DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Toribio De Mogrovejo, Bishop

First Reading:  2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:1-3

Hold the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me in faith, and in the love which is in Christ Jesus. Keep the good thing committed to thy trust by the Holy Ghost, who dwelleth in us. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus:  And the things which thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men, who shall be fit to teach others also. Labour as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 96 (95):3; V. 1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8, 10

R.  Declare his glory among the Gentiles: his wonders among all people.

V.  Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle:

     sing to the Lord, all the earth.

     Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name:

V.  (S)hew forth his salvation from day to day.

     Declare his glory among the Gentiles:

     his wonders among all people.

V.  Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles,

     bring ye to the Lord glory and honour:

     Bring to the Lord glory unto his name.

     Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts:

V.  Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned.

     For he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved:

     he will judge the people with justice.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 9:35-38

And Jesus went about all the cities, and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every infirmity. And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd. Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Fifth Week Of Lent

First Reading:  Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62

Now there was a man that dwelt in Babylon, and his name was Joakim:  And he took a wife whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Helcias, a very beautiful woman, and one that feared God. For her parents being just, had instructed their daughter according to the law of Moses. Now Joakim was very rich, and had an orchard near his house: and the Jews resorted to him, because he was the most honourable of them all. And there were two of the ancients of the people appointed judges that year, of whom the Lord said: Iniquity came out from Babylon from the ancient judges, that seemed to govern the people. These men frequented the house of Joakim, and all that had any matters of judgment came to them. And when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went in, and walked in her husband's orchard. And the old men saw her going in every day, and walking: and they were inflamed with lust towards her:  And they perverted their own mind and turned away their eyes that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments. And it fell out, as they watched a fit day, she went in on a time, as yesterday and the day before, with two maids only, and was desirous to wash herself in the orchard: for it was hot weather. And there was nobody there, but the two old men that had hid themselves and were beholding her. So she said to the maids: Bring me oil, and washing balls, and shut the doors of the orchard, that I may wash me. Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders arose, and ran to her, and said:  Behold the doors of the orchard are shut, and nobody seeth us, and we are in love with thee: wherefore consent to us, and lie with us. But if thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee, and therefore thou didst send away thy maids from thee. Susanna sighed, and said: I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death to me: and if I do it not, I shall not escape your hands. But it is better for me to fall into your hands without doing it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord. With that Susanna cried out with a loud voice: and the elders also cried out against her. And one of them ran to the door of the orchard, and opened it. So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the orchard, they rushed in by the back door to see what was the matter. But after the old men had spoken, the servants were greatly ashamed: for never had there been any such word said of Susanna. And on the next day, When the people were come to Joakim her husband, the two elders also came full of wicked device against Susanna, to put her to death. And they said before the people: Send to Susanna daughter of Helcias the wife of Joakim. And presently they sent. And she came with her parents, and children, and all her kindred. Therefore her friends and all her acquaintance wept. But the two elders rising up in the midst of the people, laid their hands upon her head. And she weeping looked up to heaven, for her heart had confidence in the Lord. And the elders said: As we walked in the orchard alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the doors of the orchard, and sent away the maids from her. Then a young man that was there hid came to her, and lay with her. But we that were in a corner of the orchard, seeing this wickedness, ran up to them, and we saw them lie together. And him indeed we could not take, because he was stronger than us, and opening the doors he leaped out:  But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: of this thing we are witnesses. The multitude believed them as being the elders and the judges of the people, and they condemned her to death. Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said: O eternal God, who knowest hidden things, who knowest all things before they come to pass, Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me: and behold I must die, whereas I have done none of these things, which these men have maliciously forged against me.  44 And the Lord heard her voice. And when she was led to be put to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young boy, whose name was Daniel. And he cried out with a loud voice I am clear from the blood of this woman.  47 Then all the people turning themselves towards him, said: What meaneth this word that thou hast spoken? But he standing in the midst of them, said: Are ye so foolish, ye children of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth, you have condemned a daughter of Israel? Return to judgment, for they have borne false witness against her. So all the people turned again in haste, and the old men said to him: Come, and sit thou down among us, and shew it us: seeing God hath given thee the honour of old age. And Daniel said to the people: Separate these two far from one another, and I will examine them. So when they were put asunder one from the other, he called one of them, and said to him: O thou that art grown old in evil days, now are thy sins come out, which thou hast committed before:  In judging unjust judgments, oppressing the innocent, and letting the guilty to go free, whereas the Lord saith: The innocent and the just thou shalt not kill. Now then, if thou sawest her, tell me under what tree thou sawest them conversing together. He said: Under a mastic tree. And Daniel said: Well hast thou lied against thy own head: for behold the angel of God having received the sentence of him, shall cut thee in two. And having put him aside, he commanded that the other should come, and he said to him: O thou seed of Chanaan, and not of Juda, beauty hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thy heart:  Thus did you do to the daughters of Israel, and they for fear conversed with you: but a daughter of Juda would not abide your wickedness. Now therefore tell me, under what tree didst thou take them conversing together. And he answered: Under a holm tree. And Daniel said to him: Well hast thou also lied against thy own head: for the angel of the Lord waiteth with a sword to cut thee in two, and to destroy you. With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and they blessed God, who saveth them that trust in him. And they rose up against the two elders, (for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth,) and they did to them as they had maliciously dealt against their neighbour, To fulfill the law of Moses: and they put them to death, and innocent blood was saved in that day.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 23 (22):4ab; V. 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R.  For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me.

V.  The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.

      He hath set me in a place of pasture.

      He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:

      He hath converted my soul.

V.  He hath led me on the paths of justice,

     for his own name's sake.

     For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death,

     I will fear no evils, for thou art with me.

     Thy rod and thy staff,

     they have comforted me.

V.  Thou hast prepared a table before me

     against them that afflict me.

     Thou hast anointed my head with oil;

     and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!

V.  And thy mercy will follow me

     all the days of my life.

     And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

     unto length of days. 

Gospel Reading:  John 8:12-20

Again therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying: I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said to him: Thou givest testimony of thyself: thy testimony is not true. Jesus answered, and said to them: Although I give testimony of myself, my testimony is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go: but you know not whence I come, or whither I go. You judge according to the flesh: I judge not any man. And if I do judge, my judgment is true: because I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. And in your law it is written, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that give testimony of myself: and the Father that sent me giveth testimony of me. They said therefore to him: Where is thy Father? Jesus answered: Neither me do you know, nor my Father: if you did know me, perhaps you would know my Father also. These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, teaching in the temple: and no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/7/2025.

DR Squared: Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year A)

First Reading:  Ezekiel 37:12b-14

Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will open your graves, and will bring you out of your sepulchres, O my people: and will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall have opened your sepulchres, and shall have brought you out of your graves, O my people:  And shall have put my spirit in you, and you shall live, and I shall make you rest upon your own land: and you shall know that I the Lord have spoken, and done it, saith the Lord God:

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 130 (129):7; V. 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

R.  Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.

V.  Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord:

      Lord, hear my voice.

      Let thy ears be attentive

      to the voice of my supplication.

V.  If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities:

     Lord, who shall stand it.

     For with thee there is merciful forgiveness:

     and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord. 

V  My soul hath relied on his word:

     My soul hath hoped in the Lord.

     From the morning watch even until night,

     let Israel hope in the Lord.

V.  Because with the Lord there is mercy:

     and with him plentiful redemption.

     And he shall redeem Israel

     from all his iniquities.

Second Reading:  Romans 8:8-11

And they who are in the flesh, cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body indeed is dead, because of sin; but the spirit liveth, because of justification. And if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you; he that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead, shall quicken also your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Gospel Reading:  John 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45

Now there was a certain man sick, named Lazarus, of Bethania, of the town of Mary and Martha her sister.  2 (And Mary was she that anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair: whose brother Lazarus was sick.) His sisters therefore sent to him, saying: Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. And Jesus hearing it, said to them: This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God: that the Son of God may be glorified by it. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister Mary, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he still remained in the same place two days. Then after that, he said to his disciples: Let us go into Judea again. The disciples say to him: Rabbi, the Jews but now sought to stone thee: and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered: Are there not twelve hours of the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world:  But if he walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him. These things he said; and after that he said to them: Lazarus our friend sleepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. His disciples therefore said: Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. But Jesus spoke of his death; and they thought that he spoke of the repose of sleep. Then therefore Jesus said to them plainly: Lazarus is dead. And I am glad, for your sakes, that I was not there, that you may believe: but let us go to him. Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples: Let us also go, that we may die with him. Jesus therefore came, and found that he had been four days already in the grave. (Now Bethania was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off.) And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus had come, went to meet him: but Mary sat at home. Martha therefore said to Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But now also I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith to her: Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith to him: I know that he shall rise again, in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live:  And every one that liveth, and believeth in me, shall not die for ever. Believest thou this? She saith to him: Yea, Lord, I have believed that thou art Christ the Son of the living God, who art come into this world. And when she had said these things, she went, and called her sister Mary secretly, saying: The master is come, and calleth for thee. She, as soon as she heard this, riseth quickly, and cometh to him. For Jesus was not yet come into the town: but he was still in that place where Martha had met him. The Jews therefore, who were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up speedily and went out, followed her, saying: She goeth to the grave to weep there. When Mary therefore was come where Jesus was, seeing him, she fell down at his feet, and saith to him: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews that were come with her, weeping, groaned in the spirit, and troubled himself,  And said: Where have you laid him? They say to him: Lord, come and see. And Jesus wept. The Jews therefore said: Behold how he loved him. But some of them said: Could not he that opened the eyes of the man born blind, have caused that this man should not die? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to the sepulchre. Now it was a cave; and a stone was laid over it. Jesus saith: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him: Lord, by this time he stinketh, for he is now of four days. Jesus saith to her: Did not I say to thee, that if thou believe, thou shalt see the glory of God? They took therefore the stone away. And Jesus lifting up his eyes said: Father, I give thee thanks that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always; but because of the people who stand about have I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. When he had said these things, he cried with a loud voice: Lazarus, come forth. And presently he that had been dead came forth, bound feet and hands with winding bands; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said to them: Loose him, and let him go. Many therefore of the Jews, who were come to Mary and Martha, and had seen the things that Jesus did, believed in him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/6/2025. These readings are used as part of the Third Scrutiny of OCIA.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Fourth Week Of Lent

First Reading:  Jeremiah 11:18-20

But thou, O Lord, hast shewn me, and I have known: then thou shewedst me their doings. And I was as a meek lamb, that is carried to be a victim: and I knew not that they had devised counsels against me, saying: Let us put wood on his bread, and cut him off from the land of the living, and let his name be remembered no more. But thou, O Lord of Sabaoth, who judgest justly, and triest the reins and hearts, let me see thy revenge on them: for to thee I have revealed my cause.  

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 7:2a; V. 2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12

R.  O Lord my God, in thee have I put my trust:

V.  O Lord my God, in thee have I put my trust:

      save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.

      Lest at any time he seize upon my soul like a lion,

      while there is no one to redeem me, nor to save.

V.  Judge me, O Lord, according to my justice,

     and according to my innocence in me.

     The wickedness of sinners shall be brought to nought:

     and thou shalt direct the just:

     the searcher of hearts and reins is God.

V.  Just is my help from the Lord:

     who saveth the upright of heart.

     God is a just judge, strong and patient:

     is he angry every day?

Gospel Reading:  John 7:40-53

Of that multitude therefore, when they had heard these words of his, some said: This is the prophet indeed. Others said: This is the Christ. But some said: Doth the Christ come out of Galilee? Doth not the scripture say: That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem the town where David was? So there arose a dissension among the people because of him. And some of them would have apprehended him: but no man laid hands on him. The ministers therefore came to the chief priests and the Pharisees. And they said to them: Why have you not brought him? The ministers answered: Never did man speak like this man. The Pharisees therefore answered them: Are you also seduced? Hath any one of the rulers believed in him, or of the Pharisees? But this multitude, that knoweth not the law, are accursed.  50 Nicodemus said to them, (he that came to him by night, who was one of them:)   Doth our law judge any man, unless it first hear him, and know what he doth? They answered, and said to him: Art thou also a Galilean? Search the scriptures, and see, that out of Galilee a prophet riseth not. And every man returned to his own house.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/5/2025.

DR Squared: Friday Of The Fourth Week Of Lent

First Reading:  Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22

For they have said, reasoning with themselves, but not right:  Let us therefore lie in wait for the just, because he is not for our turn, and he is contrary to our doings, and upbraideth us with transgressions of the law, and divulgeth against us the sins of our way of life. He boasteth that he hath the knowledge of God, and calleth himself the son of God. He is become a censurer of our thoughts. He is grievous unto us, even to behold: for his life is not like other men's, and his ways are very different. We are esteemed by him as triflers, and he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness, and he preferreth the latter end of the just, and glorieth that he hath God for his father. Let us see then if his words be true, and let us prove what shall happen to him, and we shall know what his end shall be. For if he be the true son of God, he will defend him, and will deliver him from the hands of his enemies. Let us examine him by outrages and tortures, that we may know his meekness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a most shameful death: for there shall be respect had unto him by his words. These things they thought, and were deceived: for their own malice blinded them. And they knew not the secrets of God, nor hoped for the wages of justice, nor esteemed the honour of holy souls.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 34 (33):19a; V. 17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23

R.  The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart:

V.  But the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil things:

     to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

     The just cried, and the Lord heard them:

     and delivered them out of all their troubles.

V.  The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart:

     and he will save the humble of spirit.

     Many are the afflictions of the just;

     but out of them all will the Lord deliver them.

V. The Lord keepeth all their bones,

     not one of them shall be broken.

     The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants:

     and none of them that trust in him shall offend.  

Gospel Reading:  John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for he would not walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. But after his brethren were gone up, then he also went up to the feast, not openly, but, as it were, in secret. Some therefore of Jerusalem said: Is not this he whom they seek to kill? And behold, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing to him. Have the rulers known for a truth, that this is the Christ? But we know this man, whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching, and saying: You both know me, and you know whence I am: and I am not come of myself; but he that sent me, is true, whom you know not. I know him, because I am from him, and he hath sent me. They sought therefore to apprehend him: and no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/4/2025.

Imploring The Saint Of The Day

One of the original six litanies approved for public use by the Holy See prior to 2013, how appropriate it is to recite it on this day.

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V. Lord, have mercy.

R. Lord, have mercy.

V. Christ, have mercy.

R. Christ, have mercy.

V. Lord, have mercy.

R. Lord, have mercy

V. God our Father in heaven.

R. Have mercy on us.

V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world.

R. Have mercy on us.

V. God the Holy Spirit.

R. Have mercy on us.

V. Holy Trinity, one God.

R. Have mercy on us.

V. Holy Mary,

R. Pray for us. (Repeat after each invocation.)

St. Joseph 

Noble son of the House of David 

Light of patriarchs 

Husband of the Mother of God 

Guardian of the Virgin 

Foster father of the Son of God 

Faithful guardian of Christ 

Head of the Holy Family 

Joseph, chaste and just 

Joseph, prudent and brave 

Joseph, obedient and loyal

Pattern of patience 

Lover of poverty

Model of workers 

Example to parents 

Guardian of virgins

Pillar of family life 

Comfort of the troubled 

Hope of the sick 

Patron of the dying

Terror of evil spirits 

Protector of the Church 

V. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world

R. Spare us. O Lord

V. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world

R. Graciously hear us. O Lord.

V. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world

R. Have mercy on us

V. God made him master of his household.

R. And put him in charge of all that he owned.

Let us pray:

O God, who in your inexpressible providence were pleased to choose Saint Joseph as spouse of the most holy Mother of your Son, grant, we pray, that we, who revere him as our protector on earth, may be worthy of his heavenly intercession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Originally posted 3/19/2024.

DR Squared: Solemnity Of Saint Joseph, Spouse Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

First Reading:  2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16

But it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:  Go, and say to my servant David:  And when thy days shall be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house to my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son:  And thy house shall be faithful, and thy kingdom for ever before thy face, and thy throne shall be firm for ever. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 89 (88):37; V. 2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29

R.  His seed shall endure for ever.

V.  The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever.

      I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth to generation and generation.

      For thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens:

      thy truth shall be prepared in them.

V.   I have made a covenant with my elect:

       I have sworn to David my servant:

      Thy seed will I settle for ever.

      And I will build up thy throne unto generation and generation.

V.  He shall cry out to me: Thou art my father:

     my God, and the support of my salvation.

     I will keep my mercy for him for ever:

     and my covenant faithful to him. 

Second Reading:  Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22

For not through the law was the promise to Abraham, or to his seed, that he should be heir of the world; but through the justice of faith. Therefore is it of faith, that according to grace the promise might be firm to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,  17 (As it is written: I have made thee a father of many nations,) before God, whom he believed, who quickeneth the dead; and calleth those things that are not, as those that are.  18 Who against hope believed in hope; that he might be made the father of many nations, according to that which was said to him: So shall thy seed be. And therefore it was reputed to him unto justice. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51a 

And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins. And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife.

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And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not.  44 And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father's business? And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.

The reading from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 3/19/2025.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Cyril Of Jerusalem, Bishop And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  1 John 5:1-5

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And every one that loveth him who begot, loveth him also who is born of him. In this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the charity of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not heavy. For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 19 (18):10b or John 6:64; V. Psalm 8, 9, 10, 11

R.  (T)he judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.

OR

R.  The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life.

V.  The law of the Lord is unspotted,

      converting souls:

      the testimony of the Lord is faithful,

      giving wisdom to little ones.

V.  The justices of the Lord are right,

      rejoicing hearts:

      the commandment of the Lord is lightsome,

      enlightening the eyes.

V.  The fear of the Lord is holy,

     enduring for ever and ever:

     the judgments of the Lord are true,

     justified in themselves.

V.  More to be desired than gold

     and many precious stones:

     and sweeter than honey

     and the honeycomb.

  

Gospel Reading:  John 15:1-8

I am the true vine; and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me, that beareth not fruit, he will take away: and every one that beareth fruit, he will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean by reason of the word, which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine: you the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burneth. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you. In this is my Father glorified; that you bring forth very much fruit, and become my disciples. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 3/18/2025.

DR Squared: Wednesday Of The Fourth Week Of Lent

First Reading:  Isaiah 49:8-15

Thus saith the Lord: In an acceptable time I have heard thee, and in the day of salvation I have helped thee: and I have preserved thee, and given thee to be a covenant of the people, that thou mightest raise up the earth, and possess the inheritances that were destroyed:  That thou mightest say to them that are bound: Come forth: and to them that are in darkness: shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in every plain. They shall not hunger, nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun strike them: for he that is merciful to them, shall be their shepherd, and at the fountains of waters he shall give them drink. And I will make all my mountains a way, and my paths shall be exalted. Behold these shall come from afar, and behold these from the north and from the sea, and these from the south country. Give praise, O ye heavens, and rejoice, O earth, ye mountains, give praise with jubilation: because the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy on his poor ones. And Sion said: The Lord hath forsaken me, and the Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb? and if she should forget, yet will not I forget thee.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 145 (144):8a; V. 8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18

R.  The Lord is gracious and merciful:

V.  The Lord is gracious and merciful:

     patient and plenteous in mercy.

     The Lord is sweet to all:

     and his tender mercies are over all his works.

V.  The Lord is faithful in all his words:

     and holy in all his works.

     The Lord lifteth up all that fall:

     and setteth up all that are cast down.

V.  The Lord is just in all his ways:

     and holy in all his works.

     The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him:

     to all that call upon him in truth. 

Gospel Reading:  John 5:17-30

But Jesus answered them: My Father worketh until now; and I work. Hereupon therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he did not only break the sabbath, but also said God was his Father, making himself equal to God. Then Jesus answered, and said to them: Amen, amen, I say unto you, the Son cannot do any thing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doth, these the Son also doth in like manner. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things which himself doth: and greater works than these will he shew him, that you may wonder. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and giveth life: so the Son also giveth life to whom he will. For neither doth the Father judge any man, but hath given all judgment to the Son. That all men may honour the Son, as they honour the Father. He who honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father, who hath sent him. Amen, amen I say unto you, that he who heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath life everlasting; and cometh not into judgment, but is passed from death to life. Amen, amen I say unto you, that the hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself, so he hath given the Son also to have life in himself:  And he hath given him power to do judgment, because he is the Son of man. Wonder not at this; for the hour cometh, wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God. And they that have done good things, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment. I cannot of myself do any thing. As I hear, so I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of him that sent me. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/2/2025.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Patrick, Bishop

First Reading:  1 Peter  4:7b-11

Be prudent therefore, and watch in prayers. But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins. Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring, As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God. If any man minister, let him do it, as of the power, which God administereth: that in all things God may be honoured through Jesus Christ: to whom is glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 96 (95):3; V. 1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8b, 10

R.  Declare his glory among the Gentiles: his wonders among all people.

V.  Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle:

      sing to the Lord, all the earth.

      Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name:

V.  (S)hew forth his salvation from day to day.

      Declare his glory among the Gentiles:

      his wonders among all people.

V.  Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles,

      bring ye to the Lord glory and honour:

      Bring to the Lord glory unto his name.

V.  Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned.

      For he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved:

      he will judge the people with justice. 

Gospel Reading:  Luke 5:1-11

And it came to pass, that when the multitudes pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Genesareth, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And going into one of the ships that was Simon's, he desired him to draw back a little from the land. And sitting he taught the multitudes out of the ship. Now when he had ceased to speak, he said to Simon: Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said to him: Master, we have labored all the night, and have taken nothing: but at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they enclosed a very great multitude of fishes, and their net broke. And they beckoned to their partners that were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they were almost sinking. Which when Simon Peter saw, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying: Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was wholly astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken. And so were also James and John the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. And Jesus saith to Simon: Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And having brought their ships to land, leaving all things, they followed him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 3/17/2025.