DR Squared: Twenty-Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year C)

First Reading:  Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4

How long, O Lord, shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? shall I cry out to thee suffering violence, and thou wilt not save? Why hast thou shewn me iniquity and grievance, to see rapine and injustice before me? and there is a judgment, but opposition is more powerful. And the Lord answered me, and said: Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables: that he that readeth it may run over it. For as yet the vision is far off, and it shall appear at the end, and shall not lie: if it make any delay, wait for it: for it shall surely come, and it shall not be slack. Behold, he that is unbelieving, his soul shall not be right in himself: but the just shall live in his faith.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 95 (94):8; V. 1-2, 6-7, 8-9

R.  Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts:

V.  Come let us praise the Lord with joy:

     let us joyfully sing to God our saviour.

     Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving;

     and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.

V.  Come let us adore and fall down:

     and weep before the Lord that made us.

     For he is the Lord our God:

     and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.

V.  Today if you shall hear his voice,

     harden not your hearts:

     As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness:

     where your fathers tempted me,

     they proved me, and saw my works.

Second Reading:  2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14

For which cause I admonish thee, that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee, by the imposition of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of sobriety. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but labour with the gospel, according to the power of God, Hold the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me in faith, and in the love which is in Christ Jesus. Keep the good thing committed to thy trust by the Holy Ghost, who dwelleth in us.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 17:5-10

And the apostles said to the Lord: Increase our faith. And the Lord said: If you had faith like to a grain of mustard seed, you might say to this mulberry tree, Be thou rooted up, and be thou transplanted into the sea: and it would obey you. But which of you having a servant ploughing, or feeding cattle, will say to him, when he is come from the field: Immediately go, sit down to meat:  And will not rather say to him: Make ready my supper, and gird thyself, and serve me, whilst I eat and drink, and afterwards thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant, for doing the things which he commanded him? I think not. So you also, when you shall have done all these things that are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

About St. Francis of Assisi

New Advent, Catholic Online, and EWTN provide great articles about the very first Franciscan.

And two of his most famous prayers:

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O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace!
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light, and
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved
as to love; for it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

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Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. 

Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.

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(UPDATE: 10/4/2013): Here is an article stating the first prayer may not be attributed to him.

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Originally posted 10/4/2006.
Re-posted 10/4/2011.
Re-posted 10/3/2012.
Re-posted 10/4/2013.

Re-posted 10/4/2017.

Re-posted 10/4/2021.

Re-posted 10/4/2022.

Re-posted 10/4/2023.

Re-posted 10/4/2024.

DDR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Francis Of Assisi, Religious

First Reading:  Galatians 6:14-18

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And whosoever shall follow this rule, peace on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From henceforth let no man be troublesome to me; for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus in my body. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

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

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

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.  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 11:25-30

At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to the little ones. Yea, Father; for so hath it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me by my Father. And no one knoweth the Son, but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal him. Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Twenty-Sixth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29

Be of good comfort, O people of God, the memorial of Israel:  You have been sold to the Gentiles, not for your destruction: but because you provoked God to wrath, you are delivered to your adversaries. For you have provoked him who made you, the eternal God, offering sacrifice to devils, and not to God. For you have forgotten God, who brought you up, and you have grieved Jerusalem that nursed you. For she saw the wrath of God coming upon you, and she said: Give ear, all you that dwell near Sion, for God hath brought upon me great mourning:  For I have seen the captivity of my people, of my sons, and my daughters, which the Eternal hath brought upon them. For I nourished them with joy: but I sent them away with weeping and mourning. Let no man rejoice over me, a widow, and desolate: I am forsaken of many for the sins of my children, because they departed from the law of God. Be of good comfort, my children, and cry to the Lord: for you shall be remembered by him that hath led you away. For as it was your mind to go astray from God; so when you return again you shall seek him ten times as much. For he that hath brought evils upon you, shall bring you everlasting joy again with your salvation.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 69 (68):34a; V. 33-35, 36-37

R.  For the Lord hath heard the poor:

V.  Let the poor see and rejoice:

     seek ye God, and your soul shall live.

     For the Lord hath heard the poor:

     and hath not despised his prisoners.

     Let the heavens and the earth praise him;

     the sea, and every thing that creepeth therein.

V.  For God will save Sion,

     and the cities of Juda shall be built up.

     And they shall dwell there, and acquire it by inheritance.

     And the seed of his servants shall possess it;

     and they that love his name shall dwell therein.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 10:17-24

And the seventy-two returned with joy, saying: Lord, the devils also are subject to us in thy name. And he said to them: I saw Satan like lightning falling from heaven. Behold, I have given you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall hurt you. But yet rejoice not in this, that spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice in this, that your names are written in heaven. In that same hour, he rejoiced in the Holy Ghost, and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me by my Father; and no one knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and to whom the Son will reveal him. And turning to his disciples, he said: Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see. For I say to you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you hear, and have not heard them. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Friday Of The Twenty-Sixth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Baruch 1:15-22

And you shall say: To the Lord our God belongeth justice, but to us confusion of our face: as it is come to pass at this day to all Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, To our kings, and to our princes, and to our priests, and to our prophets, and to our fathers. We have sinned before the Lord our God, and have not believed him, nor put our trust in him:  And we were not obedient to him, and we have not hearkened to the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his commandments, which he hath given us. From the day that he brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, even to this day, we were disobedient to the Lord our God: and going astray we turned away from hearing his voice. And many evils have cleaved to us, and the curses which the Lord foretold by Moses his servant: who brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, to give us a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day. And we have not hearkened to the voice of the Lord our God according to all the words of the prophets whom he sent to us:  And we have gone away every man after the inclinations of his own wicked heart, to serve strange gods, and to do evil in the sight of the Lord our God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 79 (78):9b; V., 1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9

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

V.  O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance,

     they have defiled thy holy temple:

     they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit.

     They have given the dead bodies of thy servants

     to be meat for the fowls of the air:

     the flesh of thy saints for the beasts of the earth.

V.  They have poured out their blood as water, round about Jerusalem

     and there was none to bury them.

     We are become a reproach to our neighbours:

     a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

     How long, O Lord, wilt thou be angry for ever:

     shall thy zeal be kindled like a fire?

V.  Remember not our former iniquities:

     let thy mercies speedily prevent us,

     for we are become exceeding poor.

V.  Help us, O God, our saviour:

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

     and forgive us our sins for thy name's sake:

Gospel Reading:  Luke 10:13-16

Woe to thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida. For if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the mighty works that have been wrought in you, they would have done penance long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capharnaum, which art exalted unto heaven, thou shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of The Guardian Angels

First Reading:  Exodus 23:20-23

Behold I will send my angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared. Take notice of him, and hear his voice, and do not think him one to be contemned: for he will not forgive when thou hast sinned, and my name is in him. But if thou wilt hear his voice, and do all that I speak, I will be an enemy to thy enemies, and will afflict them that afflict thee. And my angel shall go before thee, and shall bring thee in unto the Amorrhite, and the Hethite, and the Pherezite, and the Chanaanite, and the Hevite, and the Jebusite, whom I will destroy.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 91 (90):11; V. 1-2, 3-4ab, 4c-6, 10-11

R.  For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.

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

     shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.

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

     my God, in him will I trust.

V.  For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters:

     and from the sharp word.

     He will overshadow thee with his shoulders:

     and under his wings thou shalt trust.

V.  His truth shall compass thee with a shield:

     thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.

     Of the arrow that flieth in the day,

     of the business that walketh about in the dark:

     of invasion, or of the noonday devil.

V.  There shall no evil come to thee:

     nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.

     For he hath given his angels charge over thee;

     to keep thee in all thy ways. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 18:1-5, 10

At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Thursday Of The Twenty-Sixth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12

And the seventh month came: and the children of Israel were in their cities. And all the people were gathered together as one man to the street which is before the water gate, and they spoke to Esdras the scribe, to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. Then Esdras the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those that could understand, in the first day of the seventh month. And he read it plainly in the street that was before the water gate, from the morning until midday, before the men, and the women, and all those that could understand: and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book. And Esdras the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made to speak upon, And Esdras opened the book before all the people: for he was above all the people: and when he had opened it, all the people stood. And Esdras blessed the Lord the great God: and all the people answered, Amen, amen: lifting up their hands: and they bowed down, and adored God with their faces to the ground. and the people stood in their place. And they read in the book of the law of God distinctly and plainly to be understood: and they understood when it was read. And Nehemias (he is Athersatha) and Esdras the priest and scribe, and the Levites who interpreted to all the people, said: This is a holy day to the Lord our God: do not mourn, nor weep: for all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. And he said to them: Go, eat fat meats, and drink sweet wine, and send portions to them that have not prepared for themselves: because it is the holy day of the Lord, and be not sad: for the joy of the Lord is our strength. And the Levites stilled all the people, saying: Hold your peace, for the day is holy, and be not sorrowful. So all the people went to eat and drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth: because they understood the words that he had taught them.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 19 (18):9a; V. 8, 9, 10, 11

R.  The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts:   

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.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 18:1-5, 10

At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Angels Amoungst Us

Yes, it is a children's prayer. But didn't He mention something about being child-like? On this Feast of the Guardian Angels, take time to say "thank you" to yours.

Angele Dei, qui custos es mei,
Me tibi commissum pietate superna;
Hodie, Hac nocte illumina,
custodi, rege, et guberna. Amen.

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Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom His love commits me here,
ever this night be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

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What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 8:5-6

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Originally posted 10/2/2006.
Re-posted 10/2/2010.
Re-posted 10/2/2012.
Re-posted 10/2/2015.
Re-posted 10/2/2017.
Re-posted 10/2/2018.

Re-posted 10/2/2019.

Re-posted 10/2/2020.

Re-posted 10/2/2021.

Re-posted 10/2/2023.

Re-posted 10/2/2024.

October 2025 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

For collaboration between different religious traditions. Let us pray that believers in different religious traditions might work together to defend and promote peace, justice and human fraternity.

A reflection for this intention will be posted on October 8. 

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Thérèse Of The Child Jesus, Virgin And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  Isaiah 66:10-14c

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all you that mourn for her. That you may suck, and be filled with the breasts of her consolations: that you may milk out, and flow with delights, from the abundance of her glory. For thus saith the Lord: Behold I will bring upon her as it were a river of peace, and as an overflowing torrent the glory of the Gentiles, which you shall suck; you shall be carried at the breasts, and upon the knees they shall caress you. As one whom the mother caresseth, so will I comfort you, and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb, and the hand of the Lord shall be known to his servants,

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 131 (130):1bcde, 2, 3

R.  (NB:  There seems to be no corresponding verse.)

V.  Lord, my heart is not exalted:

     nor are my eyes lofty.

     Neither have I walked in great matters,

     nor in wonderful things above me.

V.  If I was not humbly minded,

     but exalted my soul:

     As a child that is weaned is towards his mother,

     so reward in my soul.

V.  Let Israel hope in the Lord,

     from henceforth now and for ever. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 18:1-4

At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.

The readings form the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Wednesday Of The Twenty-Sixth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Nehemiah 2:1-8

And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king: that wine was before him, and I took up the wine, and gave it to the king: and I was as one languishing away before his face. And the king said to me: Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou dost not appear to be sick? this is not without cause, but some evil, I know not what, is in thy heart. And I was seized with an exceeding great fear:  And I said to the king: O king, live for ever: why should not my countenance be sorrowful, seeing the city of the place of the sepulchres of my fathers is desolate, and the gates thereof are burnt with fire? Then the king said to me: For what dost thou make request? And I prayed to the God of heaven, And I said to the king: If it seem good to the king, and if thy servant hath found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldst send me into Judea to the city of the sepulchre of my father, and I will build it. And the king said to me, and the queen that sat by him: For how long shall thy journey be, and when wilt thou return? And it pleased the king, and he sent me: and I fixed him a time. And I said to the king: If it seem good to the king, let him give me letters to the governors of the country beyond the river, that they convey me over, till I come into Judea:  And a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, to give me timber that I may cover the gates of the tower of the house, and the walls of the city, and the house that I shall enter into. And the king gave me according to the good hand of my God with me.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 137 (136):6ab; V. 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

R.  Let my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember thee:

V.  Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept:

     when we remembered Sion:

     On the willows in the midst thereof

     we hung up our instruments.

V.  For there they that led us into captivity

     required of us the words of songs.

     And they that carried us away, said:

     Sing ye to us a hymn of the songs of Sion.

V.  How shall we sing the song of the Lord

     in a strange land?

     If I forget thee, O Jerusalem,

     let my right hand be forgotten.

V.  Let my tongue cleave to my jaws,

     if I do not remember thee:

     If I make not Jerusalem

     the beginning of my joy. 

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.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Jerome, Priest And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  2 Timothy 3:14-17

But continue thou in those things which thou hast learned, and which have been committed to thee: knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy scriptures, which can instruct thee to salvation, by the faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.

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:  Matthew 13:47-52

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Twenty-Sixth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Zechariah 8:20-23

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, until people come, and dwell in many cities, And the inhabitants go one to another, saying: Let us go, and entreat the face of the Lord, and let us seek the Lord of hosts: I also will go. And many peoples, and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the face of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts: In those days, wherein ten men of all languages of the Gentiles shall take hold, and shall hold fast the shirt of one that is a Jew, saying: We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Zechariah 8:23; V. Psalm 87 (86):1b-3, 4-5, 6-7

R.  God is with you.

V.  The foundations thereof are in the holy mountains:

     The Lord loveth the gates of Sion

     above all the tabernacles of Jacob.

     Glorious things are said of thee,

     O city of God.

V.  I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon knowing me.

     Behold the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians, these were there.

     Shall not Sion say: This man and that man is born in her?

     and the Highest himself hath founded her.

V.  The Lord shall tell in his writings of peoples and of princes,

     of them that have been in her.

     The dwelling in thee is

     as it were of all rejoicing.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:51-56

And it came to pass, when the days of his assumption were accomplishing, that he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers before his face; and going, they entered into a city of the Samaritans, to prepare for him. And they received him not, because his face was of one going to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John had seen this, they said: Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them? And turning, he rebuked them, saying: You know not of what spirit you are. The Son of man came not to destroy souls, but to save. And they went into another town.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Choir (Of Angels) Members

Today marks the feast of the Archangels St. Michael (Who is like God?), St. Gabriel (God is my strength), and St. Raphael (God has healed).

Fr. John Zuhlsdorf at What Does The Prayer Really Say gives a brief synopsis of the origins of today (and from where I found the photo--fedora doff to the good priest).

At the 'blog of Ignatius Press is a re-post (see, I am not the only one who does this) from an excerpt of a book by Dr. Peter Kreeft, a professor of philosophy at Boston College.

Speaking of priests, Fr. Philip Neri Powell, OP, who has his own 'blog (Domine, da nihi hanc aquam!) shares his homily.

Finally, there is my post from 2006 which links to a post from the Happy Catholic.

********

Originally posted 9/29/2012.
Re-posted 9/29/2015.
Re-posted 9/29/2016.

Re-posted 9/29/2017.

Re-posted 9/29/2020.

Re-posted 9/29/2021.

Re-posted 9/29/2022.

Re-posted 9/29/2023.

DR Squared: Feast Of Saints Michael, Gabriel, And Raphael, Archangels

First Reading:  Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

I beheld till thrones were placed, and the Ancient of days sat: his garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like clean wool: his throne like flames of fire: the wheels of it like a burning fire. A swift stream of fire issued forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times a hundred thousand stood before him: the judgment sat, and the books were opened. I beheld therefore in the vision of the night, and lo, one like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and he came even to the Ancient of days: and they presented him before him. And he gave him power, and glory, and a kingdom: and all peoples, tribes and tongues shall serve him: his power is an everlasting power that shall not be taken away: and his kingdom that shall not be destroyed.

OR

Revelation 12:7-12ab

And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels:  And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world; and he was cast unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth, who accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of the testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you that dwell therein.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 138 (137):1b; V. 1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5

R.  I will sing praise to thee in the sight of the angels:

V.  I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart:

     for thou hast heard the words of my mouth.

     I will sing praise to thee in the sight of the angels:

     I will worship towards thy holy temple,

     and I will give glory to thy name.

V.  For thy mercy, and for thy truth:

     for thou hast magnified thy holy name above all.

     In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me:

     thou shall multiply strength in my soul.

V.  May all the kings of the earth give glory to thee:

     for they have heard all the words of thy mouth.

     And let them sing in the ways of the Lord:

     for great is the glory of the Lord.

Gospel Reading:  John 1:47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him: and he saith of him: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile. Nathanael saith to him: Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered, and said to him: Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered him, and said: Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered, and said to him: Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believest: greater things than these shalt thou see. And he saith to him: Amen, amen I say to you, you shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Twenty-Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year C)

First Reading:  Amos 6:1a, 4-7

Woe to you that are wealthy in Sion, You that sleep upon beds of ivory, and are wanton on your couches: that eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the herd; You that sing to the sound of the psaltery: they have thought themselves to have instruments of music like David; That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the best ointments: and they are not concerned for the affliction of Joseph. Wherefore now they shall go captive at the head of them that go into captivity: and the faction of the luxurious ones shall be taken away.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 146 (145):2b; V. 7, 8-9a, 9b-10

R.  Praise the Lord, O my soul,

V.  Who keepeth truth for ever:

     who executeth judgment for them that suffer wrong:

     who giveth food to the hungry.

     The Lord looseth them that are fettered:

V.  The Lord enlighteneth the blind.

     The Lord lifteth up them that are cast down:

     the Lord loveth the just.

     The Lord keepeth the strangers,

V.  (H)e will support the fatherless and the widow:

     and the ways of sinners he will destroy.

     The Lord shall reign for ever:

     thy God, O Sion, unto generation and generation.

Second Reading:  1 Timothy 6:11-16

But thou, O man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness. Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast confessed a good confession before many witnesses. I charge thee before God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate, a good confession, That thou keep the commandment without spot, blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Which in his times he shall shew who is the Blessed and only Mighty, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, and inhabiteth light inaccessible, whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and empire everlasting. Amen.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 16:19-31

There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen; and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores, Desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table, and no one did give him; moreover the dogs came, and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell. And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom:  And he cried, and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame. And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted; and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you, there is fixed a great chaos: so that they who would pass from hence to you, cannot, nor from thence come hither. And he said: Then, father, I beseech thee, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house, for I have five brethren, That he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torments. And Abraham said to him: They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. But he said: No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will do penance. And he said to him: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, if one rise again from the dead.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Vincent De Paul, Priest

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 112 (111):1a; V. 1bc-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7b-8, 9

R.  Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord:

V.  Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord:

     he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments.

     His seed shall be mighty upon earth:

     the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.

V.  Glory and wealth shall be in his house:

     and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

     To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness:

     he is merciful, and compassionate and just. 

V.  Acceptable is the man that sheweth mercy and lendeth:

     he shall order his words with judgment:

     Because he shall not be moved for ever.

     The just shall be in everlasting remembrance:

V.  (H)e shall not fear the evil hearing.

     His heart is ready to hope in the Lord:

     His heart is strengthened, he shall not be moved

     until he look over his enemies.

V.  He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor:

     his justice remaineth for ever and ever:

     his horn shall be exalted in glory.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 9:35-38

And Jesus went about all the cities, and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every infirmity. And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd. Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Twenty-Fifth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15a (DR--1-5, 10-11a)

And I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold a man, with a measuring line in his hand. And I said: Whither goest thou? and he said to me: To measure Jerusalem, and to see how great is the breadth thereof, and how great the length thereof. And behold the angel that spoke in me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him. And he said to him: Run, speak to this young man, saying: Jerusalem shall be inhabited without walls, by reason of the multitude of men, and of the beasts in the midst thereof. And I will be to it, saith the Lord, a wall of fire round about: and I will be in glory in the midst thereof. Sing praise, and rejoice, O daughter of Sion: for behold I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee: saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall be my people, and I will dwell in the midst of thee: 

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

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

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

     and declare it in the islands that are afar off,

     and say: He that scattered Israel will gather him:

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

V.  For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob,

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

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

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

V.  Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance,

     the young men and old men together:

     and I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them,

     and make them joyful after their sorrow.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:43b-45 (DR--44-45)

And all were astonished at the mighty power of God. But while all wondered at all the things he did, he said to his disciples: Lay you up in your hearts these words, for it shall come to pass, that the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they understood not this word; and it was hid from them, so that they perceived it not. And they were afraid to ask him concerning this word.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saints Cosmas And Damian, Martyrs

First Reading:  Wisdom 3:1-9

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:  And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace. And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality. Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them. The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds. They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that trust in him, shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love shall rest in him: for grace and peace is to his elect.

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

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 10:28-33

And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows. Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven. But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here. 

DR Squared: Friday Of The Twenty-Fifth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Haggai 2:1-9

In the four and twentieth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king, they began. And in the seventh month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Aggeus the prophet, saying: Speak to Zorobabel the son of Salathiel the governor of Juda, and to Jesus the son of Josedec the high priest, and to the rest of the people, saying:  Who is left among you, that saw this house in its first glory? and how do you see it now? is it not in comparison to that as nothing in your eyes? Yet now take courage, O Zorobabel, saith the Lord, and take courage, O Jesus the son of Josedec the high priest, and take courage, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord of hosts: and perform (for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts) The word that I covenanted with you when you came out of the land of Egypt: and my spirit shall be in the midst of you: fear not. For thus saith the Lord of hosts: Yet one little while, and I will move the heaven and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land. And I will move all nations: AND THE DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS SHALL COME: and I will fill this house with glory: saith the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 43 (42):6; V. 1, 2, 3, 4

R.  Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance, and            my God.

V.  O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy:

     deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man.

V.  For thou art God my strength: why hast thou cast me off?

     and why do I go sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me?

V.  Send forth thy light and thy truth:

     they have conducted me,

     and brought me unto thy holy hill,

     and into thy tabernacles.

V.  And I will go in to the altar of God:

     to God who giveth joy to my youth.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:18-22

And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples also were with him: and he asked them, saying: Whom do the people say that I am? But they answered, and said: John the Baptist; but some say Elias; and others say that one of the former prophets is risen again. And he said to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answering, said: The Christ of God. But he strictly charging them, commanded they should tell this to no man. Saying: The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the ancients and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day rise again.

The readings form the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Thursday Of The Twenty-Fifth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Haggai 1:1-8

In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Aggeus the prophet, to Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, governor of Juda, and to Jesus the son of Josedec the high priest, saying:  Thus saith the Lord of hosts, saying: This people saith: The time is not yet come for building the house of the Lord. And the word of the Lord came by the hand of Aggeus the prophet, saying:  Is it time for you to dwell in ceiled houses, and this house lie desolate? And now thus saith the Lord of hosts: Set your hearts to consider your ways. You have sowed much, and brought in little: you have eaten, but have not had enough: you have drunk, but have not been filled with drink: you have clothed yourselves, but have not been warmed: and he that hath earned wages, put them into a bag with holes. Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Set Your hearts upon your ways:  Go up to the mountain, bring timber, and build the house: and it shall be acceptable to me, and I shall be glorified, saith the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 149:4a; V. 1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

R.  For the Lord is well pleased with his people:

V.  Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle:

     let his praise be in the church of the saints.

     Let Israel rejoice in him that made him:

     and let the children of Sion be joyful in their king.

V.  Let them praise his name in choir:

     let them sing to him with the timbrel and the psaltery.

     For the Lord is well pleased with his people:

     and he will exalt the meek unto salvation.

V.  The saints shall rejoice in glory:

     they shall be joyful in their beds.

     The high praise of God shall be in their mouth:

     this glory is to all his saints. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:7-9

Now Herod, the tetrarch, heard of all things that were done by him; and he was in a doubt, because it was said By some, that John was risen from the dead: but by other some, that Elias had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said: John I have beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Wednesday Of The Twenty-Fifth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Ezra 9:5-9

And at the evening sacrifice I rose up from my affliction, and having rent my mantle and my garment, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands to the Lord my God, And said: My God I am confounded and ashamed to lift up my face to thee: for our iniquities are multiplied over our heads, and our sins are grown up even unto heaven, From the days of our fathers: and we ourselves also have sinned grievously unto this day, and for our iniquities we and our kings, and our priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the lands, and to the sword, and to captivity, and to spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is at this day. And now as a little, and for a moment has our prayer been made before the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant, and give us a pin in his holy place, and that our God would enlighten our eyes, and would give us a little life in our bondage. For we are bondmen, and in our bondage our God hath not forsaken us, but hath extended mercy upon us before the king of the Persians, to give us life, and to set up the house of our God, and rebuild the desolations thereof, and to give us a fence in Juda and Jerusalem.

Responsorial Psalm:  Tobit 13:1b; V. 2, 3-4a, 6, 7, 9-10

R.  Thou art great, O Lord, for ever, and thy kingdom is unto all ages:

V.  For thou scourgest, and thou savest:

     thou leadest down to hell, and bringest up again:

     and there is none that can escape thy hand.

V.  Give glory to the Lord, ye children of Israel,

     and praise him in the sight of the Gentiles:

     Because he hath therefore scattered you among the Gentiles,

V.  See then what he hath done with us,

     and with fear and trembling give ye glory to him:

     and extol the eternal King of worlds in your works.

V.  As for me, I will praise him in the land of my captivity:

     because he hath shewn his majesty toward a sinful nation.

V.  And I and my soul will rejoice in him.

     Bless ye the Lord, all his elect,

     keep days of joy, and give glory to him.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:1-6

Then calling together the twelve apostles, he gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said to them: Take nothing for your journey; neither staff, nor scrip, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. And whatsoever house you shall enter into, abide there, and depart not from thence. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off even the dust of your feet, for a testimony against them. And going out, they went about through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Pius Of Pietrelcina, Priest

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 128 (127):1a; V. 1-2, 3, 4-5

R.  Blessed are all they that fear the Lord:

V.  Blessed are all they that fear the Lord:

     that walk in his ways.

     For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands:

     blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.

V.  Thy wife as a fruitful vine,

     on the sides of thy house.

     Thy children as olive plants,

     round about thy table.

V.  Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

     that feareth the Lord.

     May the Lord bless thee out of Sion:

     and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem

     all the days of thy life. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 16:24-27

Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Twenty-Fifth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Ezra 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20

And let that temple of God be built by the governor of the Jews, and by their ancients, that they may build that house of God in its place. I also have commanded what must be done by those ancients of the Jews, that the house of God may be built, to wit, that of the king's chest, that is, of the tribute that is paid out of the country beyond the river, the charges be diligently given to those men, lest the work be hindered. I Darius have made the decree, which I will have diligently complied with. And the ancients of the Jews built and prospered according to the prophecy of Aggeus the prophet, and of Zacharias the son of Addo: and they built and finished, by the commandment of the God of Israel, and by the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes kings of the Persians. And they were finishing this house of God, until the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of king Darius. And the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity kept the dedication of the house of God with joy. And they offered at the dedication of the house of God, a, hundred calves, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and for a sin offering for all Israel twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses over the works of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses. And the children of Israel of the captivity kept the phase, on the fourteenth day of the first month. For all the priests and the Levites were purified as one man: all were clear to kill the phase for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and themselves.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 122 (121):1; V. 1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5

R.  I rejoiced...We shall go into the house of the Lord.

V.  I rejoiced at the things that were said to me:

     We shall go into the house of the Lord.

     Our feet were standing

     in thy courts, O Jerusalem.

V.  Jerusalem, which is built as a city,

     which is compact together.

     For thither did the tribes go up,

     the tribes of the Lord:

V. (T)he testimony of Israel,

     to praise the name of the Lord.

     Because their seats have sat in judgment,

     seats upon the house of David.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 8:19-21

And his mother and brethren came unto him; and they could not come at him for the crowd. And it was told him: Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. Who answering, said to them: My mother and my brethren are they who hear the word of God, and do it.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Twenty-Fifth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Ezra 1:1-6

In the first year of Cyrus king of the Persians, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremias might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of the Persians: and he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and in writing also, saying:  Thus saith Cyrus king of the Persians: The Lord the God of heaven hath given to me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he hath charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judea. Who is there among you of all his people? His God be with him. Let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judea, and build the house of the Lord the God of Israel: he is the God that is in Jerusalem. And let all the rest in all places wheresoever they dwell, help him every man from his place. with silver and gold, and goods, and cattle, besides that which they offer freely to the temple of God, which is in Jerusalem. Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Juda and Benjamin, and the priests, and Levites, and every one whose spirit God had raised up, to go up to build the temple of the Lord, which was in Jerusalem. And all they that were round about, helped their hands with vessels of silver, and gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with furniture, besides what they had offered on their own accord.

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

R.  The Lord hath done great things for us: 

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:  Luke 8:16-18

Now no man lighting a candle covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it upon a candlestick, that they who come in may see the light. For there is not any thing secret that shall not be made manifest, nor hidden, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how you hear. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given: and whosoever hath not, that also which he thinketh he hath, shall be taken away from him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Twenty-Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time

First Reading:  Amos 8:4-7

Hear this, you that crush the poor, and make the needy of the land to fail, Saying: When will the month be over, and we shall sell our wares: and the sabbath, and we shall open the corn: that we may lessen the measure, and increase the sicle, and may convey in deceitful balances, That we may possess the needy for money, and the poor for a pair of shoes, and may sell the refuse of the corn? The Lord hath sworn against the pride of Jacob: surely I will never forget all their works.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 113 (112):1a, 7b; V. 1-2, 4-6, 7-8

R.  Praise the Lord, ye children:  Raising up the needy from the earth,

V.  Praise the Lord, ye children:

     praise ye the name of the Lord.

     Blessed be the name of the Lord,

     from henceforth now and for ever.

V.  The Lord is high above all nations;

     and his glory above the heavens.

     Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high:

     And looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?

V.  Raising up the needy from the earth,

     and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill:

     That he may place him with princes,

     with the princes of his people.

Second Reading:  1 Timothy 2:1-8

I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men:  For kings, and for all that are in high station: that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all piety and chastity. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus:  Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times. Whereunto I am appointed a preacher and an apostle, (I say the truth, I lie not,) a doctor of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands, without anger and contention.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 16:1-13 OR 10-13

And he said also to his disciples: There was a certain rich man who had a steward: and the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said to him: How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship: for now thou canst be steward no longer. And the steward said within himself: What shall I do, because my lord taketh away from me the stewardship? To dig I am not able; to beg I am ashamed. I know what I will do, that when I shall be removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. Therefore calling together every one of his lord's debtors, he said to the first: How much dost thou owe my lord? But he said: An hundred barrels of oil. And he said to him: Take thy bill and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then he said to another: And how much dost thou owe? Who said: An hundred quarters of wheat. He said to him: Take thy bill, and write eighty. And the lord commended the unjust steward, forasmuch as he had done wisely: for the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. And I say to you: Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity; that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings. He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in that which is greater: and he that is unjust in that which is little, is unjust also in that which is greater. If then you have not been faithful in the unjust mammon; who will trust you with that which is the true? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's; who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest And Martyr, And Saint Paul Chong Hasang, Catechist And Martyr, And Their Companions, Martyrs

First Reading:  Wisdom 3:1-9

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:  And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace. And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality. Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them. The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds. They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that trust in him, shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love shall rest in him: for grace and peace is to his elect.

OR

Romans 8:31b-39

If God be for us, who is against us? He that spared not even his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how hath he not also, with him, given us all things? Who shall accuse against the elect of God? God that justifieth. Who is he that shall condemn? Christ Jesus that died, yea that is risen also again; who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation? or distress? or famine? or nakedness? or danger? or persecution? or the sword (As it is written: For thy sake we are put to death all the day long. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.) But in all these things we overcome, because of him that hath loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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

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:  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.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Twenty-Fourth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  1 Timothy 6:13-16

I charge thee before God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate, a good confession, That thou keep the commandment without spot, blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Which in his times he shall shew who is the Blessed and only Mighty, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, and inhabiteth light inaccessible, whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and empire everlasting. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 100 (99):2b; V. 1b-2, 3, 4, 5

R.  Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy.

V.  Sing joyfully to God, all the earth:

     serve ye the Lord with gladness.

     Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy.

V.  Know ye that the Lord he is God:

     he made us, and not we ourselves.

     We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

V.  Go ye into his gates with praise,

     into his courts with hymns:

     and give glory to him. Praise ye his name:

V.  For the Lord is sweet,

     his mercy endureth for ever,

     and his truth to generation and generation.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 8:4-15

And when a very great multitude was gathered together, and hastened out of the cities unto him, he spoke by a similitude. The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And other some fell upon a rock: and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among thorns, and the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some fell upon good ground; and being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundredfold. Saying these things, he cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. To whom he said: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And they by the way side are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved. Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy: and these have no roots; for they believe for a while, and in time of temptation, they fall away. And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit. But that on the good ground, are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Januarius, Bishop And Martyr

First Reading:  Hebrews 10:32-36

But call to mind the former days, wherein, being illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions. And on the one hand indeed, by reproaches and tribulations, were made a gazingstock; and on the other, became companions of them that were used in such sort. For you both had compassion on them that were in bands, and took with joy the being stripped of your own goods, knowing that you have a better and a lasting substance. Do not therefore lose your confidence, which hath a great reward. For patience is necessary for you; that, doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.

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

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

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

     we became like men comforted.

     Then was our mouth filled with gladness;

     and our tongue with joy.

V.  Then shall they say among the Gentiles:

     The Lord hath done great things for them.

     The Lord hath done great things for us:

     we are become joyful.

V.  Turn again our captivity, O Lord,

     as a stream in the south.

     They that sow in tears

     shall reap in joy.

V.  Going they went and wept,

     casting their seeds.

     But coming they shall come with joyfulness,

     carrying their sheaves.

Gospel Reading:  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: Friday Of The Twenty-Fourth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  1 Timothy 6:2c-12

These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to that doctrine which is according to godliness, He is proud, knowing nothing, but sick about questions and strifes of words; from which arise envies, contentions, blasphemies, evil suspicions, Conflicts of men corrupted in mind, and who are destitute of the truth, supposing gain to be godliness. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world: and certainly we can carry nothing out. But having food, and wherewith to be covered, with these we are content. For they that will become rich, fall into temptation, and into the snare of the devil, and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires, which drown men into destruction and perdition. For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith, and have entangled themselves in many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness.  Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast confessed a good confession before many witnesses.

Responsorial Psalm:  Matthew 5:3; V. Psalm 49 (48):6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20

R.  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

V.  Why shall I fear in the evil day?

     the iniquity of my heel shall encompass me.

     They that trust in their own strength,
     and glory in the multitude of their riches,

V.  No brother can redeem, nor shall man redeem:

     he shall not give to God his ransom,

     Nor the price of the redemption of his soul: and shall labour for ever,

     And shall still live unto the end.

V.  Be not thou afraid, when a man shall be made rich,

     and when the glory of his house shall be increased.

     For when he shall die he shall take nothing away;

     nor shall his glory descend with him.

V.  For in his lifetime his soul will be blessed:

     and he will praise thee when thou shalt do well to him.

     He shall go in to the generations of his fathers:

     and he shall never see light.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 8:1-3

And it came to pass afterwards, that he travelled through the cities and towns, preaching and evangelizing the kingdom of God; and the twelve with him:  And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities; Mary who is called Magdalen, out of whom seven devils were gone forth, And Joanna the wife of Chusa, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who ministered unto him of their substance.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Thursday Of The Twenty-Fourth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  1 Timothy 4:12-16

Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the faithful in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity. Till I come, attend unto reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine. Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophesy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood. Meditate upon these things, be wholly in these things: that thy profiting may be manifest to all. Take heed to thyself and to doctrine: be earnest in them. For in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 111 (110):2a; V. 7-8, 9, 10

R.  Great are the works of the Lord:

V.  That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles:

     the works of his hands are truth and judgment.

     All his commandments are faithful:

     confirmed for ever and ever, made in truth and equity.

V.  He hath sent redemption to his people:

     he hath commanded his covenant for ever.

     Holy and terrible is his name:

V. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

     A good understanding to all that do it:

     his praise continueth for ever and ever.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 7:36-50

And one of the Pharisees desired him to eat with him. And he went into the house of the Pharisee, and sat down to meat. And behold a woman that was in the city, a sinner, when she knew that he sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment; And standing behind at his feet, she began to wash his feet, with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. And the Pharisee, who had invited him, seeing it, spoke within himself, saying: This man, if he were a prophet, would know surely who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner. And Jesus answering, said to him: Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee. But he said: Master, say it. A certain creditor had two debtors, the one who owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And whereas they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which therefore of the two loveth him most? Simon answering, said: I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said to him: Thou hast judged rightly. And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon: Dost thou see this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she with tears hath washed my feet, and with her hairs hath wiped them. Thou gavest me no kiss; but she, since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but she with ointment hath anointed my feet. Wherefore I say to thee: Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less. And he said to her: Thy sins are forgiven thee. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves: Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman: Thy faith hath made thee safe, go in peace.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Hildegard Of Bingen, Virgin And Doctor Of The Church

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 45 (44):11a OR cf. Matthew 25:6; V. 11-12, 14-15, 16-17

R.  Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear:

OR

R.  Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. 

V.  Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear:

     and forget thy people and thy father's house.

     And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty;

     for he is the Lord thy God, and him they shall adore.

V.  All the glory of the king's daughteris within in golden borders,

     Clothed round about with varieties.

     After her shall virgins be brought to the king:

     her neighbours shall be brought to thee.

V.  They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing:

     they shall be brought into the temple of the king.

     Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee:

     thou shalt make them princes over all the earth.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 25:1-13

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five wise. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them:  But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.