June 6, 2023

Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Tb 2:9-14 On the night of Pentecost, after I had buried the dead,I, Tobit, went into my courtyard to sleep next to the courtyard wall. My face was uncovered because of the heat. I did not know there were birds perched on the wall above me, till their warm droppings settled in my eyes, causing cataracts. I went to see some doctors for a curebut the more they anointed my eyes with various salves, the worse the cataracts became, until I could see no more. For four years I was deprived of eyesight, and all my kinsmen were grieved at my condition. Ahiqar, however, took care of me for two years, until he left for Elymais.At that time, my wife Anna worked for hire at weaving cloth, the kind of work women do. When she sent back the goods to their owners, they would pay her. Late in winter on the seventh of Dystrus, she finished the cloth and sent it back to the owners. They paid her the full salaryand also gave her a young goat for the table. On entering my house the goat began to bleat. I called to my wife and said: "Where did this goat come from? Perhaps it was stolen! Give it back to its owners; we have no right to eat stolen food!"She said to me, "It was given to me as a bonus over and above my wages."Yet I would not believe her, and told her to give it back to its owners.I became very angry with her over this. So she retorted: "Where are your charitable deeds now?Where are your virtuous acts? See! Your true character is finally showing itself!" Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1-2, 7-8, 9 R. (see 7c) The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Blessed the man who fears the LORD,who greatly delights in his commands.His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;the upright generation shall be blessed.R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.An evil report he shall not fear;his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.His heart is steadfast; he shall not feartill he looks down upon his foes. R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Lavishly he gives to the poor;his generosity shall endure forever;his horn shall be exalted in glory.R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Eph 1:17-18 R. Alleluia, alleluia.May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christenlighten the eyes of our hearts,that we may know what is the hopethat belongs to his call.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 12:13-17 Some Pharisees and Herodians were sentto Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.They came and said to him,"Teacher, we know that you are a truthful manand that you are not concerned with anyone's opinion.You do not regard a person's statusbut teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?Should we pay or should we not pay?"Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,"Why are you testing me?Bring me a denarius to look at."They brought one to him and he said to them,"Whose image and inscription is this?"They replied to him, "Caesar's."So Jesus said to them,"Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesarand to God what belongs to God."They were utterly amazed at him. Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Norbert, bishop - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
June 5, 2023

Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Boniface, bishop and martyrReading 1 Tb 1:3; 2:1a-8 I, Tobit, have walked all the days of my lifeon the paths of truth and righteousness.I performed many charitable works for my kinsmen and my peoplewho had been deported with me to Nineveh, in Assyria.On our festival of Pentecost, the feast of Weeks, a fine dinner was prepared for me, and I reclined to eat.The table was set for me,and when many different dishes were placed before me,I said to my son Tobiah: "My son,go out and try to find a poor manfrom among our kinsmen exiled here in Nineveh.If he is a sincere worshiper of God, bring him back with you,so that he can share this meal with me.Indeed, son, I shall wait for you to come back."Tobiah went out to look for some poor kinsman of ours.When he returned he exclaimed, "Father!"I said to him, "What is it, son?"He answered, "Father, one of our people has been murdered!His body lies in the market place where he was just strangled!"I sprang to my feet, leaving the dinner untouched;and I carried the dead man from the streetand put him in one of the rooms,so that I might bury him after sunset.Returning to my own quarters, I washed myselfand ate my food in sorrow.I was reminded of the oraclepronounced by the prophet Amos against Bethel:"All your festivals shall be turned into mourning,and all your songs into lamentation."And I wept.Then at sunset I went out, dug a grave, and buried him.The neighbors mocked me, saying to one another:"He is still not afraid!Once before he was hunted down for execution because of this very thing;yet now that he has scarcely escaped,here he is again burying the dead!" Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1b-2, 3b-4, 5-6 R. (1b) Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Blessed the man who fears the LORD,who greatly delights in his commands.His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;the upright generation shall be blessed.R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.His generosity shall endure forever.Light shines through the darkness for the upright;he is gracious and merciful and just. R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Well for the man who is gracious and lends,who conducts his affairs with justice;He shall never be moved;the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance.R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Rv 1:5ab R. Alleluia, alleluia.Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,the firstborn of the dead;you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 12:1-12 Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes,and the elders in parables."A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it,dug a wine press, and built a tower.Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey.At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenantsto obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard.But they seized him, beat him,and sent him away empty-handed.Again he sent them another servant.And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully.He sent yet another whom they killed.So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed.He had one other to send, a beloved son.He sent him to them last of all, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir.Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'So they seized him and killed him,and threw him out of the vineyard.What then will the owner of the vineyard do?He will come, put the tenants to death,and give the vineyard to others.Have you not read this Scripture passage:The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone;by the Lord has this been done,and it is wonderful in our eyes?"They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd,for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them.So they left him and went away. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
June 4, 2023

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Reading 1 Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9 Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinaias the LORD had commanded him,taking along the two stone tablets.Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses thereand proclaimed his name, "LORD."Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out,"The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity."Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship.Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord,do come along in our company.This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins,and receive us as your own." Responsorial Psalm Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;And blessed is your holy and glorious name,praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.R. Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.R. Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.R. Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you who look into the depthsfrom your throne upon the cherubim,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.R. Glory and praise for ever! Reading 2 2 Cor 13:11-13 Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another,agree with one another, live in peace,and the God of love and peace will be with you.Greet one another with a holy kiss.All the holy ones greet you.The grace of the Lord Jesus Christand the love of Godand the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. Alleluia Cf. Rv 1:8 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;to God who is, who was, and who is to come.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 3:16-18 God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,so that everyone who believes in him might not perishbut might have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,but that the world might be saved through him.Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
June 3, 2023

Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrsReading 1 Sir 51:12 cd-20 I thank the LORD and I praise him;I bless the name of the LORD.When I was young and innocent,I sought wisdom openly in my prayerI prayed for her before the temple,and I will seek her until the end,and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.My heart delighted in her,My feet kept to the level pathbecause from earliest youth I was familiar with her.In the short time I paid heed,I met with great instruction.Since in this way I have profited,I will give my teacher grateful praise.I became resolutely devoted to her—the good I persistently strove for.My soul was tormented in seeking her, My hand opened her gateand I came to know her secrets.I directed my soul to her,and in cleanness I attained to her. Responsorial Psalm PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11 R. (9ab) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.The law of the LORD is perfect,refreshing the soul.The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,giving wisdom to the simple.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.The precepts of the LORD are right,rejoicing the heart.The command of the LORD is clear,enlightening the eye.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.The fear of the LORD is pure,enduring forever;The ordinances of the LORD are true,all of them just.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.They are more precious than gold,than a heap of purest gold;Sweeter also than syrupor honey from the comb.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. Alleluia See Col 3:16a, 17c R. Alleluia, alleluia.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly;giving thanks to God the Father through him.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 11:27-33 Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem.As he was walking in the temple area,the chief priests, the scribes, and the eldersapproached him and said to him,“By what authority are you doing these things?Or who gave you this authority to do them?”Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question.Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.”They discussed this among themselves and said,“If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say,‘Then why did you not believe him?’But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”–they feared the crowd,for they all thought John really was a prophet.So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”Then Jesus said to them,“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.” - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.