Tag: lectio divina

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.

Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 19:16-22)

“All of these [commandments] I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

A young man approaches Jesus and asks him, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus replies, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good.” By saying this, Jesus teaches the young man that the good to be sought is not a value or a precept or human fabrication but God himself, the only One who is good. Having observed all of God’s commandments, the young man asks what else is missing in order for him to gain eternal life. Hearing this, the young man left Jesus in sadness because he had many possessions. Jesus invites us still to be perfect by giving to the poor and by following him. The treasure of eternal life in heaven is in our response to his call.

God, just as Jesus invited the young man to be perfect, you invite me to follow you perfectly. To follow your commandments and sell what I have and give to the poor is a high standard, which on my own I am certain not to attain. Yet, you are the one good I must strive for; I have nowhere else to go, no other way of life that assures me of eternal life. So I come to you, Lord, to ask you for your grace and hear you say, “Follow me.”

From the Gospel acclamation: “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” God, you alone are good; help me keep to the path of perfection.

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.

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 15:21-28)

Jesus said to the Canaanite woman, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

The Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel is an example of faith and persistence through prayer and petition. This statement may appear harsh, referring to Gentiles as “dogs,” people who were considered outside the Jewish covenant. But despite initial rejection and apparently discouraging responses from Jesus and the disciples, the Canaanite woman perseveres, displaying unwavering trust in Jesus’ ability to help her. And Jesus commends her for it. From that hour, Matthew tells us, the woman’s daughter was healed. Jesus’ response to the woman demonstrates that salvation is not limited to a particular group or ethnicity but is universal. Salvation is for all people.

God, help me come to you with the same perseverance and trust as the Canaanite woman. By calling Jesus the Son of David, the woman acknowledged your Son’s lineage and was aware of the ideological and religious differences between them. But she persisted despite that for the sake of her daughter. For those times when I feel that there is a great gulf between us—when I have doubts or am skeptical of your ability to reach me or others—give me the grace to persist until you bridge the chasm between us. Help me see your activity in my life through prayer, through your word, in the sacraments, and in the Blessed Sacrament as your way of making yourself always available.

From the responsorial psalm: “May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him!” Lord, let your face shine upon 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.

Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 19:13-15)

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

The commitment of the Israelites to the LORD in the first reading echoes in the Gospel passage as the children come willingly to Jesus to be blessed. Just as Joshua and his household commit to serving the LORD, Jesus suggests that the Kingdom of heaven belongs to “such as these,” the ones who come willingly to be blessed by him. Jesus lays his hands on the children and blesses them before he departs. This act of blessing signifies his love and care for children and his his desire for them to experience God’s welcoming embrace and goodness.

God, help me understand today’s Gospel. To remain childlike in faith means to be unafraid of the experiences that life teaches. If Jesus had sent away the children, would they have grown up to be cynical in the presence of holiness and learned to scoff at the alleged goodness of persons? Help me put aside any experiences I have had that prevent me from approaching you with the same complete trust that a child approaches you. Doing this is not to return to a former state of life, an abandonment of an adult understanding of the world and its responsibilities, but to put aside anything that would prevent me from coming to you for every need and to receive your blessing.

From the responsorial psalm: “Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.” Lord, let me come to 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.

Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 19:3-12)

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.”

In today’s readings, God’s mercy throughout the ages is pronounced first by God himself and then by Jesus in the Gospel passage. Speaking through Joshua, God said to the Israelites: “I gave you a land that you had not tilled and cities that you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.” Like the land the Israelites had not tilled and the vineyards they did not plant, the sacrament of marriage is a gift of God to spouses. In the Gospel, Jesus responds to the question posed by the Pharisees by saying that because God made us male and female, a man leaves his mother to be joined to his wife, and the two are made into one flesh. In responding to their question about Mosaic Law, which allowed for divorce, Jesus directs the Pharisees to the original intention of God for marriage, a sacramental gift of his mercy, a sacred bond that reflects the union of Christ and the Church.

God, help me understand the fullness of the gift of the sacrament of marriage. In that covenant is a reflection of the love and unity between Christ and the Church. No human law or authority can dissolve the marriage bond, which you yourself have established. Help me trust in your mercy for the tragedy of marriages that end in divorce. Help me be a witness of hope to those whose marriage has been compromised or debilitated or brought to an end through divorce. Just as you gave the Israelites all they needed as they journeyed to the land of milk and honey, give me what I need for this day to be a witness to your love and mercy.

From the responsorial psalm: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.” Stay with me, Lord; rouse me when I forget 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.

Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 18:21–19:1)

At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.” Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, “Pay back what you owe.” Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.” But he refused.

After Peter approaches Jesus and asks him how often he must forgive others, Jesus tells him not seven times but seventy-seven times. Then Jesus tells Peter the parable of the king settling accounts with his servants. The king, pitying his servant forgives him his debt, but that same servant encounters a fellow servant who owes him, and he refuses to forgive him. In today’s Gospel, Matthew conveys several teachings of Christ relating to forgiveness and mercy. Like the king, God forgives us our debt. By contrast, the threatening demand of the wicked servant—“Pay back what you owe.”—brings to mind grudges that are easily held onto for months and years. What does Jesus say to Peter about this except to forgive your brother from your heart?

God, help me learn at all times to love your merciful heart. Give me the grace I need to let go of grudges, which always result in separation from you. The burden of unforgiveness never fails to prevent me from conforming my heart perfectly to Jesus your Son. But your mercy, Lord, is boundless, and you invite me again and again to imitate you. “Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,” the king asks, “as I had pity on you?” Teach me to have mercy on others without counting the cost; never let it separate me from you.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Let your countenance shine upon your servant and teach me your statutes.” Make me a means of your mercy to others.

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.