DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Scholastica, Virgin

First Reading:  Song of Songs 8:6-7

Put me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy as hard as hell, the lamps thereof are fire and flames. Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can the floods drown it: if a man should give all the substance of his house for love, he shall despise it as nothing.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 148:12; V. 1bc-2, 11-13a, 13c-14

R.  Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the name of the Lord:

V.  Praise ye the Lord from the heavens:

     praise ye him in the high places.

     Praise ye him, all his angels:

     praise ye him, all his hosts.

V.  Kings of the earth and all people:

     princes and all judges of the earth:

     Young men and maidens:

     let the old with the younger,

     praise the name of the Lord:

     For his name alone is exalted.

V.  The praise of him is above heaven and earth:

      and he hath exalted the horn of his people.

      A hymn to all his saints: to the children of Israel,

      a people approaching to him. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading:  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 2/7/2025.

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

First Reading:  1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30

And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the sight of the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands towards heaven; And said: Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in heaven above, or on earth beneath: who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that have walked before thee with all their heart. Is it then to be thought that God should indeed dwell upon earth? for if heaven, and the heavens of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built? But have regard to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplications, O Lord my God: hear the hymn and the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee this day:  That thy eyes may be open upon this house night and day: upon the house of which thou hast said: My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth in this place to thee. That thou mayest hearken to the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel, whatsoever they shall pray for in this place, and hear them in the place of thy dwelling in heaven; and when thou hearest, shew them mercy.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 84 (83):2; V. 3, 4, 5 and 10, 11

R.  How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!

V.  My soul longeth and fainteth

     for the courts of the Lord.

     My heart and my flesh have rejoiced

     in the living God.

V.  For the sparrow hath found herself a house,

     and the turtle a nest for herself

     where she may lay her young ones:

     Thy altars, O Lord of hosts,

     my king and my God.

V.  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord:

     they shall praise thee for ever and ever.

     Behold, O God our protector:

     and look on the face of thy Christ.

V.  For better is one day in thy courts

     above thousands.

     I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God,

     rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 7:1-13

And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem. And when they had seen some of his disciples eat bread with common, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews eat not without often washing their hands, holding the tradition of the ancients:  And when they come from the market, unless they be washed, they eat not: and many other things there are that have been delivered to them to observe, the washings of cups and of pots, and of brazen vessels, and of beds. And the Pharisees and scribes asked him: Why do not thy disciples walk according to the tradition of the ancients, but they eat bread with common hands? But he answering, said to them: Well did Isaias prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men. For leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pots and of cups: and many other things you do like to these. And he said to them: Well do you make void the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition. For Moses said: Honour thy father and thy mother; and He that shall curse father or mother, dying let him die. But you say: If a man shall say to his father or mother, Corban, (which is a gift,) whatsoever is from me, shall profit thee. And further you suffer him not to do any thing for his father or mother, Making void the word of God by your own tradition, which you have given forth. And many other such like things you do.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13

Then all the ancients of Israel with the princes of the tribes, and the heads of the families of the children of Israel were assembled to king Solomon in Jerusalem: that they might carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, that is, out of Sion. And all Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon on the festival day in the month of Ethanim, the same is the seventh month. And all the ancients of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark, And carried the ark of the Lord, and the tabernacle of the covenant, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, that were in the tabernacle: and the priests and the Levites carried them. And king Solomon, and all the multitude of Israel, that were assembled unto him went with him before the ark, and they sacrificed sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered. And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord into its place, into the oracle of the temple, into the holy of holies under the wings of the cherubims. For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and covered the ark, and the staves thereof above. Now in the ark there was nothing else but the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the sanctuary, that a cloud filled the house of the Lord, And the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord. Then Solomon said: The Lord said that he would dwell in a cloud. Building I have built a house for thy dwelling, to be thy most firm throne for ever.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 132 (131):8a; V. 6-7, 8-10

R.  Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place:

V.  Behold we have heard of it in Ephrata:

     we have found it in the fields of the wood.

     We will go into his tabernacle:

     We will adore in the place where his feet stood.

V.  Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place:

     thou and the ark, which thou hast sanctified.

     Let thy priests be clothed with justice:

     and let thy saints rejoice.

     For thy servant David's sake,

     turn not away the face of thy anointed.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 6:53-56

And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Genezareth, and set to the shore. And when they were gone out of the ship, immediately they knew him:  And running through that whole country, they began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoever he entered, into towns or into villages or cities, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch but the hem of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Isaiah 58:7-10

Deal thy bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the harbourless into thy house: when thou shalt see one naked, cover him, and despise not thy own flesh. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall speedily arise, and thy justice shall go before thy face, and the glory of the Lord shall gather thee up. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall hear: thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou wilt take away the chain out of the midst of thee, and cease to stretch out the finger, and to speak that which profiteth not. When thou shalt pour out thy soul to the hungry, and shalt satisfy the afflicted soul then shall thy light rise up in darkness, and thy darkness shall be as the noonday.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 112 (111):4a; V. 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R.  To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness:

V.  To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness:

     he is merciful, and compassionate and just.

     Acceptable is the man that sheweth mercy and lendeth:

     he shall order his words with judgment:

V.  Because he shall not be moved for ever.

     The just shall be in everlasting remembrance:

     he shall not fear the evil hearing.

     His heart is ready to hope in the Lord:

V.  His heart is strengthened, he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies.

     He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor:

     his justice remaineth for ever and ever:

     his horn shall be exalted in glory.

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 2:1-5

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not in loftiness of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of Christ. For I judged not myself to know anything among you, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not in the persuasive words of human wisdom, but in shewing of the Spirit and power; That your faith might not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 5:13-16

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.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Fourth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  1 Kings 3:4-13

He went therefore to Gabaon, to sacrifice there: for that was the great high place: a thousand victims for holocausts did Solomon offer upon that altar in Gabaon. And the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, saying: Ask what thou wilt that I should give thee. And Solomon said: Thou hast shewn great mercy to thy servant David my father, even as, he walked before thee in truth, and justice, and an upright heart with thee: and thou hast kept thy great mercy for him, and hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 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. Yea and the things also which thou didst not ask, I have given thee: to wit riches and glory, as that no one hath been like thee among the kings in all days heretofore.

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

R.  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:  Mark 6:30-34

And the apostles coming together unto Jesus, related to him all things that they had done and taught. And he said to them: Come apart into a desert place, and rest a little. For there were many coming and going: and they had not so much as time to eat. And going up into a ship, they went into a desert place apart. And they saw them going away, and many knew: and they ran flocking thither on foot from all the cities, and were there before them. And Jesus going out saw a great multitude: and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

February 2026 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

For Children With Incurable Diseases. Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.

A link is provided for further reflection.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Paul Miki, Priest And Martyr, And His Companions, Martyrs

First Reading:  Galatians 2:19-20

For I, through the law, am dead to the law, that I may live to God: with Christ I am nailed to the cross. And I live, now not I; but Christ liveth in me. And that I live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered himself for me.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 126 (125):5; V. 1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6-7

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 28:16-20

And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And seeing him they adored: but some doubted. And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 2/6/2025.

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

First Reading:  Sirach 47:2-11 (DR--2-13)

And as the fat taken away from the flesh, so was David chosen from among the children of Israel. He played with lions as with lambs: and with bears he did in like manner as with the lambs of the flock, in his youth. Did not he kill the giant, and take away reproach from his people? In lifting up his hand, with the stone in the sling he beat down the boasting of Goliath:  For he called upon the Lord the Almighty, and he gave strength in his right hand, to take away the mighty warrior, and to set up the horn of his nation. So in ten thousand did he glorify him, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in offering to him a crown of glory: For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and extirpated the Philistines the adversaries unto this day: he broke their horn for ever. In all his works he gave thanks to the holy one, and to the most High, with words of glory. With his whole heart he praised the Lord, and loved God that made him: and he gave him power against his enemies:  And he set singers before the altar, and by their voices he made sweet melody. And to the festivals he added beauty, and set in order the solemn times even to the end of his life, that they should praise the holy name of the Lord, and magnify the holiness of God in the morning. The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn for ever: and he gave him a covenant of the kingdom, and a throne of glory in Israel.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 18 (17):47b; V. 31, 47 and 50, 51

R.  (L)et the God of my salvation be exalted:

V.  As for my God, his way is undefiled:

     the words of the Lord are fire tried:

     he is the protector of all that trust in him.

V.  The Lord liveth, and blessed be my God,

     and let the God of my salvation be exalted:

     Therefore will I give glory to thee, O Lord, among the nations,

     and I will sing a psalm to thy name.

V.  Giving great deliverance to his king,

     and shewing mercy to David his anointed:

     and to his seed for ever.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 6:14-29

And king Herod heard, (for his name was made manifest,) and he said: John the Baptist is risen again from the dead, and therefore mighty works shew forth themselves in him. And others said: It is Elias. But others said: It is a prophet, as one of the prophets. Which Herod hearing, said: John whom I beheaded, he is risen again from the dead. For Herod himself had sent and apprehended John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias the wife of Philip his brother, because he had married her. For John said to Herod: It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Now Herodias laid snares for him: and was desirous to put him to death, and could not. For Herod feared John, knowing him to be a just and holy man: and kept him, and when he heard him, did many things: and he heard him willingly. And when a convenient day was come, Herod made a supper for his birthday, for the princes, and tribunes, and chief men of Galilee. And when the daughter of the same Herodias had come in, and had danced, and pleased Herod, and them that were at table with him, the king said to the damsel: Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he swore to her: Whatsoever thou shalt ask I will give thee, though it be the half of my kingdom. Who when she was gone out, said to her mother, What shall I ask? But she said: The head of John the Baptist. And when she was come in immediately with haste to the king, she asked, saying: I will that forthwith thou give me in a dish, the head of John the Baptist. And the king was struck sad. Yet because of his oath, and because of them that were with him at table, he would not displease her:  But sending an executioner, he commanded that his head should be brought in a dish. And he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a dish: and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother. Which his disciples hearing came, and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

The readings from the USCCB can be found 

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Agatha, Virgin And Martyr

First Reading:  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

For see your vocation, brethren, that there are not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble:  But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise; and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong. And the base things of the world, and the things that are contemptible, hath God chosen, and things that are not, that he might bring to nought things that are:  That no flesh should glory in his sight. But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and justice, and sanctification, and redemption:  That, as it is written: He that glorieth, may glory in the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 31 (30):6a; V. 3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17

R.  Into thy hands I commend my spirit:

V.  Be thou unto me a God, a protector,

     and a house of refuge, to save me.

     For thou art my strength and my refuge;

     and for thy name's sake thou wilt lead me, and nourish me.

V.  Into thy hands I commend my spirit:

     thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.

     I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy.

V.  Deliver me out of the hands of my enemies;

     and from them that persecute me.

     Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;

     save me in thy mercy.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:23-26

And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; for he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, and cast away himself? For he that shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him the Son of man shall be ashamed, when he shall come in his majesty, and that of his Father, and of the holy angels. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 2/5/2025.

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

First Reading:  1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12

And the days of David drew nigh that he should die, and he charged his son Solomon, saying:  I am going the way of all flesh: take thou courage, and shew thyself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and observe his ceremonies, and his precepts, and judgments, and testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses: that thou mayest understand all thou dost, and whithersoever thou shalt turn thyself:  That the Lord may confirm his words, which he hath spoken of me, saying: If thy children shall take heed to their ways, and shall walk before me in truth, with all their heart, and with all their soul, there shall not be taken away from thee a man on the throne of Israel. So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David. And the days that David reigned in Israel, were forty years: in Hebron he reigned seven years, in Jerusalem thirty-three. And Solomon sat upon the throne of his father David, and his kingdom was strengthened exceedingly. 

Responsorial Psalm:  1 Chronicles 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd

R.  (T)hou hast dominion over all, in thy hand is power and might:

V.  Blessed art thou,

     O Lord the God of Israel,

     our father from eternity to eternity.

V.  Thine, O Lord, is magnificence, and power,

     and glory, and victory:

     and to thee is praise:

V.  (T)hine is the kingdom, O Lord,

     and thou art above all princes.

     Thine are riches, and thine is glory,

     thou hast dominion over all,

V.  (I)n thy hand is power and might:

     in thy hand greatness, and the empire of all things.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 6:7-13

And he called the twelve; and began to send them two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. And he commanded them that they should take nothing for the way, but a staff only: no scrip, no bread, nor money in their purse, But to be shod with sandals, and that they should not put on two coats. And he said to them: Wheresoever you shall enter into an house, there abide till you depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you; going forth from thence, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony to them. And going forth they preached that men should do penance:  And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

The readings from the USCCB can be found