Immaculate Heart of Mary (Cycle C, Year I)

June 8, 2013

MEMORIAL OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

First Reading: Tb 12:1, 5-15, 20

A Reading from the Book of Tobit.

Tobit called his son Tobiah and said to him,

“Son, see to it that you give what is due to the man who made the journey with you; give him a bonus too.” So he called Raphael and said, “Take as your wages half of all that you have brought back, and go in peace.”

Raphael called the two men aside privately and said to them:

“Thank God! Give him the praise and the glory. 

Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Honor and proclaim God’s deeds, and do not be slack in praising him. A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known. Praise them with due honor. Do good, and evil will not find its way to you. Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than abundance with wickedness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold; for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life; but those habitually guilty of sin are their own worst enemies.

“I will now tell you the whole truth; I will conceal nothing at all from you. I have already said to you, ‘A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be made known with due honor.’ I can now tell you that when you, Tobit, and Sarah prayed,  it was I who presented and read the record of your prayer before the Glory of the Lord; and I did the same thing when you used to bury the dead. When you did not hesitate to get up and leave your dinner in order to go and bury the dead, I was sent to put you to the test. At the same time, however, God commissioned me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah. I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord.”

“So now get up from the ground and praise God. Behold, I am about to ascend to him who sent me; write down all these things that have happened to you.”

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Tb. 13:2, 6EFGH, 7, 8

R. (1b) Blessed be God, who lives for ever.

V. He scourges and then has mercy;

     he casts down to the depths of the nether world,

     and he brings up from the great abyss.

     No one can escape his hand. (R)

V. So now consider what he has done for you,

     and praise him with full voice.

     Bless the Lord of righteousness,

     and exalt the King of ages. (R)

V. In the land of my exile I praise him

     and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation. (R)

V. Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones,

     and may all of you praise his majesty.

     Celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise.

Gospel: Lk. 2:41-51

The Gospel of the Lord according to St. Luke

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.

When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking 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. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

The Gospel of the Lord.

FEATURED SONG FOR THE DAY:

Sacred Heart of Jesus (Cycle C, Year I)

June 7, 2013

SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS - WHITE

First Reading: Ez. 34: 11-16

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel

For thus says the Lord God:

"Behold, I myself will seek my sheep, and I myself will visit them. Just as a shepherd visits his flock, in the day when he will be in the midst of his sheep that were scattered, so will I visit my sheep. And I will deliver them from all the places to which they had been scattered in the day of gloom and darkness. And I will lead them away from the peoples, and I will gather them from the lands, and I will bring them into their own land. And I will pasture them into their own land. And I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the settlements of the land. I will feed them in very fertile pastures, and their pastures will be on the lofty mountains of Israel. I will feed my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down," says the Lord God.

"I will  seek what had been lost. And I will lead back again what had been cast aside. And I will bind up what had been broken. And I will strengthen what had been infirm. And I will preserve what was fat and strong. And I will feed them on judgment."

The Word of the Lord.

Psalm Response: Ps. 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6

 R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

V. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
     In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
     beside restful waters he leads me;
     he refreshes my soul. (R)

V. He guides me in right paths
     for his name's sake.
     Even though I walk in the dark valley
     I fear no evil; for you are at my side
     with your rod and your staff
     that give me courage. (R)

V. You spread the table before me
     in the sight of my foes;
     you anoint my head with oil;
     my cup overflows. (R)

V. Only goodness and kindness follow me
     all the days of my life;
     and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
     for years to come. (R)

Second Reading: Rom. 5:5B-11

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

Brothers and sisters:

The love of God is poured forth in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Yet why did Christ, while we were still infirm, at the proper time, suffer death for the impious? Now someone might barely be willing to die for the sake of justice, for example, perhaps someone might dare to die for the sake of a good man. but God demonstrates his love for us in that, while we were yet sinners, at the proper time, Christ died for us. Therefore, having been justified now by his blood, all the more so shall we be saved from wrath through him. For if we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, while we were still enemies, all the more so, having been reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. And not only that, but we also glory in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel: Lk. 15:3-7

The Gospel of the Lord according to St. Luke.

Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and the Scribes:

"What man among you, who has one-hundred sheep, and if he will have lost one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the one whom he had lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them: 'Congratulate me! For I have found my sheep, which had been lost.' I say to you, that there will be so much more joy in heaven over one sinner repenting, than over the ninety-nine just, who do not need to repent."

The Gospel of the Lord.

PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

 Divine Jesus, you have said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it will be opened unto you," behold be kneeling at your feet, filled with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask this favor: (Here silently mention your petitions.)

To whom can I turn if not to you whose Heart is the source of all graces and merits? Where should I seek if not in the treasure which contains all the riches of your kindness and mercy? Where should I knock if not at the door through which God gives himself to us and through which we go to God? I have recourse to you, Heart of Jesus. In you I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when burdened with trials, and light in doubt and darkness.

Dear Jesus, I firmly believe that you can grant me the grace I  implore, even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it, and my prayer will be granted. I admit that I am most unworthy of your favors, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the god of mercy and you will not refuse contrite heart. Cast upon me a look of mercy, I beg of you, and your kind Heart will find in my miseries and weaknesses a reason for granting my prayers.

O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request, I will never stop adoring, loving, praising, and serving you. My Jesus, be pleased to accept this my act of perfect resignation to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled by me and by all your creatures forever.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I know that there is but one thing impossible to you: to be without pity for those who are suffering or in distress. Look upon me, I beg of you, dear Jesus, and grant me the grace for which I humbly implore you through the Immaculate Heart of your most sorrowful Mother. You have entrusted me to her as her child, and her prayers are all-powerful with you. AMEN.

FEATURED SONG OF THE DAY:

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Corpus Christi (Cycle C, Year I)

June 2, 2013

SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST - WHITE

First Reading: (Gen. 14:18-20)

A reading from the Book of Genesis

Then in truth, Melchizedek, the king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine, for he was a priest of the Most high God; he blessed him, and he said: "Blessed be Abram by the Most High God, who created heaven and earth. And blessed be the Most high God, through whose protection the enemies are in your hands. And he gave him tithes from everything."

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 110:1, 2, 3, 4

R. (4b) You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

V. The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand
till I make your enemies your footstool." (R)

V. The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:
"Rule in the midst of your enemies." (R)

V. "Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you." (R)

V. The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:
"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek." (R)

Second Reading: 1Cor. 11:23-26

A reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

Brothers and sisters:

I receive from the Lord what I have also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the same night that he was handed over, took bread, and giving thanks, he broke it, and said: Take and eat. This is my body, which shall be given up for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Similarly also, the cup, after he had eaten supper, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink in it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until he returns.

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel: Lk. 9:11B-17

The Gospel of the Lord according to Luke.

Jesus spoke to the crowds about the Kingdom of God, and those who were in need of cures, he healed. Then the day began to decline. And drawing near, the twelve said to him: "Dismiss the crowds, so that, by going into the surrounding towns and villages, they may separate and find food. For we are here in a deserted place." But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." And they said, "There is with us no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we are to go and buy food for this entire multitude." 

Now there were about five thousand men. So he said to his disciples, "Have them recline to eat in groups of fifty." And they did so. And they caused them all recline to eat. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish, he gazed up to heaven, and he blessed and broke and distributed them to his disciples, in order to set them before the crowd. And they all ate  and were satisfied. And twelve baskets of fragments were taken up, which were left over from them.

The Gospel of the Lord.

FEATURED SONG FOR THE DAY:

Feast of Visitation (Cycle C, Year I)

May 31, 2013

FEAST OF THE VISITATION - WHITE

First Reading: Zep. 3:14-18A

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah.

Give praise, daughter of Zion. Shout joyfully Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD has taken away your judgment; he has turned aside your foes. The king of Israel, the LORD is in your midst; you shall no longer fear evil. In that day, it will be said to Jerusalem, "Do not be afraid," and to Zion, "Do not let your hands be weakened." The LORD your God is the strength in your midst; he will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness. In love, he will be silent. He will exult over you with praise. The triflers who withdrew from the law, I will gather together, because they were from you, so that you may no longer suffer disgrace over them.

The Word of the Lord.

or: Rom. 12:9-16

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

Brothers and sisters:

Let love be without falseness: hating evil, clinging to what is good, loving one another with fraternal charity, surpassing one another in honor: in solicitude, not lazy; in spirit, fervent; serving the LORD; in hope, rejoicing; in tribulation, enduring; in prayer, ever-willing; in the difficulties of the saints, sharing; in hospitality, attentive. Bless those who are persecuting you: bless, and do not curse. Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Weep with those who are weeping. Be of the same mind toward one another: not savoring what is exalted, but consenting in humility. Do not choose to seem wise to yourself.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Is. 12:2-3, 4BCD, 5-6

R. (6) Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

V. God indeed is my savior;
     I am confident and unafraid.
     My strength and my courage is the LORD,
     and he has been my savior.
     With joy you will draw water
     at the fountain of salvation. (R)

V. Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
     among the nations make known his deeds,
     proclaim how exalted is his name. (R)

V. Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
     let this be known throughout all the earth.
     Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
     for great in your midst
      is the Holy One of Israel! (R)

Gospel: Lk. 1:39-56

The Gospel of the Lord according to St. Luke

In those days, Mary, rising up, traveled quickly into the hill country, to a city of Judah. And she entered into the house of Zechariah, and she greeted Elizabeth. And it happened that, as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she cried out with a loud voice and said: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this concern me, so that the mother of my LORD would come to me? For behold, as the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed are you who believed, for the things that were spoken to you by the LORD shall be accomplished."

And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the LORD. And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Saviour. For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed. For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

"And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him. He has accomplished powerful deeds with his arm. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart. He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has taken up his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy, just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and his offspring forever." Then Mary stayed with her for about three months. And she returned to her own house.

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

Pentecost Sunday (Cycle C, Year I)

May 19, 2013

PENTECOST SUNDAY (Solemnity) - RED

The descent of the Holy Spirit among Mary and the apostles. This day also marks the end of the Easter Season and the church will now enter the Ordinary Season

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

And when the days of Pentecost were completed, they were all together in the same place. And suddenly, there came a sound from heaven, like that of a wind approaching violently, and it filled the entire house where  they were sitting. And there appeared to them separate tongues, as of fire, which settled upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they began to speak in various languages, just as the Holy Spirit bestowed eloquence to them.

Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, pious men from every nation that is under heaven. And when this sound occured, the multitude came together and was confused in mind, because each one was listening to them speaking in his own language.Then all were astonished, and they wondered, saying: "Behold, are not all of these Gallileans? And how is it that we have each heard them in our own language, into which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those who inhabit Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia. Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya which are around Cyrene, and new arrivals of the Romans, likewise Jews and new converts, Cretans and Arabs: we hav heard them speaking in our own languages and mighty deeds of God."

The Word of the Lord

Psalm Response: Ps.104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

R: (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.

or:

Alleluia!

V: Bless the LORD, O my soul!

     O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!

     How manifold are your works, O LORD!

     the earth is full of your creatures; (R)

V: May the glory of the LORD endure forever;

     may the LORD be glad in His works!

     Pleasing to Him be my theme;

     I will be glad in the LORD. (R)

V: If you take away their breath, they perish

     and return to their dust

     When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,

     and you renew the face of the earth. (R)

     

Second Reading: 1 Cor 12:3B-7, 12-13

A reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

Brothers and Sisters: 

No one can say "Jesus is Lord," except in the Holy Spirit.

Truly, there are diverse graces, but the same Spirit. And there are diverse ministries, but the same LORD. And there are diverse works, but the same God, who works everything in everyone. However, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one toward what is beneficial.

For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ. And indeed, in one Spirit, we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.

The Word of the Lord.

or: Rom. 8:8-17

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

Brothers and sisters:

Those who are in the flesh are not able to please God. And you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if it is true that the Spirit of God lives within you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. But if Christ is within you, then the body is indeed dead, concerning sin, but the spirit truly lives, because of justification. But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus Christ from the dead lives  within you, then he who raised up Jesus Christ from the dead shall also enliven your mortal bodies, by means of his Spirit living within you. Therefore brothers, we are not debtors of the flesh, so as to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if, by the Spirit, you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live.

For all  those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. And you have not received, again, a spirit of servitude in fear, but you have received the Spirit of the adoption of sons, in whom we cry out: Abba, Father! For the Spirit himself renders testimony to our spirit that we are the sons of God. But if we are sons, then we are also heirs: certainly heirs of God, but co-heirs with Christ, yet in such a way that, if we suffer with him, we shall alsi be glorified with him.

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel: Jn. 20:19-23

The Gospel of the Lord according to John (Jn. 20:19-23)

Then when it was late on the same day, on the first of the Sabbaths, and the doors were closed where the disciples were gathered, for for fear of Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and he said to them: "Peace to you."

And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and side. And the disciples were gladdened when they saw the Lord.

Therefore, he said to them again: "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."

When he had said this, he breathed on them. And he said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose  sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and those whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."

The Gospel of the Lord.

or Jn. 14:15-16, 23B-26

The Gospel of the Lord according to John.

Jesus said to his disciples:

"If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give another Advocate to you, so that he may abide you for eternity.

"If anyone loves me, he shall keep my word. And my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and we will make our dwelling place with him. Whoever does not love me, does not keep my words. And the word that you have heard is not of me, but it is of the Father who sent me.

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will suggest to you everything whatsoever that I have said to you."

The Gospel of the Lord.

FEATURED SONG OF THE DAY: