DAILY MASS READING

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Weekday

FIRST READING

2 Maccabees 6: 18 – 31

 18 Eleazar, one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in age and of noble presence, was being forced to open his mouth to eat swine's flesh. 19 But he, welcoming death with honor rather than life with pollution, went up to the rack of his own accord, spitting out the flesh, 20 as men ought to go who have the courage to refuse things that it is not right to taste, even for the natural love of life. 21 Those who were in charge of that unlawful sacrifice took the man aside, because of their long acquaintance with him, and privately urged him to bring meat of his own providing, proper for him to use, and pretend that he was eating the flesh of the sacrificial meal which had been commanded by the king, 22 so that by doing this he might be saved from death, and be treated kindly on account of his old friendship with them. 23 But making a high resolve, worthy of his years and the dignity of his old age and the gray hairs which he had reached with distinction and his excellent life even from childhood, and moreover according to the holy God-given law, he declared himself quickly, telling them to send him to Hades. 24 "Such pretense is not worthy of our time of life," he said, "lest many of the young should suppose that Eleazar in his ninetieth year has gone over to an alien religion, 25 and through my pretense, for the sake of living a brief moment longer, they should be led astray because of me, while I defile and disgrace my old age. 26 For even if for the present I should avoid the punishment of men, yet whether I live or die I shall not escape the hands of the Almighty. 27 Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will show myself worthy of my old age 28 and leave to the young a noble example of how to die a good death willingly and nobly for the revered and holy laws." When he had said this, he went at once to the rack. 29And those who a little before had acted toward him with good will now changed to ill will, because the words he had uttered were in their opinion sheer madness. 30 When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned aloud and said: "It is clear to the Lord in his holy knowledge that, though I might have been saved from death, I am enduring terrible sufferings in my body under this beating, but in my soul I am glad to suffer these things because I fear him." 31 So in this way he died, leaving in his death an example of nobility and a memorial of courage, not only to the young but to the great body of his nation.

PSALM  RESPONSE

Psalms 3: 2 – 7

2 many are saying of me, there is no help for him in God. [Selah] 3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. 4 I cry aloud to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy hill. [Selah] 5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me. 6 I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about. 7 Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! For thou dost smite all my enemies on the cheek, thou dost break the teeth of the wicked.

GOSPEL

Luke 19: 1 – 10

1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was a man named Zacchae'us; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchae'us, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." 6 So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." 8And Zacchae'us stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."

This very moment I may, if I desire, become the friend of God.

-- St. Augustine

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#ixzz1dN1Yb5Hl

The story of Zacchaeus is used by some to illustrate ^[4] the saying of Jesus: "Blessed are the pure of heart, For they shall see God" Matthew 5:8. Zacchaeus whose name means pure, climbed up a tree, which represents the cross, and by being symbolically crucified with Christ, was able to see God (He who has seen Jesus has seen God John 14:9) The sycamore tree, climbed by Zacchaeus, was considered "unclean" because it bore a fruit that was fed to pigs.^[5] In the culture of the time it was humiliating for Zacchaeus to climb that tree. To see Jesus, Zacchaeus' pride had to be crucified. In Romans, Paul wrote "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." Romans 6:6

 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

All to Jesus I Surrender  -httpwww.youtube.comwatchv=7x2IpLSfqp8

DAILY MASS READING

  from:gospel2day.blogspot.com

Monday, November 14, 2011
St. Nicholas Tavelic, OFM, Priest, and Companions,

Martyrs (Memorial)

FIRST READING
  

1 Maccabees 1: 10 - 15, 41 - 43, 54 - 57, 62 - 63

10 From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. 11 In those days lawless men came forth from Israel, and misled many, saying, "Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for since we separated from them many evils have come upon us." 12 This proposal pleased them, 13 and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. 14 So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, 15 and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil. 

41 Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, 42 and that each should give up his customs. 43 All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. 

54 Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege upon the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding cities of Judah, 55 and burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. 56 The books of the law which they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. 57 Where the book of the covenant was found in the possession of any one, or if any one adhered to the law, the decree of the king condemned him to death. 

62 But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. 63 They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die

PSALM  RESPONSE

Psalms 119: 53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158

53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake thy law. 

61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget thy law. 

134 Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep thy precepts. 

150They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from thy law. 

155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek thy statutes. 

158 I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep thy commands.

GOSPEL

Luke 18: 35 – 43

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; 36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." 38 And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." 42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." 43And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God

It is never true that we have no time to meditate; the less one thinks of God, the less time there will always be for Him. The time one has for anything depends on how much we value it. Thinking determines the use of time; time does not rule over thinking! The problem of spirituality is never, then, a question of time; it is a problem of thought. For it does not require much time to make us saints; it requires only much love.

-- Bishop Fulton Sheen

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#ixzz1dN0fI0Sr

The mercy of God depends upon our faith and trust in Him. Holding on to His  promises ,  will allow us to  change our life and follow Him. We may encounter many challenges  and oppositions, but  if we humble ourselves,  Jesus is there ever ready to help us.  

We may not see Jesus with our physical eyes, but we can see His spiritual truth and His leading hands as we travel along, following Him.

  

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56MOXmgCa4Y

 

DAILY MASS READING

from:redemptoristspirituality.net

Sunday, November 13, 2011
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING

 Proverbs 31: 10 - 13, 19 - 20, 30 – 31

10 A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. 19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20 She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates

PSALM  RESPONSE

Psalms 128: 1 – 5

1 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! 2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. 5 The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!

SECOND READING

1 Thessalonians 5: 1 – 6

1 But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When people say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober

GOSPEL

Matthew 25: 14 – 30

14 "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; 15to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. 17So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, `Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' 21 His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, `Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' 23 His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, `Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' 26 But his master answered him, `You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.'

 

By giving yourself to God, you not only receive Himself in exchange, but eternal life as well.

-- St Francis de Sales

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#ixzz1dMzUN2bz

   

No one was left idle. All has a given talent and God expects a return. We had better not simply bury that which has been given us and return it when he comes. God  is blessing  us so we can be a blessing to others. God wants us to have a  helping and loving relationship so that all may reach heaven and be with Him forever.

 Here I am Lord-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6fYAiqV-Bs&feature=related

DAILY MASS READING

 ocarm.org

 Saturday, November 12, 2011
St. Josaphat, Bishop, Martyr (Memorial)

FIRST READING   

Wisdom 18: 14 – 16   19: 6 - 9

14 For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, 15 thy all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed, a stern warrior 16 carrying the sharp sword of thy authentic command, and stood and filled all things with death, and touched heaven while standing on the earth.

6 For the whole creation in its nature was fashioned anew, complying with thy commands, that thy children might be kept unharmed. 7 The cloud was seen overshadowing the camp, and dry land emerging where water had stood before, an unhindered way out of the Red Sea, and a grassy plain out of the raging waves, 8 where those protected by thy hand passed through as one nation, after gazing on marvelous wonders. 9 For they ranged like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who didst deliver them.

PSALM  RESPONSE

Psalms 105: 2 - 3, 36 - 37, 42 – 43

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works! 3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 36 He smote all the first-born in their land, the first issue of all their strength. 37 Then he led forth Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled. 42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. 43 So he led forth his people with joy, his chosen ones with singing

GOSPEL

Luke 18: 1 – 8

1 And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; 3 and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, `Vindicate me against my adversary.' 4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, `Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

It is not particularly difficult to find thousands who will spend two or three hours a day in exercising, but if you ask them to bend their knees to God in five minutes of prayer, they protest that it is too long.-- Bishop Fulton Sheen

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/inspiration_11nov2011.htm#ixzz1cqlAVJ3y

 

Be persistent in your prayers. Prayer  is the oil in our lamp so that   our Christian life will be continuously  blazing for the love of Him. 

Do not wait when the time comes when you do not find anymore reason for praying and finally say... there is no God! His coming is sure, but Jesus wonders aloud at the faithfulness of his troops....  Ask for final perseverance.

Dont Quit  -httpwww.youtube.comwatchv=VkCFeNeqyHk

 

DAILY MASS READING

 from:talesfromthecenobite.net

Friday, November 11, 2011
St. Martin of Tours, Bishop (Memorial)

FIRST READING
  

Wisdom 13: 1 – 9

1 For all men who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature; and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know him who exists, nor did they recognize the craftsman while paying heed to his works; 2 but they supposed that either fire or wind or swift air, or the circle of the stars, or turbulent water, or the luminaries of heaven were the gods that rule the world. 3 If through delight in the beauty of these things men assumed them to be gods, let them know how much better than these is their Lord, for the author of beauty created them. 4 And if men were amazed at their power and working, let them perceive from them how much more powerful is he who formed them. 5 For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator. 6 Yet these men are little to be blamed, for perhaps they go astray while seeking God and desiring to find him. 7 For as they live among his works they keep searching, and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful. 8 Yet again, not even they are to be excused; 9 for if they had the power to know so much that they could investigate the world, how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?

PSALM  RESPONSE

Psalms 19: 2 – 5

2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; 4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

GOSPEL

Luke 17: 26 – 37

26 As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of man. 27 They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was in the days of Lot -- they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom fire and sulphur rained from heaven and destroyed them all -- 30 so will it be on the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 On that day, let him who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away; and likewise let him who is in the field not turn back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding together; one will be taken and the other left." 37 And they said to him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."

Certainly nothing can so effectually humble us before the mercy of God as the multitude of his benefits. Nor can anything so much humble us before His justices as the enormity of our innumerable offences. Let us consider what He has done for us and what we have done against Him.-- St. Francis de Sales

  Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/inspiration_11nov2011.htm#ixzz1cqjTngiz

So if we will simply focus on seeking God and seeking His Will and doing His Will then we have absolutely nothing to fear, to worry about, to be concerned about, or anything else, because we will be caught up, not in the beautiful things that He created, but in the beauty of the Creator Himself. Then there will be nothing more glorious for us than the day when the Creator is revealed, whether that is the day of the Second Coming, or whether that is the day when we are called forth from this world to stand before Him and ultimately to enter into Him for eternity. We will have found the fulfillment of our creation, not in some other creature, but in the One Who is uncreated, the One Who created all that is, and the One Who is beautiful and powerful beyond all else. 

Portion of the homily by Father Robert Altierdesertvoice.excerptsofinri.com 

e is telling us, Thisi s what I want, but I want

   

 BJ Thomas - I believe  -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meIGeDbE1Ts&feature=related

DAILY MASS READING

                                                        from:parishpriestblogger.blogspot.com

Thursday, November 10, 2011
St. Leo the Great, Pope, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

FIRST READING
  

Wisdom 7: 22 – 30 8: 1

22 for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me. For in her there is a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, 23beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent and pure and most subtle. 24 For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things. 25 For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her. 26 For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness. 27 Though she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets; 28 for God loves nothing so much as the man who lives with wisdom. 29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be superior, 30 for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail.

1 She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other, and she orders all things well.

PSALM  RESPONSE

Psalms 119: 89 - 91, 130, 135, 175

89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 90 Thy faithfulness endures to all generations; thou hast established the earth, and it stands fast. 91 By thy appointment they stand this day; for all things are thy servants. 

130 The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. 

135 Make thy face shine upon thy servant, and teach me thy statutes. 

175 Let me live, that I may praise thee, and let thy ordinances help me

GOSPEL

Luke 17: 20 – 25

20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, `Lo, here it is!' or `There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." 22 And he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, `Lo, there!' or `Lo, here!' Do not go, do not follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

When our hands have touched spices, they give fragrance to all they handle. Let us make our prayers pass through the hands of the Blessed Virgin. She will make them fragrant.

-- St. John Vianney

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/inspiration_11nov2011.htm#ixzz1cqic3kxg

 Whenever we pray, God is in our midst and where God is, there follows His heavenly kingdom with the angels and saints and our Mother Mary. When we pray together in the Eucharist, the kingdom of God is in our midst. When we see the beautiful creation of God like beautiful flowers and beautiful view and praise Him, the kingdom of God is in our midst. When we are able to love God by loving our brothers ans sisters, the kingdom of God is in our midst and when we  find peace and converse with God in His kingdom within our hearts, we can say ...  His Kingdom has come.

 

 

Power of Your Love -

httpwww.youtube.comwatchv=nCY3Um8zsso&feature=related