Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C, Year I)

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - GREEN

First Reading (Dt. 30:10-14)

A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy

Moses said to the people:
“If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God,
and keep his commandments and statutes
that are written in this book of the law,
when you return to the LORD, your God,
with all your heart and all your soul.

“For this command that I enjoin on you today
is not too mysterious and remote for you.
It is not up in the sky, that you should say,
‘Who will go up in the sky to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’
Nor is it across the sea, that you should say,
‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’
No, it is something very near to you,
already in your mouths and in your hearts;
you have only to carry it out.”

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm (Ps. 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37)

R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

V. I pray to you, O LORD,
     for the time of your favor, O God!
     In your great kindness answer me
     with your constant help.
     Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness:
     in your great mercy turn toward me. (R)

V. I am afflicted and in pain;
     let your saving help, O God, protect me.
     I will praise the name of God in song,
     and I will glorify him with thanksgiving. (R)

V. “See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
     you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
     For the LORD hears the poor,
     and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” (R)

V. For God will save Zion
     and rebuild the cities of Judah.
     The descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
     and those who love his name shall inhabit it.

or Ps. 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

V. The law of the LORD is perfect,
     refreshing the soul;
     the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
     giving wisdom to the simple. (R)

V. The precepts of the LORD are right,
     rejoicing the heart;
     the command of the LORD is clear,
     enlightening the eye. (R)

V. The fear of the LORD is pure,
     enduring forever;
     the ordinances of the LORD are true, (R)

V. They are more precious than gold,
     than a heap of purest gold;
     sweeter also than syrup
     or honey from the comb. (R)

Second Reading (Col. 1:15-20)

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Collosians

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel (Lk. 10:25-37)

The Proclamation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said,
“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 
Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? 
How do you read it?” 
He said in reply,
“You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself.”
He replied to him, “You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live.”

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
“And who is my neighbor?” 
Jesus replied,
“A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. 
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. 
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight. 
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. 
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him. 
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
‘Take care of him. 
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.’
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” 
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” 
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C, Year I)

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - GREEN

First Reading (Is. 66:10-14C)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Thus says the LORD:
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her,
all you who love her;
exult, exult with her,
all you who were mourning over her!
Oh, that you may suck fully
of the milk of her comfort,
that you may nurse with delight
at her abundant breasts!
For thus says the LORD:
Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river,
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.
As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms,
and fondled in her lap;
as a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.

When you see this, your heart shall rejoice
and your bodies flourish like the grass;
the LORD’s power shall be known to his servants.

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm (Ps. 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20)

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

V. Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
     sing praise to the glory of his name;
     proclaim his glorious praise.
     Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!” (R)

V. “Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
     sing praise to your name!”
     Come and see the works of God,
     his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam. (R)

V. He has changed the sea into dry land;
     through the river they passed on foot;
     therefore let us rejoice in him.
     He rules by his might forever. (R)

V. Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
     what he has done for me.
     Blessed be God who refused me not
     my prayer or his kindness! (R)

Second Reading (Gal. 6:14-18)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians

Brothers and sisters:
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through which the world has been crucified to me,
and I to the world. 
For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision,
but only a new creation. 
Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule
and to the Israel of God.

From now on, let no one make troubles for me;
for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers and sisters. Amen.

The Word of the Lord

Gospel (Lk. 10:1-12, 17-20)

The Proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord according to Luke

Brothers and sisters:
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through which the world has been crucified to me,
and I to the world. 
For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision,
but only a new creation. 
Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule
and to the Israel of God.

From now on, let no one make troubles for me;
for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers and sisters. Amen.

The Gospel of the Lord

or Lk. 10:1-9

The Proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord according to Luke

At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit. 
He said to them,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest. 
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way. 
Into whatever house you enter, first say,
‘Peace to this household.’
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you. 
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves his payment. 
Do not move about from one house to another. 
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”

The Word of the Lord

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C, Year I)

June 30, 2013

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - GREEN

First Reading (1Kgs. 19:16B, 19-21)

A reading from the First Book of Kings

The LORD said to Elijah:

“You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah,

as prophet to succeed you.”

Elijah set out and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat,

as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen;

he was following the twelfth.

Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him.

Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said,

“Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,

and I will follow you.”

Elijah answered, “Go back!

Have I done anything to you?”

Elisha left him, and taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them;

he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh,

and gave it to his people to eat.

Then Elisha left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

The Word of the Lord.

Psalm Response (Ps. 16: 1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11)

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

V. Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
     I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.
     O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
     you it is who hold fast my lot.” (R)

V. I bless the LORD who counsels me;
     even in the night my heart exhorts me.
     I set the LORD ever before me;
     with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R)

V. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
    my body, too, abides in confidence
    because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
    nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R)

V. You will show me the path to life,
     fullness of joys in your presence,
     the delights at your right hand forever.

Second Reading (Gal. 5:1, 13-18)

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians.

Brothers and sisters:
For freedom Christ set us free;
so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters.
But do not use this freedom
as an opportunity for the flesh;
rather, serve one another through love.
For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement,
namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
But if you go on biting and devouring one another,
beware that you are not consumed by one another.

I say, then: live by the Spirit
and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. 
For the flesh has desires against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh;
these are opposed to each other,
so that you may not do what you want.
But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel (Lk. 9:51-62)

The Gospel of the Lord according to St. Luke

When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him. 
On the way they entered a Samaritan village 
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?” 
Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him,
“I will follow you wherever you go.” 
Jesus answered him,
“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

And to another he said, “Follow me.” 
But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” 
But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. 
But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 
And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” 
To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul - Mass during the Day (Cycle C, Year I)

SOLEMNITY OF STS. PETER AND PAUL - Mass During the Day (RED)

First Reading (Acts 12:1-11)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them.
He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword,
and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews
he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
–It was the feast of Unleavened Bread.–
He had him taken into custody and put in prison
under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each.
He intended to bring him before the people after Passover.
Peter thus was being kept in prison,
but prayer by the Church was fervently being made
to God on his behalf.

On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial,
Peter, secured by double chains,
was sleeping between two soldiers,
while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison.
Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him
and a light shone in the cell.
He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying,
“Get up quickly.”
The chains fell from his wrists.
The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.”
He did so.
Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.”
So he followed him out,
not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real;
he thought he was seeing a vision.
They passed the first guard, then the second,
and came to the iron gate leading out to the city,
which opened for them by itself.
They emerged and made their way down an alley,
and suddenly the angel left him. 
Then Peter recovered his senses and said,
“Now I know for certain 
that the Lord sent his angel 
and rescued me from the hand of Herod
and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting.”

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm (Ps. 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9)

R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

V. I will bless the LORD at all times;

     his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
     Let my soul glory in the LORD;
     the lowly will hear me and be glad. (R)

V. Glorify the LORD with me,
     let us together extol his name.
     I sought the LORD, and he answered me
     and delivered me from all my fears. (R)

V. Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
     and your faces may not blush with shame.
     When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
     and from all his distress he saved him. (R)

V. The angel of the LORD encamps
     around those who fear him, and delivers them.
     Taste and see how good the LORD is;
     blessed the man who takes refuge in him. (R)

Second Reading (2 Tm. 4: 6-8, 17-18)

A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy

I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.

The Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Word of the Lord

Gospel (Mt. 16:13-19)

The Gospel of the Lord according to St. Matthew

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. 
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The Word of the Lord

Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul - Vigil Mass (Cycle C, Year I)

SOLEMNITY OF STS. PETER AND PAUL - Vigil Mass (RED)

First Reading (Acts 3:1-10)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Peter and John were going up to the temple area
for the three o’clock hour of prayer. 
And a man crippled from birth was carried
and placed at the gate of the temple called “the Beautiful Gate”
every day to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple.
When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple,
he asked for alms.
But Peter looked intently at him, as did John,
and said, “Look at us.”
He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.
Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold,
but what I do have I give you:
in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.”
Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up,
and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong.
He leaped up, stood, and walked around,
and went into the temple with them,
walking and jumping and praising God.
When all the people saw the man walking and praising God,
they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging
at the Beautiful Gate of the temple,
and they were filled with amazement and astonishment
at what had happened to him.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps. 19: 2-3, 4-5)

R. Their message goes out through all the earth.

V. The heavens declare the glory of God;
     and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
     Day pours out the word to day;
     and night to night imparts knowledge. (R)
 
V. Not a word nor a discourse
     whose voice is not heard;
     through all the earth their voice resounds,
     and to the ends of the world, their message. (R)

Second Reading (Gal. 1:11-20)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians.

I want you to know, brothers and sisters,
that the Gospel preached by me is not of human origin.
For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it,
but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism,
how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure
and tried to destroy it, and progressed in Judaism
beyond many of my contemporaries among my race,
since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions.
But when God, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart
and called me through his grace,
was pleased to reveal his Son to me,
so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles,
I did not immediately consult flesh and blood,
nor did I go up to Jerusalem
to those who were Apostles before me;
rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem
to confer with Cephas and remained with him for fifteen days.
But I did not see any other of the Apostles,
only James the brother of the Lord.
--As to what I am writing to you, behold,
before God, I am not lying.

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel (Jn. 21:15-19)

The Gospel of the Lord According to St. John

Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples 
and, when they had finished breakfast, said to Simon Peter, 
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

The Word of the Lord

Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist - Mass during the Day (Cycle C, Year I)

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist - Mass during the Day

First Reading (Is. 49: 1-6)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Hear me, O coastlands,
listen, O distant peoples.
The LORD called me from birth,
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.
He made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me.
You are my servant, he said to me,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.

Though I thought I had toiled in vain,
and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,
yet my reward is with the LORD,
my recompense is with my God.
For now the LORD has spoken
who formed me as his servant from the womb,
that Jacob may be brought back to him
and Israel gathered to him;
and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps. 139:1B-3, 13-14AB, 14C-15)

R. (14) I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.

V. O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:     you know when I sit and when I stand;     you understand my thoughts from afar.     My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,     with all my ways you are familiar. (R)
V. Truly you have formed my inmost being;     you knit me in my mother’s womb.     I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;     wonderful are your works. (R)
V. My soul also you knew full well;     nor was my frame unknown to you     When I was made in secret,     when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.

Second Reading (Acts 13:22-26)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostle

In those days, Paul said:
“God raised up David as king; 
of him God testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’

“My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent.”

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel (Lk. 1: 57-66, 80)

The Gospel of the Lord according to St. Luke

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?”
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit, 
and he was in the desert until the day
of his manifestation to Israel.

The Gospel of the Lord.