DAILY MASS READING

Monday, April 30, 2012

Easter Weekday

FIRST READING

Acts 11: 1 – 18 

1 Now the apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him,3 saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?"4 But Peter began and explained to them in order:5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, something descending, like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came down to me.6 Looking at it closely I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air.7 And I heard a voice saying to me, `Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'8 But I said, `No, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, `What God has cleansed you must not call common.'10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.11 At that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesare'a.12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brethren also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.13 And he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, `Send to Joppa and bring Simon called Peter;14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.'15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, `John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"18 When they heard this they were silenced. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance unto life."

PSALM RESPONSES

Psalms 42: 2 – 3, 43: 3 - 4

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me continually, "Where is your God?"

3 Oh send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me, let them bring me to thy holy hill and to thy dwelling!4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise thee with the lyre, O God, my God.

GOSPEL

John 10: 1 – 10

1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber;2 but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.3 To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."6 This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.7 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them.9 I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

What Revelation makes known to us is confirmed by our own experience. For when man looks into his own heart he finds that he is drawn towards what is wrong and sunk in many evils which cannot come from his good Creator. Often refusing to acknowledge God as his source, man has also upset the relationship which should link him to his last end, and at the same time he has broken the right order that should reign within himself as well as between himself and other men and all creatures.-- Gaudium et spes

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Mother Mary

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DAILY MASS READING

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Fourth Sunday of Easter

FIRST READING

Acts 4: 8 – 12 

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders,9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed,10 be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well.11 This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner.12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

PSALM RESPONSES

Psalms 118: 1, 8 - 9, 21 - 23, 26, 28 – 29

1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever!

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in man.9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

21 I thank thee that thou hast answered me and hast become my salvation.22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

26 Blessed be he who enters in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.

28 Thou art my God, and I will give thanks to thee; thou art my God, I will extol thee.29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever!

SECOND READING

1 John 3: 1 – 2

1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.2 Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

GOSPEL

John 10: 11 – 18

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.12He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.13 He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep.14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me,15 as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.16 And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father."

Let it be assured that to do no wrong is really superhuman and belongs to God alone

.-- St. Gregory Nazianzen

 

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DAILY MASS READING

Saturday, April 28, 2012

St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest (Optional Memorial)

FIRST READING

 Acts 9: 31 – 42 

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Sama'ria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda.33 There he found a man named Aene'as, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed.34 And Peter said to him, "Aene'as, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose.35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.36 Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.37 In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay."39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.40 But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.41 And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive.42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

PSALM RESPONSES

Psalms 116: 12 – 17

12 What shall I render to the LORD for all his bounty to me?13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,14 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.16 O LORD, I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid. Thou hast loosed my bonds.17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD

GOSPEL

John 6: 60 – 69

60 Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this?62 Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before?63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.64 But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him.65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."66 After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him.67 Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?"68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life;69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."

The denial of personal guilt makes men ready to surrender their liberty. Better it is for a man to realize he has evil tendencies which must be fought and combated in order that his higher self may emerge.-- Archbishop Fulton Sheen

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Mother Mary

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DAILY MASS READING

Friday, April 27, 2012
Easter Weekday 

FIRST READING 

Acts 9: 1 – 20 

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.3 Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him.4 And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting;6 but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.8 Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Anani'as. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Anani'as." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."11 And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying,12 and he has seen a man named Anani'as come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight."13 But Anani'as answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem;14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name."15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."17 So Anani'as departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized,19 and took food and was strengthened. For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus.20 And in the synagogues immediately he proclaimed Jesus, saying, "He is the Son of God." 

PSALM RESPONSES

Psalms 117: 1 – 2 

1 Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!
2 For great is his steadfast love toward us; and the faithfulness of the LORD endures for ever. Praise the LORD! 

GOSPEL

John 6: 52 – 59 

52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you;54 he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.55 For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.56 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.58 This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever."59 This he said in the synagogue, as he taught at Caper'na-um.

Reason can but ascertain the profound difficulties of our condition, it connot remove them.

- John Cardinal Newman

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The Holy Eucharist

Mother Mary

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DAILY MASS READING

Thursday, April 26, 2012
Easter Weekday 

FIRST READING

Acts 8: 26 – 40 

26 But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert road.27 And he rose and went. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister of the Can'dace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship28 and was returning; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot."30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"31 And he said, "How can I, unless some one guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.32 Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this: "As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth."34 And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, pray, does the prophet say this, about himself or about some one else?"35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus.36 And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?"38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.40 But Philip was found at Azo'tus, and passing on he preached the gospel to all the towns till he came to Caesare'a. 

PSALM RESPONSES

Psalms 66: 8 - 9, 16 - 17, 20 

8 Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard,9 who has kept us among the living, and has not let our feet slip.

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me.17 I cried aloud to him, and he was extolled with my tongue.

20 Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! 

GOSPEL

John 6: 44 – 51 

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.45 It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught by God.' Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.46 Not that any one has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father.47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.48 I am the bread of life.49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die.51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Once the eye of the soul has been purified by such considerations we no longer abide within our own spirit in a sense of sorrow, but abide rather in the Spirit of God with great delight. No longer do we consider what is the will God for us, but rather what it is in itself. For our life is in his will.-- St Bernard

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DAILY MASS READING

Wednesday, April 25, 2012
St. Mark, Evangelist (Feast) 

FIRST READING

1 Peter 5: 5 – 14 

5 Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you.7 Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.8 Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour.9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.11 To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.12 By Silva'nus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it.13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark.14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in Christ. 

PSALM RESPONSES

Psalms 89: 2 - 3, 6 - 7, 16 – 17 

2 For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.3 Thou hast said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant:

6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD,7 a God feared in the council of the holy ones, great and terrible above all that are round about him?

16 who exult in thy name all the day, and extol thy righteousness.17 For thou art the glory of their strength; by thy favor our horn is exalted 

GOSPEL 

Mark 16: 15 – 20 

15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.20 And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.

We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success, but on Jesus alone.

-- St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

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