DR Squared: Wednesday Of The Seventh Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Sirach 4:11-19

And thou shalt be as the obedient son of the most High, and he will have mercy on thee more than a mother. Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice. And he that loveth her, loveth life: and they that watch for her, shall embrace her sweetness. They that hold her fast, shall inherit life: and whithersoever she entereth, God will give a blessing. They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and God loveth them that love her. He that hearkeneth to her, shall judge nations: and he that looketh upon her, shall remain secure. If he trust to her, he shall inherit her, and his generation shall be in assurance. For she walketh with him in temptation, and at the first she chooseth him. She will bring upon him fear and dread and trial: and she will scourge him with the affliction of her discipline, till she try him by her laws, and trust his soul.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119 (118):165a; V. 165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175

R. Much peace have they that love thy law,

V. Much peace have they that love thy law, and to them there is no stumbling block.

V. I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies: because all my ways are in thy sight.

V. My lips shall utter a hymn, when thou shalt teach me thy justifications.

V. My tongue shall pronounce thy word: because all thy commandments are justice.

V. I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my meditation.

V. My soul shall live and shall praise thee: and thy judgments shall help me.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 9:38-40 (DR:  37-39)

John answered him, saying: Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, who followeth not us, and we forbade him. But Jesus said: Do not forbid him. For there is no man that doth a miracle in my name, and can soon speak ill of me. For he that is not against you, is for you. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Seventh Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Sirach 2:1-11

Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation. Humble thy heart, and endure: incline thy ear, and receive the words of understanding: and make not haste in the time of clouds. Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God, and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end. Take all that shall be brought upon thee: and in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience. For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. Believe God, and he will recover thee: and direct thy way, and trust in him. Keep his fear, and grow old therein. Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy: and go not aside from him, lest ye fall. Ye that fear the Lord, believe him: and your reward shall not be made void. Ye that fear the Lord, hope in him: and mercy shall come to you for your delight. Ye that fear the Lord, love him, and your hearts shall be enlightened. My children behold the generations of men: and know ye that no one hath hoped in the Lord, and hath been confounded.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 37 (36):5; V. 3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40

R. Commit thy way to the Lord, and trust in him, and he will do it.

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. The Lord knoweth the days of undefiled; and their inheritance shall be for ever.

     They shall not be confounded in the evil time; and in the days of famine they shall be           filled:

V. Decline from evil and do good, and dwell for ever and ever.

     For the Lord loveth judgment, and will not forsake his saints: they shall be preserved           for ever.

V. But the salvation of the just is from the Lord, and he is their protector in the time of             trouble.

    And the Lord will help them and deliver them: and he will rescue them from the wicked,      and save them, because they have hoped in him. 

Gospel Reading:  Mark 9:30-37 (DR:  29-26)

And departing from thence, they passed through Galilee, and he would not that any man should know it. And he taught his disciples, and said to them: The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise again the third day. But they understood not the word, and they were afraid to ask him. And they came to Capharnaum. And when they were in the house, he asked them: What did you treat of in the way? But they held their peace, for in the way they had disputed among themselves, which of them should be the greatest. And sitting down, he called the twelve, and saith to them: If any man desire to be first, he shall be the last of all, and the minister of all. And taking a child, he set him in the midst of them. Whom when he had embraced, he saith to them:  Whosoever shall receive one such child as this in my name, receiveth me. And whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Seventh Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Sirach 1:1-10

All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time. Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss? Who hath searched out the wisdom of God that goeth before all things? Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting. The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments. To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed, and who hath known her wise counsels? To whom hath the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? and who hath understood the multiplicity of her steps? There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of dominion. He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her, and measured her. And he poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh according to his gift, and hath given her to them that love him. 

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 93 (92):1a; V. 1ab, 1cd-2, 5

R. The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty:

V. The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty:

     the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself.

V. For he hath established the world which shall not be moved.

    Thy throne is prepared from of old: thou art from everlasting.

V. Thy testimonies are become exceedingly credible:

     holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 9:14-29

And presently all the people seeing Jesus, were astonished and struck with fear; and running to him, they saluted him. And he asked them: What do you question about among you? And one of the multitude, answering, said: Master, I have brought my son to thee, having a dumb spirit. Who, wheresoever he taketh him, dasheth him, and he foameth, and gnasheth with the teeth, and pineth away; and I spoke to thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not. Who answering them, said: O incredulous generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him. And when he had seen him, immediately the spirit troubled him; and being thrown down upon the ground, he rolled about foaming. And he asked his father: How long time is it since this hath happened unto him? But he said: From his infancy:  And oftentimes hath he cast him into the fire and into waters to destroy him. But if thou canst do any thing, help us, having compassion on us. And Jesus saith to him: If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And immediately the father of the boy crying out, with tears said: I do believe, Lord: help my unbelief. And when Jesus saw the multitude running together, he threatened the unclean spirit, saying to him: Deaf and dumb spirit, I command thee, go out of him; and enter not any more into him. And crying out, and greatly tearing him, he went out of him, and he became as dead, so that many said: He is dead. But Jesus taking him by the hand, lifted him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples secretly asked him: Why could not we cast him out?  And he said to them: This kind can go out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. And departing from thence, they passed through Galilee, and he would not that any man should know it. 

The reading from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23

And Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having with him three thousand chosen men of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. So David and Abisai came to the people by night, and found Saul lying and sleeping in the tent, and his spear fixed in the ground at his head: and Abner and the people sleeping round about him. And Abisai said to David: God hath shut up thy enemy this day into thy hands: now then I will run him through with my spear even to the earth at once, and there shall be no need of a second time. And David said to Abisai: Kill him not: for who shall put forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and shall be guiltless? So David took the spear, and the cup of water which was at Saul's head, and they went away: and no man saw it, or knew it, or awaked, but they were all asleep, for a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them. And when David was gone over to the other side. and stood on the top of the hill afar off, and a good space was between them, And David answering, said: Behold the king's spear: let one of the king's servants come over and fetch it. And the Lord will reward every one according to his justice, and his faithfulness: for the Lord hath delivered thee this day into my hand, and I would not put forth my hand against the Lord's anointed.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 103 (102):8a; V. 1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13

R. The Lord is compassionate and merciful:

V. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name.

    Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee.

V. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases.

    Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and                      compassion.

V. The Lord is compassionate and merciful: longsuffering and plenteous in mercy.

    He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: nor rewarded us according to our                  iniquities.

V. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our iniquities from us.

    As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that        fear him:

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 15:45-49

The first man Adam was made into a living soul; the last Adam into a quickening spirit. Yet that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; afterwards that which is spiritual. The first man was of the earth, earthly: the second man, from heaven, heavenly. Such as is the earthly, such also are the earthly: and such as is the heavenly, such also are they that are heavenly. Therefore as we have borne the image of the earthly, let us bear also the image of the heavenly.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 6:27-38

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Feast Of The Chair Of Saint Peter, Apostle

First Reading:  1 Peter 5:1-4

The ancients therefore that are among you, I beseech, who am myself also an ancient, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ: as also a partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come:  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly, according to God: not for filthy lucre's sake, but voluntarily:  Neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart. And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never fading crown of glory.

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:  Matthew 16:13-19

And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  2 Timothy 4:1-5

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.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 16 (15):5a; V. 1-2, 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, for thou hast no need of my goods.

    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:  John 15:1-8

I am the true vine; and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me, that beareth not fruit, he will take away: and every one that beareth fruit, he will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean by reason of the word, which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine: you the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burneth. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you. In this is my Father glorified; that you bring forth very much fruit, and become my disciples. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Genesis 11:1-9

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

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

R. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: the people whom he hath chosen for his           inheritance.

V. The Lord bringeth to naught the counsels of nations; and he rejecteth the devices of             people, and casteth away the counsels of princes.

     But the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever: the thoughts of his heart to all                         generations.

V. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: the people whom he hath chosen for his          inheritance.

    The Lord hath looked from heaven: he hath beheld all the sons of men.

V. From his habitation which he hath prepared, he hath looked upon all that dwell on the          earth.

    He who hath made the hearts of every one of them: who understandeth all their works.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 8:34-39

And calling the multitude together with his disciples, he said to them: If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel, shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  For he that shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation: the Son of man also will be ashamed of him, when he shall come in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. And he said to them: Amen I say to you, that there are some of them that stand here, who shall not taste death, till they see the kingdom of God coming in power.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Genesis 9:1-13

And God blessed Noe and his sons. And he said to them: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth. And let the fear and dread of you be upon all the beasts of the earth, and upon all the fowls of the air, and all that move upon the earth: all the fishes of the sea are delivered into your hand. And every thing that moveth and liveth shall be meat for you: even as the green herbs have I delivered them all to you: Saving that flesh with blood you shall not eat. For I will require the blood of your lives at the hand of every beast, and at the hand of man, at the hand of every man, and of his brother, will I require the life of man. Whosoever shall shed man's blood, his blood shall be shed: for man was made to the image of God. But increase you and multiply, and go upon the earth, and fill it. Thus also said God to Noe, and to his sons with him, Behold I will establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you:  And with every living soul that is with you, as well in all birds as in cattle and beasts of the earth, that are come forth out of the ark, and in all the beasts of the earth. I will establish my covenant with you, and all flesh shall be no more destroyed with the waters of a flood, neither shall there be from henceforth a flood to waste the earth. And God said: This is the sign of the covenant which I give between me and you, and to every living soul that is with you, for perpetual generations. I will set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of a covenant between me, and between the earth.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 102 (101):20b; V. 16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23

R. (F)rom heaven the Lord hath looked upon the earth.

V. And the Gentiles shall fear thy name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.

    For the Lord hath built up Sion: and he shall be seen in his glory.

    He hath had regard to the prayer of the humble: and he hath not despised their petition.

V. Let these things be written unto another generation: and the people that shall be created       shall praise the Lord:

     Because he hath looked forth from his high sanctuary: from heaven the Lord hath                 looked upon the earth.

     That he might hear the groans of them that are in fetters: that he might release the                 children of the slain:

V. The children of thy servants shall continue: and their seed shall be directed for ever.

    That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion: and his praise in Jerusalem;

    When the people assemble together, and kings, to serve the Lord.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 8:27-33

And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi. And in the way, he asked his disciples, saying to them: Whom do men say that I am? Who answered him, saying: John the Baptist; but some Elias, and others as one of the prophets. Then he saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Peter answering said to him: Thou art the Christ. And he strictly charged them that they should not tell any man of him. And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the ancients and by the high priests, and the scribes, and be killed: and after three days rise again. And he spoke the word openly. And Peter taking him, began to rebuke him. Who turning about and seeing his disciples, threatened Peter, saying: Go behind me, Satan, because thou savorest not the things that are of God, but that are of men.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22

And after that forty days were passed, Noe, opening the window of the ark which he had made, sent forth a raven:  Which went forth and did not return, till the waters were dried up upon the earth. He sent forth also a dove after him, to see if the waters had now ceased upon the face of the earth. But she, not finding where her foot might rest, returned to him into the ark: for the waters were upon the whole earth: and he put forth his hand, and caught her, and brought her into the ark. And having waited yet seven other days, he again sent forth the dove out of the ark. And she came to him in the evening, carrying a bough of an olive tree, with green leaves, in her mouth. Noe therefore understood that the waters were ceased upon the earth. And he stayed yet other seven days: and he sent forth the dove, which returned not any more unto him. Therefore in the six hundredth and first year, the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were lessened upon the earth, and Noe opening the covering of the ark, looked, and saw that the face of the earth was dried. And Noe built an altar unto the Lord: and taking of all cattle and fowls that were clean, offered holocausts upon the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour, and said: I will no more curse the earth for the sake of man: for the imagination and thought of man's heart are prone to evil from his youth: therefore I will no more destroy every living soul as I have done. All the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, night and day, shall not cease.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 116 (115):17a; V. 12-13, 14-15, 18-19

R. I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise,

V. What shall I render to the Lord, for all the things he hath rendered unto me?

     I will take the chalice of salvation; and I will call upon the name of the Lord.

V. I will pay my vows to the Lord before all his people:

    Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

V. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the sight of all his people:

     In the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 8:22-26

And they came to Bethsaida; and they bring to him a blind man, and they besought him that he would touch him. And taking the blind man by the hand, he led him out of the town; and spitting upon his eyes, laying his hands on him, he asked him if he saw any thing. And looking up, he said: I see men as it were trees, walking. After that again he laid his hands upon his eyes, and he began to see, and was restored, so that he saw all things clearly. And he sent him into his house, saying: Go into thy house, and if thou enter into the town, tell nobody.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10

And God seeing that the wickedness of men was great on the earth, and that all the thought of their heart was bent upon evil at all times, It repented him that he had made man on the earth. And being touched inwardly with sorrow of heart, He said: I will destroy man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth, from man even to beasts, from the creeping thing even to the fowls of the air, for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noe found grace before the Lord. And the Lord said to him: Go in thou and all thy house into the ark: for thee I have seen just before me in this generation. Of all clean beasts take seven and seven, the male and the female. But of the beasts that are unclean two and two, the male and the female. Of the fowls also of the air seven and seven, the male and the female: that seed may be saved upon the face of the whole earth. For yet a while, and after seven days, I will rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will destroy every substance that I have made, from the face of the earth. And Noe did all things which the Lord had commanded him. And after the seven days were passed, the waters of the flood overflowed the earth. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 29 (28):11b; V. 1a, 2, 3ac-4, 3b & 9c-10

R. (T)he Lord will bless his people with peace.

V. Bring to the Lord, O ye children of God: bring to the Lord the offspring of rams.

     Bring to the Lord glory and honour: bring to the Lord glory to his name:

     adore ye the Lord in his holy court.

V. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; The Lord is upon many waters.

     The voice of the Lord is in power; the voice of the Lord in magnificence.

V. (T)he God of majesty hath thundered, and in his temple all shall speak his glory.

     The Lord maketh the flood to dwell: and the Lord shall sit king for ever.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 8:14-21

And they forgot to take bread; and they had but one loaf with them in the ship. And he charged them, saying: Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying: Because we have no bread. Which Jesus knowing, saith to them: Why do you reason, because you have no bread? do you not yet know nor understand? have you still your heart blinded? Having eyes, see you not? and having ears, hear you not? neither do you remember. When I broke the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took you up? They say to him, Twelve. When also the seven loaves among four thousand, how many baskets of fragments took you up? And they say to him, Seven. And he said to them: How do you not yet understand?

The reading from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Sixth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Genesis 4:1-15, 25

And Adam knew Eve his wife: who conceived and brought forth Cain, saying: I have gotten a man through God. And again she brought forth his brother Abel. And Abel was a shepherd, and Cain a husbandman. And it came to pass after many days, that Cain offered, of the fruits of the earth, gifts to the Lord.  Abel also offered of the firstlings of his flock, and of their fat: and the Lord had respect to Abel, and to his offerings. But to Cain and his offerings he had no respect: and Cain was exceedingly angry, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said to him: Why art thou angry? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou do well, shalt thou not receive? but if ill, shall not sin forthwith be present at the door? but the lust thereof shall be under thee, and thou shalt have dominion over it. And Cain said to Abel his brother: Let us go forth abroad. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and slew him. And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered, I know not: am I my brother's keeper? And he said to him: What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth to me from the earth. Now, therefore, cursed shalt thou be upon the earth, which hath opened her mouth and received the blood of thy brother at thy hand. When thou shalt till it, it shall not yield to thee its fruit: a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be upon the earth. And Cain said to the Lord: My iniquity is greater than that I may deserve pardon. Behold thou dost cast me out this day from the face of the earth, and I shall be hidden from thy face, and I shall be a vagabond and a fugitive on the earth: every one, therefore, that findeth me, shall kill me. And the Lord said to him: No, it shall not be so: but whosoever shall kill Cain, shall be punished sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, that whosoever found him should not kill him. Adam also knew his wife again: and she brought forth a son, and called his name Seth, saying: God hath given me another seed, for Abel whom Cain slew.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 50 (49):14a; V. 1,8, 16bc-17, 20-21

R. Offer to God the sacrifice of praise:

V. The God of gods, the Lord hath spoken: and he hath called the earth. From the rising of       the sun, to the going down thereof:

     I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices: and thy burnt offerings are always in my sight.

V. Why dost thou declare my justices, and take my covenant in thy mouth? 

     Seeing thou hast hated discipline: and hast cast my words behind thee.

V. Sitting thou didst speak against thy brother, and didst lay a scandal against thy mother's       son:

     These things hast thou done, and I was silent.

     Thou thoughtest unjustly that I should be like to thee: but I will reprove thee, and set           before thy face. 

Gospel Reading:  Mark 8:11-13

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, asking him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And sighing deeply in spirit, he saith: Why doth this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, a sign shall not be given to this generation. And leaving them, he went up again into the ship, and passed to the other side of the water. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

Frist Reading:  Jeremiah 17:5-8

Thus saith the Lord: Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like tamaric in the desert, and he shall not see when good shall come: but he shall dwell in dryness in the desert in a salt land, and not inhabited. Blessed be the man that trusteth in the Lord, and the Lord shall be his confidence. And he shall be as a tree that is planted by the waters, that spreadeth out its roots towards moisture: and it shall not fear when the heat cometh. And the leaf thereof shall be green, and in the time of drought it shall not be solicitous, neither shall it cease at any time to bring forth fruit. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 40 (39):5a; V. Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 & 6

R. Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord;

V. Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the         way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence.

     But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night.

V. And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring          forth its fruit, in due season.

     And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.

V. Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the      earth.

    For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: and the way of the wicked shall perish.

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20

Now if Christ be preached, that he arose again from the dead, how do some among you say, that there is no resurrection of the dead? For if the dead rise not again, neither is Christ risen again. And if Christ be not risen again, your faith is vain, for you are yet in your sins. Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ, are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep: 

Gospel Reading:  Luke 6:17, 20-26

And coming down with them, he stood in a plain place, and the company of his disciples, and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast both of Tyre and Sidon, And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh. Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets. But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation. Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.

The reading from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Genesis 3:9-24

And the Lord God called Adam, and said to him: Where art thou? And he said: I heard thy voice in paradise; and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself. And he said to him: And who hath told thee that thou wast naked, but that thou hast eaten of the tree whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldst not eat? And Adam said: The woman, whom thou gavest me to be my companion, gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said to the woman: Why hast thou done this? And she answered: The serpent deceived me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said to the serpent: Because thou hast done this thing, thou art cursed among all cattle, and beasts of the earth: upon thy breast shalt thou go, and earth shalt thou eat all the days of thy life. I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel. To the woman also he said: I will multiply thy sorrows, and thy conceptions: in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children, and thou shalt be under thy husband's power, and he shall have dominion over thee. And to Adam he said: Because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldst not eat, cursed is the earth in thy work; with labour and toil shalt thou eat thereof all the days of thy life. Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herbs of the earth. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the earth, out of which thou wast taken: for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return. And Adam called the name of his wife Eve: because she was the mother of all the living. And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife, garments of skins, and clothed them. And he said: Behold Adam is become as one of us, knowing good and evil: now, therefore, lest perhaps he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever. And the Lord God sent him out of the paradise of pleasure, to till the earth from which he was taken. And he cast out Adam; and placed before the paradise of pleasure Cherubims, and a flaming sword, turning every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 90 (89):1; V. 2, 3-4abc, 5-6, 12-13

R. Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation.

V. Before the mountains were made, or the earth and the world was formed;

    from eternity and to eternity thou art God.

V. Turn not man away to be brought low: and thou hast said: Be converted, O ye sons of          men. 

     For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past. And as a watch in the         night,

V. Things that are counted nothing, shall their years be.

     In the morning man shall grow up like grass; in the morning he shall flourish and pass         away: in the evening he shall fall, grow dry, and wither.

V. Can number thy wrath? So make thy right hand known: and men learned in heart, in            wisdom.

    Return, O Lord, how long? and be entreated in favour of thy servants.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 8:1-10

In those days again, when there was a great multitude, and had nothing to eat; calling his disciples together, he saith to them:  I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat. And if I shall send them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way; for some of them came from afar off. And his disciples answered him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness? And he asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven. And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, he broke, and gave to his disciples for to set before them; and they set them before the people. And they had a few little fishes; and he blessed them, and commanded them to be set before them. And they did eat and were filled; and they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand; and he sent them away. And immediately going up into a ship with his disciples, he came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saints Cyril, Monk, And Methodius, Bishop

First Reading:  Acts 13:46-49

Then Paul and Barnabas said boldly: To you it behoved us first to speak the word of God: but because you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord hath commanded us: I have set thee to be the light of the Gentiles; that thou mayest be for salvation unto the utmost part of the earth. And the Gentiles hearing it, were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to life everlasting, believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout the whole country.

Responsorial Psalm:  Mark 16:15; V. Psalm 117 (116):1bc, 2

R. Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

V. O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

V. For his mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 10:1-9

And after these things the Lord appointed also other seventy-two: and he sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself was to come. And he said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send labourers into his harvest. Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way. Into whatsoever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. And in the same house, remain, eating and drinking such things as they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from house to house. And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them: The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Genesis 2:18-25

And the Lord God said: It is not good for man to be alone: let us make him a help like unto himself. And the Lord God having formed out of the ground all the beasts of the earth, and all the fowls of the air, brought them to Adam to see what he would call them: for whatsoever Adam called any living creature the same is its name. And Adam called all the beasts by their names, and all the fowls of the air, and all the cattle of the field: but for Adam there was not found a helper like himself. Then the Lord God cast a deep sleep upon Adam: and when he was fast asleep, he took one of his ribs, and filled up flesh for it. And the Lord God built the rib which he took from Adam into a woman: and brought her to Adam. And Adam said: This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh. And they were both naked: to wit, Adam and his wife: and were not ashamed.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 128 (127):1; 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:  Mark 7:24-30

And rising from thence he went into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon: and entering into a house, he would that no man should know it, and he could not be hid. For a woman as soon as she heard of him, whose daughter had an unclean spirit, came in and fell down at his feet. For the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophenician born. And she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. Who said to her: Suffer first the children to be filled: for it is not good to take the bread of the children, and cast it to the dogs. But she answered and said to him: Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat under the table of the crumbs of the children. And he said to her: For this saying go thy way, the devil is gone out of thy daughter. And when she was come into her house, she found the girl lying upon the bed, and that the devil was gone out.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17

(W)hen they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the heaven and the earth:  5 And every plant of the field before it sprung up in the earth, and every herb of the ground before it grew: for the Lord God had not rained upon the earth; and there was not a man to till the earth. But a spring rose out of the earth, watering all the surface of the earth. And the Lord God formed man of the slime of the earth: and breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a living soul. And the Lord God had planted a paradise of pleasure from the beginning: wherein he placed man whom he had formed. And the Lord God brought forth of the ground all manner of trees, fair to behold, and pleasant to eat of: the tree of life also in the midst of paradise: and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And the Lord God took man, and put him into the paradise of pleasure, to dress it, and to keep it. And he commanded him, saying: Of every tree of paradise thou shalt eat:  But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat. For in what day soever thou shalt eat of it, thou shalt die the death. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 104 (103):1; V. 1-2a, 27-28, 29bc-30

R. Bless the Lord, O my soul:

V. Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, thou art exceedingly great.

     Thou hast put on praise and beauty:  And art clothed with light as with a garment.

V. All expect of thee that thou give them food in season.

    What thou givest to them they shall gather up: when thou openest thy hand, they shall           all be filled with good.

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

     Thou shalt send forth thy spirit, and they shall be created: and thou shalt renew the face       of the earth.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 7:14-23

And calling again the multitude unto him, he said to them: Hear ye me all, and understand. There is nothing from without a man that entering into him, can defile him. But the things which come from a man, those are they that defile a man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was come into the house from the multitude, his disciples asked him the parable. And he saith to them: So are you also without knowledge? understand you not that every thing from without, entering into a man cannot defile him:  Because it entereth not into his heart, but goeth into the belly, and goeth out into the privy, purging all meats? But he said that the things which come out from a man, they defile a man. For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and defile a man.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here. 

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Our Lady Of Lourdes

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:  Judith 15:10c; V. 13:23, 25bc

R. (T)hou art the honour of our people:

V. Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord the most high God, above all women upon the           earth.

V. (T)hy praise shall not depart out of the mouth of men who shall be mindful of the power of       the Lord for ever,

Gospel Reading:  John 2:1-11

And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye. Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Genesis 1:20—2:4a

God also said: Let the waters bring forth the creeping creature having life, and the fowl that may fly over the earth under the firmament of heaven. And God created the great whales, and every living and moving creature, which the waters brought forth, according to their kinds, and every winged fowl according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And he blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea: and let the birds be multiplied upon the earth. And the evening and morning were the fifth day. And God said: Let the earth bring forth the living creature in its kind, cattle and creeping things, and beasts of the earth, according to their kinds. And it was so done. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and cattle, and every thing that creepeth on the earth after its kind. And God saw that it was good. And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth. And God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him: male and female he created them. And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth. And God said: Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed upon the earth, and all trees that have in themselves seed of their own kind, to be your meat:  And to all beasts of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to all that move upon the earth, and wherein there is life, that they may have to feed upon. And it was so done. And God saw all the things that he had made, and they were very good. And the evening and morning were the sixth day. So the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the furniture of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made: and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. And he blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. These are the generations of the heaven and the earth, when they were created, 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 8:2ab; V. 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. O Lord our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth!

V. For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: the moon and the stars which           thou hast founded.

     What is man that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?

V. Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and         honour:

     And hast set him over the works of thy hands.

V. Thou hast subjected all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen: moreover the beasts           also of the fields.

     The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea, that pass through the paths of the sea.  

Gospel Reading:  Mark 7:1-13

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Scholastica, Virgin

First Reading:  Song of Songs 8:6-7

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

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

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

V. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise ye him in the high places.

     Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

V. Kings of the earth and all people: princes and all judges of the earth:

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

     For his name alone is exalted.

V. The praise of him is above heaven and earth: and he hath exalted the horn of his people.

     A hymn to all his saints: to the children of Israel, a people approaching to him. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 10:38-42

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8

In the year that king Ozias died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and elevated: and his train filled the temple. Upon it stood the seraphims:  And they cried one to another, and said: Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God of hosts, all the earth is full of his glory. And the lintels of the doors were moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.  And I said: Woe is me, because I have held my peace; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people that hath unclean lips, and I have seen with my eyes the King the Lord of hosts. And one of the seraphims flew to me, and in his hand was a live coal, which he had taken with the tongs off the altar. And he touched my mouth, and said: Behold this hath touched thy lips, and thy iniquities shall be taken away, and thy sin shall be cleansed. And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send? and who shall go for us? And I said: Lo, here am I, send me.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 138 (137):1c; V. 1-2b, 2c-3, 4-5, 7d-8

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.

V. (T)hy right hand hath saved me.

     The Lord will repay for me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever:

     O despise not the work of thy hands. 

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11

Now I make known unto you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; By which also you are saved, if you hold fast after what manner I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all, which I also received: how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures:  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures:  And that he was seen by Cephas; and after that by the eleven. Then he was seen by more than five hundred brethren at once: of whom many remain until this present, and some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen by James, then by all the apostles. And last of all, he was seen also by me, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am; and his grace in me hath not been void, but I have laboured more abundantly than all they: yet not I, but the grace of God with me. For whether I, or they, so we preach, and so you have believed.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 5:1-11

And it came to pass, that when the multitudes pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Genesareth, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And going into one of the ships that was Simon's, he desired him to draw back a little from the land. And sitting he taught the multitudes out of the ship. Now when he had ceased to speak, he said to Simon: Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said to him: Master, we have labored all the night, and have taken nothing: but at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they enclosed a very great multitude of fishes, and their net broke. And they beckoned to their partners that were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they were almost sinking. Which when Simon Peter saw, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying: Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was wholly astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken. And so were also James and John the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. And Jesus saith to Simon: Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And having brought their ships to land, leaving all things, they followed him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to his name. And do not forget to do good, and to impart; for by such sacrifices God's favour is obtained. Obey your prelates, and be subject to them. For they watch as being to render an account of your souls; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief. For this is not expedient for you. And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great pastor of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the blood of the everlasting testament, Fit you in all goodness, that you may do his will; doing in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 23 (22):1; V. 1-3a, 3b-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. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake.

     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:  Mark 6:30-34

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Hebrews 13:1-8

Let the charity of the brotherhood abide in you. And hospitality do not forget; for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels. Remember them that are in bands, as if you were bound with them; and them that labour, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled. For fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your manners be without covetousness, contented with such things as you have; for he hath said: I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee. So that we may confidently say: The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man shall do to me. Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ, yesterday, and today; and the same for ever.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 27 (26):1a; V. 1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation,

V. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?

     The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

V. If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear.

     If a battle should rise up against me, in this will I be confident.

V. For he hath hidden me in his tabernacle; in the day of evils,

    he hath protected me in the secret place of his tabernacle.

V. (T)hy face, O Lord, will I still seek. Turn not away thy face from me;

     decline not in thy wrath from thy servant. Be thou my helper, forsake me not;

Gospel Reading:  Mark 6:14-29

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Galatians 2:19-20

For I, through the law, am dead to the law, that I may live to God: with Christ I am nailed to the cross.  20 And I live, now not I; but Christ liveth in me. And that I live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered himself for me.

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

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

V. When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted.

     Then was our mouth filled with gladness; and our tongue with joy.

V. Then shall they say among the Gentiles: The Lord hath done great things for them.

     The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful.

V. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as a stream in the south.

     They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

V. Going they went and wept, casting their seeds.

    But coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 28:16-20

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Agatha, Virgin And Martyr

First Reading:  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

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

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

R. Into thy hands I commend my spirit:

V. Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a house of refuge, to save me.

     For thou art my strength and my refuge; and for thy name's sake thou wilt lead me, and           nourish me.

V. Into thy hands I commend my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.

     I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy.

V. Deliver me out of the hands of my enemies; and from them that persecute me.

     Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; save me in thy mercy.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:23-26

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

February 2025 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

For Vocations To The Priesthood And Religious Life. Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.

(UPDATE: 2/12/2025) A reflection for this intention can be found here.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Fourth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Hebrews 12:1-4

And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us:  Looking on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who having joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God. For think diligently upon him that endured such opposition from sinners against himself; that you be not wearied, fainting in your minds. For you have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin:

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 22 (21):27b; V. 26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32

R.  (T)hey shall praise the Lord that seek him:

V. I will pay my vows in the sight of them that fear him. 

    The poor shall eat and shall be filled: and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their        hearts shall live for ever and ever.

V.  All the ends of the earth shall remember, and shall be converted to the Lord:

     And all the kindreds of the Gentiles shall adore in his sight.

     All the fat ones of the earth have eaten and have adored:

     all they that go down to the earth shall fall before him.

V. And to him my soul shall live: and my seed shall serve him.

    There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come: and the heavens shall shew          forth his justice to a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made.

Gospel Reading: Mark 5:21-43

And when Jesus had passed again in the ship over the strait, a great multitude assembled together unto him, and he was nigh unto the sea. And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue named Jairus: and seeing him, falleth down at his feet. And he besought him much, saying: My daughter is at the point of death, come, lay thy hand upon her, that she may be safe, and may live. And he went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they thronged him. And a woman who was under an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things from many physicians; and had spent all that she had, and was nothing the better, but rather worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the crowd behind him, and touched his garment. For she said: If I shall touch but his garment, I shall be whole. And forthwith the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the evil. And immediately Jesus knowing in himself the virtue that had proceeded from him, turning to the multitude, said: Who hath touched my garments? And his disciples said to him: Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou who hath touched me? And he looked about to see her who had done this. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said to her: Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole: go in peace, and be thou whole of thy disease. While he was yet speaking, some come from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying: Thy daughter is dead: why dost thou trouble the master any further? But Jesus having heard the word that was spoken, saith to the ruler of the synagogue: Fear not, only believe. And he admitted not any man to follow him, but Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he seeth a tumult, and people weeping and wailing much. And going in, he saith to them: Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But he having put them all out, taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And taking the damsel by the hand, he saith to her: Talitha cumi, which is, being interpreted: Damsel (I say to thee) arise. And immediately the damsel rose up, and walked: and she was twelve years old: and they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them strictly that no man should know it: and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Fourth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Hebrews 11:32-40

And what shall I yet say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephthe, David, Samuel, and the prophets:  Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of foreigners:  Women received their dead raised to life again. But others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection. And others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bands and prisons. They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted:  Of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth. And all these being approved by the testimony of faith, received not the promise; God providing some better thing for us, that they should not be perfected without us.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 31 (30): 25; V. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

R. Do ye manfully, and let your heart be strengthened, all ye that hope in the Lord.

V. O how great is the multitude of thy sweetness, O Lord, which thou hast hidden for them       that fear thee!

     Which thou hast wrought for them that hope in thee, in the sight of the sons of men.

V. Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy face, from the disturbance of men.

     Thou shalt protect them in thy tabernacle from the contradiction of tongues.

V. Blessed be the Lord, for he hath shewn his wonderful mercy to me in a fortified city.

V. But I said in the excess of my mind: I am cast away from before thy eyes.

    Therefore thou hast heard the voice of my prayer, when I cried to thee.

V. O love the Lord, all ye his saints:

    for the Lord will require truth, and will repay them abundantly that act proudly.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 5:1-20

And they came over the strait of the sea into the country of the Gerasens. And as he went out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the monuments a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling in the tombs, and no man now could bind him, not even with chains. For having been often bound with fetters and chains, he had burst the chains, and broken the fetters in pieces, and no one could tame him. And he was always day and night in the monuments and in the mountains, crying and cutting himself with stones. And seeing Jesus afar off, he ran and adored him. And crying with a loud voice, he said: What have I to do with thee, Jesus the Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God that thou torment me not. For he said unto him: Go out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him: What is thy name? And he saith to him: My name is Legion, for we are many. And he besought him much, that he would not drive him away out of the country. And there was there near the mountain a great herd of swine, feeding. And the spirits besought him, saying: Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And Jesus immediately gave them leave. And the unclean spirits going out, entered into the swine: and the herd with great violence was carried headlong into the sea, being about two thousand, and were stifled in the sea. And they that fed them fled, and told it in the city and in the fields. And they went out to see what was done:  And they came to Jesus, and they see him that was troubled with the devil, sitting, clothed, and well in his wits, and they were afraid. And they that had seen it, told them, in what manner he had been dealt with who had the devil; and concerning the swine. And they began to pray him that he would depart from their coasts. And when he went up into the ship, he that had been troubled with the devil, began to beseech him that he might be with him. And he admitted him not, but saith to him: Go into thy house to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had mercy on thee. And he went his way, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men wondered.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Feast Of The Presentation Of The Lord

First Reading:  Malachi 3:1-4

Behold I send my angel, and he shall prepare the way before my face. And presently the Lord, whom you seek, and the angel of the testament, whom you desire, shall come to his temple. Behold he cometh, saith the Lord of hosts. And who shall be able to think of the day of his coming? and who shall stand to see him? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller's herb:  And he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold, and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice. And the sacrifice of Juda and of Jerusalem shall please the Lord, as in the days of old, and in the ancient years.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 24 (23):8a; V. 7, 8, 9, 10

R. Who is this King of Glory? the Lord...

V. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of          Glory shall enter in.

V. Who is this King of Glory? the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in               battle.

V. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of          Glory shall enter in.

V. Who is this King of Glory? the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.

Second Reading:  Hebrews 2:14-18

Therefore because the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner hath been partaker of the same: that, through death, he might destroy him who had the empire of death, that is to say, the devil:  And might deliver them, who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject to servitude. For no where doth he take hold of the angels: but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold. Wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful priest before God, that he might be a propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that, wherein he himself hath suffered and been tempted, he is able to succour them also that are tempted.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22-32

And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:  As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:  And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons:  And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:  Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:  A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Third Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not. For by this the ancients obtained a testimony. By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise. For he looked for a city that hath foundations; whose builder and maker is God. By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to conceive seed, even past the time of age; because she believed that he was faithful who had promised, For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. All these died according to faith, not having received the promises, but beholding them afar off, and saluting them, and confessing that they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth. For they that say these things, do signify that they seek a country. And truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless time to return. But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that had received the promises, offered up his only begotten son; (To whom it was said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called.) Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead.

Responsorial Psalm:  Luke 1:68; V. 69-70, 71-72, 73-75

R. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; because he hath visited and wrought the redemption       of his people:

V. And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant:

     As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning:

V. Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us:

     To perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy testament,

V. The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant to us,

    That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear,

    In holiness and justice before him, all our days.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 4:35-41

And he saith to them that day, when evening was come: Let us pass over to the other side. And sending away the multitude, they take him even as he was in the ship: and there were other ships with him. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that the ship was filled. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, sleeping upon a pillow; and they awake him, and say to him: Master, doth it not concern thee that we perish? And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and said to the sea: Peace, be still. And the wind ceased: and there was made a great calm. And he said to them: Why are you fearful? have you not faith yet? And they feared exceedingly: and they said one to another: Who is this (thinkest thou) that both wind and sea obey him? 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.