February 21, 2024

Wednesday of the First Week in Lent

Reading 1 Jon 3:1-10 The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:"Set out for the great city of Nineveh,and announce to it the message that I will tell you."So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh,according to the LORD's bidding.Now Nineveh was an enormously large city;it took three days to go through it.Jonah began his journey through the city,and had gone but a single day's walk announcing,"Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,"when the people of Nineveh believed God;they proclaimed a fastand all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.When the news reached the king of Nineveh,he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe,covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes.Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh,by decree of the king and his nobles:"Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep,shall taste anything;they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God;every man shall turn from his evil wayand from the violence he has in hand.Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath,so that we shall not perish."When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way,he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them;he did not carry it out. Responsorial Psalm PS 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19 R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.Thoroughly wash me from my guiltand of my sin cleanse me.R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.A clean heart create for me, O God,and a steadfast spirit renew within me.Cast me not out from your presence,and your Holy Spirit take not from me. R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.For you are not pleased with sacrifices;should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. Verse Before the Gospel Jl 2:12-13 Jl 2:12-13 Even now, says the LORD,return to me with your whole heartfor I am gracious and merciful. Gospel Lk 11:29-32 While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,“This generation is an evil generation;it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,so will the Son of Man be to this generation.At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them,because she came from the ends of the earthto hear the wisdom of Solomon,and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generationand condemn it,because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,and there is something greater than Jonah here.” Readings for the Memorial of Saint Peter Damian, bishop and doctor of the Church - - -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.
February 20, 2024

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

Reading 1 Is 55:10-11 Thus says the LORD:Just as from the heavensthe rain and snow come downAnd do not return theretill they have watered the earth,making it fertile and fruitful,Giving seed to the one who sowsand bread to the one who eats,So shall my word bethat goes forth from my mouth;It shall not return to me void,but shall do my will,achieving the end for which I sent it. Responsorial Psalm PS 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19 R. (18b) From all their distress God rescues the just.Glorify the LORD with me,let us together extol his name.I sought the LORD, and he answered meand delivered me from all my fears. R. From all their distress God rescues the just.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. From all their distress God rescues the just.The LORD has eyes for the just,and ears for their cry.The LORD confronts the evildoers,to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.R. From all their distress God rescues the just.When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,and from all their distress he rescues them.The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.R. From all their distress God rescues the just. Verse Before the Gospel Mt 4:4b One does not live on bread alone,but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Gospel Mt 6:7-15 Jesus said to his disciples:“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,who think that they will be heard because of their many words.Do not be like them.Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.“This is how you are to pray:Our Father who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name,thy Kingdom come,thy will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread;and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.“If you forgive men their transgressions,your heavenly Father will forgive you.But if you do not forgive men,neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” - - - 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.
February 19, 2024

Monday of the First Week of Lent

Reading 1 Lv 19:1-2, 11-18 The LORD said to Moses,“Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them:Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.“You shall not steal.You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another.You shall not swear falsely by my name,thus profaning the name of your God.I am the LORD.“You shall not defraud or rob your neighbor.You shall not withhold overnight the wages of your day laborer.You shall not curse the deaf,or put a stumbling block in front of the blind,but you shall fear your God.I am the LORD.“You shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgment.Show neither partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty,but judge your fellow men justly.You shall not go about spreading slander among your kin;nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor’s life is at stake.I am the LORD.“You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart.Though you may have to reprove him,do not incur sin because of him.Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen.You shall love your neighbor as yourself.I am the LORD.” Responsorial Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15 R.    (John 6:63b)  Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.The law of the LORD is perfect,refreshing the soul.The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,giving wisdom to the simple.R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.The precepts of the LORD are right,rejoicing the heart.The command of the LORD is clear,enlightening the eye.R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.The fear of the LORD is pure,enduring forever;The ordinances of the LORD are true,all of them just.R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heartfind favor before you,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. Verse Before the Gospel 2 Cor 6:2b Behold, now is a very acceptable time;behold, now is the day of salvation. Gospel Mt 25:31-46 Jesus said to his disciples:“When the Son of Man comes in his glory,and all the angels with him,he will sit upon his glorious throne,and all the nations will be assembled before him.And he will separate them one from another,as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.Then the king will say to those on his right,‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.For I was hungry and you gave me food,I was thirsty and you gave me drink,a stranger and you welcomed me,naked and you clothed me,ill and you cared for me,in prison and you visited me.’Then the righteous will answer him and say,‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,or thirsty and give you drink?When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,or naked and clothe you?When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’And the king will say to them in reply,‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you didfor one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’Then he will say to those on his left,‘Depart from me, you accursed,into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.For I was hungry and you gave me no food,I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,a stranger and you gave me no welcome,naked and you gave me no clothing,ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’Then they will answer and say,‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirstyor a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,and not minister to your needs?’He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you,what you did not do for one of these least ones,you did not do for me.’And these will go off to eternal punishment,but the righteous to eternal life.” - - -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.
February 18, 2024

First Sunday of Lent

Reading 1 Gn 9:8-15 God said to Noah and to his sons with him: "See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark.I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyedby the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth."God added:"This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you: I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a signof the covenant between me and the earth.When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, I will recall the covenant I have madebetween me and you and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings." Responsorial Psalm Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9. R. (cf. 10) Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;teach me your paths,Guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my savior.R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.Remember that your compassion, O LORD,and your love are from of old.In your kindness remember me,because of your goodness, O LORD.R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.Good and upright is the LORD,thus he shows sinners the way.He guides the humble to justice,and he teaches the humble his way.R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant. Reading 2 1 Pt 3:18-22 Beloved:Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God.Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit.In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison, who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all,were saved through water.This prefigured baptism, which saves you now.It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,who has gone into heavenand is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him. Verse Before the Gospel Mt 4:4b One does not live on bread alone,but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Gospel Mk 1:12-15 The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days,tempted by Satan.He was among wild beasts,and the angels ministered to him.After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:"This is the time of fulfillment.The kingdom of God is at hand.Repent, and believe in the gospel." - - -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.