Tag: evangelio del dia

Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (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.”

Jesus tells the disciples to be vigilant for the coming of the Son of Man. In the first reading, Saint Paul in his Letter to the Thessalonians echoes the Lord’s words: “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all . . . so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.” Today’s readings speak to the importance of vigilance and faithful stewardship in relation to the Second Coming and final judgment of Christ.

Father in heaven, help me remember to return to you throughout the day in awareness of your presence. Give me the grace to be vigilant today and every day of the coming of your Son. Help me live out each day with a sense of urgency, faithfully taking responsibility for your gifts and living in accordance with your will. Bless me with your care, and make me an instrument of your love and mercy.

From the responsorial psalm: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!”

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.

Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 23:27-32)

Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.”

Jesus judges incisively the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, yet the Son of God is the Just Judge. The words Jesus chooses to address the Pharisees likens them to tombs and what is inside them. He describes the ghastly appearance of death, the death of those who live a life of whitewashed appearances, a life of feigned holiness. “Thus you bear witness against yourselves,” Jesus tells them, “that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets.” But as the responsorial psalm makes clear, there is nothing hidden that God cannot see: “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall hide me, and night shall be my light’–For you darkness itself is not dark, and night shines as the day.”

God, help me understand the relevance of today’s Gospel. Your word is at work in me now, as Saint Paul says, yet I often choose to put on appearances and be on guard to uphold my self-image, the edifice I have built and shore up for the sake of others. Jesus cuts deep only to heal when he calls out arrogance and hypocrisy for the spiritual decay that results: “full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.” Give me the grace to abandon what is futile and foolish and do what is pleasing to you. Help me see that in the light of your presence there is no place to hide. Teach me, God, to love you, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.

From the first reading: “And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.”

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.

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 6:17-29)

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.

In today’s Gospel, Mark relates the story of John the Baptist’s execution by Herod. The forerunner, the herald of Jesus’ ministry, is beheaded for preaching repentance and baptism. As Herod throws a party for himself on his birthday, Herodias’s daughter dances for him and his guests. “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you,” Herod tells her after she dances. “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” Prompted by her mother, Herodias’s daughter asks for the head of John the Baptist, and she and Herodias get what they ask for. As the one who prepares the way of Jesus, John suffers in prison and dies a martyr’s death in a baptism of blood.

God, help me be ready when courage is needed to uphold my faith and commit to proclaiming the truth. John’s life and death were marked by decreasing so that your Son might increase, a precursor to Jesus who prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah. Help me recognize in John’s martyrdom the absolute dedication of his mission, and give me the grace to put aside my own sense of propriety and be a bold witness to Christ, who is truth itself.

From the responsorial psalm: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Saint John the Baptist, 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.

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 16:13-20)

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.”

In today’s Gospel, Peter confesses the identity of Jesus as the Son of God when few others recognized that. Among the disciples, he spoke in response to Jesus’ question “But who do you say that I am?” Jesus affirms Peter’s declaration, acknowledging that this revelation did not come from human knowledge but from God the Father. Jesus then bestows a significant blessing on Peter as the rock on which the Church is built and the one who has unique authority over it. All of that follows in the emergence of the Church stems from God’s divine revelation to Peter.

God, help me recognize the authority given to Peter in the moment Jesus speaks to him. It continues to this day in apostolic succession throughout the ages, starting from Peter and continuing unbroken to Pope Francis. This authority to bind and loose, given to Peter by your Son, is understood as the power to make authoritative decisions and judgments in matters of faith and morals within the Church. Help me be obedient to the teachings of the Church, fully recognizing its divine origins and trusting in the guidance of Pope Francis and the bishops whose vocation is to live in your love and continually answer Jesus’ question “But who do you say that I am?”

From the responsorial psalm: “I will give thanks to your name, because of your kindness and your truth: When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me.”

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.

Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (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.”

Jesus, who came to fulfill and not to abolish the law and the prophets, says of the scribes and Pharisees: “Do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you.” But as for the burdens they place on others and their self-righteousness, Jesus also says: “Do not follow their example.” At the end of today’s Gospel, Jesus’ message to the crowds and to the disciples is unequivocal: “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

God, keep me from the temptation to seek honor and titles that draw attention to myself. Help me refuse to be led by pride, which tempts me to put myself first above others. Jesus calls his disciples to embrace humility and recognize their dependence on you and their need for your grace. Help me do the same, examining my attitudes and motives, and able to prioritize serving and uplifting others rather than seeking personal gain or recognition.

From the responsorial psalm: “Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored.” Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths!

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.

Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 23:13-22)

Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees: “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.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues his rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees, focusing on their hypocrisy and their distortion of religious practices. Certain aspects of their teachings are exaggerated while at the same time they restrict others from access to God’s kingdom. Jesus exposes their manipulation of oaths, where they prioritize material possessions over the sacredness of the sanctuary itself. Jesus calls out their distorted priorities and their failure to grasp the true significance of prayer and worship.

God, help me distinguish between creature and creator, between what is for use in this world and what is of you. Keep me from prioritizing the things of this world, things that in themselves are good but meant to occupy only a limited space—money, material goods, food, pleasure, entertainment—to name a few. Give me the grace to make distinctions that keep me in your presence. Teach me to be compassionate and loving in fidelity to you. Through your grace, let me be a temple of the Holy Spirit, making my being a place fit for the dwelling your Spirit.

From the Gospel acclamation: “My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” Saint Augustine, 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 Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 22:34-40)

A scholar of the law, tested Jesus 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.”

Following his encounter with Sadducees concerning the resurrection of the dead, Jesus is approached by the Pharisees. In his response to one of the Pharisees, Jesus lays out his entire moral groundwork, building on teachings from the Old Testament and offering guiding principles for his Church on earth. “The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments,” Jesus tells the scholar of the law. Where does a genuine relationship with God lead? The first commandment frees us from strict, legalistic observance to do the second. Jesus challenges us to cultivate a deep love for God and in turn to express that love through acts of compassion, mercy, and justice toward others.

God, help me today to dwell on what it means to love others as I love myself. I know very well how to take care of myself with all the perks and self-pampering. And if I am attentive, I know that means putting myself and my needs behind the needs of others. Help me, Lord, increase my love for you and in that show greater compassion, mercy, and love to others. Give me the grace to free myself from anything that keeps me from loving you with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind.

From the responsorial psalm: “The LORD keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free.”

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.

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 1:45-51)

“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.”

In today’s Gospel, John describes Jesus’ first encounter with Bartholomew, traditionally identified with Nathaniel. Philip tells Nathaniel that he has found the Messiah. Nathaniel’s skeptical reply is “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” And then as Jesus sees him, Nathaniel witnesses a miracle. In response to Nathaniel, Jesus says, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathaniel asks Jesus, “How do you know me?” Jesus tells him that before Philip called him, he saw Nathaniel under the fig tree. Nathaniel answers with a beautiful confession of faith, and Jesus tells him: “You will see greater things than this. . . . You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Lord, just as Nathaniel witnessed firsthand the intimate knowledge Jesus had of him—“How do you know me?”—you know me also and desire for me to be a witness of the extraordinary. You reveal to John in the first reading a radiant glimpse of your glory to come, the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, gleaming with your splendor. Yet, today is just another so-called ordinary day. Help me, Lord, recognize your divinity just as Nathaniel came to see Jesus, the Son of Joseph from Nazareth, for who he truly is, the Son of God, the King of Israel, the one whose dominion endures through all generations.

From the responsorial psalm: “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.” Saint Bartholomew, apostle of Christ, 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.

Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (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.'”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes to the disciples the Kingdom of heaven through the Parable of the Landowner. In the parable, the landowner goes out at dawn, at nine o’clock, at noon, and at three o’clock to look for laborers for his vineyard. At the end of the day, when being paid, the workers who were hired early in the morning grumble, feeling that they should have received more for their longer hours of work. But all receive the same wage they had agreed on. Just as the landowner goes out looking for laborers, God goes out between those hours—at all hours of the day—to bring to himself anyone who would hear his call. God’s love and blessings are freely given to all who respond to him.

God, your generosity is overflowing and unfathomable. Jesus says in the parable the words of the landowner: “Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?” You give to those who call out idly to you the same love as those who arise at dawn each day to praise your name. Lord, when I ask to offer the day’s works, joys, and sufferings, you hear and give me ample opportunity to see you in them. Thank you, Lord; make yourself know to me today. Come to me early and often so that I can hear your call to work in your vineyard.

From the responsorial psalm: “O LORD, in your strength the king is glad; in your victory how greatly he rejoices! You have granted him his heart’s desire; you refused not the wish of his lips.”

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.

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (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.”

Having just spoken to the wealthy young man, Jesus then turns to his disciples and tells them how hard it is for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Peter tells Jesus that they have given up everything to follow him. “What will there be for us?” he asks Jesus. To Peter and the disciples Jesus says that when he sits on his throne of glory in the world to come, they also will sit on twelve thrones. To anyone who detaches from the things of this world and selflessly follows him, Jesus says they “will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.”

God, help me understand the words of Jesus. Being a disciple means putting myself behind others in a life dedicated to service for the sake of your name. What is impossible for me you make possible from your very being, the source of all good. Help me put in right relationship to you the things of this world. Rather than seeking to attain as much as I believe I need in a given week or month or year, instead teach me to trust you for what I need. Help me see the actual value of wealth and material possessions so that I can use them justly for the good of all.

From the responsorial psalm: “I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people, and to his faithful ones, and to those who put in him their hope.” Mary, Queen assumed into heaven, 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.