DAILY MASS READING

And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.

Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Wednesday of Holy Week 

FIRST READING 

Isaiah 50: 4 – 9 

4 The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him that is weary. Morning by morning he wakens, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.5 The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward.6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting.7 For the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been confounded; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame;8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.9 Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. 

PSALM  RESPONSES 

Psalms 69: 8 - 10, 21 - 22, 31, 33 – 34 

8I have become a stranger to my brethren, an alien to my mother's sons.9 For zeal for thy house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult thee have fallen on me.10 When I humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.

21 They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.22 Let their own table before them become a snare; let their sacrificial feasts be a trap.
31 This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.

33 For the LORD hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds.34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves therein 

GOSPEL 

Matthew 26: 14 – 25 

14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests15 and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the passover?"18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain one, and say to him, `The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at your house with my disciples.'"19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the passover.20 When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples;21 and as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."22 And they were very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?"23 He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me, will betray me.24 The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Is it I, Master?" He said to him, "You have said so."

What has a person to fear who lives in the arms and bosom of God?-- St. Paul of the Cross

 

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 The Holy Eucharist

Mother Mary

www.comepraytherosary.org /

Devotion to the Divine Mercy

DAILY MASS READING

"Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."

 Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Tuesday of Holy Week
 

FIRST READING

Isaiah 49: 1 – 6

1 Listen to me, O coastlands, and hearken, you peoples from afar. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away.3 And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified."4 But I said, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God."5 And now the LORD says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength --6 he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."

PSALM RESPONSES
 

Psalms 71: 1 - 6, 15, 17 

1 In thee, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!2 In thy righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline thy ear to me, and save me!3 Be thou to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for thou art my rock and my fortress.4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.5 For thou, O Lord, art my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.6 Upon thee I have leaned from my birth; thou art he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of thee.

15 My mouth will tell of thy righteous acts, of thy deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.

17 O God, from my youth thou hast taught me, and I still proclaim thy wondrous deeds.

GOSPEL   

John 13: 21 - 33, 36 – 38 

21 When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus;24 so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks."25 So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, "Lord, who is it?"26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.27 Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly."28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him.29 Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast"; or, that he should give something to the poor.30 So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night.31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified;32 if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going you cannot come.'

36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward."37 Peter said to him, "Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times.

The very tradition, teaching, and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginng, which the Lord gave, was preached by the apostles and was preserved by the Fathers. On this was the Church founded, and if anyone departs from this, he neither is, nor any longer ought to be called, a Christian.

-- St. Athanasius of Alexandria

The Holy Bible

The Holy Eucharist

 

Mother Mary

www.comepraytherosary.org /

 Devotion to the Divine Mercy

DAILY MASS READING

Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed
the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair
   

Monday, April 02, 2012
Monday of Holy Week 

FIRST READING 

Isaiah 42: 1 – 7  

1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations.2 He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.4 He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.5 Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it:6 "I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations,7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness 

PSALM RESPONSES 

Psalms 27: 1 - 3, 13 – 14 

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?2 When evildoers assail me, uttering slanders against me, my adversaries and foes, they shall stumble and fall.3 Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD! 

GOSPEL 

John 12: 1 – 11 

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Laz'arus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.2 There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Laz'arus was one of those at table with him.3 Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said,5 "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"6This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it.7 Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial.8 The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Laz'arus, whom he had raised from the dead.10 So the chief priests planned to put Laz'arus also to death,11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus

The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing.

-- Lateran Council IV 

Holy Eucharist

Mother Mary

www.comepraytherosary.org /

Devotion to the Divine Mercy

DAILY MASS READING

Holy Week

Sunday, April 01, 2012
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

FIRST READING 

Isaiah 50: 4 – 7 

4 The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him that is weary. Morning by morning he wakens, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.5 The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward.6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting.7 For the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been confounded; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame;

PSALM RESPONSES
 

Psalms 22: 8 - 9, 17 - 20, 23 – 24

8 "He committed his cause to the LORD; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"9 Yet thou art he who took me from the womb; thou didst keep me safe upon my mother's breasts.

17 I can count all my bones -- they stare and gloat over me;18 they divide my garments among them, and for my raiment they cast lots.19 But thou, O LORD, be not far off! O thou my help, hasten to my aid!20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog!

23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! all you sons of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you sons of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; and he has not hid his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him

SECOND READING
 

Philippians 2: 6 – 11

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

GOSPEL
 

Mark 15: 1 – 39

1 And as soon as it was morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate.2 And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And he answered him, "You have said so."3 And the chief priests accused him of many things.4 And Pilate again asked him, "Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you."5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate wondered.6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked.7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barab'bas.8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he was wont to do for them.9 And he answered them, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?"10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up.11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barab'bas instead.12 And Pilate again said to them, "Then what shall I do with the man whom you call the King of the Jews?"13 And they cried out again, "Crucify him."14 And Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Cruciy him."15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barab'bas; and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.16 And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the praetorium); and they called together the whole battalion.17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on him.18 And they began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"19 And they struck his head with a reed, and spat upon him, and they knelt down in homage to him.20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.21 And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyre'ne, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.22 And they brought him to the place called Gol'gotha (which means the place of a skull).23 And they offered him wine mingled with myrrh; but he did not take it.24 And they crucified him, and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take.25 And it was the third hour, when they crucified him

How can a man say he believes in Christ if he doesn't do what Christ commanded him to do?
- St. Cyprian of Carthage

 
The Holy Bible

The Holy Eucharist

Mother Mary

www.comepraytherosary.org /

Devotion to the Divine Mercy

DAILY MASS READING

The Holy Bible

Saturday, March 31, 2012
Lenten Weekday  

FIRST READING 

Ezekiel 37: 21 – 28 

21 then say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all sides, and bring them to their own land;22 and I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms.23 They shall not defile themselves any more with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.24 "My servant David shall be king over them; and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall follow my ordinances and be careful to observe my statutes.25 They shall dwell in the land where your fathers dwelt that I gave to my servant Jacob; they and their children and their children's children shall dwell there for ever; and David my servant shall be their prince for ever.26I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will bless them and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.27 My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.28 Then the nations will know that I the LORD sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary is in the midst of them for evermore." 

PSALM RESPONSES 

Jeremiah 31: 10 - 13 

10 "Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands afar off; say, `He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.'11 For the LORD has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more.13 Then shall the maidens rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. 

GOSPEL 

John 11: 45 – 56 

45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him;46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council, and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.48 If we let him go on thus, every one will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation."49 But one of them, Ca'iaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all;50 you do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish."51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation,52 and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.53 So from that day on they took counsel how to put him to death.54 Jesus therefore no longer went about openly among the Jews, but went from there to the country near the wilderness, to a town called E'phraim; and there he stayed with the disciples.55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?"

The family is the most ancient institution which God founded in Paradise, when He called the first pair of human beings into existence. The first blessing which God gave was for the wellbeing of the family. With family life, the history of the world commences. -- St. John Vianney

 

 

 The Holy Eucharist

Mother Mary

www.comepraytherosary.org /

Holy Week