DR Squared: Pentecost Sunday - Extended Vigil

First Reading:  Genesis 11:1-9

And the earth was of one tongue, and of the same speech. And when they removed from the east, they found a plain in the land of Sennaar, and dwelt in it. And each one said to his neighbour: Come, let us make brick, and bake them with fire. And they had brick instead of stones, and slime instead of mortar. And they said: Come, let us make a city and a tower, the top whereof may reach to heaven: and let us make our name famous before we be scattered abroad into all lands. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of Adam were building. And he said: Behold, it is one people, and all have one tongue: and they have begun to do this, neither will they leave off from their designs, till they accomplish them in deed. Come ye, therefore, let us go down, and there confound their tongue, that they may not understand one another's speech. And so the Lord scattered them from that place into all lands, and they ceased to build the city. And therefore the name thereof was called Babel, because there the language of the whole earth was confounded: and from thence the Lord scattered them abroad upon the face of all countries.

Responsorial Psalm: cf. Psalm 33 (32):12; V. 10-11, 12-13, 14-15

R.  Blessed is...the people whom he hath chosen for his inheritance.

V.  The Lord bringeth to naught the counsels of nations;

     and he rejecteth the devices of people, and casteth away the counsels of princes.

     But the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever:

     the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

V.  Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord:

     the people whom he hath chosen for his inheritance.

     The Lord hath looked from heaven:

     he hath beheld all the sons of men.

V.  From his habitation which he hath prepared,

     he hath looked upon all that dwell on the earth.

     He who hath made the hearts of every one of them:

     who understandeth all their works.

Second Reading:  Exodus 19:3-8a, 16-20b

And Moses went up to God: and the Lord called unto him from the mountain, and said: Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:  You have seen what I have done to the Egyptians, how I have carried you upon the wings of eagles, and have taken you to myself. If therefore you will hear my voice, and keep my covenant, you shall be my peculiar possession above all people: for all the earth is mine. And you shall be to me a priestly kingdom, and a holy nation. Those are the words thou shalt speak to the children of Israel. Moses came, and calling together the elders of the people, he declared all the words which the Lord had commanded. And all the people answered together: All that the Lord hath spoken, we will do. And now the third day was come, and the morning appeared: and behold thunders began to be heard, and lightning to flash, and a very thick cloud to cover the mount, and the noise of the trumpet sounded exceeding loud, and the people that was in the camp, feared. And when Moses had brought them forth to meet God from the place of the camp, they stood at the bottom of the mount. And all mount Sinai was on a smoke: because the Lord was come down upon it in fire, and the smoke arose from it as out of a furnace: and all the mount was terrible. And the sound of the trumpet grew by degrees louder and louder, and was drawn out to a greater length: Moses spoke, and God answered him. And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, in the very top of the mount, and he called Moses unto the top thereof.

Responsorial Psalm:  Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

R.   (W)orthy to be praised, and glorified, and exalted above all for ever: 

V.  Blessed art thou, O Lord the God of our fathers:

     and worthy to be praised, and glorified, and exalted above all for ever:

     and blessed is the holy name of thy glory:

     and worthy to be praised, and exalted above all in all ages.

V.  Blessed art thou in the holy temple of thy glory:

     and exceedingly to be praised, and exceeding glorious for ever.

V.  Blessed art thou on the throne of thy kingdom,

     and exceedingly to be praised, and exalted above all for ever.

V.  Blessed art thou, that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims:

     and worthy to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

V.  Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven:

     and worthy of praise, and glorious for ever.

OR

John 6:68c (DR--69c); V. Psalm 19 (18):8, 9, 10, 11

R.  (T)hou hast the words of eternal 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.

Third Reading:  Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and brought me forth in the spirit of the Lord: and set me down in the midst of a plain that was full of bones. And he led me about through them on every side: now they were very many upon the face of the plain, and they were exceeding dry. And he said to me: Son of man, dost thou think these bones shall live? And I answered: O Lord God, thou knowest. And he said to me: Prophesy concerning these bones; and say to them: Ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will send spirit into you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to grow over you, and will cover you with skin: and I will give you spirit and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord. And I prophesied as he had commanded me: and as I prophesied there was a noise, and behold a commotion: and the bones came together, each one to its joint. And I saw, and behold the sinews, and the flesh came up upon them: and the skin was stretched out over them, but there was no spirit in them. And he said to me: Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, O son of man, and say to the spirit: Thus saith the Lord God: Come, spirit, from the four winds, and blow upon these slain, and let them live again. And I prophesied as he had commanded me: and the spirit came into them, and they lived: and they stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. And he said to me: Son of man: All these bones are the house of Israel: they say: Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost, and we are cut off. Therefore prophesy, and say to them: 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:  cf. Psalm 107 (106):1; V. 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9  

R.  Give glory to the Lord,...for his mercy endureth for ever.

V.  Let them say so that have been redeemed by the Lord,

     whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy: and gathered out of the countries.

     From the rising and the setting of the sun,

     from the north and from the sea.

V.  They wandered in a wilderness, in a place without water:

     they found not the way of a city for their habitation.

     They were hungry and thirsty:

     their soul fainted in them.

V.  And they cried to the Lord in their tribulation:

     and he delivered them out of their distresses.

     And he led them into the right way:

     that they might go to a city of habitation.

V.  Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him:

     and his wonderful works to the children of men.

     For he hath satisfied the empty soul,

     and hath filled the hungry soul with good things.

Fourth Reading:  Joel 3:1-5  (DR--2:28-32)

And it shall come to pass after this, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy: your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Moreover upon my servants and handmaids in those days I will pour forth my spirit. And I will shew wonders in heaven; and in earth, blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood: before the great and dreadful day of the Lord doth come. And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved: for in mount Sion, and in Jerusalem shall be salvation, as the Lord hath said, and in the residue whom the Lord shall call.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 104 (103):30; V. 1-2, 24, 35b, 27-28, 29b,-30

R.  Thou shalt send forth thy spirit, and...renew the face of the earth.

V.  Bless the Lord, O my soul:

     O Lord my God, thou art exceedingly great.

     Thou hast put on praise and beauty: 

     And art clothed with light as with a garment.

V.  How great are thy works, O Lord?

     thou hast made all things in wisdom:

     the earth is filled with thy riches.

     O my soul, bless thou the Lord.

V.  All expect of thee

     that thou give them food in season.

     What thou givest to them they shall gather up:

     when thou openest thy hand, they shall all be filled with good.

V.  (T)hou shalt take away their breath, and they shall fail,

     and shall return to their dust.

     Thou shalt send forth thy spirit, and they shall be created:

     and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.   

Second Reading:  Romans 8:22-27

For we know that every creature groaneth and travaileth in pain, even till now. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of God, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen, is not hope. For what a man seeth, why doth he hope for? But if we hope for that which we see not, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings. And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what the Spirit desireth; because he asketh for the saints according to God.

Gospel Reading:  John 7:37-39

And on the last, and great day of the festivity, Jesus stood and cried, saying: If any man thirst, let him come to me, and drink. He that believeth in me, as the scripture saith, Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Now this he said of the Spirit which they should receive, who believed in him: for as yet the Spirit was not given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/7/2025.

DR Squared: Pentecost Sunday - Vigil Mass

First Reading:  Genesis 11:1-9

And the earth was of one tongue, and of the same speech. And when they removed from the east, they found a plain in the land of Sennaar, and dwelt in it. And each one said to his neighbour: Come, let us make brick, and bake them with fire. And they had brick instead of stones, and slime instead of mortar. And they said: Come, let us make a city and a tower, the top whereof may reach to heaven: and let us make our name famous before we be scattered abroad into all lands. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of Adam were building. And he said: Behold, it is one people, and all have one tongue: and they have begun to do this, neither will they leave off from their designs, till they accomplish them in deed. Come ye, therefore, let us go down, and there confound their tongue, that they may not understand one another's speech. And so the Lord scattered them from that place into all lands, and they ceased to build the city. And therefore the name thereof was called Babel, because there the language of the whole earth was confounded: and from thence the Lord scattered them abroad upon the face of all countries.

OR

Exodus 19:3-8a, 16-20b

And Moses went up to God: and the Lord called unto him from the mountain, and said: Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:  You have seen what I have done to the Egyptians, how I have carried you upon the wings of eagles, and have taken you to myself. If therefore you will hear my voice, and keep my covenant, you shall be my peculiar possession above all people: for all the earth is mine. And you shall be to me a priestly kingdom, and a holy nation. Those are the words thou shalt speak to the children of Israel. Moses came, and calling together the elders of the people, he declared all the words which the Lord had commanded. And all the people answered together: All that the Lord hath spoken, we will do. And now the third day was come, and the morning appeared: and behold thunders began to be heard, and lightning to flash, and a very thick cloud to cover the mount, and the noise of the trumpet sounded exceeding loud, and the people that was in the camp, feared. And when Moses had brought them forth to meet God from the place of the camp, they stood at the bottom of the mount. And all mount Sinai was on a smoke: because the Lord was come down upon it in fire, and the smoke arose from it as out of a furnace: and all the mount was terrible. And the sound of the trumpet grew by degrees louder and louder, and was drawn out to a greater length: Moses spoke, and God answered him. And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, in the very top of the mount, and he called Moses unto the top thereof.

OR

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and brought me forth in the spirit of the Lord: and set me down in the midst of a plain that was full of bones. And he led me about through them on every side: now they were very many upon the face of the plain, and they were exceeding dry. And he said to me: Son of man, dost thou think these bones shall live? And I answered: O Lord God, thou knowest. And he said to me: Prophesy concerning these bones; and say to them: Ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will send spirit into you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to grow over you, and will cover you with skin: and I will give you spirit and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord. And I prophesied as he had commanded me: and as I prophesied there was a noise, and behold a commotion: and the bones came together, each one to its joint. And I saw, and behold the sinews, and the flesh came up upon them: and the skin was stretched out over them, but there was no spirit in them. And he said to me: Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, O son of man, and say to the spirit: Thus saith the Lord God: Come, spirit, from the four winds, and blow upon these slain, and let them live again. And I prophesied as he had commanded me: and the spirit came into them, and they lived: and they stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. And he said to me: Son of man: All these bones are the house of Israel: they say: Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost, and we are cut off. Therefore prophesy, and say to them: 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:

OR

Joel 3:1-5  (DR--2:28-32)

And it shall come to pass after this, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy: your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Moreover upon my servants and handmaids in those days I will pour forth my spirit. And I will shew wonders in heaven; and in earth, blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood: before the great and dreadful day of the Lord doth come. And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved: for in mount Sion, and in Jerusalem shall be salvation, as the Lord hath said, and in the residue whom the Lord shall call.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 104 (103):30; V. 1-2, 24, 35b, 27-28, 29b,-30

R.  Thou shalt send forth thy spirit, and...renew the face of the earth.

V.  Bless the Lord, O my soul:

     O Lord my God, thou art exceedingly great.

     Thou hast put on praise and beauty: 

     And art clothed with light as with a garment.

V.  How great are thy works, O Lord?

     thou hast made all things in wisdom:

     the earth is filled with thy riches.

     O my soul, bless thou the Lord.

V.  All expect of thee

     that thou give them food in season.

     What thou givest to them they shall gather up:

     when thou openest thy hand, they shall all be filled with good.

V.  (T)hou shalt take away their breath, and they shall fail,

     and shall return to their dust.

     Thou shalt send forth thy spirit, and they shall be created:

     and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.   

Second Reading:  Romans 8:22-27

For we know that every creature groaneth and travaileth in pain, even till now. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of God, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen, is not hope. For what a man seeth, why doth he hope for? But if we hope for that which we see not, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings. And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what the Spirit desireth; because he asketh for the saints according to God.

Gospel Reading:  John 7:37-39

And on the last, and great day of the festivity, Jesus stood and cried, saying: If any man thirst, let him come to me, and drink. He that believeth in me, as the scripture saith, Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Now this he said of the Spirit which they should receive, who believed in him: for as yet the Spirit was not given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/7/2025.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Seventh Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 28:16-20, 30-31

And when we were come to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him. And after the third day, he called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: Men, brethren, I, having done nothing against the people, or the custom of our fathers, was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans;  Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me;  But the Jews contradicting it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had any thing to accuse my nation of. For this cause therefore I desired to see you, and to speak to you. Because that for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain. And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging; and he received all that came in to him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 11 (10):7b (8b); V. 4, 5 and 7 (DR 5,6 and 8)

R.  (H)is countenance hath beheld righteousness.  

V.  The Lord is in his holy temple,

     the Lord's throne is in heaven.

     His eyes look on the poor man:

     his eyelids examine the sons of men.

V.  The Lord trieth the just and the wicked:

     but he that loveth iniquity hateth his own soul.

     For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice:

     his countenance hath beheld righteousness.

Gospel Reading:  John 21:20-25

Peter turning about, saw that disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned on his breast at supper, and said: Lord, who is he that shall betray thee? Him therefore when Peter had seen, he saith to Jesus: Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith to him: So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to thee? follow thou me. This saying therefore went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. And Jesus did not say to him: He should not die; but, So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to thee? This is that disciple who giveth testimony of these things, and hath written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; which, if they were written every one, the world itself, I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/7/2025.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Rita Of Cascia, Religious

First Reading:  Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline, think on these things. The things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these do ye, and the God of peace shall be with you.

Responsorial Psalm:  V. Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

R.  {Psalm 40 (39):5a}  Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord;

OR

R.  {Psalm 1:2a}  But his will is in the law of the Lord,

OR

R.  {cf. Psalm 92 (91):13-14}  The just shall flourish like the palm tree:...in the courts of the house of our God.

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 6:27-38

But I say to you that hear: Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them that calumniate you. And to him that striketh thee on the one cheek, offer also the other. And him that taketh away from thee thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every one that asketh thee, and of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again. And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them in like manner. And if you love them that love you, what thanks are to you? for sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them who do good to you, what thanks are to you? for sinners also do this. And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thanks are to you? for sinners also lend to sinners, for to receive as much. But love ye your enemies: do good, and lend, hoping for nothing thereby: and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the sons of the Highest; for he is kind to the unthankful, and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you: good measure and pressed down and shaken together and running over shall they give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you shall mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 5/22/2025.

DR Squared: Friday Of The Seventh Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 25:13b-21

And after some days, king Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to salute Festus. And as they tarried there many days, Festus told the king of Paul, saying: A certain man was left prisoner by Felix. About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests, and the ancients of the Jews, came unto me, desiring condemnation against him. To whom I answered: It is not the custom of the Romans to condemn any man, before that he who is accused have his accusers present, and have liberty to make his answer, to clear himself of the things laid to his charge. When therefore they were come hither, without any delay, on the day following, sitting in the judgment seat, I commanded the man to be brought. Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation of things which I thought ill of:  But had certain questions of their own superstition against him, and of one Jesus deceased, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. I therefore being in a doubt of this manner of question, asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things. But Paul appealing to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept, till I might send him to Caesar.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 103 (102):19a; V. 1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab

R.  The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven:

V.  Bless the Lord, O my soul:

     and let all that is within me bless his holy name.

     Bless the Lord, O my soul,

     and never forget all he hath done for thee.

V.  For according to the height of the heaven above the earth:

     he hath strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him.

     As far as the east is from the west,

     so far hath he removed our iniquities from us.

V.  The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven:

     and his kingdom shall rule over all.

     Bless the Lord, all ye his angels:

     you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, 

Gospel Reading:  John 21:15-19

When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs. He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs. He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep. Amen, amen I say to thee, when thou wast younger, thou didst gird thyself, and didst walk where thou wouldst. But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldst not. And this he said, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had said this, he saith to him: Follow me.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/6/2025.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Christopher Magallanes, Priest, And Companions, Martyrs

First Reading:  Revelation 7:9-17

After this I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne, and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands:  And they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God, who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and the ancients, and the four living creatures; and they fell down before the throne upon their faces, and adored God, Saying: Amen. Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honour, and power, and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the ancients answered, and said to me: These that are clothed in white robes, who are they? and whence came they? And I said to him: My Lord, thou knowest. And he said to me: These are they who are come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he, that sitteth on the throne, shall dwell over them. They shall no more hunger nor thirst, neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them, and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

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:  John 12:24-26

Amen, amen I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, Itself remaineth alone. But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world, keepeth it unto life eternal. If any man minister to me, let him follow me; and where I am, there also shall my minister be. If any man minister to me, him will my Father honour.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Thursday Of The Seventh Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 22:30; 23:6-11

But on the next day, meaning to know more diligently for what cause he was accused by the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the priests to come together, and all the council: and bringing forth Paul, he set him before them. And Paul knowing that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, cried out in the council: Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees: concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great cry. And some of the Pharisees rising up, strove, saying: We find no evil in this man. What if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel? And when there arose a great dissension, the tribune fearing lest Paul should be pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. And the night following the Lord standing by him, said: Be constant; for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 16 (15):1; V. 1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R.  Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put my trust in thee.

V.  Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put my trust in thee.

     I have said to the Lord, thou art my God,

     The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup:

     it is thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me.

V.  I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding:

     moreover my reins also have corrected me even till night.

     I set the Lord always in my sight:

     for he is at my right hand, that I be not moved.

V.  Therefore my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced:

     moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.

     Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;

     nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption.

V.  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life,

     thou shalt fill me with joy with thy countenance:

     at thy right hand are delights even to the end.

  

Gospel Reading:  John 17:20-26

And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me; That they all may be one, as thou, Father, in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou hast given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, as we also are one:  I in them, and thou in me; that they may be made perfect in one: and the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast also loved me. Father, I will that where I am, they also whom thou hast given me may be with me; that they may see my glory which thou hast given me, because thou hast loved me before the creation of the world. Just Father, the world hath not known thee; but I have known thee: and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have made known thy name to them, and will make it known; that the love wherewith thou hast loved me, may be in them, and I in them.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/5/2025.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Bernardine Of Siena, Priest

First Reading:  Acts 4:8-12

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them: Ye princes of the people, and ancients, hear:  If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he hath been made whole:  Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by him this man standeth here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 40 (39):8a and 9a; V. 2, 4(a), 7-8, 8-9, 10, 11

R.  Then said I, Behold I come. That I should do thy will:

V.  With expectation I have waited for the Lord,

     and he was attentive to me.

     And he put a new canticle into my mouth,

     a song to our God.

V.  Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire;

     but thou hast pierced ears for me.

     Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:

     Then said I, Behold I come.

V.  In the head of the book it is written of me

     That I should do thy will:

     O my God, I have desired it,

     and thy law in the midst of my heart.

V.  I have declared thy justice in a great church,

     lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it.

     I have not hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation.

     I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a great council. 

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:57-62

And it came to pass, as they walked in the way, that a certain man said to him: I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. Jesus said to him: The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. But he said to another: Follow me. And he said: Lord, suffer me first to go, and to bury my father. And Jesus said to him: Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou, and preach the kingdom of God. And another said: I will follow thee, Lord; but let me first take my leave of them that are at my house. Jesus said to him: No man putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 5/20/2025.

DR Squared: Wednesday Of The Seventh Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 20:28-38

Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. I know that, after my departure, ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, keeping in memory, that for three years I ceased not, with tears to admonish every one of you night and day. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build up, and to give an inheritance among all the sanctified. I have not coveted any man's silver, gold, or apparel, as You yourselves know: for such things as were needful for me and them that are with me, these hands have furnished. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the word of the Lord Jesus, how he said: It is a more blessed thing to give, rather than to receive. And when he had said these things, kneeling down, he prayed with them all. And there was much weeping among them all; and falling on the neck of Paul, they kissed him, Being grieved most of all for the word which he had said, that they should see his face no more. And they brought him on his way to the ship.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 68 (67):33a; V. 29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab

R.  Sing to God, ye kingdoms of the earth:

V.  Command thy strength, O God:

     confirm, O God, what thou hast wrought in us.

     From thy temple in Jerusalem,

     kings shall offer presents to thee.

V.  Sing to God, ye kingdoms of the earth:

     sing ye to the Lord: Sing ye to God,

     Who mounteth above the heaven of heavens, to the east.

     Behold he will give to his voice the voice of power:

     Give ye glory to God

V.  (F)or Israel, his magnificence,

     and his power is in the clouds.

     God is wonderful in his saints:

     the God of Israel is he who will give power and strength to his people.   

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 6/4/2025.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Seventh Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 20:17-27

And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called the ancients of the church. And when they were come to him, and were together, he said to them:  You know from the first day that I came into Asia, in what manner I have been with you, for all the time, Serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears, and temptations which befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews; How I have kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have preached it to you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to Jews and Gentiles penance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, being bound in the spirit, I go to Jerusalem: not knowing the things which shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost in every city witnesseth to me, saying: That bands and afflictions wait for me at Jerusalem. But I fear none of these things, neither do I count my life more precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course and the ministry of the word which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now behold, I know that all you, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to witness this day, that I am clear from the blood of all men;  For I have not spared to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 68 (67):33a; V. 10-11, 20-21

R.  Sing to God, ye kingdoms of the earth:

V.  Thou shalt set aside for thy inheritance a free rain, O God:

     and it was weakened, but thou hast made it perfect.

     In it shall thy animals dwell;

     in thy sweetness, O God, thou hast provided for the poor.

V.  Blessed be the Lord day by day:

     the God of our salvation will make our journey prosperous to us.

     Our God is the God of salvation:

     and of the Lord, of the Lord are the issues from death.

Gospel Reading:  John 17:1-11a

These things Jesus spoke, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said: Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he may give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. Now this is eternal life: That they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now glorify thou me, O Father, with thyself, with the glory which I had, before the world was, with thee. I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou hast given me out of the world. Thine they were, and to me thou gavest them; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known, that all things which thou hast given me, are from thee:  Because the words which thou gavest me, I have given to them; and they have received them, and have known in very deed that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them whom thou hast given me: because they are thine:  And all my things are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am not in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/3/2025.