Jesus Heals Many

AUGUST 31, 2022, WEDNESDAY

Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 433

Reading 1

1 COR 3:1-9

Brothers and sisters, 

I could not talk to you as spiritual people,

but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ.

I fed you milk, not solid food,

because you were unable to take it.

Indeed, you are still not able, even now,

for you are still of the flesh.

While there is jealousy and rivalry among you,

are you not of the flesh, and walking 

according to the manner of man?

Whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another,

“I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely men?

What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul?

Ministers through whom you became believers,

just as the Lord assigned each one.

I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth.

Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything,

but only God, who causes the growth.

He who plants and he who waters are one,

and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor.

For we are God’s co-workers; 

you are God’s field, God’s building.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 33:12-13, 14-15, 20-21

R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.

From heaven the LORD looks down;

he sees all mankind.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

From his fixed throne he beholds

all who dwell on the earth,

He who fashioned the heart of each,

he who knows all their works.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Our soul waits for the LORD,

who is our help and our shield,

For in him our hearts rejoice;

in his holy name we trust.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

 

Alleluia

LK 4:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor

and to proclaim liberty to captives.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

LK 4:38-44

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.

Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever,

and they interceded with him about her.

He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.

She got up immediately and waited on them.

At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases

brought them to him.

He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.

And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.”

But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak

because they knew that he was the Christ.

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.

The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,

they tried to prevent him from leaving them.

But he said to them, “To the other towns also

I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,

because for this purpose I have been sent.”

And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Jesus’ ministry of healing and liberation continues. Sickness is part of the human condition. In response to the intercession of others, Peter’s mother-in-law is healed of her fever. Restored to health, she is the first woman who serves him in his public ministry.

PRAYER:

Health is such a priceless gift, Lord. When I am well may I use this gift it in the service of others. Lord, today I bring to you the many people who are sick in mind, body or spirit. Lay your healing hands upon them and renew their spirits.

Jesus Drives Out An Impure Spirit

AUGUST 30, 2022, TUESDAY

Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 432

Reading 1

1 COR 2:10B-16

Brothers and sisters:

The Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.

Among men, who knows what pertains to the man

except his spirit that is within?

Similarly, no one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God.

We have not received the spirit of the world

but the Spirit who is from God,

so that we may understand the things freely given us by God.

And we speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom,

but with words taught by the Spirit,

describing spiritual realities in spiritual terms.

Now the natural man does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God,

for to him it is foolishness, and he cannot understand it,

because it is judged spiritually.

The one who is spiritual, however, can judge everything

but is not subject to judgment by anyone.

For “who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to counsel him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13AB, 13CD-14

R. (17) The Lord is just in all his ways.

The LORD is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and of great kindness.

The LORD is good to all

and compassionate toward all his works.

R. The Lord is just in all his ways.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,

and let your faithful ones bless you.

Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom

and speak of your might.

R. The Lord is just in all his ways.

Making known to men your might

and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,

and your dominion endures through all generations.

R. The Lord is just in all his ways.

The LORD is faithful in all his words

and holy in all his works.

The LORD lifts up all who are falling

and raises up all who are bowed down.

R. The Lord is just in all his ways.

 

 

Alleluia

LK 7:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A great prophet has arisen in our midst

and God has visited his people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

LK 4:31-37

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee.

He taught them on the sabbath,

and they were astonished at his teaching

because he spoke with authority.

In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, 

and he cried out in a loud voice,

“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?

Have you come to destroy us?

I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”

Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”

Then the demon threw the man down in front of them

and came out of him without doing him any harm.

They were all amazed and said to one another,

“What is there about his word?

For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits,

and they come out.”

And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

When was the last time somebody made a deep impression on me? What did I do in consequence, how have I grown? I give thanks to God for those who have spoken or acted with authority, bringing truth or meaning to my life.

The evil spirit knew its opposite and saw that it’s time was up; I pray that my presence and values may create a space for good where God’s positive Spirit is present and evident.

PRAYER:

Lord, the people were astounded at hearing you. Let me too be amazed by your words, especially when you reveal the goodness of your Father towards me. Jolt me from my dullness. Let me experience your disturbing freshness, your vision of how we should live. May your promises of eternal life give me energy and joy, no matter how difficult my life may be right now.

Beheading of John The Baptist (MEMORIAL - C)

AUGUST 29, 2022, MONDAY

MEMORIAL OF THE PASSION OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST, MARTYR (Red)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 431/634

Reading 1

1 Cor 2:1-5

When I came to you, brothers and sisters,

proclaiming the mystery of God,

I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you

except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,

and my message and my proclamation

were not with persuasive words of wisdom,

but with a demonstration of spirit and power,

so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom

but on the power of God.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102

R. (97) Lord, I love your commands.

How I love your law, O LORD!

It is my meditation all the day.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

Your command has made me wiser than my enemies,

for it is ever with me.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

I have more understanding than all my teachers

when your decrees are my meditation.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

I have more discernment than the elders,

because I observe your precepts.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

From every evil way I withhold my feet,

that I may keep your words.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

From your ordinances I turn not away,

for you have instructed me.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

Alleluia

Mt 5:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 6:17-29

Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison

on account of Herodias,

the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.

John had said to Herod,

“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Herodias harbored a grudge against him

and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.

Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,

and kept him in custody.

When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,

yet he liked to listen to him.

She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,

gave a banquet for his courtiers,

his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.

Herodias’ own daughter came in

and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.

The king said to the girl,

“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”

He even swore many things to her,

“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,

even to half of my kingdom.”

She went out and said to her mother,

“What shall I ask for?”

She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”

The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,

“I want you to give me at once

on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

The king was deeply distressed,

but because of his oaths and the guests

he did not wish to break his word to her.

So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders

to bring back his head.

He went off and beheaded him in the prison.

He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.

The girl in turn gave it to her mother.

When his disciples heard about it,

they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

John’s death led his disciples to Jesus. When all seemed lost, they risked their lives in a final act of love to reclaim his body, and then “they went and told Jesus”. Let us realise that the darkest hour often heralds the dawn.

Herod’s generous promise was not balanced by wisdom and justice. I pray for people whose lives are out of balance and who have lost sight of their true good. I call to mind those who suffer injustice because of the pride of others and allow God to tell me what I might do, how I might pray.

PRAYER:

Lord, strengthen my weak heart so that I may truly witness to your values.

Go And Take The Lowest Place

AUGUST 28, 2022, SUNDAY

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Green)

FEAST OF SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 126

Reading 1

Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

My child, conduct your affairs with humility,

 and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.

 Humble yourself the more, the greater you are,

 and you will find favor with God.

 What is too sublime for you, seek not,

 into things beyond your strength search not.

 The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs,

 and an attentive ear is the joy of the wise.

 Water quenches a flaming fire,

 and alms atone for sins.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11

R. (cf. 11b)  God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

The just rejoice and exult before God;

they are glad and rejoice.

Sing to God, chant praise to his name;

whose name is the LORD.

R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

The father of orphans and the defender of widows

is God in his holy dwelling.

God gives a home to the forsaken;

he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.

R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;

you restored the land when it languished;

your flock settled in it;

in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.

R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

Reading 2

Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a

Brothers and sisters:

You have not approached that which could be touched

and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness

and storm and a trumpet blast

and a voice speaking words such that those who heard

begged that no message be further addressed to them.

No, you have approached Mount Zion

and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,

and countless angels in festal gathering,

and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,

and God the judge of all,

and the spirits of the just made perfect,

and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,

and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.

Alleluia

Mt 11:29ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord,

and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 14:1, 7-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine

at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,

and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited,

noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.

"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,

do not recline at table in the place of honor.

A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,

and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,

'Give your place to this man,'

and then you would proceed with embarrassment

to take the lowest place.

Rather, when you are invited,

go and take the lowest place

so that when the host comes to you he may say,

'My friend, move up to a higher position.'

Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.

For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,

but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Then he said to the host who invited him,

"When you hold a lunch or a dinner,

do not invite your friends or your brothers

or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,

in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.

Rather, when you hold a banquet,

invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;

blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.

For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

We live in a world that has many honour lists, where positions of importance can be sought and cherished, where the temptation to popularity has much scope. The value system that has much prominence is at variance with that of Jesus who was meek and humble of heart. Jesus gave some practical advice about accepting invitations. Lord, you invite us to your table and ask us to live in the truth of who you are and who we are, for that is humility. We pray for hearts that serve without counting the cost or of looking for rewards.

We like a humble person. In Jesus we see the humility of the one who knew who he was - loved by the Father - and on earth to serve others. He is among us as one who serves, the one who sees the needs of his people and does his best to meet them. In word and action he served us in love - even onto death.  

PRAYER:

Lord, if I am happy in my own skin, I'll be good company for whoever is beside me. I do not ask to make an entrance like a celebrity, nor do I want to be overlooked completely. Give me contentment and an eye for the needs of whoever sits by me.

Parable of the Bags of Gold

AUGUST 27, 2022, SATURDAY

MEMORIAL OF SAINT MONICA, MARRIED WOMAN (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 430

Reading 1

1 Cor 1:26-31

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.

Not many of you were wise by human standards,

not many were powerful,

not many were of noble birth.

Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,

and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,

and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,

those who count for nothing,

to reduce to nothing those who are something,

so that no human being might boast before God.

It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,

who became for us wisdom from God,

as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,

so that, as it is written,

Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 33:12-13, 18-19, 20-21

R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.

From heaven the LORD looks down;

he sees all mankind.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,

upon those who hope for his kindness,

To deliver them from death

and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Our soul waits for the LORD,

who is our help and our shield,

For in him our hearts rejoice;

in his holy name we trust.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Alleluia

Jn 13:34

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I give you a new commandment:

love one another as I have loved you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable:

"A man going on a journey

called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.

To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–

to each according to his ability.

Then he went away.

Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,

and made another five.

Likewise, the one who received two made another two.

But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground

and buried his master's money.

After a long time

the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.

The one who had received five talents

came forward bringing the additional five.

He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents.

See, I have made five more.'

His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Since you were faithful in small matters,

I will give you great responsibilities.

Come, share your master's joy.'

Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,

'Master, you gave me two talents.

See, I have made two more.'

His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Since you were faithful in small matters,

I will give you great responsibilities.

Come, share your master's joy.'

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,

'Master, I knew you were a demanding person,

harvesting where you did not plant

and gathering where you did not scatter;

so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.

Here it is back.'

His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant!

So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant

and gather where I did not scatter?

Should you not then have put my money in the bank

so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?

Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.

For to everyone who has,

more will be given and he will grow rich;

but from the one who has not,

even what he has will be taken away.

And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,

where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"

GOSPEL REFLECTION: 

This parable is more than an exhortation to use well our qualities. It is about the Kingdom, which is entrusted to us as the Master leaves for a long journey. When he returns, he expects his servants to have put to work the riches he had entrusted to them. The first two risked and doubled what they had been given. They were praised for their commitment to their master, to the Kingdom. The third servant, who was afraid of the master, lost even the one talent he had.

I believe the main focus of today’s gospel is to make the most of our talents. Take some quiet moments to list down all your talents and skills. Among those you have listed, which talents/skills give you joy? If I may, those talents/skills would be when I have used them to address the needs of people around me. Thank God for that opportunity to bear much fruits in life.

PRAYER:

Fulfilling God’s will takes a different shape for each of us as our blessings and situations vary. I pray that I become neither vain not despairing, but am able to be fully alive to every opportunity that presents itself.

Parable Of The Ten Virgins

AUGUST 26, 2022, FRIDAY

Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 429

Reading 1

1 COR 1:17-25

Brothers and sisters:

Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel,

and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,

so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

For it is written:

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the learning of the learned I will set aside.

Where is the wise one?

Where is the scribe?

Where is the debater of this age?

Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?

For since in the wisdom of God

the world did not come to know God through wisdom,

it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation

to save those who have faith.

For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,

but we proclaim Christ crucified,

a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,

Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,

and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11

R. (5) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Exult, you just, in the LORD;

praise from the upright is fitting.

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;

with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

For upright is the word of the LORD,

and all his works are trustworthy.

He loves justice and right;

of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;

he foils the designs of peoples.

But the plan of the LORD stands forever;

the design of his heart, through all generations.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

 

Alleluia

LUKE 21:36

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Be vigilant at all times and pray,

that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

MT 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable:

“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins

who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 

Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 

The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,

brought no oil with them,

but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 

Since the bridegroom was long delayed,

they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight, there was a cry,

‘Behold, the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him!’ 

Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 

The foolish ones said to the wise,

‘Give us some of your oil,

for our lamps are going out.’ 

But the wise ones replied,

‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you.

Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ 

While they went off to buy it,

the bridegroom came

and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. 

Then the door was locked.

Afterwards the other virgins came and said,

‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ 

But he said in reply,

‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 

Therefore, stay awake,

for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

This is a parable that can be undone by focusing on what seems like "selfishness" in the prepared bridesmaids. I need to ask the help of the Holy Spirit who inspired Jesus to speak in this way to help me to listen and humbly to learn.

Jesus tells us that there is a right time and a time when it will be too late. I ask God's help that I may realise what it is I might do now, how I might recognise the approaching bridegroom and welcome him.

PRAYER:

I grow in relationship with God in my prayer. God sees my desire to seek out these times of prayer and recognises what is in my heart. In these quiet moments I come to know God and to know myself in relation to God. Help me, Lord, not to wait for some far-off day when things are quieter or better, but to respond now to your invitation to receive love, hope and life.

Stay Awake!

AUGUST 25, 2022, THURSDAY

Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

Optional Memorial of Saint Louis, King and Saint Joseph Calasanz, Priest (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 428

Reading 1

1 COR 1:1-9

Paul, called to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

and Sosthenes our brother,

to the Church of God that is in Corinth,

to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy,

with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

their Lord and ours.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God always on your account

for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,

that in him you were enriched in every way,

with all discourse and all knowledge,

as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,

so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift

as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He will keep you firm to the end,

irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is faithful,

and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R.  (1) I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Every day will I bless you,

and I will praise your name forever and ever.

Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;

his greatness is unsearchable.

R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Generation after generation praises your works

and proclaims your might.

They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty

and tell of your wondrous works.

R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds

and declare your greatness.

They publish the fame of your abundant goodness

and joyfully sing of your justice.

R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Alleluia

MT 24:42A, 44

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Stay awake!  

For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

MT 24:42-51

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Stay awake!

For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.

Be sure of this: 

if the master of the house

had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,

he would have stayed awake

and not let his house be broken into.

So too, you also must be prepared,

for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant,

whom the master has put in charge of his household

to distribute to them their food at the proper time?

Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so.

Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property.

But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is long delayed,’

and begins to beat his fellow servants,

and eat and drink with drunkards,

the servant’s master will come on an unexpected day

and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely

and assign him a place with the hypocrites,

where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION: 

We face an ongoing temptation to jog along in the present, as if there were no significant changes to be made in our lifestyles. We can get comfortable about the way things are, or upset and cynical about the poor state of the world, but do we do anything to make it better? Jesus urges us to take the longer view; to believe that God is in charge of human history and wants us to play our part in bringing it to completion. We are to be ‘faithful and wise’ and live as if the Son of Man were just about to come.

PRAYER:

‘Every moment and every event in every person’s life plants something in their soul.’ Lord, You are busily at work in my life, so help me catch on and respond. AMEN.

Come and See

AUGUST 24, 2022, WEDNESDAY
FEAST OF SAINT BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLE (Red)
CYCLE C- YEAR II
Lectionary: 629

Reading I
Rv 21:9b-14

The angel spoke to me, saying,

“Come here.

I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain

and showed me the holy city Jerusalem

coming down out of heaven from God.

It gleamed with the splendor of God.

Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,

like jasper, clear as crystal.

It had a massive, high wall,

with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed

and on which names were inscribed,

the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

There were three gates facing east,

three north, three south, and three west.

The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,

on which were inscribed the twelve names

of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

Responsorial Psalm
145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18

R.    (12)  Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,

    and let your faithful ones bless you.

Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom

    and speak of your might.

R.    Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

Making known to men your might

    and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,

    and your dominion endures through all generations.

R.    Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

The LORD is just in all his ways

    and holy in all his works.

The LORD is near to all who call upon him,

    to all who call upon him in truth.

R.    Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

Alleluia
Jn 1:49b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Rabbi, you are the Son of God;

you are the King of Israel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 1:45-51

Philip found Nathanael and told him,

“We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,

and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”

But Nathanael said to him,

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,

“Here is a true child of Israel.

There is no duplicity in him.”

Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” 

Jesus answered and said to him,

“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”

Nathanael answered him,

“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

Jesus answered and said to him,

“Do you believe

because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?

You will see greater things than this.”

And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,

you will see heaven opened and the angels of God

ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Has somebody ever really seen your personal life deeply and in a way that confirmed the best in you, while understanding the worst? Does such intimate knowledge by another build you up or threaten you? Could you allow Jesus to look at your life and your behavior in all its forms, both good and bad?

PRAYER:

‘Lord, grant me an inner knowledge of yourself that sets me on fire with a desire to share you with others. Even if I can’t mention your name, let me always try to be good news to those I meet’

Jesus Calls The Pharisees Blind Guides

AUGUST 23, 2022, TUESDAY

Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF SAINT ROSE OF LIMA, VIRGIN (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 426

Reading 1

2 THES 2:1-3A, 14-17

We ask you, brothers and sisters,

with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

and our assembling with him,

not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly,

or to be alarmed either by a “spirit,” or by an oral statement,

or by a letter allegedly from us

to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.

Let no one deceive you in any way.

To this end he has also called you through our Gospel

to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm

and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught,

either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,

who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement

and good hope through his grace,

encourage your hearts and strengthen them

in every good deed and word.

 

Responsorial Psalm

PS 96:10, 11-12, 13

R. (13b) The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Say among the nations: The LORD is king.

He has made the world firm, not to be moved;

he governs the peoples with equity.

R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;

let the sea and what fills it resound;

let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!

Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.

R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Before the LORD, for he comes;

for he comes to rule the earth.

He shall rule the world with justice

and the peoples with his constancy.

R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.

 

 

Alleluia

HEBREWS 4:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The word of God is living and effective,

able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

MT 23:23-26

Jesus said:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,

and have neglected the weightier things of the law:

judgment and mercy and fidelity.

But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.

Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,

but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.

Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,

so that the outside also may be clean.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Jesus follows on from yesterday’s reading by reprimanding the scribes and Pharisees for their way of life. They are self-satisfied, and think that they are above the law. They look good from the outside but have neglected the deeper things. They tithe only worldly goods and not the things of the heart like justice, mercy and compassion.

The scribes and Pharisees stand for religious leaders who are obsessed with rules and regulations but miss out on justice, mercy and faith, and on the great commandment of love. They use religion to control people, and worse still, to try to control God.

PRAYER:

Lord, please clean the inside of my cup, so that my heart may be filled with your love and your grace. In my daily examen make me aware of the subtle ways in which I can spoil what you are trying to do through me. At the end of my life may I be able to say, not that ‘I did it my way’ but that I did it your way!

Seven Woes on The Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees

AUGUST 22, 2022, MONDAY

MEMORIAL OF THE QUEENSHIP OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 425

Reading 1

2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the Church of the Thessalonians

in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

grace to you and peace from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters,

as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more,

and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater.

Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God

regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions

and the afflictions you endure.

This is evidence of the just judgment of God,

so that you may be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God

for which you are suffering.

We always pray for you,

that our God may make you worthy of his calling

and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose

and every effort of faith,

that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,

and you in him,

in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 4-5

R. (3) Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all you lands.

Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Announce his salvation, day after day.

Tell his glory among the nations;

among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;

awesome is he, beyond all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,

but the LORD made the heavens.

R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Alleluia

Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;

I know them, and they follow me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 23:13-22

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.

You do not enter yourselves,

nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

You traverse sea and land to make one convert,

and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna

twice as much as yourselves.

"Woe to you, blind guides, who say,

'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing,

but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.'

Blind fools, which is greater, the gold,

or the temple that made the gold sacred?

And you say, 'If one swears by the altar, it means nothing,

but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.'

You blind ones, which is greater, the gift,

or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it;

one who swears by the temple swears by it

and by him who dwells in it;

one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God

and by him who is seated on it."

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Jesus condemns the Pharisees for speaking about what is unknown to them; he was referring, of course, to what was in their hearts, not in their knowledgeable minds. There would be much silence if people spoke only about what they knew about! When it comes to faith, many people speak about what is in their heads. The silent work of God in my prayer defies explanation and suggests discretion - but can I give witness to the working of God in my heart? I don’t want to be like the Pharisees when I speak of faith, letting my head do the talking. I consider how God works in the depth of my being.

Hypocrites were originally actors who wore masks. Thus the term came to mean deceptive persons who pretend to be something that they are not, or those who are ostentatious and pretentious. Jesus tries to strip away all the disguises and facades that we employ. He himself had none: he is open, truthful, genuine, which is why the people loved him “for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:29). 

Lord, how do I come across to others: how genuine am I? I speak about loving others, but do my actions correspond? Do I fuss unnecessarily about details, including, perhaps, rubrics? Am I shallow, unfocussed, waiting for something to happen rather than living out the life of grace to the full? Do I fixate on the flaws of others and de-energise those who are trying their best?

PRAYER:

I pray for the community with which I worship; may we never confuse the beautiful things we have or do with their source, but may we grown together in humble service of God.

The Narrow Door (21st Sunday In Ordinary Time - C)

AUGUST 21, 2022, SUNDAY

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (Green)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 123

Reading 1

Is 66:18-21

Thus says the LORD:

I know their works and their thoughts,

and I come to gather nations of every language;

they shall come and see my glory.

I will set a sign among them;

from them I will send fugitives to the nations:

to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan,

to the distant coastlands

that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory;

and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.

They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations

as an offering to the LORD,

on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries,

to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD,

just as the Israelites bring their offering

to the house of the LORD in clean vessels.

Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 117:1, 2

R.(Mk 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Praise the LORD, all you nations;

glorify him, all you peoples!

R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

or:

R. Alleluia.

For steadfast is his kindness toward us,

and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.

R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Reading 2

Heb 12:5-7, 11-13

Brothers and sisters,

You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:

"My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord

or lose heart when reproved by him;

for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;

he scourges every son he acknowledges."

Endure your trials as "discipline";

God treats you as sons.

For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?

At the time,

all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,

yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness

to those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.

Make straight paths for your feet,

that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.

Alleluia

Jn 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;

no one comes to the Father, except through me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages,

teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.

Someone asked him,

"Lord, will only a few people be saved?"

He answered them,

"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,

for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter

but will not be strong enough.

After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,

then will you stand outside knocking and saying,

'Lord, open the door for us.'

He will say to you in reply,

'I do not know where you are from.

And you will say,

'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'

Then he will say to you,

'I do not know where you are from.

Depart from me, all you evildoers!'

And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth

when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

and all the prophets in the kingdom of God

and you yourselves cast out.

And people will come from the east and the west

and from the north and the south

and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.

For behold, some are last who will be first,

and some are first who will be last."

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ How easy it is to distract ourselves from the real challenges by asking very interesting but ultimately irrelevant questions. Jesus’ reply points to what really matters: ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed’. Am I ready to do what is right, even when it costs?

PRAYER:

I bring my joys and hopes, my anxieties and difficulties, before Jesus in my prayer. I speak to him about them, listening for his voice as I come to know my own life better. My prayer makes it evident ‘where I come from’ – what is important to me.

You Have Only One Master

AUGUST 20, 2022, SATURDAY

Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 424

Reading 1

EZ 43:1-7AB

The angel led me to the gate which faces the east,

and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel

coming from the east.

I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters,

and the earth shone with his glory.

The vision was like that which I had seen

when he came to destroy the city,

and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar.

I fell prone as the glory of the LORD entered the temple

by way of the gate which faces the east,

but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court.

And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the LORD.

Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple,

while the man stood beside me.

The voice said to me: 

Son of man, this is where my throne shall be,

this is where I will set the soles of my feet;

here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (see 10b)  The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

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. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

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. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

The LORD himself will give his benefits;

our land shall yield its increase.

Justice shall walk before him, 

and salvation, along the way of his steps. 

R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

 

 

Alleluia

MT 23:9B, 10B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You have but one Father in heaven;

you have but one master, the Christ.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

MT 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,

“The scribes and the Pharisees

have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.

Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,

but do not follow their example.

For they preach but they do not practice.

They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry

and lay them on people’s shoulders,

but they will not lift a finger to move them.

All their works are performed to be seen.

They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,

greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’

As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’

You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.

Call no one on earth your father;

you have but one Father in heaven.

Do not be called ‘Master’;

you have but one master, the Christ.

The greatest among you must be your servant.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;

but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

The Pharisees get a hard time from Jesus, because he is trying to draw them away from trivialities to something deeper—a dynamic relationship with the living God. Is there anything of the Pharisee in me? Do I live for show, always worried about what others think of me? Am I superficial, flitting from one thing to the next, while ignoring the calls of God in the depth of my heart to something richer and more satisfying?

PRAYER:

Lord, you pick out the manifestations of vanity and self-importance. ‘You are all students’, you say. In the mysterious way that scripture works, I am growing daily in knowledge of God's ways. You, Lord, are my teacher.

The Greatest Commandment

AUGUST 19, 2022, FRIDAY

Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 423

Reading 1

EZ 37:1-14

The hand of the LORD came upon me,

and led me out in the Spirit of the LORD

and set me in the center of the plain,

which was now filled with bones.

He made me walk among the bones in every direction

so that I saw how many they were on the surface of the plain.

How dry they were!

He asked me:

Son of man, can these bones come to life?

I answered, “Lord GOD, you alone know that.”

Then he said to me:

Prophesy over these bones, and say to them:

Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!

Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones:

See! I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life.

I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you,

cover you with skin, and put spirit in you

so that you may come to life and know that I am the LORD.

I prophesied as I had been told,

and even as I was prophesying I heard a noise;

it was a rattling as the bones came together, bone joining bone.

I saw the sinews and the flesh come upon them,

and the skin cover them, but there was no spirit in them.

Then the LORD said to me:

Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man,

and say to the spirit:  Thus says the Lord GOD

From the four winds come, O spirit,

and breathe into these slain that they may come to life.

I prophesied as he told me, and the spirit came into them;

they came alive and stood upright, a vast army.

Then he said to me:

Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.

They have been saying,

“Our bones are dried up,

our hope is lost, and we are cut off.”

Therefore, prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD:

O my people, I will open your graves

and have you rise from them,

and bring you back to the land of Israel.

Then you shall know that I am the LORD,

when I open your graves and have you rise from them,

O my people!

I will put my spirit in you that you may live,

and I will settle you upon your land;

thus you shall know that I am the LORD.

I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 107:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (1)  Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.

Let the redeemed of the LORD say,

those whom he has redeemed from the hand of the foe

And gathered from the lands,

from the east and the west, from the north and the south.

R. Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.

They went astray in the desert wilderness; 

the way to an inhabited city they did not find.

Hungry and thirsty,

their life was wasting away within them.

R. Give thanks to the Lord; his love is 

everlasting.

They cried to the LORD in their distress;

from their straits he rescued them.

And he led them by a direct way

to reach an inhabited city.

R. Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his mercy

and his wondrous deeds to the children of men,

Because he satisfied the longing soul

and filled the hungry soul with good things.

R. Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.

 

 

Alleluia

PS 25:4B, 5A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Teach me your paths, my God,

guide me in your truth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

MT 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,

they gathered together, and one of them,

a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

He said to him,

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,

with all your soul, and with all your mind.

This is the greatest and the first commandment.

The second is like it:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

The gospel today centres the message of Jesus on love; on two loves united in each of us. Love God, love the neighbour - this is the only commandment of Jesus. Without this, all we say we do for him is really done for ourselves. No detail of religious observance is above this law of love. Jesus said this, and lived it in his life. He never allowed the laws of religion overtake the need for love. The message of Jesus is all-embracing and covers all our relationships, both the close relationships of marriage, family and friendship, as well as the call to love the wider world, particularly where the needs are great.

PRAYER:

Strengthen our relationships each other, O Lord! Help us and teach ourselves to be open-minded in our decisions in life.

Parable Of The Wedding Banquet

AUGUST 18, 2022, THURSDAY

Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 422

Reading 1

EZ 36:23-28

Thus says the LORD:

I will prove the holiness of my great name, 

profaned among the nations, 

in whose midst you have profaned it.

Thus the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD,

when in their sight I prove my holiness through you.

For I will take you away from among the nations,

gather you from all the foreign lands,

and bring you back to your own land.

I will sprinkle clean water upon you

to cleanse you from all your impurities,

and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you,

taking from your bodies your stony hearts

and giving you natural hearts.

I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes,

careful to observe my decrees.

You shall live in the land I gave your ancestors;

you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19

R.  (Ezekiel 36:25)  I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins.

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. I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,

and a willing spirit sustain in me.

I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners shall return to you.

R. I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins.

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. I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins.

 

 

Alleluia

PS 95:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

If today you hear his voice,

harden not your hearts.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

MT 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, 

“The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king

who gave a wedding feast for his son.

He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast,

but they refused to come.

A second time he sent other servants, saying,

‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,

my calves and fattened cattle are killed,

and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’

Some ignored the invitation and went away,

one to his farm, another to his business.

The rest laid hold of his servants,

mistreated them, and killed them.

The king was enraged and sent his troops,

destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,

but those who were invited were not worthy to come.

Go out, therefore, into the main roads

and invite to the feast whomever you find.’

The servants went out into the streets

and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,

and the hall was filled with guests.

But when the king came in to meet the guests

he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.

He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it

that you came in here without a wedding garment?’

But he was reduced to silence.

Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,

and cast him into the darkness outside,

where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’

Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

The parable of the wedding in today’s gospel was spoken when Jesus saw that his own people were moving to reject him. The story is symbolic. But the invitation to us is a real one. It is an invitation to aim at the good life. The invitation to the kingdom of heaven is cast wide, yet we are free to say yes or no. No matter how low a stature I seem to have in life, I am welcome. I will shake off the rags of my injustice, my less good self and dress in the clothes of a new, more loving person.

As generous and open-ended as God’s invitation is, it is not to be exploited or taken for granted. For my part I ask God to help me to respond as best I can, to prepare my heart to receive God’s gifts.

PRAYER:

O Lord, how we need your constant invitation to come to you and learn from you. Rid us of our garments of selfishness, our judgemental attitudes, our stubborn hearts and clothe us instead with your garments of salvation.

Parable of the Workers In The Vineyard

AUGUST 17, 2022, WEDNESDAY

Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 421

Reading 1

EZ 34:1-11

The word of the Lord came to me:

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel,

in these words prophesy to them to the shepherds:

Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel

who have been pasturing themselves!

Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep?

You have fed off their milk, worn their wool,

and slaughtered the fatlings,

but the sheep you have not pastured.

You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick

nor bind up the injured.

You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost,

but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally.

So they were scattered for the lack of a shepherd,

and became food for all the wild beasts.

My sheep were scattered

and wandered over all the mountains and high hills;

my sheep were scattered over the whole earth,

with no one to look after them or to search for them.

Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:

As I live, says the Lord GOD,

because my sheep have been given over to pillage,

and because my sheep have become food for every wild beast,

for lack of a shepherd;

because my shepherds did not look after my sheep,

but pastured themselves and did not pasture my sheep;

because of this, shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:

Thus says the Lord GOD:

I swear I am coming against these shepherds.

I will claim my sheep from them

and put a stop to their shepherding my sheep

so that they may no longer pasture themselves.

I will save my sheep, 

that they may no longer be food for their mouths.

For thus says the Lord GOD: 

I myself will look after and tend my sheep.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6

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

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. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

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. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

You spread the table before me

in the sight of my foes;

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

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

Only goodness and kindness will follow me

all the days of my life; 

And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

for years to come.

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

 

Alleluia

HEB 4:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The word of God is living and effective,

able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

MT 20:1-16

Jesus told his disciples this parable:

“The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner

who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.

After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,

he sent them into his vineyard.

Going out about nine o’clock,

he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard,

and I will give you what is just.’

So they went off. 

And he went out again around noon,

and around three o’clock, and did likewise.

Going out about five o’clock,

he found others standing around, and said to them,

‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’

They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’

He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’

When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,

‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay,

beginning with the last and ending with the first.’

When those who had started about five o’clock came,

each received the usual daily wage.

So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,

but each of them also got the usual wage.

And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,

‘These last ones worked only one hour,

and you have made them equal to us,

who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’

He said to one of them in reply,

‘My friend, I am not cheating you.

Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?

Take what is yours and go.

What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?

Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?

Are you envious because I am generous?’

Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION: 

Envy is arguably the most poisonous of the deadly sins. Not only do the envious loathe others for what they have, but they loathe themselves for not having it. We are all co-workers in God’s vineyard. We can each be confident that he will deal not only justly but generously with us.

The vineyard owner, in his mercy, rewarded all equally. Are there times when I selfishly consider myself more deserving than others?

PRAYER:

Forgive us, Lord, for our jealous attitudes. Help us to be grateful for what we have and not to begrudge others any good fortune that comes their way. Help us to be generous in our treatment of others and never think of ourselves as more deserving.

First Will Be Last, And The Last Will Be First

AUGUST 16, 2022, TUESDAY
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time (Green)
FEAST OF SAINT ROCK (ROQUE), HEALER (White)
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 420

Reading 1
EZ 28:1-10

The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man,

say to the prince of Tyre: 

Thus says the Lord GOD:

Because you are haughty of heart,

you say, “A god am I!

I occupy a godly throne

in the heart of the sea!”—

And yet you are a man, and not a god,

however you may think yourself like a god.

Oh yes, you are wiser than Daniel,

there is no secret that is beyond you.

By your wisdom and your intelligence

you have made riches for yourself;

You have put gold and silver

into your treasuries.

By your great wisdom applied to your trading

you have heaped up your riches;

your heart has grown haughty from your riches–

therefore thus says the Lord GOD:

Because you have thought yourself

to have the mind of a god,

Therefore I will bring against you

foreigners, the most barbarous of nations.

They shall draw their swords

against your beauteous wisdom,

they shall run them through your splendid apparel.

They shall thrust you down to the pit, there to die

a bloodied corpse, in the heart of the sea.

Will you then say, “I am a god!”

when you face your murderers?

No, you are man, not a god,

handed over to those who will slay you.

You shall die the death of the uncircumcised

at the hands of foreigners,

for I have spoken, says the Lord GOD.

Responsorial Psalm
DEUTERONOMY 32:26-27AB, 27CD-28, 30, 35CD-36AB

R. (39c)  It is I who deal death and give life.

“I would have said, ‘I will make an end of them

and blot out their name from men’s memories,’

Had I not feared the insolence of their enemies,

feared that these foes would mistakenly boast.”

R. It is I who deal death and give life.

“‘Our own hand won the victory;

the LORD had nothing to do with it.’”

For they are a people devoid of reason,

having no understanding.

R. It is I who deal death and give life.

“How could one man rout a thousand,

or two men put ten thousand to flight,

Unless it was because their Rock sold them

and the LORD delivered them up?”

R. It is I who deal death and give life.

Close at hand is the day of their disaster,

and their doom is rushing upon them!

Surely, the LORD shall do justice for his people;

on his servants he shall have pity.

R. It is I who deal death and give life.

  

Alleluia
2 COR 8:9

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich

So that by his poverty you might become rich.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
MT 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich

to enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Again I say to you,

it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle

than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,

“Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said,

“For men this is impossible,

but for God all things are possible.”

Then Peter said to him in reply,

“We have given up everything and followed you.

What will there be for us?”

Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you

that you who have followed me, in the new age,

when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,

will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,

judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters

or father or mother or children or lands

for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,

and will inherit eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Jesus had failed to separate the rich young man from his wealth. The trouble with possessions is that they can too easily possess us. Jesus calls for radical change in our lives, a change that can seem unattainable. However, he reminds us that, while something may seem impossible for mortals, “for God, all things are possible”.

We must get our priorities right and put Jesus first in our lives. To enter through a narrow gate, a camel must kneel in order for its load to be taken off. We too must surrender all that burdens us and weighs us down. No sacrifice that we make to draw closer to God will go unrewarded.

PRAYER:

Our prayer today, Lord, is that we will not be afraid that you will ask anything of us that we cannot do. Help us to surrender totally to you, trusting that you, and you alone, are all we need.