Tag: evangelio del dia

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Jn 20:1-2, 11-18)

Jesus said to Mary Magdalene, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her.

Today’s Gospel is profound and places us at the moment of Christ’s resurrection, highlighting its reality and the transformative power it holds. Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus demonstrates the personal and intimate nature of Jesus’ relationship with any of his followers. Despite Mary’s initial confusion, Jesus calls her by name, revealing his identity and establishing a deep connection with her. Mary recognizes Jesus not through physical appearance but by the sound of her name being spoken by him. That is the true recognition of the risen Christ, which comes through personal encounter and a deepening understanding of his presence.

Lord, you appeared to Mary Magdalene after your resurrection. She obeys and becomes the first witness to you, the risen Christ, proclaiming the news to the disciples. Help me learn from her and recognize you in your desire to draw me to you. Just as Jesus entrusts Mary with the task of being a witness to the resurrection, show me how to go and proclaim the Gospel.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Tell us, Mary, what did you see on the way?
I saw the glory of the risen Christ, I saw his empty tomb.” Saint Mary Magdalene, 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 Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 12:1-8)

Jesus said to the Pharisees: I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus responds to the Pharisees, who are critical of his disciples. As they were going through a field of grain on the Sabbath, they became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. The Pharisees accuse Jesus and the disciples of doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath. Jesus challenges the rigidity of the Pharisees in their imposing the Sabbath laws. As Lord of the Sabbath, Lord of all, Jesus emphasizes that the Sabbath was made not to burden or restrict man but to benefit him. “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” Jesus tells them, placing mercy and compassion over strict legalistic observance.

God, help me see and avoid imposing codes of conduct in the same way the Pharisees did and instead be a means to others of your mercy, compassion, and your work on earth. Help me understand that you made all things for our benefit and to accept that with love and reverence for your will. Give me greater understanding of the identity and mission of your Son. Help me recognize his divinity in the Eucharist so that in taking the body and blood of Christ, I become more and more like him.

Lord, help me receive and pass on the mercy you desire for me. From the Gospel acclamation: “My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord, I know them, and they follow 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.

Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11:28-30)

Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Jesus’ words from today’s Gospel are familiar and comforting, and many people —even people of non-Christian faiths—know them. Jesus simply says, “Come to me.” He knows human labor and burdens. He knows that work tires the mind, body, and spirit. So he invites anyone who hears his words to join their burden to his. “Take my yoke,” Jesus says, “and learn from me.” The yoke that Jesus bears is easy, and the burden is light. How does that compare to a yoke and burden borne alone? Jesus is meek and humble, and in humbling ourselves we lighten the awful burden of prideful self-sufficiency.

God, help me today to take upon me the invitation and the yoke of your Son. I am inclined to be driven by accomplishing tasks I deem as important, using the abilities and gifts you have given me. Help me recognize when I am being stubborn and prideful in putting my aims above your will. Give me the grace to remember instead to put on the easy yoke of doing the will of your Son, whose will is in perfect accord with yours. Help me be meek and humble today in all I say and do.

Lord, stay with me today so that I remember to rest in you. Help me call to mind your name, “I am who am,” and that just as you sent Moses, you send me to do your will and be a witness to your love.

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.

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Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11:25-27)

At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives praise to the Father. The spontaneity of his thanksgiving expresses the joy Jesus feels in seeing that what the Father withholds from the wise and the learned what he reveals to the childlike. In acknowledging his Father’s will, Jesus reveals the unique and intimate relationship between himself and the Father. He says that he alone fully knows the Father, and the Father has entrusted all things to him. The Son, in turn, has the authority to reveal the Father to whomever he chooses. To remain childlike in faith is to be open to receiving what Jesus reveals.

God, help me today to exercise childlike faith in your will. The way of assuming I am wise and learned obscures what Jesus has to reveal to me. Give me the grace to stay open to you and supple in recognizing your word and receiving it. By Jesus’ action of opening the way to a relationship with you, I have the means to remain childlike in coming to you and trusting you with all of my needs. Help me also let go of worry that is useless and keeps me from experiencing childlike joy in the gift of this day.

Thank you, Lord, for revealing your presence today in the Eucharist. From the responsorial psalm: “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

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.

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Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11:20-24)

Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reproaches the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their lack of repentance. Despite witnessing his mighty works, they fail to believe in him. His response highlights the seriousness of rejecting his message and is a reminder of the consequences of unbelief. Today’s reading also makes clear the responsibility of people and communities to respond to the message of Jesus and to embrace the gift of salvation he offers. As the Cathechism of the Catholic Church says, “Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent him for our salvation is necessary for obtaining that salvation.” 

God, the words from today’s Gospel were spoken long ago to people in a specific time and place in history. Yet, I want to resist the conclusion that the importance of Jesus’ judgment is relegated to the past. How clearly Jesus calls for repentance, not for the sake of punishment but to draw me to him. The mighty deeds Jesus had done were enough to wake them up and see his divinity. Even more is the burden on me to return to you with my whole heart, believing in his death and resurrection and partaking of his body and blood in the Eucharist. Help me take seriously the words of your Son.

From the Gospel acclamation: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Lord, give me the grace today to hear your voice, repentant and desiring to return to you with my whole heart.

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.

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Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 10:34—11:1)

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Jesus talks to his disciples about the conditions of discipleship and its rewards. Unless we accept what Jesus says as the Son of God, the Word incarnate, his words sound like those of an insane person. “Whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me,” Jesus says. What greater love can a person experience than that of love for a child or love for a mother or father? Jesus goes on to name the conditions of being worthy of him. What Jesus says as the Son of the Father is something only the creator of the universe can say. It is reality spoken into existence. “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” In losing life, God grants life; in taking up his cross, we love all the more as mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. God transforms all loss into all gain.

God, help me trust in the words of your Son. In the mystery and invitation of the Word incarnate, you give me your unconditional love and mercy. You grasp me by the hand. In the psalmists words, I see your majesty and the depth of your mercy through your Son: “We were rescued like a bird  from the fowlers’ snare; Broken was the snare, and we were freed. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Lord, give me the grace to recognize my cross and the strength to follow after you.

Jesus, you said to your Apostles: “And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple–amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” Bring to me today the means to give to one of your little ones a cup of cold water to drink—the one true living presence they thirst for.

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.

https://youtu.be/2W-KSOPWWBY
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Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 13:1-9)

Jesus said to the disciples: “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus shares with the crowds surrounding him the Parable of the Sower. The seed the sower sowed fell on different soil and failed to grow; some seeds fall on the path and are eaten by birds, some fall on rocky ground and wither away, and some fall among thorns and are choked. “But some seed fell on rich soil,” Jesus says, “and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” The seeds represent the word of God, which is sown in the hearts of people. Jesus later explains to the disciples what the parable means. The response to the word varies among its hearers. Some may not understand or accept the word, while others may initially respond but later give way to certain challenges. But some receive the word with understanding and allow it to take root in their hearts. The result is a fruitful and abundant life in Christ.

God, give me strength and perseverance to hear and understand your word, especially when I reject what is contrary to your name and tend toward sin. Give me the grace to strive after all that gives honor and glory to your name. Help me recall the words of Saint Paul from today’s second reading: “For creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.”

Lord, let me call you to mind throughout the day. As Saint Gregory the Great said: “Take care that the seed does not fall beside the way, lest the evil spirit come and take away the word from your memory.” Christ the sower, let the seed you sow take root and bring me to eternal life.

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.

https://youtu.be/2W-KSOPWWBY
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Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 10:24-33)

Jesus said to his Apostles: “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

As he prepares the Apostles for their mission, he offers them encouragement even in the face of persecutors. He tells them: “Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” Just as he begins by telling them not to be afraid, he completes his thought by repeating what he first says: the Father’s eye is upon them and on every part of his precious creation. “So do not be afraid,” Jesus says.

God, help me understand that what Jesus says to the disciples, he says to me. Through the gift of faith you first gave me, I trust that nothing happens to me that you fail to notice. Give me the grace to strengthen my faith in that trust. Help me to be faithful to you in my words and actions. Jesus told the disciples: “What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” Let me be unafraid to make your name known. Saint Bonaventure, pray for us!

From the Gospel acclamation: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you.” Spirit of God, rest upon me today.

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 Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 10:16-23)

Jesus said to his Apostles: “When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

Jesus continues to instruct the Apostles as he prepares to send them out “like sheep in the midst of wolves.” He tells them that they will be handed over to courts and scourged in synagogues, led as witnesses before governors, kings, and pagans for his sake. When they are to be handed over, Jesus reassures them, they are not to worry about what to say but that it will be the Spirit of the Father speaking through them. In the first reading, Jacob responds to God who calls his name. “Here I am,” Jacob says. God says to him: “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation.” Just as God made of Jacob a great nation, through his Son he prepares the apostles and every believer for challenges and opposition in carrying out his mission.

God, help me realize that in interacting with others as I proclaim your kingdom—even in speaking your name—that I may face contempt and rejection. I am often hesitant when the opportunity comes and fail to find words. Give me the grace to be, as Jesus says, shrewd as a serpent and as simple as a dove. Teach me to put aside any worry and trust that it is you speaking through me when the moment comes. Help me call to mind the words of Jesus when I am hated because of your name: “whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

Lord, help me be unafraid to know and do your will today. From the Gospel acclamation: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you to all truth and remind you of all I told you.” Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, 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.

Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 10:7-15)

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you.”

Today’s Gospel continues from yesterday’s. Jesus sends the apostles out to proclaim the kingdom of heaven. Instructing them to trust God, he tells the apostles what not to take: no money or possessions; no extra clothing; no sandals or walking stick. Again, teaching them that God can provide for their needs through the generosity and hospitality of others, he tells them to wish peace on every house they enter. “If the house is worthy,” Jesus says, “let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you.” He also tells them to shake off the dust from their feet if they are rejected. Just as the apostles would enter many houses, every new day is an opportunity to enter the lives of many people to wish them peace and to proclaim the kingdom of God.

God, how willing am I to take your Son’s invitation to detach from material possessions and abandon myself completely to your providence? When I leave provision to myself, I fall face down and never get enough, never gain enough, and by doing that close off all channels to receive your grace. To the extent that I proclaim your kingdom, I rely on others’ hospitality and openheartedness and swallow my pride—not a comfortable place to be. Yet, it is peace that enters into that place, and peace that returns to me if I am rejected because of you. God, give me the grace to trust that you will provide all that I need; let my trust in you be a means of your peace to others.

Lord, thank you for all your gifts. Help me see how you provide for me as I proclaim your kingdom to the people I encounter today.

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.