DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  Ephesians 3:8-12

To me, the least of all the saints, is given this grace, to preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ, And to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things:  That the manifold wisdom of God may be made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places through the church, According to the eternal purpose, which he made, in Christ Jesus our Lord:  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119 (118):12 V. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

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

V.  By what doth a young man correct his way?

     by observing thy words.

V.  With my whole heart have I sought after thee:

     let me not stray from thy commandments.

V.  Thy words have I hidden in my heart,

     that I may not sin against thee.

V.  Blessed art thou, O Lord:

     teach me thy justifications.

V.  With my lips I have pronounced

     all the judgments of thy mouth.

 

V.  I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies,

     as in all riches.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 6:43-45

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.

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Originally posted 7/30/2025.

DR Squared: Thursday Of The Seventeenth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Jeremiah 18:1-6

The word that came to Jeremias from the Lord, saying:  Arise, and go down into the potter's house, and there thou shalt hear my words. And I went down into the potter's house, and behold he was doing a work on the wheel. And the vessel was broken which he was making of clay with his hands: and turning he made another vessel, as it seemed good in his eyes to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:  Cannot I do with you, as this potter, O house of Israel, saith the Lord? behold as clay is in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 146 (145):5a; V. 1b-2, 3-4, 5-6ab (DR--2abc, 2d-4, 5-6)

R.  Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his helper,

V.  Praise the Lord, O my soul,

     in my life I will praise the Lord:

     I will sing to my God as long as I shall be.

V.  Put not your trust in princes:

     In the children of men, in whom there is no salvation.

     His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return into his earth:

     in that day all their thoughts shall perish.

V.  Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his helper,

     whose hope is in the Lord his God:

     Who made heaven and earth,

     the sea, and all things that are in them.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 13:47-53

Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kind of fishes. Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have ye understood all these things? They say to him: Yes. He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old. And it came to pass: when Jesus had finished these parables, he passed from thence.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saints Martha, Mary, And Lazarus

First Reading:  1 John 4:7-16

Dearly beloved, let us love one another, for charity is of God. And every one that loveth, is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God: for God is charity. By this hath the charity of God appeared towards us, because God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we may live by him. In this is charity: not as though we had loved God, but because he hath first loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins. My dearest, if God hath so loved us; we also ought to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abideth in us, and his charity is perfected in us. In this we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he hath given us of his spirit. And we have seen, and do testify, that the Father hath sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. And we have known, and have believed the charity, which God hath to us. God is charity: and he that abideth in charity, abideth in God, and God in him.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm  34 (33):2a OR 9a; V. 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11

R.  I will bless the Lord at all times,

OR

R.  O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet:

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.

V.  Fear the Lord, all ye his saints:

     for there is no want to them that fear him.

     The rich have wanted, and have suffered hunger:

     but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good. 

 Gospel Reading:  John 11:19-27

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.

OR

Luke 10:38-42

Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord's feet, heard his word. But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things:  But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 7/29/2025.

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

First Reading:  Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21

Woe is me, my mother: why hast thou borne me a man of strife, a man of contention to all the earth? I have not lent on usury, neither hath any man lent to me on usury: yet all curse me. Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was to me a joy and gladness of my heart: for thy name is called upon me, O Lord God of hosts. I sat not in the assembly of jesters, nor did I make a boast of the presence of thy hand: I sat alone, because thou hast filled me with threats. Why is my sorrow become perpetual, and my wound desperate so as to refuse to be healed? it is become to me as the falsehood of deceitful waters that cannot be trusted. Therefore thus saith the Lord: If thou wilt be converted, I will convert thee, and thou shalt stand before my face; and if thou wilt separate the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: they shall be turned to thee, and thou shalt not be turned to them. And I will make thee to this people as a strong wall of brass: and they shall fight against thee, and shall not prevail: for I am with thee to save thee, and to deliver thee, saith the Lord. And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the mighty.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 59 (58):17d; V. 2-3, 4-5a, 10-12a, 17, 18

R.  (A)nd my refuge, in the day of my trouble.

V.  Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;

and defend me from them that rise up against me.

Deliver me from them that work iniquity,

and save me from bloody men.

V.  For behold they have caught my soul:

the mighty have rushed in upon me:

Neither is it my iniquity, nor my sin, O Lord:

V.  I will keep my strength to thee:

for thou art my protector:

My God, his mercy shall prevent me.

God shall let me see over my enemies:

V.  But I will sing thy strength:

and will extol thy mercy in the morning.

For thou art become my support,

and my refuge, in the day of my trouble.

V.  Unto thee, O my helper, will I sing,

for thou art God my defence:

my God my mercy.

Gospel Reading:  John 11:19-27

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.

The readings from the UCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Jeremiah 14:17-22

And thou shalt speak this word to them: Let my eyes shed down tears night and day, and let them not cease, because the virgin daughter of my people is afflicted with a great affliction, with an exceeding grievous evil. If I go forth into the fields, behold the slain with the sword: and if I enter into the city, behold them that are consumed with famine. The prophet also and the priest are gone into a land which they knew not. Hast thou utterly cast away Juda, or hath thy soul abhorred Sion? why then hast thou struck us, so that there is no healing for us? we have looked for peace, and there is no good: and for the time of healing, and behold trouble. We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, the iniquities of our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. Give us not to be a reproach, for thy name's sake, and do not disgrace in us the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us. Are there any among the graven things of the Gentiles that can send rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou the Lord our God, whom we have looked for? for thou hast made all these things.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 79 (78):8b; V. 8, 9, 11 and 13

R.   (A)nd for the glory of thy name, O Lord, deliver us:

V.  Remember not our former iniquities:

     let thy mercies speedily prevent us,

     for we are become exceeding poor.

V.  Help us, O God, our saviour:

     and for the glory of thy name, O Lord, deliver us:

     and forgive us our sins

     for thy name's sake:

V.  Let the sighing of the prisoners come in before thee.

     According to the greatness of thy arm, take possession of the children of them that have       been put to death.

     But we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture,

     will give thanks to thee for ever.

     We will shew forth thy praise, unto generation and generation.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 13:36-43

Then having sent away the multitudes, he came into the house, and his disciples came to him, saying: Expound to us the parable of the cockle of the field. Who made answer and said to them: He that soweth the good seed, is the Son of man. And the field, is the world. And the good seed are the children of the kingdom. And the cockle, are the children of the wicked one. And the enemy that sowed them, is the devil. But the harvest is the end of the world. And the reapers are the angels. Even as cockle therefore is gathered up, and burnt with fire: so shall it be at the end of the world. The Son of man shall send his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all scandals, and them that work iniquity. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the just shine as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Jeremiah 13:1-11

Thus saith the Lord to me: Go, and get thee a linen girdle, and thou shalt put it about thy loins, and shalt not put it into water. And I got a girdle according to the word of the Lord, and put it about my loins. And the word of the Lord came to me the second time, saying:  Take the girdle which thou hast got, which is about thy loins, and arise, and go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock. And I went, and hid it by the Euphrates, as the Lord had commanded me. And it came to pass after many days, that the Lord said to me: Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take from thence the girdle, which I commanded thee to hide there. And I went to the Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle out of the place where I had hid it: and behold the girdle was rotten, so that it was fit for no use. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:  Thus saith the Lord: after this manner will I make the pride of Juda, and the great pride of Jerusalem to rot. This wicked people, that will not hear my words, and that walk in the perverseness of their heart, and have gone after strange gods to serve them, and to adore them: and they shall be as this girdle which is fit for no use. For as the girdle sticketh close to the loins of a man, so have I brought close to me all of the house of Israel, and all the house of Juda, saith the Lord: that they might be my people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Deuteronomy 32:18a; V. 18-19, 20, 21

R.  Thou hast forsaken the God that beget thee,

V.  Thou hast forsaken the God that beget thee,

     and hast forgotten the Lord that created thee.

     The Lord saw, and was moved to wrath:

     because his own sons and daughters provoked him.

V.  And he said: I will hide my face from them,

     and will consider what their last end shall be:

     for it is a perverse generation,

     and unfaithful children.

V.  They have provoked me with that which was no god,

     and have angered me with their vanities:

     and I will provoke them with that which is no people,

     and will vex them with a foolish nation.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 13:31-35

Another parable he proposed unto them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. Which is the least indeed of all seeds; but when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come, and dwell in the branches thereof. Another parable he spoke to them: The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened. All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes: and without parables he did not speak to them. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Seventeenth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading:  1 Kings 3:5, 7-12

And the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, saying: Ask what thou wilt that I should give thee. And now, O Lord God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a child, and know not how to go out and come in. And thy servant is in the midst of the people which thou hast chosen, an immense people, which cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, and discern between good and evil. For who shall be able to judge this people, thy people which is so numerous? And the word was pleasing to the Lord that Solomon had asked such a thing. And the Lord said to Solomon: Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life or riches, nor the lives of thy enemies, but hast asked for thyself wisdom to discern judgment, Behold I have done for thee according to thy words, and have given thee a wise and understanding heart, insomuch that there hath been no one like thee before thee, nor shall arise after thee.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119 (118):97a; V. 57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130

V.  O how have I loved thy law, O Lord!

R.  O Lord, my portion, I have said,

     I would keep thy law.

     The law of thy mouth is good to me,

     above thousands of gold and silver.

V.  O! let thy mercy be for my comfort,

     according to thy word unto thy servant.

     Let thy tender mercies come unto me, and I shall live:

     for thy law is my meditation.

V.  Therefore have I loved thy commandments

     above gold and the topaz.

     Therefore was I directed to all thy commandments:

     I have hated all wicked ways.

V.  Thy testimonies are wonderful:

     therefore my soul hath sought them.

     The declaration of thy words giveth light:

     and giveth understanding to little ones.

Second Reading:  Romans 8:28-30

And we know that to them that love God, all things work together unto good, to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints. For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated to be made conformable to the image of his Son; that he might be the firstborn amongst many brethren. And whom he predestinated, them he also called. And whom he called, them he also justified. And whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 13:44-52

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls. Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kind of fishes. Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have ye understood all these things? They say to him: Yes. He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Feast Of Saint James, Apostle

First Reading:  2 Corinthians 4:7-15

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God, and not of us. In all things we suffer tribulation, but are not distressed; we are straitened, but are not destitute; We suffer persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but we perish not:  Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies. For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake; that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. But having the same spirit of faith, as it is written: I believed, for which cause I have spoken; we also believe, for which cause we speak also:  Knowing that he who raised up Jesus, will raise us up also with Jesus, and place us with you. For all things are for your sakes; that the grace abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving unto the glory of God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 126:5; V. 1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6 (DR--7)

R.  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

V.  When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion,

     we became like men comforted.

     Then was our mouth filled with gladness;

     and our tongue with joy.

V.  Then shall they say among the Gentiles:

     The Lord hath done great things for them.

     The Lord hath done great things for us:

     we are become joyful.

V. Turn again our captivity, O Lord,

     as a stream in the south.

     They that sow in tears

     shall reap in joy.

V.  Going they went and wept,

     casting their seeds.

     But coming they shall come with joyfulness,

     carrying their sheaves.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 20:20-28

Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of him. Who said to her: What wilt thou? She saith to him: Say that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom. And Jesus answering, said: You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to him: We can. He saith to them: My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand, is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father. And the ten hearing it, were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them to him, and said: You know that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that are the greater, exercise power upon them. It shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be the greater among you, let him be your minister:  And he that will be first among you, shall be your servant. Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 7/25/2025.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Sharbel Makhlūf, Priest

First Reading:  Sirach 3:17-24  (DR--19-26)

My son, do thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men. The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find grace before God:  For great is the power of God alone, and he is honoured by the humble. Seek not the things that are too high for thee, and search not into things above thy ability: but the things that God hath commanded thee, think on them always, and in many of his works be not curious. For it is not necessary for thee to see with thy eyes those things that are hid. In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works thou shalt not be inquisitive. For many things are shewn to thee above the understanding of men. And the suspicion of them hath deceived many, and hath detained their minds in vanity.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 15 (14):1b; V. 2-3ab, 3cd-4ab, 5

R.  (W)ho shall rest in thy holy hill?

V.  He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice:

     He that speaketh truth in his heart,

     who hath not used deceit in his tongue:

V.  Nor hath done evil to his neighbour:

     nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours.

     In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing:

     but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord.

V.  He that hath not put out his money to usury,

     nor taken bribes against the innocent:

     He that doth these things

     shall not be moved for ever.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 19:27-29

Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have? And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 7/24/2025.

DR Squared: Friday Of The Sixteenth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Jeremiah 3:14-17

Return, O ye revolting children, saith the Lord: for I am your husband: and I will take you, one of a city, and two of a kindred, and will bring you into Sion. And I will give you pastors according to my own heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine. And when you shall be multiplied, and increase in the land in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more: The ark of the covenant of the Lord: neither shall it come upon the heart, neither shall they remember it, neither shall it be visited, neither shall that be done any more. At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord: and all the nations shall be gathered together to it, in the name of the Lord to Jerusalem, and they shall not walk after the perversity of their most wicked heart.

Responsorial Psalm:  Jeremiah 31:10d; V. 10, 11-12abcd, 13

R.  (A)nd he will keep him as the shepherd doth his flock.

V.  Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations,

     and declare it in the islands that are afar off, and say:

     He that scattered Israel will gather him:

     and he will keep him as the shepherd doth his flock.

V.  For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob,

     and delivered him out of the hand of one that was mightier than he.

     And they shall come, and shall give praise in mount Sion:

     and they shall flow together to the good things of the Lord,

     for the corn, and wine, and oil,

     and the increase of cattle and herds,

V.  Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance,

     the young men and old men together:

     and I will turn their mourning into joy,

     and will comfort them, and make them joyful after their sorrow.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 13:18-23

Hear you therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, there cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he that received the seed by the way side. And he that received the seed upon stony ground, is he that heareth the word, and immediately receiveth it with joy. Yet hath he not root in himself, but is only for a time: and when there ariseth tribulation and persecution because of the word, he is presently scandalized. And he that received the seed among thorns, is he that heareth the word, and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choketh up the word, and he becometh fruitless. But he that received the seed upon good ground, is he that heareth the word, and understandeth, and beareth fruit, and yieldeth the one an hundredfold, and another sixty, and another thirty.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.