DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Charles Lwanga And Companions, Martyrs

First Reading:  2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14

It came to pass also, that seven brethren, together with their mother, were apprehended, and compelled by the king to eat swine's flesh against the law, for which end they were tormented with whips and scourges. But one of them, who was the eldest, said thus: What wouldst thou ask, or learn of us? we are ready to die rather than to transgress the laws of God, received from our fathers. And when he was at the last gasp, he said thus: Thou indeed, O most wicked man, destroyest us out of this present life: but the King of the world will raise us up, who die for his laws, in the resurrection of eternal life. After him the third was made a mocking stock, and when he was required, he quickly put forth his tongue, and courageously stretched out his hands:  And said with confidence: These I have from heaven, but for the laws of God I now despise them: because I hope to receive them again from him. So that the king, and they that were with him, wondered at the young man's courage, because he esteemed the torments as nothing. And after he was thus dead, they tormented the fourth in the like manner. And when he was now ready to die, he spoke thus: It is better, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God, to be raised up again by him: for, as to thee thou shalt have no resurrection unto life.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 124 (123):7a; V. 2-3, 4-5, 7b-8

R.  Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the fowlers.

V.  If it had not been that the Lord was with us,

     When men rose up against us,

     Perhaps they had swallowed us up alive.

     When their fury was enkindled against us,

V.  Perhaps the waters had swallowed us up.

     Our soul hath passed through a torrent:

     perhaps our soul had passed through a water insupportable.

V.  The snare is broken, and we are delivered.

     Our help is in the name of the Lord,

     who made heaven and earth. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 5:1-12a

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him. And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake:  Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/3/2025.

DR Squared: Wednesday Of The Ninth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, according to the promise of life, which is in Christ Jesus. To Timothy my dearly beloved son, grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Lord. I give thanks to God, whom I serve from my forefathers with a pure conscience, that without ceasing, I have a remembrance of thee in my prayers, night and day. For which cause I admonish thee, that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee, by the imposition of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of sobriety. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but labour with the gospel, according to the power of God, Who hath delivered us and called us by his holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the times of the world. But is now made manifest by the illumination of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath destroyed death, and hath brought to light life and incorruption by the gospel:  Wherein I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and teacher of the Gentiles. For which cause I also suffer these things: but I am not ashamed. For I know whom I have believed, and I am certain that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him, against that day. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 123:1a; V. 1-2ab, 2cdef

R.  To thee have I lifted up my eyes,

V.  To thee have I lifted up my eyes,

     who dwellest in heaven.

     Behold as the eyes of servants

     are on the hands of their masters,

V.  As the eyes of the handmaid

     are on the hands of her mistress:

     so are our eyes unto the Lord our God,

     until he have mercy on us.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 12:18-27

And there came to him the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying:  Master, Moses wrote unto us, that if any man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother. Now there were seven brethren; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no issue. And the second took her, and died: and neither did he leave any issue. And the third in like manner. And the seven all took her in like manner; and did not leave issue. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise again, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering, saith to them: Do ye not therefore err, because you know not the scriptures, nor the power of God? For when they shall rise again from the dead, they shall neither marry, nor be married, but are as the angels in heaven. And as concerning the dead that they rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spoke to him, saying: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You therefore do greatly err.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saints Marcellinus And Peter, Martyrs

First Reading:  2 Corinthians 6:4-10

But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, In chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned, In the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armour of justice on the right hand and on the left; By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet known;  As dying, and behold we live; as chastised, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as needy, yet enriching many; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 124 (123):7a; V. 2-3, 4-5, 7b-8

R.  Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the fowlers.

V.  If it had not been that the Lord was with us,

     When men rose up against us,

     Perhaps they had swallowed us up alive.

     When their fury was enkindled against us,

V.  Perhaps the waters had swallowed us up.

     Our soul hath passed through a torrent:

     perhaps our soul had passed through a water insupportable.

V.  The snare is broken, and we are delivered.

     Our help is in the name of the Lord,

     who made heaven and earth. 

Gospel Reading:  John 17:11b-19

Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom thou has given me; that they may be one, as we also are. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name. Those whom thou gavest me have I kept; and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition, that the scripture may be fulfilled. And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy filled in themselves. I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world; as I also am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from evil. They are not of the world, as I also am not of the world. Sanctify them in truth. Thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for them do I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/2/2025.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Ninth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord, by which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with the burning heat? But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to his promises, in which justice dwelleth. Wherefore, dearly beloved, waiting for these things, be diligent that you may be found before him unspotted and blameless in peace. And account the longsuffering of our Lord, salvation; (y)ou therefore, brethren, knowing these things before, take heed, lest being led aside by the error of the unwise, you fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and unto the day of eternity. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 90 (89):1;V. 2, 3-4, 10, 14 and 16

R.  Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation.

V.  Before the mountains were made,

     or the earth and the world was formed;

     from eternity and to eternity thou art God.

V.  Turn not man away to be brought low:

     and thou hast said:  Be converted, O ye sons of men.

     For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past.

     And as a watch in the night,

V.  The days of our years in them are threescore and ten years.

     But if in the strong they be fourscore years:

     and what is more of them is labour and sorrow.

     For mildness is come upon us: and we shall be corrected.

V.  We are filled in the morning with thy mercy:

     and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days.

     Look upon thy servants and upon their works:

     and direct their children.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 12:13-17

And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians; that they should catch him in his words. Who coming, say to him: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and carest not for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar; or shall we not give it? Who knowing their wiliness, saith to them: Why tempt you me? bring me a penny that I may see it. And they brought it him. And he saith to them: Whose is this image and inscription? They say to him, Caesar's. And Jesus answering, said to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Justin, Martyr

First Reading:  1 Corinthians 1:18-25

For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness; but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the prudence of the prudent I will reject. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe. For both the Jews require signs, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness:  But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 34 (33):5b; V. 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R.  (A)nd he delivered me from all my troubles.

V.  I will bless the Lord at all times,

     his praise shall be always in my mouth.

     In the Lord shall my soul be praised:

     let the meek hear and rejoice.

V.  O magnify the Lord with me;

     and let us extol his name together.

     I sought the Lord, and he heard me;

     and he delivered me from all my troubles.

V.  Come ye to him and be enlightened:

     and your faces shall not be confounded.

     This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him:

     and saved him out of all his troubles.

V.  The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him:

     and shall deliver them.

     O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet:

     blessed is the man that hopeth in him.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 5:13-19

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Ninth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  2 Peter 1:2-7

Grace to you and peace be accomplished in the knowledge of God and of Christ Jesus our Lord:  As all things of his divine power which appertain to life and godliness, are given us, through the knowledge of him who hath called us by his own proper glory and virtue. By whom he hath given us most great and precious promises: that by these you may be made partakers of the divine nature: flying the corruption of that concupiscence which is in the world. And you, employing all care, minister in your faith, virtue; and in virtue, knowledge; And in knowledge, abstinence; and in abstinence, patience; and in patience, godliness; And in godliness, love of brotherhood; and in love of brotherhood, charity.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 91 (90):2b; V. 1-2, 14-15b, 15c-16

R.  (M)y God, in him will I trust.

V.  He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High,

     shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.

     He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge:

     my God, in him will I trust.

V.  Because he hoped in me I will deliver him:

     I will protect him because he hath known my name.

     He shall cry to me, and I will hear him:

     I am with him in tribulation,

V.  I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.

     I will fill him with length of days;

     and I will shew him my salvation.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 12:1-12

And he began to speak to them in parables: A certain man planted a vineyard and made a hedge about it, and dug a place for the winevat, and built a tower, and let it to husbandmen; and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant to receive of the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. Who having laid hands on him, beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent to them another servant; and him they wounded in the head, and used him reproachfully. And again he sent another, and him they killed: and many others, of whom some they beat, and others they killed. Therefore having yet one son, most dear to him; he also sent him unto them last of all, saying: They will reverence my son. But the husbandmen said one to another: This is the heir; come let us kill him; and the inheritance shall be ours. And laying hold on him, they killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those husbandmen; and will give the vineyard to others. And have you not read this scripture, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner:  By the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes. And they sought to lay hands on him, but they feared the people. For they knew that he spoke this parable to them. And leaving him, they went their way.

The readings from the USCCB can be found

One Hymn--Three Verses

An unknown author wrote it originally in Latin as Ave Colenda Trinitas. The translation we know today is by John David Chambers. Its most familiar setting is to Old Onehundreth.

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1. All hail, adored Trinity!

All hail, eternal Unity!

O God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Spirit, ever One.

2. Three persons praise we evermore,

One only God our hearts adore:

In thy sure mercy, ever kind,

May we your true protection find.

3. O Trinity! O Unity!

Be present as we worship thee;

And with the songs that angels sing

Unite the hymns of praise we bring.

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Originally posted 5/26/2024.

Re-posted 6/15/2025.

Thrice Holy Hymn

Reginald Heber pens the words set to the tune Nicaea. Since we cannot do any better than Ss. Peter, James, and John at the Transfiguration, this might be the closest expression of perfect adoration and praise we can offer.

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1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee,

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim, falling down before Thee,

Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

3. Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;

Only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee,

Perfect in pow'r, in love, and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth and sky and sea;

Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

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Originally posted 5/26/2024.

Re-posted 6/15/2025.

Glory Be To...

From the Athanasian Creed:

...And the Catholic Faith is this, that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity. Neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is all One, the Glory Equal, the Majesty Co-Eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father Uncreate, the Son Uncreate, and the Holy Ghost Uncreate. The Father Incomprehensible, the Son Incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost Incomprehensible. The Father Eternal, the Son Eternal, and the Holy Ghost Eternal and yet they are not Three Eternals but One Eternal. As also there are not Three Uncreated, nor Three Incomprehensibles, but One Uncreated, and One Uncomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not Three Almighties but One Almighty.

So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not Three Gods, but One God. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not Three Lords but One Lord. For, like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by Himself to be and Lord, so are we forbidden by the Religion to say, there be Three Gods or Three Lords. The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father, and of the Son neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

So there is One Father, not Three Fathers; one Son, not Three Sons; One Holy Ghost, not Three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is afore or after Other, None is greater or less than Another, but the whole Three Persons are Co-eternal together, and Co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshiped. He therefore that will be saved, must thus think of the Trinity....

This is He Who Was, Who Is, and Who Is To Come.

This is I AM.

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Originally posted 6/19/2011.
Re-posted 5/26/2013.

Re-posted 6/15/2014.
Re-posted 5/31/2015
Re-posted 5/22/2016.
Re-posted 6/11/2017.
Re-posted 5/27/2018.

Re-posted 6/16/2019.

Re-posted 6/7/2020.

Re-posted 5/30/2021.

Re-posted 6/13/2022.

Re-posted 6/4/2023.

Re-posted 5/26/2024.

Re-posted 6/15/2025.

Three Verses--One Hymn

The author is unknown; the text was translated by Irvin M. Udulutsch. Set to the tune Gott Vater Sei Gepriesen, it is a simple expression one of the Church's great mysteries. Ask St. Augustine.

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1 O God, almighty Father,

Creator of all things,

The heavens stand in wonder,

While earth your glory sings.

Refrain:

O most holy Trinity,

Undivided unity,

Holy God, mighty God,

God immortal, be adored!

2 O Jesus, Word incarnate,

Redeemer most adored,

All glory, praise, and honor;

Be yours, O sov'reign Lord. [Refrain]

3 O God, the Holy Spirit,

Who lives within our soul,

Send forth your light and lead us

To our eternal goal. [Refrain]

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Originally posted 5/26/2024.

Re-posted 6/15/2025.