. The unfruitful fig tree symbolized the outcome of Israel's unresponsiveness to the word of God. Jesus' parable depicts the patience of God, but it also contains a warning that we should not presume upon patience and mercy. The Lord in his mercy gives us both grace and time to turn away from sin, but that time is right now. If we delay, even for a day, we may discover that grace has passed us by and our time is up. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to our Lord Jesus to increase our hunger for Him so that we may grow in righteousness and holiness.
15th October 2011 Saturday in the Twenty eighth Week of General Time Romans Psalms Luke 4: 13, 16-18 105: 6-7, 8-9, 42-43 12: 8-12 Page 155 Page 641 Page 74
First reading from the Book of Romans Chapter 4 verse 13 and verses 16 to 18
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations" in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become "the father of many nations," according to what was said, "So numerous shall your descendants be."
15th October 2011 Saturday in the Twenty eighth Week of General Time Romans Psalms Luke Psalms 4: 13, 16-18 105: 6-7, 8-9, 42-43 12: 8-12 105: 6-7, 8-9, 42-43 The Lord is mindful of His covenant forever! Page 155 Page 641 Page 74
Response:
O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. R: The Lord is mindful of His covenant forever!
He is mindful of his covenant forever, of the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, R: The Lord is mindful of His covenant forever!
For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant. So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. R: The Lord is mindful of His covenant forever!
Response:
The Lord is mindful of His covenant forever!

"And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say."
The Lord is mindful of His covenant forever!

What is the unforgivable sin which Jesus warns us to avoid? Jesus knows that his disciples will be tested and he assures them that the Holy Spirit will give them what they need in their time of adversity. He warns them, however, that it's possible to reject the grace of God and to fall into apostasy out of cowardice or disbelief. Jesus also speaks against blaspheming the Holy Spirit. What is blasphemy and why is it reprehensible? Blasphemy consists in uttering against God, inwardly or outwardly, words of hatred, reproach, or defiance. It's contrary to the respect due God and his holy name. Jesus speaks of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit as the unforgivable sin. A sin can only be unforgivable if repentance is impossible. If someone repeatedly closes his heart to God and shuts his ears to his voice, he comes to a point where he can no longer recognize God even when God makes himself known. Such a person ends up perceiving evil as good and good as evil. There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who refuses to accept God's mercy by repenting of wrongdoing, rejects the forgiveness of their sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit. God gives grace and help to all who humbly call upon him. The love and mercy of Jesus Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit are freely given to those who acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let us thank God for the grace of faith and in this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to God to send Holy Spirit to strengthen us when we are weak.
1st October 2011 Saturday in the Twenty sixth Week of General Time Baruch Psalms Luke 4: 5-12, 27-29 69: 33-37 10: 17-24 Page Page Page
First reading from the Book of Baruch Chapter 4 verses 5 to 12 and verses 27 to 29
Take courage, my people, who perpetuate Israel's name! It was not for destruction that you were sold to the nations, but you were handed over to your enemies because you angered God. For you provoked the one who made you by sacrificing to demons and not to God. You forgot the everlasting God, who brought you up, and you grieved Jerusalem, who reared you. For she saw the wrath that came upon you from God, and she said: Listen, you neighbors of Zion, God has brought great sorrow upon me; for I have seen the exile of my sons and daughters, which the Everlasting brought upon them. With joy I nurtured them, but I sent them away with weeping and sorrow. Let no one rejoice over me, a widow and bereaved of many; I was left desolate because of the sins of my children, because they turned away from the law of God. Take courage, my children, and cry to God, for you will be remembered by the one who brought this upon you. For just as you were disposed to go astray from God, return with tenfold zeal to seek him. For the one who brought these calamities upon you will bring you everlasting joy with your salvation.
Psalms 69: 33-34, 35-36 Response: The Lord hears the needy!
For the LORD hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them. R: The Lord hears the needy!
For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah; and his servants shall live there and possess it; the children of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall live in it. R: The Lord hears the needy!
Response:
The Lord hears the needy!
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew Chapter 10 verses 17 to 24

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."
The Lord hears the needy! The first reading from Baruch concerns Jerusalem, who shares her sorrow with her children scattered among the nations, acknowledges her inability to help them, and confesses that her only hope is the Lord God of Israel. In the responsorial psalm, we read about the promise that The Lord hears the needy. He will take care of his servants and the children of His children. The reading from Luke tells about the mission of the seventy. Jesus sent out seventy disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to every town he intended to go. They were jubilant when they returned from their successful mission, amazed at the power that had been given to them. They witnessed the collapse of Satan's reign through their proclamation of God's kingdom. Jesus shared their joy over Satan's fall, but he told them not to rejoice that they had greater power than the evil forces. They should be glad that their "names were written in heaven". Jesus thanked the Father for bestowing the mysteries of the kingdom on his lowly disciples. This privilege had not been given to the "wise and the learned", but to his disciples who, like little children, were open to God's revelation in Jesus. Jesus tells us that prophets and kings desire to see and hear what his followers do but cannot. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to God to open our eyes and ears so that we can see and hear what Jesus wishes me to.
24th September 2011 Saturday in the Twenty Fifth week of General Time Zechariah Jeremiah Luke 2:5-9 31: 10, 11-12, 13 9: 43-45 Page 1063 Page 903 Page 70
First reading from the Book of Zechariah Chapter 2 verses 5 to 9 For I will be a wall of fire all around it, says the LORD, and I will be the glory within it. A summons to the exiles Up, up! Flee from the land of the north, says the LORD; for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven, says the LORD. Up! Escape to Zion, you that live with daughter Babylon. For thus said the LORD of hosts (after his glory sent me) regarding the nations that plundered you: Truly, one who touches you touches the apple of my eye. See now, I am going to raise my hand against them, and they shall become plunder for their own slaves. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me.
24th September 2011 Saturday in the Twenty Fifth week of General Time Zechariah Jeremiah Luke Jeremiah 2:5-9 31: 10, 11-12, 13 9: 43-45 31: 10, 11-12, 13 Page 1063 Page 903 Page 70 Page 607
Response: He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock! Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock." R: He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock!
For the LORD has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; R: He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock!
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. R: He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock!
Response:
He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock!

All were astounded at the greatness of God. While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, "Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands." But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
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He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock!
Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Todays first reading describes God promising that he will be the guardian of his people. His stance toward the people of Jerusalem, according to the Psalm, is the loving, attentive and very wily shepherd who surrounds the flock with Divine care. In the Gospel we hear Jesus warning his disciples that the day is coming when the Son of Man will be handed over to people of evil intent. Jesus prophesied his own betrayal and crucifixion. But it did not make any sense to the disciples because it did not fit their understanding of the Messiah who was supposed to come and free his people from tyranny and oppression. Little did they know that the way to victory over sin and death would be through the cross and resurrection of Christ. This was Jesus' second prediction of his passion, yet his disciples still failed to understand his meaning. "Lord Jesus, by your cross you have redeemed the world and revealed your glory and triumph over sin and death. May we never fail to see your glory and victory in the cross. Help us to conform our life to your will and to follow in your way of love and holiness." In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ to help us to be faithful to Him in adversity and in victory.
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17th September 2011 Saturday in the Twenty Fourth week of General Time 1 Timothy Psalms Luke 6:13-16 100: 2, 3, 4, 5 8:4-15 Page 210 Page 637 Page 67
First reading from the first Book of Timothy Chapter 6 verses 13 to 16 In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
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17th September 2011 Saturday in the Twenty Fourth week of General Time 1 Timothy Psalms Luke Psalms 6:13-16 100: 2, 3, 4, 5 8:4-15 100: 2, 3, 4, 5 Page 210 Page 637 Page 67 Page 607
Response:
Come into the presence of the Lord with singing!
Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing. R: Come into the presence of the Lord with singing!
Know that the LORD is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. R: Come into the presence of the Lord with singing!
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. R: Come into the presence of the Lord with singing!
For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. R: Come into the presence of the Lord with singing!
Response:
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When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold." As he said this, he called out, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!" Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that 'looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.' "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.
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Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! How good are we at listening, especially for the word of God? God is always ready to speak to each of us and to give us understanding of his word. Jesus' parable of the sower is aimed at the hearers of his word. There are different ways of accepting God's word and they produce different kinds of fruit accordingly. There is the prejudiced hearer who has a shut mind. Such a person is un-teachable and blind to the things of God. Then there is the shallow hearer who fails to think things out or think them through; such a person lacks spiritual depth. They may initially respond with an emotional fervor; but when it wears off their mind wanders to something else. Another type of hearer is the person who has many interests or cares, but who lacks the ability to hear or comprehend what is truly important. Such a person is for ever too busy to pray or too preoccupied to study and meditate on God's word. He or she may work so hard that they are too tired to even think of anything else but their work. Then there is the one whose mind is open. Such a person is at all times willing to listen and to learn. He or she is never too proud or too busy to learn. They listen in order to understand. God gives grace to those who hunger for his word that they may understand his will and have the strength to live according to it. Do we hunger for God's word? "Lord Jesus, faith in your word is the way to wisdom, and to ponder your divine plan is to grow in the truth. Open our eyes to your deeds, and our ears to the sound of your call, that we may understand your will for my life and live according to it." In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ to make our hearts fertile ground for His word.
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10th September 2011 Saturday in the Twenty Third week of General Time 1 Timothy Psalms Luke 1:15-17 113: 1-2, 3-4, 5-7 6:43-49 Page 208 Page 648 Page 65
First reading from the first Book of Timothy Chapter 1 verses 15 to 17 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
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10th September 2011 Saturday in the Twenty Third week of General Time 1 Timothy Psalms Luke Psalms 1:15-17 113: 1-2, 3-4, 5-7 6:43-49 54: 3-4, 6-7 Page 208 Page 648 Page 65 Page 607
Response:
Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time on and forevermore!
Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD; praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time on and forevermore. R: Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time on and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. R: Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time on and forevermore!
Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, R: Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time on and forevermore!
Response:
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"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house."
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Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus taught his followers that the quality of their inner lives could be judged by the words they spoke and the deeds they performed. Their hearts were like storehouses of either good or bad fruit. Jesus' disciples would be recognized by the good fruit that they produced in their lives. Jesus also compared the Christian life to building a house. The wise builder laid a firm foundation that could withstand the trials of life. Those who heard Jesus but did not act on his words were building on a shaky foundation. It was hypocritical to call Jesus "Lord" and refuse to obey him. Jesus taught his followers to put into practice everything he had taught them. "Lord Jesus, you are the sure foundation and source of life and strength for us. Give us wisdom and strength to live according to our truth and to reject every false way. May we be a doer of your word and not a hearer only. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ help us to hear and obey Him so others can see good fruit in our life.
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3rd September 2011 Saturday in the Twenty second week of General Time Colossians Psalms Luke 1: 21-23 54: 3-4, 6-7 6:1-5 Page 204 Page 607 Page 63
First reading from the Book of Colossians Chapter 1 verses 21 to 23 And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.
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3rd September 2011 Saturday in the Twenty second week of General Time Colossians Psalms Luke Psalms 1: 21-23 54: 3-4, 6-7 6:1-5 54: 3-4, 6-7 Page 204 Page 607 Page 63 Page 607
Response:
I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good!
Save me, O God, by your name, and vindicate me by your might. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. R: I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good!
With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good. For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. R: I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good!
Response:
I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good!
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One Sabbath while Jesus was going through the grain fields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" Jesus answered, "Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?" Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."
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I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good! Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! What does the commandment "keep holy the Sabbath" require of us? Or better yet, what is the primary intention behind this command? The religious leaders confronted Jesus on this issue. The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his work, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment. Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom. In their hunger, David and his men ate of the holy bread offered in the Temple. On every Sabbath morning twelve loaves were laid before God on a golden table in the Holy Place. Each loaf represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel. No one was allowed to eat this bread except the priests because it represented the very presence of God. David understood that human need took precedence over rules and ritual regulations. Why didn't the Pharisees recognize the claims of mercy over rules and regulations? Their zeal for ritual observance blinded them from the demands of charity. Jesus declares that he is "Lord of the Sabbath." Jesus healed on the Sabbath and he showed mercy to those in need. All who are burdened can find true rest and refreshment in him. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ to help us act with compassion and justice.
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In todays reading from Luke, Jesus is rebuked by the elders for taking grain from the field on the Sabbath. He responds by reminding them that Isaiah took holy bread from the synagogue to feed his hungry followers. He then goes on to say that keeping the Sabbath is judged by the Son of man. What does the Son of man think of how well we keep the Sabbath? In years past keeping the Sabbath was considered to be an important part of Christian life. All of the Sunday Masses were said on Sunday morning. Families started their Sunday as a unit going to Mass. People took the Sabbath seriously, sometimes too much so, becoming like the Pharisees in the gospel. As with the Pharisees, sometimes the rules were more important than human needs. In the gospel account, Jesus provided an essential lesson in priorities; human need takes precedence over rules. Today, it is not so common to worry about how to keep the Sabbath holy. It seems to be more of the norm that the Sabbath is largely ignored in much of our society. It is business as usual in the malls and grocery stores. In fact, some malls require their leasing stores to be open seven days a week. Yet there are e few retail businesses that close for the Sabbath and they seem to make up their business on the other six days. Whether we work or not on the Sabbath, is there a remembrance of it being Gods day? Do we spend time with friends and/or family? Do we minister to others in some way? How do we thank God for his many blessings and give Him praise and glory?
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We are reminded in todays Gospel of the importance of the Sabbath. How can I better observe the Sabbath in my life? Lord, show me what I must do to better observe your special day. Grant me the courage to make whatever changes I must make to better observe your Sabbath. Never let me forget that this is your special day - not mine.
KEY VERSE: "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath" (v 5). READING: Picking grain on the Sabbath was the first conflict story told in Luke's gospel regarding the Sabbath law. Luke showed how this controversy led to a final break with the religious leaders, and ultimately to Jesus' death. When Jesus' disciples picked and ate grain on the Sabbath, the Pharisees accused them of violating the Sabbath law, which prohibited harvesting (Ex 34:21). Jesus defended his disciples by reminding them of a precedence in scripture. The great King David fed his hungry men with the bread of offering that was reserved for priests (1 Sm 21:1-7). Jesus said that charity must prevail over religious laws. Jesus, the "Son of Man," showed solidarity with the needs of his people and displayed his supreme authority over the law. REFLECTING: Am I unduly bound by scrupulosity? PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to avoid legalism and act with compassion and justice.
Meditation: What does the commandment "keep holy the Sabbath" require of us? Or better yet, what is the primary intention behind this command? The religious leaders confronted Jesus on this issue. The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his work, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment. Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom. In their hunger, David and his men ate of the holy bread offered in the Temple (1 Samuel 21:2-7). On every Sabbath morning twelves loaves were laid before God on a golden table in the Holy Place. Each loaf represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel. No one was allowed to eat this bread except the priests because it represented the very presence of God. David understood that human need took precedence over rules and ritual regulations. Why didn't the Pharisees recognize the claims of mercy over rules and regulations? Their zeal for ritual observance blinded them from the demands of charity. Jesus' reference to the bread of the Presence alludes to the true bread from heaven which he offers to all who believe in him. Jesus, the Son of David, and the Son of Man, a title for the Messiah, declares that he is "Lord of the Sabbath." Jesus healed on the Sabbath and he showed mercy to those in need. All who are burdened can find true rest and refreshment in him. Do you seek rest and refreshment in the Lord and in the celebration of the Lord's Day? "Lord Jesus, you refresh us with your presence and you sustain us with your life-giving word. Show me how to lift the burden of others, especially those who lack the basic necessities of life, and to refresh them with humble care and service."
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21th August 2011 Saturday in the Twenty first Week of General Time 1 Thessalonians Psalms Matthew 4: 9-11 98:1,7-9 25:14-30 Page 204 Page 637 Page 28
First reading from the first Book of Thessalonians Chapter 4 verses 9 to 11 Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, beloved, to do so more and more, to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you,
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21th August 2011 Saturday in the Twenty first Week of General Time 1 Thessalonians Psalms Matthew Psalms 98:1, 7-9 4: 9-11 98:1,7-9 25:14-30 Page 204 Page 637 Page 28 Page 637
Response:
The LORD is coming to judge the earth!
O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. R: The LORD is coming to judge the earth!
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. R: The LORD is coming to judge the earth!
Response:
The LORD is coming to judge the earth!
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"For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying,'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
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The LORD is coming to judge the earth! Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! The first reading is from the book of Ruth which is a beautiful story about an ordinary family whose members suffered many losses but God went on looking after them. Then he gave them new gifts to make them glad. Ruth obeys God and finds love. In all of the changes in her life, Ruth places her hope and trust in God. Todays responsorial psalm is a psalm for families. It tells that the prosperity of our families depends upon the blessing of God; the only way to obtain that blessing which will make our families comfortable is to live in the fear of God and in obedience to him. In the reading from Saint Matthews, we read that Jesus denounced the hypocritical behavior of the scribes and Pharisees. He acknowledged that their teaching authority rested on the "chair of Moses", but he warned his disciples not to follow the example of these religious leaders. The Pharisees enjoyed their titles of honor, and they liked to call attention to their phylacteries as evidence of their piety. These small leather boxes contained essential passages of the Torah, and were worn on the forehead and on the left arm during prayer. The tassels sewn on the corners of their garments were a symbolic reminder to keep the Law of Moses. While the religious leaders demanded obedience to the minute details of the law, their own deeds did not always correspond to their words. In contrast, Jesus was a humble servant and faithful teacher of the law of God's love and mercy. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us humility so that we can walk in His love.
Meditation: What can economics and productivity teach us about the kingdom of heaven? Jesus' story about a businessman who leaves town and entrusts his money with his workers made perfect sense to his audience. Wealthy merchants and businessmen often had to travel abroad and leave the business to others to handle while they were gone. Why did Jesus tell this story and what can it teach us? Most importantly it tells us something about how God deals with us, his disciples and servants. The parable speaks first of the Master's trust in his servants. While he goes away he leaves them with his money to use as they think best. While there were no strings attached, this was obviously a test to see if the Master's workers would be industrious and reliable in their use of the money entrusted to them. The master rewards those who are industrious and faithful and he punishes those who sit by idly and who do nothing with his money. The essence of the parable seems to lie in the servants' conception of responsibility. Each
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servant entrusted with the master's money was faithful up to a certain point. The servant who buried the master's money was irresponsible. One can bury seeds in the ground and expect them to become productive because they obey natural laws. Coins, however, do not obey natural laws. They obey economic laws and become productive in circulation. The master expected his servants to be productive in the use of his money. What do coins and the law of economics have to do with the kingdom of God? The Lord entrusts the subjects of his kingdom with gifts and graces and he gives his subjects the freedom to use them as they think best. With each gift and talent, God gives sufficient the means (grace and wisdom) for using them in a fitting way. As the parable of the talents shows, God abhors indifference and an attitude that says it's not worth trying. God honors those who use their talents and gifts for doing good. Those who are faithful with even a little are entrusted with more! But those who neglect or squander what God has entrusted to them will lose what they have. There is an important lesson here for us. No one can stand still for long in the Christian life. We either get more or we lose what we have. We either advance towards God or we slip back. Do you seek to serve God with the gifts, talents, and graces he has given to you? "Lord Jesus, be the ruler of my heart and thoughts, be the king of my home and relationships, and be the master of my work and service. Help me to make good use of the gifts, talents, time, and resources you give me for your glory and your kingdom." For this daily reflection, I asked my oldest daughter, Anna, to write a little bit about Saint Monica, since she chose her for her confirmation saint. I was simply going to add her part to the end of my part. But what she wrote was way better than anything I could have written, so I am turning over the reins to her for the day. I hope you find as much inspiration from her writing as I did! Brian As a 13 year old preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, I began my search for a saint. To be honest, I approached it like a good number of my friends didI looked up a list of saints and began to read. As I was scrolling through an online directory of saints, in search of one that resonated with me, I stumbled across Saint Monica. At the time, I was completely unfamiliar with her story, but when I read through it, I knew my decision was made. Now, almost 8 years later, I still believe I chose the right saint. As I meditated on this reflection, though, I realized that her story speaks to me in a much different way now than it did back then. When I was in Junior High, there was a great emphasis placed on leadership. It seemed like everywhere you turned, you were being told to step up and be a leader. Naturally, the average 12 or 13 year old interprets this as you must fight to be in control and boss everyone around. All of this focus on leadership always bothered me, because it appeared to me that the idea was contradictory. After all, if everyone was a leader, then who would be left to be lead? Can there even be a leader without a follower? To be honest, Im not the type of person who enjoys battling for control or telling peopl e what to do. At the time, I just assumed that this meant that I was just never destined to be a leader.
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Saint Monica was married to Patricius, a Pagan man. He did not share her Christian beliefs, and often criticized her. This troubled Monica, who wanted her husband and her children to embrace Christianity. On the surface, she was seemingly powerless; she had no way to force her husband to convert or see that her children were baptized or followed the faith. She ended up succeeding at both, not by power, but by example. By living a pious life, she managed to convince both her husband and her mother-in-law to convert. She also stood as a source of inspiration for her son, St. Augustine of Hippo. She even became a leader for devout women wherever she went, not because she demanded their respect, but simply because of the life she led. To this day, I realize that Im still not very good at gaining control of a group of people, but I try to lead by example and patience, as Saint Monica did. Now, approaching my junior year of college, I find a new inspiration in the life of Saint Monica. Its hard to watch good friends make mistakes, especially when you know that youre going to have to watch them suffer and try to pick up the pieces afterwards. I try to offer my advice and warnings from my own experiences, but time after time, it gets ignored and Im stuck dealing with consequences. I started to get fed up last year and eventually stopped offering advice in general. I figured that they were going to do what they were going to do anyhow, so I might as well not even bother. I was losing my patience. Saint Monica was getting fed up with her son Augustine. He was ignoring her wishes and living an immoral life. At one point, she even cast him from her house, forbidding him from eating or sleeping there, until she had a vision telling her that Augustine would return to the faith. From then on, she patiently stood beside her son, watching him make mistake after mistake, but never wavering in her dedication. As a reward for her patience and devotion, Augustine was baptized and went on to become one of the greatest theological thinkers in the history of the Church. Saint Monicas patience is an inspiration to me in an even deeper way. As hard as it is to be patient with others, I find it much harder to be patient with myself. As we are all human, we have things about ourselves that wed like to improve. In my quest to be more patient with others, I often find myself falling short. I get frustrated with myself, wondering why I cant just let certain things go. Saint Monica didnt give up on Augustine, even after years of disappointment. Its easy to get caught up in how daunting a goal is and to focus on all of our failures. Just as its important to be patient with others, it is equally hard to be patient with ourselves. I believe we can get there, with the leadership provided by Saint Monica as a great source of inspiration.
God has given each of us gifts (talents) to share. What is my most obvious gift and how am I using it? Lord, help me to recognize those gifts you have gifted me with. Grant me the courage to take those gifts and use them to the best of my ability for your greater glory. I thank you for all the gifts you have bestowed on me.
KEY VERSE: "Well done, my good and faithful servant" (v 23). READING: Jesus' parable of the talents was an allegory on wise stewardship and the last judgment. In the story, each servant was given a different sum of money to invest. (A talent was a Greek coin worth about 6,000 denarri, equal to a year's wages. Its modern day meaning of 60
a special aptitude or gift is derived from the use of the word in this parable.) The first two servants made wise investments and doubled their money. The third servant, fearing his master's rebuke should he fail, buried the money for safe-keeping. When the master returned, each individual was asked to give an account of their investments. The wise servants were rewarded for their fidelity. They were given even greater responsibilities, and were invited to the heavenly banquet. The third servant saw God as a tyrant, and fearing his master's rebuke should he fail, buried the money for safe-keeping. He was punished, losing the gift that had been given to them. REFLECTING: In what ways do I use my time, treasure and talents for the kingdom of God? PRAYING: Holy Spirit, help me to use your gifts for the good of all.
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20th August 2011 Saturday in the Twentieth Week of General Time Ruth Psalms 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 128:1-2, 3, 4, 5 Page 242 Page 658 Page 25
Matthew 23:1-12
First reading from the Book of Ruth Chapter 2 verses 1 to 3 and 8 to 11 and Chapter 4 verses 13 to 17 Now Naomi had a kinsman on her husband's side, a prominent rich man, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, "Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain, behind someone in whose sight I may find favor." She said to her, "Go, my daughter." So she went. She came and gleaned in the field behind the reapers. As it happened, she came to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. Then Boaz said to Ruth, "Now listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Keep your eyes on the field that is being reaped, and follow behind them. I have ordered the young men not to bother you. If you get thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn." Then she fell prostrate, with her face to the ground, and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take notice of me, when I am a foreigner?" But Boaz answered her, "All that you have done for your mother-inlaw since the death of your husband has been fully told me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the LORD made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him." Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.
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20th August 2011 Saturday in the Twentieth Week of General Time Ruth Psalms 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 128:1-2, 3, 4, 5 Page 242 Page 658 Page 25 Page 658
Matthew 23:1-12 Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4, 5
Response:
Happy is everyone who fears the LORD!
Happy is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways. You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you. R: Happy is everyone who fears the LORD!
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. R: Happy is everyone who fears the LORD!
Thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life R: Happy is everyone who fears the LORD!
Response:
Happy is everyone who fears the LORD!
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20th August 2011 Saturday in the Twentieth Week of General Time Ruth Psalms 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 128:1-2, 3, 4,5 Page 242 Page 658 Page 25
Matthew 23:1-12

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
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20th August 2011 Saturday in the Twentieth Week of General Time Ruth Psalms 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 128:1-2, 3, 4,5 Page 242 Page 658 Page 25
Matthew 23:1-12
Happy is everyone who fears the LORD! Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! The first reading is from the book of Ruth which is a beautiful story about an ordinary family whose members suffered many losses but God went on looking after them. Then he gave them new gifts to make them glad. Ruth obeys God and finds love. In all of the changes in her life, Ruth places her hope and trust in God. Todays responsorial psalm is a psalm for families. It tells that the prosperity of our families depends upon the blessing of God; the only way to obtain that blessing which will make our families comfortable is to live in the fear of God and in obedience to him. In the reading from Saint Matthews, we read that Jesus denounced the hypocritical behavior of the scribes and Pharisees. He acknowledged that their teaching authority rested on the "chair of Moses", but he warned his disciples not to follow the example of these religious leaders. The Pharisees enjoyed their titles of honor, and they liked to call attention to their phylacteries as evidence of their piety. These small leather boxes contained essential passages of the Torah, and were worn on the forehead and on the left arm during prayer. The tassels sewn on the corners of their garments were a symbolic reminder to keep the Law of Moses. While the religious leaders demanded obedience to the minute details of the law, their own deeds did not always correspond to their words. In contrast, Jesus was a humble servant and faithful teacher of the law of God's love and mercy. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us humility so that we can walk in His love.
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13th August 2011 Saturday in the Nineteenth Week of General Time Joshua Psalms 24: 14-29 16:1-2, 5, 7-8 Page 216 Page 581 Page 21
Matthew 19:13-16
First reading from the Book of Joshua Chapter 24 verses 14 to 29

"Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Then the people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God." But Joshua said to the people, "You cannot serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good." And the people said to Joshua, "No, we will serve the LORD!" Then Joshua said to the people, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him." And they said, "We are witnesses." He said, "Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel." The people said to Joshua, "The LORD our God we will serve, and him we will obey." So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem. Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a large stone, and set it up there under the oak in the sanctuary of the LORD. Joshua said to all the people, "See, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD that he spoke to us; therefore it shall be a witness against you, if you deal falsely with your God." So Joshua sent the people away to their inheritances. After these things Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being one hundred ten years old.
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13th August 2011 Saturday in the Nineteenth Week of General Time Joshua Psalms 24: 14-29 16:1-2, 5, 7-8 Page 216 Page 581 Page 21 Page 636
Matthew 19:13-16 Psalms 16:1-2, 5, 7-8
Response:
You are my inheritance, O Lord!
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
R:
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
R:
I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
R:
You are my inheritance, O Lord !
Response:
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Matthew 19:13-16

Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs." And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
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Matthew 19:13-16
Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling.
This teaching by Joshua is as current in 2011 globally as it was in one geographic area centuries earlier. The parallels are for us to reflectwho are the gods in our lives? The gods in the 21st century can be the indispensible electronic gadgets, the need for instant communication, addiction to alcohol, substance abuse, food, work, etc. This brings the current relevance of Joshuas word Now, therefore, put away the strange gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the LORD The parents who brought their children to Jesus wanted Jesus to lay his hands upon them. They knew of the healing power, both physical and spiritual, which came from Jesus' touch. Jesus, in turn, rebuked his disciples for hindering the children from coming. No doubt the disciples wanted to shield Jesus from the nuisance of noisy children. But Jesus delighted in the children and demonstrated that God's love has ample room for everyone, including children. No one is unimportant to God. He comes to each person individually that he might touch them with his healing love and power. "Lord Jesus, may we never hinder our youth from coming to you to receive your blessing and healing power. Make our youth strong in faith and in character that they may follow you zealously. And as we grow with age, may we never lose that child-like simplicity and humility which draws us into your loving presence." In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to God so that we can trust him like little children.
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6th August 2011 Saturday in the Eighteenth Week of General Time Daniel Psalms 7: 9-10, 13-14 97:1-2, 5-6, 9 Page 1007 Page 636 Page 18
Matthew 17:1-9
First reading from the Book of Daniel Chapter 7 verses 9 to 10 and 13 to 14

As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.
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6th August 2011 Saturday in the Eighteenth Week of General Time Daniel Psalms 7: 9-10, 13-14 97:1-2, 5-6, 9 Page 1007 Page 636 Page 18 Page 636
Matthew 17:1-9 Psalms 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
Response: The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice! The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. R: The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory. R: The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice!
For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. R: The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice!
Response:
The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice!
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Matthew 17:1-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. The importance of John the Baptist As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
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Matthew 17:1-9
The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice! Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! If anyone had his life transformed by meeting Jesus, it was surely St. Peter, who left his fishing boat and nets to follow a prophet who offered to make him a fisher of men. Today Im drawn to Peters role in the Transfiguration because I see him as our surrogate witness at the event. Here was a guy that those of us with rural or blue-collar backgrounds can relate to tough, practical, and no-nonsense like the people we grew up with. Peter was no mystic but a man like my dad who never went anywhere, including church, without his pocket knife, just in case he needed it. Of COURSE Peters first thought on seeing Jesus, Moses and Elijah together was to offer to build three tents. What else would be more USEFUL? He was probably already looking around to see what he could find to work with and halfway annoyed when God interrupted to say: This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him. Right in the middle of starting a project! Darn! Years later as Peter was dictating his letter (since I doubt he could write), he must have been thinking of the Transfiguration when he told the early Christians that we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it. Peter could state that Jesus message was altogether reliable because he had BEEN at the Transfiguration, had heard the voice of God and had seen what happened with his own two skeptical eyes. This was no myth that he had picked up from some otherworldly dreamer and Peter knew that his audience knew this. In todays lingo, he had street cred. I find myself focusing on Peter for a more theological reason as well. While helping one of my children with an assignment on the Transfiguration years ago, I read that Jesus revelation of his divinity to his lower class disciples symbolizes that He came for common people rather than the wealthy and the powerful. It touches me that at one of the sublime moments in the New Testament, we were represented not by a big wig from the Temple but by a man who reminds me a lot of my father.
Lord, help me to better see your presence among us. Grant me the wisdom to be able to see you when you manifest yourself in my life. I thank you for your constant presence in my world.
MATTHEW 17:1-9 FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD (Daniel 7:9-10,13-14; Psalm 97; 2 Peter 1:16-19) 73
KEY VERSE: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (v 5). READING: At the end of Matthew's gospel, Jesus summoned his disciples to the mountain to reveal himself as having full authority "in heaven and on earth" (Mt 28:16-18). The mountainwas a unique place of God's revelation, such as Moses on Mount Sinai (Ex 19:3,916; 34:27-29) and the prophet Elijah on Mount Horeb (Sinai,1 Kgs 19:8). The appearance of Moses and Elijah alongside Jesus revealed that he was the new liberator and prophet, but also that suffering and divinity were not mutually exclusive. Jesus' saving death (his "exodus") fulfilled the scriptures, freeing the people from their slavery to sin. Peter saw this moment as a sign of the Messianic age. He asked that tents be erected, such as those in which their ancestors dwelled during their journey to the promised land (Lv 23:39-42). While he was still speaking, the divine presence overshadowed them, declaring Jesus as God's "beloved Son." To him alone must they listen (Dt 18:15). REFLECTING: How have I been transformed by my experiences PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to see you in all your appearances in my life. of Jesus?
" 'This is my beloved son'... We possess the prophetic message that is utterly reliable" (2Pt 1,17.19) Today we see the depths of inaccessible light. Today the unending outpouring of the divine radiance shines out before the apostles. Today Jesus Christ reveals himself as Lord of both Old and New Covenants... On Mount Tabor today, Moses, God's lawgiver, leader of the Old Covenant, giver of the Law, stands beside Christ his master as a servant. He recognises the destiny into which he was initiated in times past by its foreshadowings which is what, in my opinion, the words to see God from behind mean (Ex 33,23). Now he sees in all clarity the glory of the godhead hidden in the shadow of the rock (Ex 33,22) but this rock was Christ (1Cor 10,4), as Paul expressly teaches: God incarnate, the Word and Lord... Today the leader of the New Covenant, who had proclaimed... Christ to be the Son of God when he said: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (Mt 16,16), sees the head of the Old Covenant standing beside the giver of both the one and the other and saying to him: Behold He who Is. Behold him of whom I said there would arise a prophet like myself (Ex 3,14; Dt 18,15; Acts 3,22) like myself in that he is man and leader of the new people but above both me and every other creature in that the two Covenants, both the Old and the New, are disposed by him for my sake and for yours... Come, then, let us obey the prophet David! Let us sing praise to our God, to our king; let us sing! He is king over all the earth (Ps 47[46],7-8). Let us sing with wisdom, with joy... Sing also the Spirit who scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God (1Cor 2,10), seeing in that light of the Father who is the Spirit who enlightens all things, the inaccessible light of the Son of G od. Today is manifested what our fleshly eyes cannot see: an earthly body shining with the divine splendor, the glory of the godhead overflow ing from a body that is mortal... What is human becomes God's and the divine becomes human.
Meditation: Are you prepared to see God's glory? God is eager to share his glory with us! We get a glimpse of this when some of the disciples see Jesus transfigured in glory on a high mountain. [In the Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Anglican churches, this event is celebrated as a major feast on August 6.] Jesus often went to a lonely place to pray to seek solitude and sanctuary away from the crowds. But on this occasion, the Gospel of Mark tells us thatJesus was transfigured ..and his garments became glistening, intensely white (Mark 9:2,3). When Moses met with God on Mount Sinai the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God (see Exodus 34:29). Paul says that the Israelites could not look at Moses' face because of its brightness (2 Corinthians 3:7). In the Gospel account Jesus appeared in glory with Moses, the great lawgiver of Israel, and with Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, in the presence of three of his beloved apostles Peter, James, and John. What is the significance of this mysterious appearance? Jesus went to the mountain knowing full well what awaited him in Jerusalem his betrayal, rejection and crucifixion. Jesus very likely discussed this momentous decision to go to the cross with Moses and Elijah. God the Father also spoke with Jesus and gave his approval: This is my beloved Son; listen to him. The Father glorified his son because he obeyed. The
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cloud which overshadowed Jesus and his apostles fulfilled the dream of the Jews that when the Messiah came the cloud of God's presence would fill the temple again (see Exodus 16:10, 19:9, 33:9; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Maccabees 2:8). The Lord Jesus not only wants us to see his glory he wants to share this glory with us. And Jesus shows us the way to the Father's glory: follow me obey my words take the path I have chosen for you and you will receive the blessings of my Father's kingdom your name will be written in heaven. Jesus succeeded in his mission because he went to Calvary so that Paradise would be restored to us once again. He embraced the cross to obtain the crown of glory that awaits each one of us, if we will follow in his footsteps. Origen, the great 3rd century bible scholar, shows us how the transfiguration can change our lives: When he is transfigured, his face also shines as the sun that he may be manifested to the children of light who have put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, and are no longer the children of darkness or night but have become the sons of day, and walk honestly as in the day. Being manifest, he will shine unto them not simply as the sun, but as demonstrated to be the sun of righteousness. Lukes gospel tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they discovered Jesus in glory along with Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss of God's glory and action because we are asleep spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to the things of God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can keep us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions. The life of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging or disturbing demands of Christ. Prejudice can make us blind to something new the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see past it to the glory of God. Are you spiritually awake? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of the glory of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Christ are called to be witnesses of his glory. We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Lord wants to reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you seek his presence with faith and reverence? Lord Jesus, keep me always alert and awake to you, to your word, your action, and your daily presence in my life. Let me see your glory.
Todays reading from Leviticus tells us about the jubilee year. Every fiftieth year was designated a jubilee year when, among other things, property reverted back to its original owners. Slaves were also freed and debts were forgiven. And people did not toil. It was a year of freedom and celebration. People returned home, as homes were returned to people. These jubilee years enabled families to stay together. They allowed people to sell property in times of need without losing it entirely. They allowed people to sell themselves into slavery without losing their freedom for life. It was also a symbol of the lack of actual ownership. Even if we buy land, it is not truly ours because everything really belongs to God. 75
The reading from Saint Matthew is about the death of John, the Baptist. Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, had everything he wanted, except a clear conscience and peace with God. Herod had respected and feared John the Baptist as a great prophet and servant of God. John, however did not fear to rebuke Herod for his adulterous relationship with his brother's wife. He ended up in prison because of Herodias' jealousy. Herod, out of impulse and a desire to please his family and friends, had John beheaded. Unfortunately for Herod, he could not rid himself of sin by ridding himself of the man who confronted him with his sin. The Lord gives grace and help to the humble, to those who acknowledge their weaknesses and their sinfulness, and who look to God for his mercy and pardon, wisdom and strength. His grace and pardon not only frees us from a guilty conscience, it enables us to pursue holiness in every area of our lives, in our thoughts and intentions as well as our words and actions. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to God to be gracious to us and bless us.
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30th July 2011 Saturday in the Seventeenth Week of General Time Leviticus 25:1, 8-17 Psalms 67:1-2, 4, 6-7 Page 112 Page 614 Page 15
Matthew 14:1-12
First reading from the Book of Leviticus Chapter 25verses 1 and 8 to 17

The LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying: You shall count off seven weeks of years, seven times seven years, so that the period of seven weeks of years gives forty-nine years. Then you shall have the trumpet sounded loud; on the tenth day of the seventh month on the Day of Atonement you shall have the trumpet sounded throughout all your land. And you shall hallow the fiftieth year and you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you: you shall return, every one of you, to your property and every one of you to your family. That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you: you shall not sow, or reap the after growth, or harvest the unpruned vines. For it is a jubilee; it shall be holy to you: you shall eat only what the field itself produces. In this year of jubilee you shall return, every one of you, to your property. When you make a sale to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor, you shall not cheat one another. When you buy from your neighbor, you shall pay only for the number of years since the jubilee; the seller shall charge you only for the remaining crop years. if the years are more, you shall increase the price, and if the years are fewer, you shall diminish the price; for it is a certain number of harvests that are being sold to you. You shall not cheat one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the LORD your God.
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30th July 2011 Saturday in the Seventeenth Week of General Time Leviticus 25:1, 8-17 Psalms 67:1-2, 4, 6-7 Page 112 Page 614 Page 15 Page 614
Matthew 14:1-12 Psalms 67:1-2, 4, 6-7
Response: O God! Let all the peoples praise you! May God be gracious to us and bless us And make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. R: O God! Let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. R: O God! Let all the peoples praise you!
The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him. R: O God! Let all the peoples praise you!
Response:
O God! Let all the peoples praise you!
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Matthew 14:1-12

At that time Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus; and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him." For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because John had been telling him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Though Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter." The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.
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Matthew 14:1-12
O God! Let all the peoples praise you! Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Todays reading from Leviticus tells us about the jubilee year. Every fiftieth year was designated a jubilee year when, among other things, property reverted back to its original owners. Slaves were also freed and debts were forgiven. And people did not toil. It was a year of freedom and celebration. People returned home, as homes were returned to people. These jubilee years enabled families to stay together. They allowed people to sell property in times of need without losing it entirely. They allowed people to sell themselves into slavery without losing their freedom for life. It was also a symbol of the lack of actual ownership. Even if we buy land, it is not truly ours because everything really belongs to God. The reading from Saint Matthew is about the death of John, the Baptist. Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, had everything he wanted, except a clear conscience and peace with God. Herod had respected and feared John the Baptist as a great prophet and servant of God. John, however did not fear to rebuke Herod for his adulterous relationship with his brother's wife. He ended up in prison because of Herodias' jealousy. Herod, out of impulse and a desire to please his family and friends, had John beheaded. Unfortunately for Herod, he could not rid himself of sin by ridding himself of the man who confronted him with his sin. The Lord gives grace and help to the humble, to those who acknowledge their weaknesses and their sinfulness, and who look to God for his mercy and pardon, wisdom and strength. His grace and pardon not only frees us from a guilty conscience, it enables us to pursue holiness in every area of our lives, in our thoughts and intentions as well as our words and actions. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to God to be gracious to us and bless us.
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23rd July 2011 Saturday in the Sixteenth Week of General Time Exodus Psalms 24:3-8 50:12, 5-6, 14-15 Page 70 Page 604 Page 14
Matthew 13:24-30
First reading from the Book of Exodus Chapter 24 verses 6 to 8

Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, "All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do." And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and set up twelve pillars, corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel. He sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed oxen as offerings of well-being to the Lord. Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he dashed against the altar. Then he took the book of the covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient." Moses took the blood and dashed it on the people, and said, "See the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words."
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23rd July 2011 Saturday in the Sixteenth Week of General Time Exodus Psalms 24:3-8 50:12, 5-6, 14-15 Page 70 Page 604 Page 14 Page 604
Matthew 13:24-30 Psalms Response: 50:12, 5-6, 14-15
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving!
The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. R: Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving!
"Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!" The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge. R: Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving!
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." R: Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving!
Response:
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving!
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Matthew 13:24-30

He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, "Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' He answered, "An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, "Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he replied, "No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.' "
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Matthew 13:24-30
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving! Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! In todays reading from Saint Matthew Jesus Christ tells the parable of the weeds among the wheat. This parable is a story of good and evil which will exist together until the end of the world. The image in this parable would be familiar to the farmers in Jesus' audience. The picture of a under handed man deliberately sowing bad seed in someone else's field was sometimes done. The weed in the story was darnel, a poisonous plant that looked very much like wheat when it was young. So it is with evil; it is difficult to detect in its early stages until it grows strong and destroys what is good. But to pull up the weeds before the wheat matured would endanger its immature roots. When the wheat ripened it grew taller and stronger than the weeds. Then the experienced eye could distinguish the two and easily separate them. Jesus said that it was not the work of God's servants to make this judgment. Both the weeds and the wheat should be allowed to flourish until the harvest when the testing of time would separate error from truth. "Lord, may your word take deep root in our heart and that we may bear good fruit for your glory. May we hunger for your righteousness now that we may look forward to the Day of Judgment with joy rather than with dismay." In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to God so that we can bear the fruits of His glory.
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27th March 2011 Saturday of the Second week of Lent Book of Micah 7:14-15.18-20. Page 1050
First reading from the Book of Micah Chapter 7 verses 14 to 15 and 18 to 20 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old. As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvelous things. Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old. This is the word of the Lord.
Psalms 103: 1-2. 3-4. 9-10. 11-12.
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Response: The Lord is merciful and gracious Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits R: The Lord is merciful and gracious
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, R: The Lord is merciful and gracious
He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. R: The Lord is merciful and gracious
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27th March 2011 Saturday of the Second week of Lent Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 15:1-3.11-32. Page 78
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with[3] the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, "How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." 'So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'[4] But the father said to his slaves, "Quickly, bring out a robe - the best one - and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate. "Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, "your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, "Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father[5] said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.' "
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27th March 2011 Saturday of the Second week of Lent Book of Micah 7:14-15.18-20. Psalms 103: 1-2. 3-4. 9-10. 11-12. Luke 15:1-3.11-32.
The Lord is merciful and gracious Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The readings today are all about forgiveness and rejoicing in growth and conversion. If we truly believe that "The Lord is kind and merciful" we need to accept that "The Lord is kind and merciful" to all - even those we do not believe "deserve" kindness and mercy. If we are resentful of others or of situations because, in our eyes "it just doesn't seem to be fair" we are reminded to take a step back, to try not to judge, and to consider "What Jesus would do?" God's ability to forgive, especially in times of personal growth and conversion is beyond our understanding. We are not privy to truly understanding the suffering or the conversion of another, so we must simply pray that God will intercede, especially in situations where we cannot control the actions/decisions of others. In the Gospel today, the conversion of the younger son does not make the relationship with the older son less than before-rather it shows how we must trust, and pray for growth and conversions of many kinds, and then rejoice- as this father did. " But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found." With these thoughts in mind let us take part in the Eucharistic celebration.
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2nd April 2011 Saturday of the Third week of Lent Book of Hosea 6:1-6. Page 1021
First reading from the Book of Hosea Chapter 6 verses 1 to 6 "Come, let us return to the Lord; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth." What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early. Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. This is the word of the Lord.
Psalms 51: 1-2, 16-17, 18-19.
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Response: I desire love and not sacrifice Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. R: I desire love and not sacrifice
For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise R: I desire love and not sacrifice
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, then you will delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar. R: I desire love and not sacrifice
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2nd April 2011 Saturday of the Third week of Lent Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 18:9-14. Page 81
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, "God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."
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2nd April 2011 Saturday of the Third week of Lent Book of Hosea 6: 1-6. Psalms 51: 1-2, 16-17, 18-19. Luke 18:9-14.
I desire love and not sacrifice Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Todays readings give us concrete ways to observe Lent. In the first reading the Prophet Hosea encourages us to return to the Lord who will heal us. This is a direct reminder of the spirit of Ash Wednesday: Return from our pettiness and sinfulness to the Lord and open ourselves to the Lord. The psalm response helps to focus ourselves properly, I desire love and not sacrifice. Mercy, in this sense, calls for a change in us our behavior, our way of dealing with situations and persons in our daily lives. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector present two models of how to relate to God. The Pharisee, a religious authority, and a tax collector, a publically branded sinner both went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee was convinced of his own righteousness and he prayed out of that certainty. On the other hand the tax collector, a known sinner, stood off to a distance and prayed. What a marvelous lesson is here for us in the stance towards God of the Pharisee and that of the tax collector. The Pharisee is led into pride and the tax collector is led to humility. The Pharisee saves himself while the tax collector recognizes that he is far from being saved and rests that salvation on God. He went home justified and the Pharisee did not. With these thoughts in mind let us take part in the Eucharistic celebration.
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9th April 2011 Saturday of the Fourth week of Lent Book of Jeremiah 11: 18-20. Page 882
First reading from the Book of Jeremiah Chapter 11 verses 18 to 20 It was the Lord who made it known to me, and I knew; then you showed me their evil deeds. But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. And I did not know it was against me that they devised schemes, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will no longer be remembered!" But you, O Lord of hosts, who judge righteously, who try the heart and the mind, let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. This is the word of the Lord.
Psalms 7: 1-2, 8-9, 10-11.
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Response: O Lord my God, in you I take refuge O Lord my God, in you I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers, and deliver me, or like a lion they will tear me apart; they will drag me away, with no one to rescue. R: O Lord my God, in you I take refuge
The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous, you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God. R: O Lord my God, in you I take refuge
God is my shield, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day. R: O Lord my God, in you I take refuge
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9th April 2011 Saturday of the Fourth week of Lent Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 7: 40-53 Page 100
When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Messiah."[14] But some asked, "Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not arrest him?" The police answered, "Never has anyone spoken like this!" Then the Pharisees replied, "Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law - they are accursed." Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, "Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?" They replied, "Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee." Then each of them went home,
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9th April 2011 Saturday of the Fourth week of Lent Book of Jeremiah 11: 18-20. Page 882 Psalms 7: 1-2, 8-9, 10-11. John 7: 40-53 Page 576 Page 100
O Lord my God, in you I take refuge Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. No one could be indifferent for long when confronted with Jesus and his message. It caused division for many in Israel. Some believed he was a prophet, some the Messiah and some believed he was neither. The reaction of the officers was bewildered amazement. They went to arrest him and returned empty-handed because they never heard anyone speak as he did. The reaction of the chief priests and Pharisees was contempt. The reaction of Nicodemus was timid. His heart told him to defend Jesus, but his head told him not to take the risk. There will often come a time when we have to take a stand for Christ. To stand for Jesus may provoke mockery or unpopularity. It may even entail hardship, sacrifice, and suffering. There are fundamentally two choices we must choose between: to have our lives fueled by Gods selfless love for others or by our own self-centered love and selfish desires, to be servants of Jesus our Master or slaves of sin and Satan. Who is Jesus for me? Am I ready to give him my full allegiance? Am I ready to stand for Jesus and to show him honor and loyalty whatever it may cost me? "Lord Jesus, your gospel brings joy and freedom. May I be loyal to you always, even though it produces a cross on earth that I may share in your crown in eternity?" With these thoughts in mind let us take part in the Eucharistic celebration.
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16th April 2011 Saturday of the Fourth week of Lent Book of Ezekiel 37: 21-28 Page 983
First reading from the Book of Ezekiel Chapter 37 verses 21 to 28 Then say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from every quarter, and bring them to their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all. Never again shall they be two nations, and never again shall they be divided into two kingdoms. They shall never again defile themselves with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. I will save them from all the apostasies into which they have fallen, [7] and will cleanse them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God. My servant David shall be king over them; and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall follow my ordinances and be careful to observe my statutes. They shall live in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, in which your ancestors lived; they and their children and their children's children shall live there forever; and my servant David shall be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will bless them and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary among them forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations shall know that I the Lord sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary is among them forevermore. This is the word of the Lord.
Jeremiah 31: 10. 11-12ab. 13.
Page 903
Response: The Lord will protect us even as the shepherd protects his flock Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock." R: The Lord will protect us even as the shepherd protects his flock
For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. R: The Lord will protect us even as the shepherd protects his flock
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. R: The Lord will protect us even as the shepherd protects his flock
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16th April 2011 Saturday of the Fourth week of Lent Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 11:45-57 Page 105
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, "What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation." But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed." He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and were asking one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? Surely he will not come to the festival, will he?" Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus[9] was should let them know, so that they might arrest him.
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16th April 2011 Saturday of the Fourth week of Lent Book of Ezekiel 37: 21-28 Jeremiah 31: 10. 11-12ab. 13. John 11:45-57 Page 983 Page 903 Page 105
The Lord will protect us even as the shepherd protects his flock Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus set his face like flint toward Jerusalem, knowing full well what awaited him there. It was Jewish belief that when the high priest asked for God's counsel for the nation, God spoke through him. What dramatic irony that Caiaphas prophesied that Jesus must die for the nation. The prophet Ezekiel announced that God would establish one people, one land, one prince, and one sanctuary forever. Luke adds to Caiaphass prophecy that Jesus would gather into one the children of God who are scattered. Jesus came to lay down his life for the many, but not before his work was done. He retired until the time had come when nothing would stop his coming to Jerusalem to fulfill his Father's mission. The passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the hope of glory and a lesson in patience. He loved us so much that, sinless himself, he suffered for us sinners the punishment we deserved for our sins. How then can he fail to give us the reward we deserve for our righteousness, for he is the source of righteousness? How can he, whose promises are true, fail to reward the saints when he bore the punishment of sinners, though without sin himself? My dear Brothers and Sisters let us then fearlessly acknowledge, and openly proclaim that Christ was crucified for us; let us confess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory. The way to glory and victory for us is through the cross of Jesus Christ. Are we ready to take up your cross and follow Christ in his way of victory? Or do we allow fear or opposition to hold us back from doing Gods will? With these thoughts in mind let us take part in the Eucharistic celebration.
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30th April 2011 Saturday of Easter Week Book of Acts 4: 13-21 Page 121
First reading from the Book of Acts Chapter 4 verses 13 to 21 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. They said, "What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard." After threatening them again, they let them go; finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened. This is the word of the Lord.
Psalms 118: 1,14-15. 16.18. 19-21
Page 650
Response: Lord! I thank you that you have answered me

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
R:
Lord! I thank you that you have answered me
The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly." The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.
R:
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
R:
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30th April 2011 Saturday of Easter Week Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 16: 9-15 Page 55
Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.
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30th April 2011 Saturday of Easter Week Book of Acts 4: 13-21 Psalms 118: 1,14-15. 16.18. 19-21 Mark 16: 9-15
Page 121
Page 650 Page 55
Lord! I thank you that you have answered me Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The first to see the risen Lord was not Peter or one of the apostles, but a woman noted for her demonized living! She had been forgiven much, and loved her Master greatly. She was first at the tomb to pay her respects. Unfortunately for the disciples, they would not believe her account of the Risen Master. Jesus had to scold his apostles because of their unbelief and stubborn hearts. Are you like the apostles or like Mary slow to believe or quick to run to Jesus? Do we doubt because we do not see? The Lord makes his presence known to us through the work of the Holy Spirit. He gives us the gift of faith to know him personally and to understand the mystery of his death and rising. After his appearance to his beloved apostles, Jesus commissions them to go and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Their task is to proclaim the good news of salvation, not only to the people of Israel, but to all the nations. This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the only savior of the world. We have not been left alone in this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. "Lord Jesus Christ, increase my faith and hope in the power of your resurrection. And give me joy and courage to be your witness to others and to boldly speak of what you have done to save us from sin and death." With these thoughts in mind let us take part in the Eucharistic celebration.
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28th May 2011 Saturday in the Fifth Week of Easter Book of Acts 16: 1-10 Page 135
First reading from the Book of Acts Chapter 16 verses 1 to 10 Paul went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the believers[2] in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went from town to town, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily. They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. This is the word of the Lord.
Psalms 100: 1-3,5
Page 637
Response: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.
R:
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth
Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his
pasture. R: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
R:
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth
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28th May 2011 Saturday in the Fifth Week of Easter Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 15:18-21 Page 110
"If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the worldtherefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'Servants are not greater than their master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
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28th May 2011 Saturday in the Fifth Week of Easter Book of Acts 16: 1-10 Psalms 100:1-3,5 John 15: 18-21
Page 135
Page 637 Page 110
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Todays scripture readings speak of how the world receives the Good News of Jesus and the diversity of those who spread and receive that Good News. In Acts we hear a litany of early believers. Jewish, Greek, male, female, circumcised, uncircumcised, from Lystra to Iconium to Jerusalem. A diverse lot. The psalmist proclaims, Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. And in John, Jesus warns the disciples that, because Jesus has chosen them, the world may hate them. They will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me. Jesus does not promise a rose garden for those who follow him. Just as Jesus and his Father are one, Jesus and the believer are also united. Because of this close union, Jesus' disciples must share his fate. If Jesus suffered persecution and hatred, so would they. If the world refused to listen to Jesus' words or believe in his works, the world would not believe his disciples' proclamation and deeds. If the disciples had belonged to the world, perhaps the world would love them. Because these unbelievers did not know God, they despised Jesus and they would also despise his followers. Jesus said that "no slave was greater than his master". Although the disciples were Jesus' friends, they were also obedient servants of God's will. In what ways are we both friend and servant to others? Let us pray to the Risen Lord in this Eucharistic celebration to give us the grace to speak His Gospel to those who do not know Him.
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4th June 2011 Saturday in the Sixth Week of Easter Book of Acts 18: 23-28 Page 139
First reading from the Book of Acts Chapter 18 verses 23 to 28 After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers[13] encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus. This is the word of the Lord.
Psalms 47: 1-2, 7-9
Page 603
Response: For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm.
For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth. He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
R:
For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm.
For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm. God is king over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted. R: For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm.
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4th June 2011 Saturday in the Sixth Week of Easter Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 16:23-28 Page 110
On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father."
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4th June 2011 Saturday in the Sixth Week of Easter Book of Acts 18: 23-28 Psalms 47:1-2, 7-9 John 16: 23-28
Page 139
Page 603 Page 110
For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus often spoke in parables - the language of human experience meant to convey the mystery of the kingdom of God. Though his disciples were often confused as to the meaning of Jesus' words, his passion, death and resurrection would speak clearly to them of God's love. Through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, they would understand everything Jesus told them, and they would have new insights about God's reign. For the seventh time in John's gospel, Jesus said that when he was glorified he would be present to his followers in a new way, and they would be able to pray in the authority of his name. The Father loved them and would grant them whatever they needed to do Christ's work on earth. Jesus tells us that whatever we ask of the Father in his name will be granted. Do I really believe this? Am I ready to fully trust in God when I pray for something? Lord, grant me the serenity to fully trust in you. Help me to understand that whatever I ask will be granted. Give me the grace to trust that you will grant me every request. With these thoughts in mind let us take part in this Eucharistic celebration.
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11th June 2011 Saturday in the Sixth Week of Easter Book of Acts 18: 23-28 Page 139
First reading from the Book of Acts Chapter 11 verses 21 to 26 and Chapter 13 verses 1 to 3 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians." Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. This is the word of the Lord.
Psalms 47: 1-2, 7-9
Page 603
Response: For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm.
For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth. He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
R:
For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm.
For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm. God is king over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted. R: For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm.
106
11th June 2011 Saturday in the Sixth Week of Easter Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 16:23-28 Page 110
On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father."
107
11th June 2011 Saturday in the Sixth Week of Easter Book of Acts 18: 23-28 Psalms 47:1-2, 7-9 John 16: 23-28
Page 139
Page 603 Page 110
For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus often spoke in parables - the language of human experience meant to convey the mystery of the kingdom of God. Though his disciples were often confused as to the meaning of Jesus' words, his passion, death and resurrection would speak clearly to them of God's love. Through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, they would understand everything Jesus told them, and they would have new insights about God's reign. For the seventh time in John's gospel, Jesus said that when he was glorified he would be present to his followers in a new way, and they would be able to pray in the authority of his name. The Father loved them and would grant them whatever they needed to do Christ's work on earth. Jesus tells us that whatever we ask of the Father in his name will be granted. Do I really believe this? Am I ready to fully trust in God when I pray for something? Lord, grant me the serenity to fully trust in you. Help me to understand that whatever I ask will be granted. Give me the grace to trust that you will grant me every request. With these thoughts in mind let us take part in this Eucharistic celebration.
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18th June 2011 2 Corinthians 12: 1-10 Page 185
First reading from Second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 12 verses 1 to10 It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep[1] me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. This is the word of the Lord. Psalms 34: 8-13 Page 593
Response: O taste and see that the LORD is good! O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. R: O taste and see that the LORD is good!
The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. R: O taste and see that the LORD is good!
Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. R: O taste and see that the LORD is good!
Response:
O taste and see that the LORD is good!

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18th June 2011 Saturday in the Seventh Week of Easter Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 6: 24-34 Page 6
On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. "I have said these things to you in figures of speech.
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Matthew 6:27
And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?
Matthew 6:28
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin;
Matthew 6:29
yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Matthew 6:30
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith?
Matthew 6:31
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
Matthew 6:32
For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.
Matthew 6:34
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day.
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18th June 2011 Saturday in the Seventh Week of Easter 2 Corinthians 12: 1-10 Psalms 34: 7-12 Matthew 6: 24-34
Page 185
Page 593 Page 6
O taste and see that the LORD is good! In the first reading today the apostle Paul says that he was caught up to the third heaven, Paradise, and received visions and revelations of the Lord. He heard ineffable things which no one may utter. Paul does not give a single hint as to what he experienced there. Instead he says that God gave him a thorn in his flesh to keep him from becoming too elated and boasting about his experience. He prayed that God would take this away but the answer to his prayer was that Gods grace is sufficient for him, that Gods power is made perfect in weakness. The psalmist states that the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear God. God delivers his people. Nothing is lacking to the holy ones. Those who seek the Lord want for no good thing. We can summarize the message of the psalm as, My grace is sufficient. Trust me. It is an invitation and a challenge: taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Finally, the Gospel lesson concludes with: Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Exactly how can we be sure of this? Do we check horoscope, go to a seer, listen to preachers who predict the exact hour the world is going to end, or inquire about eschatology from a four-year-old who has been to heaven and back? No, we do not know the contours of the future. We do know that the birds are fed and the flowers are clothed and this through no work of their own. If this is the type of gracious Father that we have, then we can quit worrying about the future, the unknown, and pay attention to what is going on today. Gods grace is sufficient. That is as much as we need to know about the future. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to God, to help us to trust Him, with all our concerns.
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25th June 2011 Genesis 18: 1-15 Page 14
First reading from the Book of Genesis Chapter 18 verses 1 to 15

The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on - since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?" The Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, and say, "Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son." But Sarah denied, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. He said, "Oh yes, you did laugh."
This is the word of the Lord. Luke 1:47-50, 53-55 Page 57 Response: The Lord has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. R: The Lord has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. R: The Lord has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.
Response:
The Lord has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.
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25th June 2011 Saturday in the Twelfth Week of General Time Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 8: 5-17 Page 8
When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress." and he said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion answered, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, "Go,' and he goes, and to another, "Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, "Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, "Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you according to your faith." And the servant was healed in that hour. When Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases."
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25th June 2011 Saturday in the Twelfth Week of General Time Genesis Luke 18: 1-15 1:47-50, 53-55 Page 14 Page 57 Page 8
Matthew 8: 5-17
The Lord has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy. In todays readings from the Holy Bible we see the infinite mercy and kindness of our Lord through the ages. In the first reading from the book of Genesis, the Lord appears to Abraham and says Your wife Sarah will have a son. And in response to Sarahs doubt He says Is anything too wonderful to the Lord? The Responsorial Psalm from Saint Luke is the Marys Song of Praise when she visits Elizabeth after she hears from angel Gabriel that she will be blessed with the Son of God. In the reading from Saint Matthew Lord Jesus heals the slave of the centurion and Peters motherin-law. The centurion who approached Jesus was not only courageous, but faith-filled as well. He risked the ridicule of his cronies by seeking help from an itinerant preacher from Galilee and mockery from the Jews as well. Nonetheless, he approached Jesus with confidence and humility. He was an extraordinary man because he loved his slave. In the Roman world slaves were treated like animals rather than people. The centurion was also an extraordinary man of faith. He wanted Jesus to heal his beloved slave. Jesus commends him for his faith and immediately grants him his request. Are we willing to suffer ridicule in the practice of our faith? And when we need help, do we approach Lord Jesus with expectant faith? Lord Jesus says Let it be done for you according to your faith. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to God to give us infinite faith in Him.
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2nd July 2011 Isaiah 61: 9-11 Page 861
First reading from the Book of Isaiah Chapter 61 verses 9 to 11

Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8
Page 245
Response: My heart exults in the Lord! Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. R: My heart exults in the Lord!
The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. R: My heart exults in the Lord!
The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and rises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. R: My heart exults in the Lord! He rises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them he has set the world. R: My heart exults in the Lord!
Response:
My heart exults in the Lord!
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2nd July 2011 Saturday in the Thirteenth Week of General Time Genesis 18: 1-15 Page 861 Page 245 Page 59
1 Samuel 1:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8 Luke 2:41-51
Saturday in the Thirteenth Week of General Time Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 2:41-51 Page 59
Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Response:
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2nd July 2011 Saturday in the Thirteenth Week of General Time Genesis 18: 1-15 Page 861 Page 245 Page 59
1 Samuel 1:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8 Luke 2:41-51
My heart exults in the Lord! The Immaculate Heart of Mary, the feast we commemorate in todays liturgy, celebrates the great love that Mary has for God and for others. That love is symbolized in the image of the heart. Just as Jesus heart is the hallmark of his love for his Father and for the world and its creatures, especially us human creatures. The gospel today highlights the love that Mary has for her son, Jesus. They had gone to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and after the event and some days in the city they set out for home. Unbeknownst to the parents Jesus did not make the return trip with them. Mary and Joseph must have felt anxious and helpless when the boy Jesus disappeared. Nonetheless they returned to Jerusalem with confident trust that God would guide them in their hour of trial. Why did Jesus stay back when his parents left for home? Just as the prophet Samuel heard the call of the Lord at a very young age, Jesus in his youth recognized that he has been given a call by his heavenly Father. His answer to his mother's anxious inquiry reveals his trusting faith and confident determination to pursue his heavenly Father's will. Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? Our Heavenly Father calls each one of us. With the call God gives grace grace to say "yes" to his will and grace to persevere through obstacles and trials that stand in the way. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to God to help us recognize God's call on our lives and trust in his grace and strength.
Response:
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9th July 2011 Saturday in the Fourteenth Week of General Time Genesis Psalms 49:29-32, 50:15-26a 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7 Page 46 Page 641 Page 10
Matthew 10:24-33
First reading from the Book of Genesis Chapter 49 verses 29 to 32 and Chapter 50 verses 15 to 26
Then he charged them, saying to them, "I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my ancestors - in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave in the field at Machpelah, near Mamre, in the land of Canaan, in the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried; there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried; and there I buried Leah - the field and the cave that is in it were purchased from the Hittites." Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers said, "What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?" So they approached Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this instruction before he died, "Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.' Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, "We are here as your slaves." But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones." In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them. So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father's household; and Joseph lived one hundred ten years. Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation; the children of Machir son of Manasseh were also born on Joseph's knees. Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die; but God will surely come to you, and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob." So Joseph made the Israelites swear, saying, "When God comes to you, you shall carry up my bones from here." And Joseph died, being one hundred ten years old; he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.
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Matthew 10:24-33
Psalms 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7 Response:
Page 641
He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth!
O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works. R: He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth!
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. R: He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth!
O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the Lord of our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
R:
He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth!
Response:
He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
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Matthew 10:24-33

"A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
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16th July 2011 Saturday in the Fifteenth Week of General Time First reading from the Book of Genesis Chapter 49 verses 29 to 32 and Chapter 50 verses 15 to 26
The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed crowd also went up with them, and livestock in great numbers, both flocks and herds. They baked unleavened cakes of the dough that they had brought out of Egypt; it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves. The time that the Israelites had lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years. At the end of four hundred thirty years, on that very day, all the companies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. That was for the Lord a night of vigil, to bring them out of the land of Egypt. That same night is a vigil to be kept for the Lord by all the Israelites throughout their generations.
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16th July 2011 Saturday in the Fifteenth Week of General Time
Psalms 136:1, 10-15, 23-24 Response: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
The Lord who struck Egypt through their firstborn, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever Response: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Response:
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
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Matthew 10:24-33

"A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
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Matthew 10:24-33
He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth! God takes care of us. The Old Testament story of Jacob is reassuring. God will provide for us and our children, we should have no fear. In response, says the Psalmist, we should proclaim all the wondrous deeds of God to all the nations. The Lord is strong and he will take care of the lowly. It sounds good, simple. If only it were. It isnt that simple. Jesus always challenges us. In the reading from Saint Matthew, Jesus tells us that we should not be afraid of anything that can kill our bodies but not our souls. He reminds us how much our heavenly Father values us and cares for us. But Jesus does tell us that we should be afraid of the evil one that can destroy both our bodies and our souls in hell. When Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God he met opposition and hostility. He tells his disciples that they must expect the same treatment if they are to live and to proclaim the reign of God. There is both a warning and a privilege in his statement. Just as Jesus had to carry his cross, so the disciples must carry their cross and not try to evade it. To suffer for the faith is to share in the work of Christ. The Holy Spirit gives us power and grace to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. In this Eucharistic celebration let us pray to God to give us trust in Gods grace to carry our cross for Jesus sake.
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FIRST READING

First reading from the Book of Daniel Chapter 7 verses 15 to 27

26th November 2011

Give glory and eternal praise to the Lord!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 21 verse 34 to 36

This is the word of the Lord.

Give glory and eternal praise to the LORD!

First reading from the first Book of Maccabees Chapter 6 verses 1 to 13

This is the word of the Lord.

19th November 2011

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 20 verse 27 to 40

This is the word of the Lord.

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart!

First reading from the Book of Romans Chapter 16 verses 3 to 9, 16 and 22 to 27

This is the word of the Lord.

This is the word of the Lord.

Remember the wonderful works Lord has done!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 18 verse 1 to 8

This is the word of the Lord.

Remember the wonderful works Lord has done!

First reading from the Book of Romans Chapter 16 verses 3 to 9, 16 and 22 to 27

This is the word of the Lord.

I will bless your name forever and ever!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 16 verse 9 to 15

This is the word of the Lord.

I will bless your name forever and ever!

First reading from the Book of Romans Chapter 11 verses 1 to 2, 11 to 12 and 25 to 29

This is the word of the Lord.

The LORD will not forsake his people!

This is the word of the Lord.

The LORD will not forsake his people!

First reading from the Book of Romans Chapter 8 verses 1 to 11

This is the word of the Lord.

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 13 verses 1 to 9

This is the word of the Lord.

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face!

This is the word of the Lord.

The Lord is mindful of His covenant forever!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 12 verses 8 to 12

This is the word of the Lord.

The Lord is mindful of His covenant forever!

This is the word of the Lord.

The Lord hears the needy!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew Chapter 10 verses 17 to 24

This is the word of the Lord.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 9 verses 43 to 45

This is the word of the Lord.

Come into the presence of the Lord with singing!

Come into the presence of the Lord with singing!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 8 verses 4 to 15

Come into the presence of the Lord with singing!

This is the word of the Lord.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 6 verses 43 to 49

This is the word of the Lord.

I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good!

I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke Chapter 6 verses 1 to 5

This is the word of the Lord.

The LORD is coming to judge the earth!

The LORD is coming to judge the earth!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew Chapter 25 verses 14 to 30