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.

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

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time - GREEN

First Reading (Zec. 12:10-11; 13:1)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Zechariah

Thus says the LORD:
I will pour out on the house of David
and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem
a spirit of grace and petition;
and they shall look on him whom they have pierced, 
and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son,
and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a firstborn.

On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great
as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo.

On that day there shall be open to the house of David
and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps. 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9)

R. (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

V. O God, you are my God whom I seek;
     for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
     like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. (R)

V. Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
     to see your power and your glory,
     For your kindness is a greater good than life;
     my lips shall glorify you. (R)

V. Thus will I bless you while I live;
     lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
     As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
     and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. (R)
 
V. You are my help,
     and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
     My soul clings fast to you;
     your right hand upholds me. (R)

Second Reading (Gal. 3:26-29)

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

Brothers and sisters:
Through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus.
For all of you who were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free person,
there is not male and female;
for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if you belong to Christ,
then you are Abraham’s descendant,
heirs according to the promise.

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel (Lk. 9:18-24)

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
They said in reply, “John the Baptist;
others, Elijah;
still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”
Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”
He rebuked them
and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
Then he said to all,
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

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

June 9, 2013

TENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - GREEN

First Reading: 1Kgs. 17:17-24

A reading from the Book of Kings

Now it happened that, after these things, the son of the woman who was the mother of the family became ill. And the sickness was very powerful, so that no breath remained in him. Therefore, she said to Elijah: "What is there between you and me, O man of God? Have you entered to me, so that my iniquities would be remembered, and so that you would put death to my son?" And Elijah said to her, "Give your son to me." And he took him from her bosom, and he carried him to an upper room where he himself was staying. And he placed him on his own bed. And he cried out to the Lord and he said, "O Lord, my God, have you even afflicted the widow by whom I am, in a sense, sustained, so that you would put to death her son?" and he stretched himself out beside the boy three times. And he cried out to the Lord and said, "O  Lord, my God, let the soul of this boy, I beg you, return to his body." And the Lord heeded the voice of Elijah. And the soul of the boy returned to him, and he revived. And Elijah took the boy, and he brought him down from the upper room to the lower part of the house. And he gave him to his mother. And he said to her, "See, you son lives." And the woman said to Elijah, "By this, I now realize that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is true."

The Word of the Lord.

Psalm Response: Ps. 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13

R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

V. I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
     and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
     O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world;
     you preserved me from among those going down into the pit. (R)

V. Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
     and give thanks to his holy name.
     For his anger lasts but a moment;
     a lifetime, his good will.
     At nightfall, weeping enters in,
     but with the dawn, rejoicing. (R)

V. Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
     O LORD, be my helper.
     You changed my mourning into dancing;
     O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks. (R)

Second Reading: Gal. 1:11-19 

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

For I would have you understand, brothers and sisters, that the Gospel which has been preached by me is not according to man. And I did not receive it from man, nor did I learn it, except through the revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former behavior within Judaism: that, beyond measure, I persecuted the Church of God and fought against Her. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my equals among my own kind, having proven to be more abundant in zeal toward the tradition of my fathers. But, when it pleased him who, from my mothers womb, had set me apart, and who has called me by his grace, to reveal his Son within me, so that I might evangelize him among the Gentiles, I did not seek the consent of flesh and blood. Neither did I go to Jerusalem, to those who were Apostles before me. Instead, I went into Arabia, and next I returned to Damascus. And then, after three years, I went to Jerusalem to see Peter; and I stayed with him for fifteen days. But I saw none of the other Apostles, except James, the brother of the Lord.

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel: Lk. 7:11-17

The Gospel of the Lord according to St. Luke.

Jesus went to a city called Nain and his disciples, and an abundant crowd, went with him. Then, when he had drawn near to the gate of the city, behold, a deceased person was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord had seen her, being moved by mercy over her, he said to her, "Do not weep." And he drew near the coffin and touched the coffin. Then those who carried it stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And the dead youth sat up and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Then fear fell over all of them. And they magnified God, saying: "For a great prophet has risen up among us, and, For God has visited his people." And this word about him went out to all of Judea and to the entire surrounding region.

The Gospel of the Lord


FEATURED SONG FOR  THE DAY

Trinity Sunday (Cycle C, Year I)

May 26, 2013

TRINITY SUNDAY (Solemnity) - WHITE

Today is the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.  This is also called the First Sunday After Pentecost.

First Reading: Prv. 8:22-31

A reading from the Book of Proverbs

Thus says the wisdom of God:

The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made anything, from the beginning. I was ordained from eternity, and out of antiquity, before the earth was formed. The abyss did not yet exist  and I was already conceived; neither has the fountains of waters yet erupted. The mountains, with their great mass, had not yet been established. Before the hills, I was brought forth. Still he had not made the earth, and the rivers, and the poles of the globe of the earth.

I was already present: when he prepared the heavens; when, with a certain law and a circuit, he fortified the abyss; when he made firm the sky above, and set free the mountains of waters, lest they transgress their limits; when he weighed the foundations of the earth. I was with him in composing all things. And I was delighted, throughout every day, by playing in his sight at all times, playing in globe of the earth. And my delight was to be with the sons of men.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 8: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R: O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

V: When I behold the heavens, the work of your fingers,

      the moon and the stars which you set in place - 

      What is man that you should be mindful of him,

      or the son of man that you should care for him? (R)

V: You have made him little less than the angels,

      and crowned him with glory and honor.
      You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
      putting all things under his feet: (R)

V: All sheep and oxen,

      yes, and the beasts of the field,
      The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
      and whatever swims the paths of the seas. (R)

Second Reading: Rom. 5:1-5

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

Brothers and sisters:

Therefore, having been justified in faith, let us be at peace with God, through our LORD Jesus Christ. For through him we also have access by faith to this grace, in which we stand firm, and to glory, in the hope of the glory of the sons of God. And not only that, but we also find glory in tribulation exercises patience, and patience leads to proving, yet truly proving leads to hope, but hope is not unfounded, because the love of God is poured forth in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

The word of the Lord.

Gospel: Jn. 16:12-15

The Gospel of the  Lord according to John.

Jesus said to his disciples:

"I still have many things to say to you but you are not able to bear them now. But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you all the things that are to come. He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you. All things whatsoever that the father has are mine. For this reason, I  said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you."

The Gospel of the Lord.

FEATURED SONG FOR THE DAY