Tag: evangelio del dia

“The girl is not dead but sleeping.” | Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “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. The Lord is gracious and merciful.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:18-26)

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.

In today’s Gospel, Matthew relates the account of a double miracle Jesus performs. As Jesus is on the way to the synagogue official Jairus’s house, a woman who has been suffering from a bleeding disorder approaches him. Merely touching Jesus’ cloak, she is healed immediately, and Jesus tells her, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” At Jairus’s house, with the father and mother before their daughter, Jesus takes the girl by the hand and with a word raises her from the dead.

God, help me reflect carefully on today’s Gospel so that it will be a means throughout the day of praising you and giving you glory. Let me ponder in reverence and awe what the Gospel acclamation says about the mission of your Son: “Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” Give me the grace to trust in your mercy completely and know that you are with me throughout this day and always.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary?” | Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the Gospel acclamation: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 6:1-6)

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

The Gospel readings for the past week reveal the necessity of faith in encountering Christ. The paralyzed man brought to Jesus is healed immediately. After Thomas sees Jesus with his own eyes, Jesus says to him, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” And in last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter from the dead, saying to Jairus: “Don’t be afraid; just have faith.” In today’s reading, as Jesus encounters his own people—friends, neighbors, and family—Mark tells us that because of their lack of faith, “he was not able to perform any mighty deed there.” The people of Nazareth and its surroundings have discounted Jesus as the Messiah, the same child of Joseph and Mary they watched grow into adulthood. Jesus is amazed at their lack of faith.

God, help me remember and take in the last words from the Gospel: “He was amazed at their lack of faith.” I don’t want to be numbered among those whom Jesus sees in this way. Yet, I often am among them. What does it take, Lord, to recognize that left to my own initiative, I lack faith sufficient for you to work mighty deeds, let alone necessary ones? Despite the revelations and knowledge Saint Paul held, he understood complete dependence on you. “My grace is sufficient for you,” you said to him, “for power is made perfect in weakness.” With the certainty of your grace, Lord, help me keep my eyes fixed on you. “For when I am weak,” as Paul says, “then I am strong.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“New wine into fresh wineskins.” | Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:14-17)

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”

In the first reading from the prophet Amos, the LORD promises to restore Israel. “I will wall up its breaches,” says the LORD, “raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old.” In sending his only-begotten Son, God holds true to his promise. The parable that Jesus shares with the disciples of John makes clear that Jesus is the bridegroom, the Messiah, the fulfillment of the LORD’s promise. When the bridegroom is taken away, Jesus tells them, then his disciples will fast. While present, Jesus is the new way, his presence among them a cause for feasting and celebrating. Just as new wine can’t be contained in old wineskins without bursting them, Jesus as the means of grace, love, and forgiveness requires a new way of thinking and living.

God, just as Jesus taught the disciples through parables, help me understand as I am best able to understand his message and your purpose in sending him. Your grace is superabundant, and nothing is lost in it, as you speak in Amos as the one who will wall up breaches and raise up ruins. To the disciples of John and the Pharisees, Jesus’ mission was radical and revolutionary. At its root is your mercy in the person of Jesus. Grant me the gifts of wisdom and understanding to be able to receive Jesus, to be transformed in receiving your mercy. And let your love be so abundant as to overflow through me into the lives of everyone I encounter today. Saint Maria Goretti, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:1-8)

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Passing by Matthew while he is at work in his daily life, Jesus says to him, “Follow me.” Matthew immediately gets up and follows him, accepting his command. As Jesus meets us every day of our lives, the invitation extends to all of us, even as we miss the mark in words and actions through sin. While at Matthew’s house for dinner, other tax collectors and sinners come to join them. The Pharisees’ comment sets up Jesus for a reply that embraces even their hardness of heart: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” His invitation is for all, his mercy for every one of us. Our response to it makes all the difference. Where is the greatest need today for his healing in our lives?

God, you sent Jesus the divine physician for the sake of sinners. The call to holiness is not limited to a certain people or place or time but is universal. Help me, then, recognize fully that Christ invites me to follow him to receive his mercy; in receiving it, give me the grace and wisdom to see where I may be a means of mercy to others. Take my anxieties of the day, Lord, that prevent me from hearing and doing your will so that I remain in your presence at all times. As Saint Anthony Zaccaria, said: Before starting your activities, offer Jesus a few words of your choosing. Then, during your work often lift up your mind to God. You will benefit much and there will be no detriment to your job.” Saint Anthony Zaccaria, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Which is easier, to say . . .” | Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:1-8)

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

As Jesus encounters a paralyzed man on a stretcher, he sees the faith of those who bring the man to him. The words, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven” trigger some of the scribes, who believe he is blaspheming. Jesus’ response to them makes clear that as the Son of God he heals physical and spiritual illnesses. “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?” As the miracle of the man’s healing takes place, Jesus reveals his compassion and divine authority, inviting all of us to have faith in him as the Son of God who came to restore us to the Father.

From the collect for today’s Mass, celebrating our nation’s birth: “Father of all nations and ages, we recall the day when our country claimed its place among the family of nations; for what has been achieved we give you thanks, for the work that still remains we ask your help, and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation, grant that, under your providence, our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“My Lord and my God!” | Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle

From the responsorial psalm: “Praise the LORD, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 20:24-29)

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

When Jesus first appeared to the disciples, Thomas was not present. Because he didn’t witness Jesus personally, Thomas declares he won’t believe Jesus is risen unless he can see the wounds from the nails and touch Jesus’ side. Thomas holds this conviction for what must have seemed like an eternity. A week later, Jesus appears again to the disciples and offers Thomas the chance to examine his wounds. At this, Thomas makes his great profession of faith. Speaking to all of us who have not witnessed the risen Christ personally and inviting us to broaden and deepen our faith, Jesus then says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Although the doors were locked when Thomas was with the other disciples, Jesus appears to them. In appearing to Thomas and wishing him peace, Jesus meets him where he is in his doubt and fulfills his desire to see and feel the wounds of the risen Christ.

God, strengthen my faith. Jesus is present still through prayer, through the Holy Spirit, in the sacraments of the Church, and in our loving obedience and service to your will. This is the risen Christ, present today. Give me the grace, Lord, to witness this and be a witness of Christ to others. You alone can take the initiative to work with my doubts and grant me the gift of faith. For your name’s sake, Lord, strengthen my faith. Saint Thomas, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Lord, save us! We are perishing!” | Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you. For you, O God, delight not in wickedness; no evil man remains with you; the arrogant may not stand in your sight. Lead me in your justice, Lord.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 8:23-27)

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

In the first reading, through the prophet Amos, the Lord says, “So now I will deal with you in my own way, O Israel! And since I will deal thus with you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel.” In the Gospel, we see the God who has mastery over the forces of nature in the boat with the disciples as a violent storm suddenly comes up. Terrified they will die at sea, they awaken Jesus, who lies asleep in the back of the boat. The cause of the disciples’ fear and the answer to their fear are one in the same: the Lord of sea and sky is with them. He quiets the sea and stills their trembling. As he questions their faith, they question what sort of man this is who commands the winds and the sea. Jesus, true God and true man, is the same one who has the divine authority to quiet any storm that might overtake us. He asks us to have faith in this.

God, help me trust you today as I face its little uncertainties and anything that might overwhelm me with anxiety and fear. Isn’t it enough, Lord, to know that you are with me at all times? Yet, I sometimes fail to call that to mind when I have throughout the day the greatest opportunities to live out complete faith and trust in you. Give me the grace, then, to remember in confidence that you are with me in troubled times and in times of peace. I trust in you, Lord; my soul trusts in your word.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.” | Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Consider this, you who forget God, lest I rend you and there be no one to rescue you. He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” Remember this, you who never think of God.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 8:18-22)

When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

In his reply to his disciples, Jesus establishes two key requirements of true devotion to him. He refers to himself as the Son of God, revealing his divine identity as the King of Kings. It is the true God from true God who puts aside material comforts to be in union with the Father and who invites us to do the same. By saying “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead,” the Incarnate Word rightly places even the most customary obligations beneath the importance of proclaiming the Gospel. For what loving purpose does Jesus ask this of us? As Saint Paul says, “Jesus Christ, though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” It is Jesus Christ who asks us to follow him, and following, to embrace him wholeheartedly with our words and actions.

God, help me hear the words of Jesus from today’s Gospel. What courage is necessary to go to those places with him where comforts are not a given and where customary ways of doing things are put aside in order to hear your voice and proclaim your kingdom? “I will pasture my sheep,” we read in the Communion antiphon, “I myself will give them rest, says the Lord.” Grant me the strength, Lord, to embrace with my whole heart wherever you invite me to follow. Saint Junipero Serra, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.” | Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me; O LORD, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 5:21-43)

When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

In today’s Gospel, Mark relates the account of a double miracle Jesus performs. As Jesus is on the way to the synagogue official Jairus’s house, a woman who has been suffering from a bleeding disorder approaches him. Merely touching Jesus’ cloak, she is healed immediately, and Jesus tells her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” As Jesus speaks to the woman, messengers arrive to inform them that Jairus’s daughter has died. At this, Jesus says to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” With the father and mother before their daughter, Jesus takes her by the hand and with a word raises her from the dead. Having read this account more than once, do we feel utter astonishment as witnesses of these miracles?

God, help me reflect carefully on today’s Gospel so that it will be a means throughout the day of praising you and giving you glory. Jesus heals a woman’s chronic disorder; he raises a girl from the dead. What more can Jesus do to show compassion and to reveal to witnesses that he is the Son of God and is victorious over sin and death? And what do you require, Lord, except faith in the works you have the power and authority to accomplish? Let me ponder in reverence and awe what the Gospel acclamation says about the mission of your Son: “Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” Give me the grace to trust in your mercy completely and know that you are with me, there to heal along the way and at my journey’s destination with the hope of eternal life. Jesus, I trust in you!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

From the responsorial psalm: “The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him. I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 16:13-19)

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

As Jesus asks his disciples who people think he is, they give various answers, but Peter declares Jesus to be the Messiah, the Son of the living God. This realization, Jesus tells Peter, comes not from human understanding but from God. And Jesus declares “you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church” and that it will endure. Finally, Jesus entrusts to Peter the Kingdom of heaven, granting him authority as the head of the Church, our first pope. In the second reading, we hear Paul say, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

God, thank you for the two pillars of the Church, the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul. Thank you for the gift of faith and the promise that the Church will endure forever through the authority with which you entrusted to Peter and the leaders you have called over the ages. Both Peter and Paul suffered and were martyred for the sake of Christ and to spread the Gospel to all nations. By their example, give me the grace to learn from them and grow in faith. At the end of the day at the end of every day, let me say as Paul said, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.