DR Squared: Thursday After Ash Wednesday

First Reading:  Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Consider that I have set before thee this day life and good, and on the other hand death and evil:  That thou mayst love the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways, and keep his commandments and ceremonies and judgments, and thou mayst live, and he may multiply thee, and bless thee in the land, which thou shalt go in to possess. But if thy heart be turned away, so that thou wilt not hear, and being deceived with error thou adore strange gods, and serve them:  I foretell thee this day that thou shalt perish, and shalt remain but a short time in the land, to which thou shalt pass over the Jordan, and shalt go in to possess it. I call heaven and earth to witness this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose therefore life, that both thou and thy seed may live:  And that thou mayst love the Lord thy God, and obey his voice, and adhere to him (for he is thy life, and the length of thy days,) that thou mayst dwell in the land, for which the Lord swore to thy fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that he would give it them.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 40 (39):5a; V. 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

R. Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord;

V. Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the            way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence.

    But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night.

V. And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring              forth its fruit, in due season.

    And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.

V. Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the          earth.

    For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: and the way of the wicked shall perish.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:22-25

Saying: The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the ancients and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day rise again. And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; for he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, and cast away himself?

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Ash Wednesday

First Reading:  Joel 2:12-18

Now therefore saith the Lord: Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning. And rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil. Who knoweth but he will return, and forgive, and leave a blessing behind him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Sion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, Gather together the people, sanctify the church, assemble the ancients, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of her bride chamber. Between the porch and the altar the priests the Lord's ministers shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare thy people: and give not thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them. Why should they say among the nations: Where is their God? The Lord hath been zealous for his land, and hath spared his people.

Responsorial Psalm:  Cf. Psalm 51 (50):3a; V. 3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17

R. Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.

V. Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.

     And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.

    Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

V. For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.

    To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee:

V. Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.

    Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

V. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.

    O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise. 

Second Reading:  2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2

For Christ therefore we are ambassadors, God as it were exhorting by us. For Christ, we beseech you, be reconciled to God. Him, who knew no sin, he hath made sin for us, that we might be made the justice of God in him. And we helping do exhort you, that you receive not the grace of God in vain. For he saith: In an accepted time have I heard thee; and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven.  2 Therefore when thou dost an almsdeed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.  3 But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth.  4 That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.  5 And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Day One Of Forty

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

This is one of the two sentences you may hear if you assist at Mass today. It is a familiar ritual to many not only in Catholicism, but also Christianity. The receiving of ashes, the remnant of burnt palm branches from the preceding Palm Sunday, serves as a reminder of our own mortality.

Thus begins Lent, with its focus on repentance and renewal. The Church's annual six-plus week retreat before Easter. The opportunity to examine our relationship with God. The chance to develop more as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The Church again offers the ways of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as a means to this end. The challenge, as always, is how intentional, more deliberate we are going to be. What tried and true methods will we use? What more can we incorporate into our spiritual life at this time so as to carry it beyond the Sacred Triduum? How can we become more holy, more perfect?

I offer these questions for your discernment.

Perhaps the best starting point can be found in the other sentence you may hear as you come forward.

"Repent and believe in the Gospel."

Today begins the acceptable time to find more answers to our universal call to holiness.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Eighth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Sirach 35:1-12

He that keepeth the law, multiplieth offerings. It is a wholesome sacrifice to take heed to the commandments, and to depart from all iniquity. And to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins. He shall return thanks, that offereth fine flour: and he that doth mercy, offereth sacrifice. To depart from iniquity is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins. Thou shalt not appear empty in the sight of the Lord. For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God. The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the most High. The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof. Give glory to God with a good heart: and diminish not the firstfruits of thy hands. In every gift shew a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy tithes with joy. Give to the most High according to what he hath given to thee, and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands:

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 50 (49):23b; V. 5-6, 7-8, 14, 23

R. (A)nd there is the way by which I will shew him the salvation of God.

V. Gather ye together his saints to him: who set his covenant before sacrifices.

     And the heavens shall declare his justice: for God is judge.

V. Hear, O my people, and I will speak: O Israel, and I will testify to thee: I am God, thy God.

     I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices: and thy burnt offerings are always in my sight.

V. Offer to God the sacrifice of praise: and pay thy vows to the most High.

    The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me: and there is the way by which I will shew him the        salvation of God.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 10:28-31

And Peter began to say unto him: Behold, we have left all things, and have followed thee. Jesus answering, said: Amen I say to you, there is no man who hath left house or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, Who shall not receive an hundred times as much, now in this time; houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions: and in the world to come life everlasting. But many that are first, shall be last: and the last, first. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Eighth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Sirach 17:20-24

But to the penitent he hath given the way of justice, and he hath strengthened them that were fainting in patience, and hath appointed to them the lot of truth. Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins:  Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less. Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination. And know the justices and judgments of God, and stand firm in the lot set before thee, and in prayer to the most high God.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 32 (31):11a; V. 1-2, 5, 6, 7

R. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just,

V. Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

    Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is        no guile.

V.  I have acknowledged my sin to thee, and my injustice I have not concealed.

     I said I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord: and thou hast forgiven the       wickedness of my sin.

V. For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee in a seasonable time.

    And yet in a flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto him.

V. Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me:

     my joy, deliver me from them that surround me.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 10:17-27

And when he was gone forth into the way, a certain man running up and kneeling before him, asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may receive life everlasting? And Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? None is good but one, that is God. Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, bear not false witness, do no fraud, honour thy father and mother. But he answering, said to him: Master, all these things I have observed from my youth. And Jesus looking on him, loved him, and said to him: One thing is wanting unto thee: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. Who being struck sad at that saying, went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looking round about, saith to his disciples: How hardly shall they that have riches, enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus again answering, saith to them: Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches, to enter into the kingdom of God? It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Who wondered the more, saying among themselves: Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking on them, saith: With men it is impossible; but not with God: for all things are possible with God.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year C)

First Reading:  Sirach 27:4-7 (D-R:  5-8)

As when one sifteth with a sieve, the dust will remain: so will the perplexity of a man in his thoughts. The furnace trieth the potter's vessels, and the trial of affliction just men. As the dressing of a tree sheweth the fruit thereof, so a word out of the thought of the heart of man. Praise not a man before he speaketh, for this is the trial of men.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 92 (91):2a; V. 2-3, 13-14, 15-16

R. It is good to give praise to the Lord:

V. It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to thy name, O most High.

    To shew forth thy mercy in the morning, and thy truth in the night:

V. The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.

    They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of          our God.

V. They shall still increase in a fruitful old age: and shall be well treated,

    That they may shew, That the Lord our God is righteous, and there is no iniquity in him.

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 15:54-58

And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? Now the sting of death is sin: and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast and unmoveable; always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 6:39-45

And he spoke also to them a similitude: Can the blind lead the blind? do they not both fall into the ditch The disciple is not above his master: but every one shall be perfect, if he be as his master. And why seest thou the mote in thy brother's eye: but the beam that is in thy own eye thou considerest not? Or how canst thou say to thy brother: Brother, let me pull the mote out of thy eye, when thou thyself seest not the beam in thy own eye? Hypocrite, cast first the beam out of thy own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to take out the mote from thy brother's eye. For there is no good tree that bringeth forth evil fruit; nor an evil tree that bringeth forth good fruit. For every tree is known by its fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns; nor from a bramble bush do they gather the grape. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

March 2025 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:

For families in crisis. Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences.

(UPDATE: 3/6/2025) A reflection for this intention can be found here.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Seventh Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Sirach 17:1-15

God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image. And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself. He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth. He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls. He created of him a helpmate like to himself: he gave them counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, and ears, and a heart to devise: and he filled them with the knowledge of understanding. He created in them the science of the spirit, he filled their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil. He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works:  That they might praise the name which he hath sanctified: and glory in his wondrous acts, that they might declare the glorious things of his works. Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance. He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments. And their eye saw the majesty of his glory. and their ears heard his glorious voice, and he said to them: Beware of all iniquity. And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour. Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes. Over every nation he set a ruler. And Israel was made the manifest portion of God.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 103 (102):17a; V. 13-14, 15-16, 17-18

R. But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity upon them that fear him:

V. As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that        fear him:

    For he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust:

V. Man's days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish.

     For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: and he shall know his place no               more.

V. But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity upon them that fear him:           And his justice unto children's children,

    To such as keep his covenant, And are mindful of his commandments to do them. 

Gospel Reading:  Mark 10:13-16

And they brought to him young children, that he might touch them. And the disciples rebuked them that brought them. Whom when Jesus saw, he was much displeased, and saith to them: Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Amen I say to you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall not enter into it. And embracing them, and laying his hands upon them, he blessed them.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Friday Of The Seventh Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Sirach 6:5-17

A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth. Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor. If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily. For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble. And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches. And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress. A friend if he continue steadfast, shall be to thee as thyself, and shall act with confidence among them of thy household. If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good. Separate thyself from thy enemies, and take heed of thy friends. A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure. Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity. A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him. He that feareth God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119 (118):35a; V. 12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35

R. Lead me into the path of thy commandments;

V. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy justifications.

V. I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words.

V. Open thou my eyes: and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law.

V. Make me to understand the way of thy justifications: and I shall be exercised in thy              wondrous works.

V. Give me understanding, and I will search thy law; and I will keep it with my whole               heart.

V. Lead me into the path of thy commandments; for this same I have desired.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 10:1-12

And rising up from thence, he cometh into the coasts of Judea beyond the Jordan: and the multitudes flock to him again. And as he was accustomed, he taught them again. And the Pharisees coming to him asked him: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. But he answering, saith to them: What did Moses command you? Who said: Moses permitted to write a bill of divorce, and to put her away. To whom Jesus answering, said: Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you that precept. But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother; and shall cleave to his wife. And they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. And in the house again his disciples asked him concerning the same thing. And he saith to them: Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if the wife shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Gregory Of Narek, Abbot And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  Wisdom 7:7-10, 15-16

Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me:  And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold in comparison of her, is as a little sand, and silver in respect to her shall be counted as clay. I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out. And God hath given to me to speak as I would, and to conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given me: because he is the guide of wisdom, and the director of the wise:  For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the knowledge and skill of works.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 37:30a; V. 3-4, 5-6, 30-31

R. The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom:

V. Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land, and thou shalt be fed with its riches.

     Delight in the Lord, and he will give thee the requests of thy heart.

V. Commit thy way to the Lord, and trust in him, and he will do it.

     And he will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

V. The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom: and his tongue shall speak judgment.

     The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps shall not be supplanted. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 7:21-29

Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock. And every one that heareth these my words, and doth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof. And it came to pass when Jesus had fully ended these words, the people were in admiration at his doctrine. For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes and Pharisees.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.