DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

First reading:  Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3

(A)nd a great number believing, were converted to the Lord. And the tidings came to the ears of the church that was at Jerusalem, touching these things: and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch. Who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, rejoiced: and he exhorted them all with purpose of heart to continue in the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. And a great multitude was added to the Lord. And Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul: whom, when he had found, he brought to Antioch. And they conversed there in the church a whole year; and they taught a great multitude, so that at Antioch the disciples were first named Christians. Now there were in the church which was at Antioch, prophets and doctors, among whom was Barnabas, and Simon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manahen, who was the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And as they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Ghost said to them: Separate me Saul and Barnabas, for the work whereunto I have taken them. Then they, fasting and praying, and imposing their hands upon them, sent them away.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 98  (97):2; V. 1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

R.  The Lord hath made known his salvation:...in the sight of the Gentiles.

V.  Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle;

     because he hath done wonderful things.

     His right hand hath wrought for him salvation,

     and his arm is holy.

V.  The Lord hath made known his salvation:

     he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.

     He hath remembered his mercy and his truth

     toward the house of Israel.

V.  All the ends of the earth have seen

     the salvation of our God.

     Sing joyfully to God, all the earth;

     make melody, rejoice and sing.

V.  Sing praise to the Lord on the harp,

     on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm:

     With long trumpets, and sound of cornet.

     Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king:

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 10:7-13

And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils: freely have you received, freely give. Do not possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your purses:  Nor scrip for your journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor a staff; for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide till you go thence. And when you come into the house, salute it, saying: Peace be to this house. And if that house be worthy, your peace shall come upon it; but if it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/11/2025.

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

First Reading:  Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3

And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believing, were converted to the Lord. And the tidings came to the ears of the church that was at Jerusalem, touching these things: and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch. Who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, rejoiced: and he exhorted them all with purpose of heart to continue in the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. And a great multitude was added to the Lord. And Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul: whom, when he had found, he brought to Antioch. And they conversed there in the church a whole year; and they taught a great multitude, so that at Antioch the disciples were first named Christians. Now there were in the church which was at Antioch, prophets and doctors, among whom was Barnabas, and Simon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manahen, who was the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And as they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Ghost said to them: Separate me Saul and Barnabas, for the work whereunto I have taken them. Then they, fasting and praying, and imposing their hands upon them, sent them away.

Responsorial Psalm: cf. Psalm 98 (97):2b; V. 1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

R.  (H)e hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.

V.  Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle:

     because he hath done wonderful things.

     His right hand hath wrought for him salvation,

     and his arm is holy.

V.  The Lord hath made known his salvation:

     he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.

     He hath remembered his mercy and his truth

     toward the house of Israel.

V.  All the ends of the earth have seen

     the salvation of our God.

     Sing joyfully to God, all the earth;

     make melody, rejoice and sing. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 5:20-26

For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou Fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

Frist Reading:  1 Kings 18:20-39

Achab sent to all the children of Israel, and gathered together the prophets unto mount Carmel. And Elias coming to all the people, said: How long do you halt between two sides? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people did not answer him a word. And Elias said again to the people: I only remain a prophet of the Lord: but the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men. Let two bullocks be given us, and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces and lay it upon wood, but put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under it. Call ye on the names of your gods, and I will call on the name of my Lord: and the God that shall answer by fire, let him be God. And all the people answering said: A very good proposal. Then Elias said to the prophets of Baal: Choose you one bullock and dress it first, because you are many: and call on the names of your gods, but put no fire under. And they took the bullock which he gave them, and dressed it: and they called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying: O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered: and they leaped over the altar that they had made. And when it was now noon, Elias jested at them, saying: Cry with a louder voice: for he is a God, and perhaps he is talking, or is in an inn, or on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep, and must be awaked. So they cried with a loud voice, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till they were all covered with blood. And after midday was past, and while they were prophesying, the time was come of offering sacrifice, and there was no voice heard, nor did any one answer, nor regard them as they prayed:  Elias said to all the people: Come ye unto me. And the people coming near unto him, he repaired the altar of the Lord, that was broken down:  And he took twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying: Israel shall be thy name. And he built with the stones an altar to the name of the Lord: and he made a trench for water, of the breadth of two furrows round about the altar. And he laid the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid it upon the wood. And he said: Fill four buckets with water, and pour it upon the burnt offering, and upon the wood. And again he said: Do the same the second time. And when they had done it the second time, he said: Do the same also the third time. And they did so the third time. And the water run round about the altar, and the trench was filled with water. And when it was now time to offer the holocaust, Elias the prophet came near and said: O Lord God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Israel, shew this day that thou art the God of Israel, and I thy servant, and that according to thy commandment I have done all these things. Hear me, O Lord, hear me: that this people may learn, that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart again. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the holocaust, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw this, they fell on their faces, and they said: The Lord he is God, the Lord he is God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 16 (15):1b; V. 1b-2ab, 4, 5ab and 8, 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,

V.  Their infirmities were multiplied:

     afterwards they made haste.

     I will not gather together their meetings for blood offerings:

     nor will I be mindful of their names by my lips.

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

     it is thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me.

     I set the Lord always in my sight:

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

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:  Matthew 5:17-19

Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Ephrem, Deacon And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  Colossians 3:12-17

Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience:  Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection:  And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 37 (36):30a; V. 3-4, 5-6, 30-31

R.  The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom:

V.  Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land,

     and thou shalt be fed with its riches.

     Delight in the Lord,

     and he will give thee the requests of thy heart.

V.  Commit thy way to the Lord, and trust in him,

     and he will do it.

     And he will bring forth thy justice as the light,

     and thy judgment as the noonday.

V.  The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom:

     and his tongue shall speak judgment.

     The law of his God is in his heart,

     and his steps shall not be supplanted.

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.

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

First Reading:  1 Kings 17:7-16

But after some time the torrent was dried up, for it had not rained upon the earth. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying:  Arise, and go to Sarephta of the Sidonians, and dwell there: for I have commanded a widow woman there to feed thee. He arose, and went to Sarephta. And when he was come to the gate of the city, he saw the widow woman gathering sticks, and he called her, and said to her: Give me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And when she was going to fetch it he called after her, saying: Bring me also, I beseech thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand. And she answered: As the Lord thy God liveth, I have no bread, but only a handful of meal in a pot, and a little oil in a cruse: behold I am gathering two sticks that I may go in and dress it, for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elias said to her: Fear not, but go, and do as thou hast said: but first make for me of the same meal a little hearth cake, and bring it to me: and after make for thyself and thy son. For thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: The pot of meal shall not waste, nor the cruse of oil be diminished, until the day wherein the Lord will give rain upon the face of the earth. She went and did according to the word of Elias: and he ate, and she, and her house: and from that day (t)he pot of meal wasted not, and the cruse of oil was not diminished, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke in the hand of Elias.

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

R.  The light of thy countenance O Lord, is signed upon us:

V.  When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me:

     when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me.

     Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer.

     O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart?

     why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?

V.  Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful:

     the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.

     Be angry, and sin not:

     the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.

V.  The light of thy countenance O Lord, is signed upon us:

     thou hast given gladness in my heart.

     By the fruit of their corn, their wine and oil, they are multiplied.

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: Monday Of The Tenth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  1 Kings 17:1-6

And Elias the Thesbite of the inhabitants of Galaad said to Achab: As the Lord liveth the God of Israel, in whose sight I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to the words of my mouth. And the word of the Lord came to him, saying:  Get thee hence, and go towards the east and hide thyself by the torrent of Carith, which is over against the Jordan, And there thou shalt drink of the torrent: and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went, and did according to the word of the Lord: and going, he dwelt by the torrent Carith, which is over against the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening, and he drank of the torrent.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 121 (120):2; V. 1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

R.  My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

V.  I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains,

     from whence help shall come to me.

     My help is from the Lord,

     who made heaven and earth.

V.  May he not suffer thy foot to be moved:

     neither let him slumber that keepeth thee.

     Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep,

     that keepeth Israel.

V.  The Lord is thy keeper,

     the Lord is thy protection upon thy right hand.

     The sun shall not burn thee by day:

     nor the moon by night.

V.  The Lord keepeth thee from all evil:

     may the Lord keep thy soul.

     May the Lord keep thy coming in and thy going out;

     from henceforth now and for ever.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 5:1-12

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Corpus Christi Sequence

Lauda Sion Salvatorem,
lauda ducem et pastorem,
in hymnis et canticis.
Quantum potes, tantum aude:
quia maior omni laude,
nec laudare sufficis.

Laudis thema specialis,
panis vivus et vitalis
hodie proponitur.
Quem in sacrae mensa cenae,
turbae fratrum duodenae
datum non ambigitur.

Sit laus plena, sit sonora,
sit iucunda, sit decora
mentis iubilatio.
Dies enim solemnis agitur,
in qua mensae prima recolitur
huius institutio.

In hac mensa novi Regis,
novum Pascha novae legis,
phase vetus terminat.
Vetustatem novitas,
umbram fugat veritas,
noctem lux eliminat.

Quod in coena Christus gessit,
faciendum hoc expressit
in sui memoriam.
Docti sacris institutis,
panem, vinum in salutis
consecramus hostiam.

Dogma datur christianis,
quod in carnem transit panis,
et vinum in sanguinem.
Quod non capis, quod non vides,
animosa firmat fides,
praeter rerum ordinem.

Sub diversis speciebus,
signis tantum, et non rebus,
latent res eximiae.
Caro cibus, sanguis potus:
manet tamen Christus totus
sub utraque specie.

A sumente non concisus,
non confractus, non divisus:
integer accipitur.
Sumit unus, sumunt mille:
quantum isti, tantum ille:
nec sumptus consumitur.

Sumunt boni, sumunt mali:
sorte tamen inaequali,
vitae vel interitus.
Mors est malis, vita bonis:
vide paris sumptionis
quam sit dispar exitus.

Fracto demum sacramento,
ne vacilles, sed memento
tantum esse sub fragmento,
quantum toto tegitur.
Nulla rei fit scissura:
signi tantum fit fractura,
qua nec status, nec statura
signati minuitur.

Ecce Panis Angelorum,
factus cibus viatorum:
vere panis filiorum,
non mittendus canibus.
In figuris praesignatur,
cum Isaac immolatur,
agnus Paschae deputatur,
datur manna patribus.

Bone pastor, panis vere,
Iesu, nostri miserere:
Tu nos pasce, nos tuere,
Tu nos bona fac videre
in terra viventium.
Tu qui cuncta scis et vales,
qui nos pascis hic mortales:
tuos ibi commensales,
coheredes et sodales
fac sanctorum civium.
Amen. Alleluia.

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Zion, to Thy Savior sing,
to Thy Shepherd and Thy King!
Let the air with praises ring!
All thou canst, proclaim with mirth,
far higher is His worth
than the glory words may wing.

Lo! before our eyes and living
is the Sacred Bread life-giving,
theme of canticle and hymn.
We profess this Bread from heaven
to the Twelve by Christ was given,
for our faith rest firm in Him.

Let us form a joyful chorus,
may our lauds ascend sonorous,
bursting from each loving breast.
For we solemnly record
how the Table of the Lord
with the Lamb's own gift was blest.

On this altar of the King
this new Paschal Offering
brings an end to ancient rite.
Shadows flee that truth may stay,
oldness to the new gives way,
and the night's darkness to the light.

What at Supper Christ completed
He ordained to be repeated,
in His memory Divine.
Wherefore now, with adoration,
we, the Host of our salvation,
consecrate from bread and wine.

Words a nature's course derange,
that in Flesh the bread may change
and the wine in Christ's own Blood.
Does it pass thy comprehending?
Faith, the law of light transcending,
leaps to things not understood.

Here beneath these signs are hidden
priceless things, to sense forbidden;
signs, not things, are all we see.
Flesh from bread, and Blood from wine,
yet is Christ in either sign,
all entire confessed to be.

And whoe'er of Him partakes,
severs not, nor rends, nor breaks:
all entire, their Lord receive.
Whether one or thousand eat,
all receive the selfsame meat,
nor do less for others leave.

Both the wicked and the good
eat of this celestial Food:
but with ends how opposite!
With this most substantial Bread,
unto life or death they're fed,
in a difference infinite.

Nor a single doubt retain,
when they break the Host in twain,
but that in each part remain
what was in the whole before;
For the outward sign alone
may some change have undergone,
while the Signified stays one,
and the same forevermore.

Hail! Bread of the Angels, broken,
for us pilgrims food, and token
of the promise by Christ spoken,
children's meat, to dogs denied!
Shown in Isaac's dedication,
in the Manna's preparation,
in the Paschal immolation,
in old types pre-signified.

Jesus, Shepherd mild and meek,
shield the poor, support the weak;
help all who Thy pardon sue,
placing all their trust in You:
fill them with Your healing grace!
Source of all we have or know,
feed and lead us here below.
grant that with Your Saints above,
sitting at the feast of love
we may see You face to face.
Amen. Alleluia.

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Originally posted 6/18/2006.
Re-posted 6/6/2010.

Re-posted 6/26/2011.
Re-posted 6/10/2012.
Re-posted 6/2/2013.
Re-posted 6/22/2014.
Re-posted 5/29/2016.
Re-posted 6/18/2017.
Re-posted 6/3/2018.

Re-posted 6/23/2019.

Re-posted 6/14/2020.

Re-posted 6/6/2021.

Re-posted 6/19/2022.

Re-posted 6/11/2023.

Re-posted 6/2/2024.

Re-posted 6/22/2025.

DR Squared: The Solemnity Of The Most Holy Body And Blood Of Christ (Year A)

First Reading:  Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16a

And thou shalt remember all the way through which the Lord thy God hath brought thee for forty years through the desert, to afflict thee and to prove thee, and that the things that were in thy heart might be made known, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments or no. He afflicted thee with want, and gave thee manna for thy food, which neither thou nor thy fathers knew: to shew that not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. (A)nd thou remember not the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage:  And was thy leader in the great and terrible wilderness, wherein there was the serpent burning with his breath, and the scorpion and the dipsas, and no waters at all: who brought forth streams out of the hardest rock, And fed thee in the wilderness with manna which thy fathers knew not.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 147:12a; V. 12-13, 14-15, 19-20

R.  Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem:

V.  Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem:

     praise thy God, O Sion.

     Because he hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates,

     he hath blessed thy children within thee.

V.  Who hath placed peace in thy borders:

     and filleth thee with the fat of corn.

     Who sendeth forth his speech to the earth:

     his word runneth swiftly.

V.  Who declareth his word to Jacob:

     his justices and his judgments to Israel.

     He hath not done in like manner to every nation:

     and his judgments he hath not made manifest to them. Alleluia.

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 10:16-17

The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord? For we, being many, are one bread, one body, all that partake of one bread.

Gospel Reading:  John 6:51-58

I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Norbert, Bishop

First Reading:  Ezekiel 34:11-16

For thus saith the Lord God: Behold I myself will seek my sheep, and will visit them. As the shepherd visiteth his flock in the day when he shall be in the midst of his sheep that were scattered, so will I visit my sheep, and will deliver them out of all the places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the peoples, and will gather them out of the countries, and will bring them to their own land: and I will feed them in the mountains of Israel, by the rivers, and in all the habitations of the land. I will feed them in the most fruitful pastures, and their pastures shall be in the high mountains of Israel: there shall they rest on the green grass, and be fed in fat pastures upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my sheep: and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost: and that which was driven away, I will bring again: and I will bind up that which was broken, and I will strengthen that which was weak, and that which was fat and strong I will preserve: and I will feed them in judgment. 

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

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

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

     He hath set me in a place of pasture.

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

     He hath converted my soul.

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

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

     Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.

V.  Thou hast prepared a table before me

     against them that afflict me.

     Thou hast anointed my head with oil;

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

V.  And thy mercy will follow me

     all the days of my life.

     And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

     unto length of days.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 14:25-33

And there went great multitudes with him. And turning, he said to them:  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down, and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it:  Lest, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him, Saying: This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, about to go to make war against another king, doth not first sit down, and think whether he be able, with ten thousand, to meet him that, with twenty thousand, cometh against him? Or else, whilst the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desireth conditions of peace. So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth, cannot be my disciple.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/6/2025.

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

First Reading:  2 Timothy 4:1-8

I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming, and his kingdom:  Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears:  And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables.  But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry. Be sober. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me quickly.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 71 (70):15ab; V. 8-9, 14-15ab, 16-17, 22

R.  My mouth shall shew forth thy justice; thy salvation all the day long.

V.  Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may sing thy glory;

     thy greatness all the day long.

     Cast me not off in the time of old age:

     when my strength shall fail, do not thou forsake me.

V.  But I will always hope;

     and will add to all thy praise.

     My mouth shall shew forth thy justice;

     thy salvation all the day long.

V.  I will enter into the powers of the Lord:

     O Lord, I will be mindful of thy justice alone.

     Thou hast taught me, O God, from my youth:

     and till now I will declare thy wonderful works.

V.  For I will also confess to thee thy truth

     with the instruments of psaltery:

     O God, I will sing to thee with the harp,

     thou holy one of Israel.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 12:38-44

And he said to them in his doctrine: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes, and to be saluted in the marketplace, And to sit in the first chairs, in the synagogues, and to have the highest places at suppers:  Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long prayer: these shall receive greater judgment. And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. And calling his disciples together, he saith to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.