August 14, 2023

Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, priest and martyrReading 1 Dt 10:12-22 Moses said to the people:"And now, Israel, what does the LORD, your God, ask of youbut to fear the LORD, your God, and follow his ways exactly,to love and serve the LORD, your God,with all your heart and all your soul,to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORDwhich I enjoin on you today for your own good?Think! The heavens, even the highest heavens,belong to the LORD, your God,as well as the earth and everything on it.Yet in his love for your fathers the LORD was so attached to themas to choose you, their descendants,in preference to all other peoples, as indeed he has now done.Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and be no longer stiff-necked.For the LORD, your God, is the God of gods,the LORD of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome,who has no favorites, accepts no bribes;who executes justice for the orphan and the widow,and befriends the alien, feeding and clothing him.So you too must befriend the alien,for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.The LORD, your God, shall you fear, and him shall you serve;hold fast to him and swear by his name.He is your glory, he, your God,who has done for you those great and terrible thingswhich your own eyes have seen.Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy strong,and now the LORD, your God,has made you as numerous as the stars of the sky." Responsorial Psalm Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;praise your God, O Zion.For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;he has blessed your children within you.R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.He has granted peace in your borders;with the best of wheat he fills you.He sends forth his command to the earth;swiftly runs his word!R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.He has not done thus for any other nation;his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. Alleluia See 2 Thes 2:14 R. Alleluia, alleluia.God has called you through the Gospelto possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 17:22-27 As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,Jesus said to them,"The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."And they were overwhelmed with grief.When they came to Capernaum,the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,"Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?""Yes," he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon?From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?From their subjects or from foreigners?"When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him,"Then the subjects are exempt.But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.Give that to them for me and for you." - - -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.
August 13, 2023

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a At the mountain of God, Horeb,Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him,"Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountainsand crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire—but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this,Elijah hid his face in his cloakand went and stood at the entrance of the cave. Responsorial Psalm Ps 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.I will hear what God proclaims;the LORD — for he proclaims peace.Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,glory dwelling in our land.R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.Kindness and truth shall meet;justice and peace shall kiss.Truth shall spring out of the earth,and justice shall look down from heaven.R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.The LORD himself will give his benefits;our land shall yield its increase.Justice shall walk before him,and prepare the way of his steps.R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. Reading 2 Rom 9:1-5 Brothers and sisters:I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witnessthat I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christfor the sake of my own people,my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites;theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;theirs the patriarchs, and from them,according to the flesh, is the Christ,who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. Alleluia Cf. Ps 130:5 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I wait for the Lord;my soul waits for his word.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 14:22-33 After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boatand precede him to the other side,while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night,he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply,"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,"Truly, you are the Son of God." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Pontian, pope and martyr, and Saint Hippolytus, priest and martyr - - -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.
August 12, 2023

Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Dt 6:4-13 Moses said to the people:"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone!Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God,with all your heart,and with all your soul,and with all your strength.Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.Drill them into your children.Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.Bind them at your wrist as a signand let them be as a pendant on your forehead.Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates."When the LORD, your God, brings you into the land which he sworeto your fathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,that he would give you,a land with fine, large cities that you did not build,with houses full of goods of all sorts that you did not garner,with cisterns that you did not dig,with vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant;and when, therefore, you eat your fill,take care not to forget the LORD,who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.The LORD, your God, shall you fear;him shall you serve, and by his name shall you swear." Responsorial Psalm Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 47 and 51 R. (2) I love you, Lord, my strength.I love you, O LORD, my strength,O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.R. I love you, Lord, my strength.My God, my rock of refuge,my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!Praised be the LORD, I exclaim!And I am safe from my enemies.R. I love you, Lord, my strength.The LORD live! And blessed be my Rock!Extolled be God my savior!You who gave great victories to your king,and showed kindness to your anointed,to David and his posterity forever.R. I love you, Lord, my strength. Alleluia See 2 Tm 1:10 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed deathand brought life to light through the Gospel.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 17:14-20 A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him, and said,"Lord, have pity on my son, who is a lunatic and suffers severely;often he falls into fire, and often into water.I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him."Jesus said in reply,"O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you?How long will I endure you? Bring the boy here to me."Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him,and from that hour the boy was cured.Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said,"Why could we not drive it out?"He said to them, "Because of your little faith.Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed,you will say to this mountain,'Move from here to there,' and it will move.Nothing will be impossible for you." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, religious - - -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.
August 11, 2023

Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Clare, virginReading 1 Dt 4:32-40 Moses said to the people:"Ask now of the days of old, before your time,ever since God created man upon the earth;ask from one end of the sky to the other:Did anything so great ever happen before?Was it ever heard of? Did a people ever hear the voice of Godspeaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live?Or did any god venture to go and take a nation for himselffrom the midst of another nation,by testings, by signs and wonders, by war,with his strong hand and outstretched arm, and by great terrors,all of which the LORD, your God,did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?All this you were allowed to see that you might know the LORD is God and there is no other.Out of the heavens he let you hear his voice to discipline you;on earth he let you see his great fire,and you heard him speaking out of the fire.For love of your fathers he chose their descendantsand personally led you out of Egypt by his great power,driving out of your way nations greater and mightier than you,so as to bring you inand to make their land your heritage, as it is today.This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart,that the LORD is God in the heavens above and on earth below,and that there is no other.You must keep his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you today,that you and your children after you may prosper,and that you may have long life on the landwhich the LORD, your God, is giving you forever." Responsorial Psalm Ps 77:12-13, 14-15, 16 and 21 R. (12a) I remember the deeds of the Lord.I remember the deeds of the LORD;yes, I remember your wonders of old. And I meditate on your works;your exploits I ponder.R. I remember the deeds of the Lord.O God, your way is holy;what great god is there like our God?You are the God who works wonders;among the peoples you have made known your power.R. I remember the deeds of the Lord.With your strong arm you redeemed your people,the sons of Jacob and Joseph.You led your people like a flockunder the care of Moses and Aaron.R. I remember the deeds of the Lord. Alleluia Mt 5:10 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness;for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 16:24-28 Jesus said to his disciples,"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,take up his cross, and follow me.For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.What profit would there be for one to gain the whole worldand forfeit his life?Or what can one give in exchange for his life?For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory,and then he will repay each according to his conduct.Amen, I say to you, there are some standing herewho will not taste deathuntil they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom." - - -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.