Daily Reading

WORD OF THE DAY

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Monday of Holy Week

READING OF THE DAY

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah
Is 42, 1-7

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Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
Upon whom I have put my Spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations
,
Not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
A bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
Until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spreads out the earth with its crops,
Who gives breath to its people
and spirit to those who walk on it:
I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you
as a covenant of the people
,
a light for the nations,
To open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John
Jn 12, 1-11

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany,
where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served,
while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.
Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil
made from genuine aromatic nard
and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair;
the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples,
and the one who would betray him, said,
\”Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days\’ wages
and given to the poor?\”
He said this not because he cared about the poor
but because he was a thief and held the money bag
and used to steal the contributions.
So Jesus said, \”Leave her alone.
Let her keep this for the day of my burial.
You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.\”

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came,
not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus,
whom he had raised from the dead.
And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,
because many of the Jews were turning away
and believing in Jesus because of him.


  • Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Angelus prayer and Holy Rosary

Site link recitation of the Angelus prayer and Rosary


Divinely Prescribed

Improving Humanities Outcomes: As divine prescriptions by the letters from the scribes

And so the Scripture was fulfilled which says:

James 2:1
My brothers and sisters. within the glorious faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, do not choose to show favoritism toward persons

2 For if a man or woman has entered your assembly having a gold ring and splendid apparel, and if a poor man has also entered, in dirty clothing

3 and if you are then attentive to the one who is clothed in excellent apparel, so that you say to him, \”You may sit in this good place,\” but you say to the poor man, \”You stand over there,\”

\’or, \”Sit below my footstool.

4are you not judging within yourselves?

and have you not become judges with unjust thoughts

My most beloved brothers and sisters, listen Has not God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that God has promised to those whom love him

But you have dishonored the poor. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you? through power? And are not they the ones who drag you to judgment?!

Are not they the ones who blaspheme the good name which has been invoked over you?

So if you perfect the regal law, according to the Scriptures, \”You shall love your neighbor as yourself,» then you do well

But if you show favoritism to persons, then you commit a sin, having been convicted again by the law as transgressors

Now whoever has observed the whole law, yet who offends in one matter, has become guilty of all

For he who said, \"You shall not commit adultery,\" also said, \"You shall not kill.\" So if you do not commit adultery, but you kill, you have become a transgressor of the law

So speak and act just as you are beginning to be judged, by the law of liberty

For judgment is without mercy toward him who has not shown mercy. But mercy exalts itself above judgment

My brothers, what benefit is there if someone claims to have faith, but he does not have works?

How would faith be able to save him?

So if a brother or sister is naked and daily in need of food….

16 and if anyone of you were to say to them: \”Go in peace, keep warm and nourished,\” and yet not give them the things that are necessary for the body, of what benefit is this

Thus even faith, if it does not have works, is dead, in and of itself

Now someone may say: \”You have faith, and I have works.\” Show me your faith without works! But I will show you my faith by means of works

You believe that there is one God. You do well. But the demons also believe, and they tremble greatly

So then, are you willing to understand, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead

Was not our father Abraham justified by means of works, by offering his son Isaac upon the altar

Do you see that faith was cooperating with his works, and that by means of works faith was brought to fulfillment

And so the Scripture was fulfilled which says:

\”Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.\” And so he was called the friend of God

Do you see that a man is justified by means of works, and not by faith alone

Similarly also, Rahab, the harlot, was she not justified by works, by receiving the messengers and sending them out through another way

Don’t be fooled; For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead

The Great Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe

The Great Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe.

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“Christ, has dominion over all creatures, a dominion not seized by violence nor usurped but His,
by essence and by nature.”
(St Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church). 

\”The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”

\”Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”

\”Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

\”Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.”

\”Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23: 35 – 43).

Sunday November 20th 2022 is the  Solemnity of Jesus Christ King of the Universe.

Our God and Father anointed our Lord Jesus Christ, with the oil of gladness as eternal Priest and King of all creation. (Preface of the Mass)

Jesus said to Pilate: “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 

Pilate was puzzled about the meaning of truth. The Truth was standing before Pilate. Jesus Christ Himself. He is the Ruler of an eternal and universal kingdom,
a kingdom of truth and life,
a kingdom of holiness and grace,
a kingdom of justice, love and peace.

Jesus proclaimed that the truth shall make you free. Where there is truth, there is freedom. Freedom is opposed to slavery as falsehood is opposed to truth.

How do we become truly free and enjoy this heritage of the children of God? Does Christ the King have absolute dominion over your life? Does Jesus reign over your family, health, money, job, etc? It may seem risky and even foolish to surrender everything to Jesus. Pope St John Paul II preaches again and again: \”Do not be afraid. Open the door fully to Jesus.\”
How do I know that this is safe and trustworthy? Simple. Look at the Communion of the Saints. The billions of people who have trusted Jesus with their lives. They are now in Heaven and they are all praying for us and urging us to trust Jesus as they did.

Let us trust Jesus who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen. (Cf Revelation 1:5-8).

\”The riches of My kingdom are for all whom I have redeemed with My own Blood, but it pleases Me to bestow them through My Mother, the Queen and Mediatrix who stood at the foot of My Cross, offering Me and offering herself with Me. Today she reigns with Me in paradise. All that I won for souls from My Father on the altar of the Cross, with My Mother at My side, I will now pour out on souls through her Heart and through her hands. This, too, is the secret of a fruitful priesthood. In every priestly act and in all of life, place your hands in the hands of My Mother and your heart in her Heart.\” (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, January 8, 2008).

Lectionary: 484

Lectionary: 484

Reading 1 

PHIL 1:18B-26 

Brothers and sisters:
As long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is being proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Indeed I shall continue to rejoice,
for I know that this will result in deliverance for me
through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
My eager expectation and hope
is that I shall not be put to shame in any way,
but that with all boldness, now as always,
Christ will be magnified in my body,
whether by life or by death.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.
And this I know with confidence,
that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you
for your progress and joy in the faith,
so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me
when I come to you again.


PS 42:2, 3, 5CDEF 

R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
I went with the throng
and led them in procession to the house of God.
Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving,
with the multitude keeping festival.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.

Alleluia 

MT 11:29AB 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

BE HUMBLE ABOUT YOURSELF & IN LIFE

Alleluia 

MT 11:29AB 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Lectio Divina | Invocation of the Holy Spirit

Saint Antony Mary Claret, Bishop ●

Introduction

Make whatever preparations you need to leave the shadow world behind and encounter the fire of the Spirit and the light of God.

If you have chosen a specific bodily position, adopt it. If you have chosen to prepare the space and the place in some way (perhaps drawing a curtain or lighting a candle), make that preparation.

Eliminate distractions and the possibility of interruption.

Sign of the Cross

We invoke God, in whose name we act and to whom we are about to open ourselves.

In the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen.

Invocation of the Holy Spirit

We invoke the Holy Spirit, who will speak to us and listen in us.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.

And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Act of Contrition

By acknowledging our sinfulness and admitting that by ourselves we can do nothing that is not flawed, we ask God to take the initiative in this encounter.

Have mercy on us, O Lord:

For we have sinned against you.

Show us, O Lord, your mercy:

And grant us your salvation.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

The Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

The Gospel should be read slowly, meditatively, with pauses between sentences or whenever the sense requires it. The aim is not to tell the text to God, who knows it already, but to let God tell it to us. For this, there have to be silences so that what God is telling us can be heard.

When a group is doing Lectio Divina, it is usually best to take turns in reading the words of the Gospel, since for many people speaking will bring the words to mind better than hearing does. But do not let this become a distraction in itself: have a clear order known in advance, and a simple signal for handing over the baton from one person to the next.

Luke 13:10-17

Was it not right to untie this woman\’s bonds on the sabbath day?

One sabbath day Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit that left her enfeebled; she was bent double and quite unable to stand upright. When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are rid of your infirmity’ and he laid his hands on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God.

But the synagogue official was indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, and he addressed the people present. ‘There are six days’ he said ‘when work is to be done. Come and be healed on one of those days and not on the sabbath.’ But the Lord answered him. ‘Hypocrites!’ he said ‘Is there one of you who does not untie his ox or his donkey from the manger on the sabbath and take it out for watering? And this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has held bound these eighteen years – was it not right to untie her bonds on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his adversaries were covered with confusion, and all the people were overjoyed at all the wonders he worked.

Luke 13:10-17

Hanc filiam Abrahæ non oportuit solvi a vinculo die sabbati?

In illo témpore:

Erat Iesus docens in una synagogárum sábbatis. Et ecce múlier, quæ habébat spíritum infirmitátis annis decem et octo et erat inclináta nec omníno póterat sursum respícere.

Quam cum vidísset Iesus, vocávit et ait illi: «Múlier, dimíssa es ab infirmitáte tua», et impósuit illi manus; et conféstim erécta est et glorificábat Deum.

Respóndens autem archisynagógus, indígnans quia sábbato curásset Iesus, dicébat turbæ: «Sex dies sunt, in quibus opórtet operári; in his ergo veníte et curámini et non in die sábbati».

Respóndit autem ad illum Dóminus et dixit: «Hypócritæ, unusquísque vestrum sábbato non solvit bovem suum aut ásinum a præsépio et ducit adaquáre? Hanc autem fíliam Abrahæ, quam alligávit Sátanas ecce decem et octo annis, non opórtuit solvi a vínculo isto die sábbati?».

Et cum hæc díceret, erubescébant omnes adversárii eius, et omnis pópulus gaudébat in univérsis, quæ glorióse fiébant ab eo.

________

The Response

Meditatio (reflection)

What does the Gospel say to me?

God has willed me to be here, now, today, for a reason. Now is the time to reflect, and find that reason, and hear what God has chosen to tell me.

A good pattern is this:

– What has drawn my attention or struck me in some way?

– Why? Was it a person? A word? A situation? A gesture?

– What, therefore, is God saying to me through these words, here and now, today?

The “I” and the “me” are important. To say “we” or “us” is to evade the encounter by softening the focus and hiding behind membership of a group. The meeting with Jesus is face to face, one to one.

The shared echo

When several people are doing Lectio together, especially if they do so regularly, then there is the opportunity for each person to share the words that have had the most impact in today’s passage, or the message it has conveyed.

There is no obligation to share an echo, and some members may take many meetings before sharing one, or may even never do so.

An echo is what struck me – not “you” or “us”. It is not a mini-sermon or a carefully crafted uplifting thought. Echoes do not have echoes. The sharing of echoes and the listening to echoes are not a discussion aiming at a conclusion, but the opening of one heart to another.

The experience of sharing echoes brings the group closer together. Over time, its power grows.

Oratio (prayer)

God has spoken to me. What do I reply?

Silently, each of us responds to what God has said to him through the passage we have read and even through the echoes we have heard.

As a matter of human practicality, one person should be responsible for deciding the time taken for silent prayer. Even better, a timer or hourglass can be used. Otherwise “Are we nearly there yet?” can be a potent distraction.

Contemplatio (contemplation)

Sometimes we may be led beyond prayer into a quiet and attentive resting in the presence of God.

Conclusion

We prepare to return to the everyday world, carrying with us what we have received in our minds and our hearts today.

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.

________

May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.