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

First Reading:  Romans 9:1-5

I speak the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost:  That I have great sadness, and continual sorrow in my heart. For I wished myself to be an anathema from Christ, for my brethren, who are my kinsmen according to the flesh, Who are Israelites, to whom belongeth the adoption as of children, and the glory, and the testament, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises:  Whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ, according to the flesh, who is over all things, God blessed for ever. Amen.

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

R.  Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem:

V.  Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem:

     praise thy God, O Sion.

     Because he hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates,

     he hath blessed thy children within thee.

V.  Who hath placed peace in thy borders:

     and filleth thee with the fat of corn.

     Who sendeth forth his speech to the earth:

     his word runneth swiftly.

V.  Who declareth his word to Jacob:

     his justices and his judgments to Israel.

     He hath not done in like manner to every nation:

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

Gospel Reading:  Luke 14:1-6

And it came to pass, when Jesus went into the house of one of the chief of the Pharisees, on the sabbath day, to eat bread, that they watched him. And behold, there was a certain man before him that had the dropsy. And Jesus answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying: Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? But they held their peace. But he taking him, healed him, and sent him away. And answering them, he said: Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fall into a pit, and will not immediately draw him out, on the sabbath day? And they could not answer him to these things.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  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 109 (108):26b; V. 21-22, 26-27, 30-31

R.  (S)ave me according to thy mercy.

V.  But thou, O Lord, do with me for thy name's sake:

     because thy mercy is sweet.

     Do thou deliver me, for I am poor and needy,

     and my heart is troubled within me.

V.  Help me, O Lord my God;

     save me according to thy mercy.

     And let them know that this is thy hand:

     and that thou, O Lord, hast done it.

 

V.  I will give great thanks to the Lord with my mouth:

     and in the midst of many I will praise him.

     Because he hath stood at the right hand of the poor,

     to save my soul from persecutors.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 13:31-35

The same day, there came some of the Pharisees, saying to him: Depart, and get thee hence, for Herod hath a mind to kill thee. And he said to them: Go and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I am consummated. Nevertheless I must walk today and tomorrow, and the day following, because it cannot be that a prophet perish, out of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children as the bird doth her brood under her wings, and thou wouldest not? Behold your house shall be left to you desolate. And I say to you, that you shall not see me till the time come, when you shall say: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Romans 8:26-30

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings. And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what the Spirit desireth; because he asketh for the saints according to God. And we know that to them that love God, all things work together unto good, to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints. For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated to be made conformable to the image of his Son; that he might be the firstborn amongst many brethren. And whom he predestinated, them he also called. And whom he called, them he also justified. And whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 13 (12):6a; V. 4-5, 6

R.  But I have trusted in thy mercy.

V.  Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God.

     Enlighten my eyes that I never sleep in death:

     Lest at any time my enemy say:

     I have prevailed against him.

     They that trouble me will rejoice when I am moved:

V.  But I have trusted in thy mercy.

     My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation:

     I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things:

     yea I will sing to the name of the Lord the most high.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 13:22-30

And he went through the cities and towns teaching, and making his journey to Jerusalem. And a certain man said to him: Lord, are they few that are saved? But he said to them:  Strive to enter by the narrow gate; for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter, and shall not be able. But when the master of the house shall be gone in, and shall shut the door, you shall begin to stand without, and knock at the door, saying: Lord, open to us. And he answering, shall say to you: I know you not, whence you are. Then you shall begin to say: We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. And he shall say to you: I know you not, whence you are: depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And there shall come from the east and the west, and the north and the south; and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And behold, they are last that shall be first; and they are first that shall be last.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Romans 8:12-17

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. For whosoever are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear; but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry: Abba (Father). For the Spirit himself giveth testimony to our spirit, that we are the sons of God. And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 68:2 and 4, 6-7ab, 20-21

R.  Our God is the God of salvation:

V.  Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered:

     and let them that hate him flee from before his face.

     And let the just feast, and rejoice before God:

     and be delighted with gladness.

V.  Who is the father of orphans, and the judge of widows.

     God in his holy place:

     God who maketh men of one manner to dwell in a house:

     Who bringeth out them that were bound in strength;

V.  Blessed be the Lord day by day:

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

     Our God is the God of salvation:

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

Gospel Reading:  Luke 13:10-17

And he was teaching in their synagogue on their sabbath. And behold there was a woman, who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years: and she was bowed together, neither could she look upwards at all. Whom when Jesus saw, he called her unto him, and said to her: Woman, thou art delivered from thy infirmity. And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue (being angry that Jesus had healed on the sabbath) answering, said to the multitude: Six days there are wherein you ought to work. In them therefore come, and be healed; and not on the sabbath day. And the Lord answering him, said: Ye hypocrites, doth not every one of you, on the sabbath day, loose his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead them to water? And ought not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the things that were gloriously done by him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

Give to the most High according to what he hath given to thee, and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands:  For the Lord maketh recompense, and will give thee seven times as much. Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive. The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged. He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint. Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall? 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 34 (33):7a; V. 2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

R.  This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him:

V.  I will bless the Lord at all times,

     his praise shall be always in my mouth.

     In the Lord shall my soul be praised:

     let the meek hear and rejoice.

V.  But the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil things:

     to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

     The just cried, and the Lord heard them:

     and delivered them out of all their troubles.

V.  The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart:

     and he will save the humble of spirit.

     The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants:

     and none of them that trust in him shall offend.

Second Reading:  2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me quickly. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their charge. But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching may be accomplished, and that all the Gentiles may hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. The Lord hath delivered me from every evil work: and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 18:9-14

And to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others, he spoke also this parable:  Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Romans 8:1-11

There is now therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh. For the law of the spirit of life, in Christ Jesus, hath delivered me from the law of sin and of death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh; God sending his own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh and of sin, hath condemned sin in the flesh; That the justification of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. For they that are according to the flesh, mind the things that are of the flesh; but they that are according to the spirit, mind the things that are of the spirit. For the wisdom of the flesh is death; but the wisdom of the spirit is life and peace. Because the wisdom of the flesh is an enemy to God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither can it be. And they who are in the flesh, cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body indeed is dead, because of sin; but the spirit liveth, because of justification. And if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you; he that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead, shall quicken also your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 24 (23):6; V. 1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

R.  This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the face of the God of            Jacob.

V.  The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof:

     the world, and all they that dwell therein.

     For he hath founded it upon the seas;

     and hath prepared it upon the rivers.

V.  Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord:

     or who shall stand in his holy place?

     The innocent in hands, and clean of heart,

     who hath not taken his soul in vain,

V.  He shall receive a blessing from the Lord,

     and mercy from God his Saviour.

     This is the generation of them that seek him,

     of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 13:1-9

And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things? No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem? No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish. He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down therefore: why cumbereth it the ground? But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it. And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Romans 7:18-25a

Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that there dwelleth not in me, that is to say, in my flesh, that which is good. For to will, is present with me; but to accomplish that which is good, I find not. For the good which I will, I do not; but the evil which I will not, that I do. Now if I do that which I will not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that when I have a will to do good, evil is present with me. For I am delighted with the law of God, according to the inward man:  But I see another law in my members, fighting against the law of my mind, and captivating me in the law of sin, that is in my members. Unhappy man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? The grace of God, by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119 (118): 68b; V. 66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94

R.  (T)each me thy justifications.

V.  Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge;

     for I have believed thy commandments.

V.  Thou art good; and in thy goodness

     teach me thy justifications.

V.  O! let thy mercy be for my comfort,

     according to thy word unto thy servant.

V.  Let thy tender mercies come unto me, and I shall live:

     for thy law is my meditation.

V.  Thy justifications I will never forget:

     for by them thou hast given me life.

V.  I am thine, save thou me:

     for I have sought thy justifications. 

Gospel Reading:  Luke 12:54-59

And he said also to the multitudes: When you see a cloud rising from the west, presently you say: A shower is coming: and so it happeneth:  And when ye see the south wind blow, you say: There will be heat: and it cometh to pass. You hypocrites, you know how to discern the face of the heaven and of the earth: but how is it that you do not discern this time? And why even of yourselves, do you not judge that which is just? And when thou goest with thy adversary to the prince, whilst thou art in the way, endeavour to be delivered from him: lest perhaps he draw thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the exacter, and the exacter cast thee into prison. I say to thee, thou shalt not go out thence, until thou pay the very last mite.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Romans 6:19-23

I speak an human thing, because of the infirmity of your flesh. For as you have yielded your members to serve uncleanness and iniquity, unto iniquity; so now yield your members to serve justice, unto sanctification. For when you were the servants of sin, you were free men to justice. What fruit therefore had you then in those things, of which you are now ashamed? For the end of them is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end life everlasting. For the wages of sin is death. But the grace of God, life everlasting, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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

Gospel Reading:  Luke 12:49-53

I am come to cast fire on the earth; and what will I, but that it be kindled? And I have a baptism wherewith I am to be baptized: and how am I straitened until it be accomplished? Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation. For there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided: three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against his father, the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother, the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Romans 6:12-18

Let no sin therefore reign in your mortal body, so as to obey the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of iniquity unto sin; but present yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of justice unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are whom you obey, whether it be of sin unto death, or of obedience unto justice. But thanks be to God, that you were the servants of sin, but have obeyed from the heart, unto that form of doctrine, into which you have been delivered. Being then freed from sin, we have been made servants of justice.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 124 (123):8a; V. 1b-3, 4-6, 7-8

R.  Our help is in the name of the Lord,

V. If it had not been that the Lord was with us,

     let Israel now say:  If it had not been that the Lord was with us,

     When men rose up against us, 

     Perhaps they had swallowed us up alive.

     When their fury was enkindled against us,

V.  Perhaps the waters had swallowed us up.

     Our soul hath passed through a torrent:

     perhaps our soul had passed through a water insupportable.

     Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us to be

     a prey to their teeth.

V.  Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow

     out of the snare of the fowlers.

     The snare is broken,

     and we are delivered.

     Our help is in the name of the Lord,

     who made heaven and earth.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 12:39-48

But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come. And Peter said to him: Lord, dost thou speak this parable to us, or likewise to all? And the Lord said: Who (thinkest thou) is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord setteth over his family, to give them their measure of wheat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come, he shall find so doing. Verily I say to you, he will set him over all that he possesseth. But if that servant shall say in his heart: My lord is long a coming; and shall begin to strike the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and to drink and be drunk:  The lord of that servant will come in the day that he hopeth not, and at the hour that he knoweth not, and shall separate him, and shall appoint him his portion with unbelievers. And that servant who knew the will of his lord, and prepared not himself, and did not according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required: and to whom they have committed much, of him they will demand the more.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21

Wherefore as by one man sin entered into this world, and by sin death; and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned. For if by the offence of one, many died; much more the grace of God, and the gift, by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. For if by one man's offence death reigned through one; much more they who receive abundance of grace, and of the gift, and of justice, shall reign in life through one, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as by the offence of one, unto all men to condemnation; so also by the justice of one, unto all men to justification of life. For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners; so also by the obedience of one, many shall be made just. And where sin abounded, grace did more abound. That as sin hath reigned to death; so also grace might reign by justice unto life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 40 (39): 8a and 9a; V. 7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17

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

V.  Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire;

     but thou hast pierced ears for me.

     Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:

     Then said I, Behold I come.

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

     That I should do thy will: O my God, I have desired it,

     and thy law in the midst of my heart.

V.  I have declared thy justice

     in a great church,

     lo, I will not restrain my lips:

     O Lord, thou knowest it.

V.  Let all that seek thee

     rejoice and be glad in thee:

     and let such as love thy salvation

     say always:  The Lord be magnified.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 12:35-38

Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands. And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Romans 4:20-25

In the promise also of God he staggered not by distrust; but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God:  Most fully knowing, that whatsoever he has promised, he is able also to perform. And therefore it was reputed to him unto justice. Now it is not written only for him, that it was reputed to him unto justice, But also for us, to whom it shall be reputed, if we believe in him, that raised up Jesus Christ, our Lord, from the dead, Who was delivered up for our sins, and rose again for our justification.

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:  Luke 12:13-21

And one of the multitude said to him: Master, speak to my brother that he divide the inheritance with me. But he said to him: Man, who hath appointed me judge, or divider, over you? And he said to them: Take heed and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life doth not consist in the abundance of things which he possesseth. And he spoke a similitude to them, saying: The land of a certain rich man brought forth plenty of fruits. And he thought within himself, saying: What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said: This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and will build greater; and into them will I gather all things that are grown to me, and my goods. And I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thy rest; eat, drink, make good cheer. But God said to him: Thou fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee: and whose shall those things be which thou hast provided So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here

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

First Reading:  Exodus 17:8-13

And Amalec came, and fought against Israel in Raphidim. And Moses said to Josue: Choose out men: and go out and fight against Amalec: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill having the rod of God in my hand. Josue did as Moses had spoken, and he fought against Amalec; but Moses, and Aaron, and Hur went up upon the top of the hill. And when Moses lifted up his hands, Israel overcame: but if he let them down a little, Amalec overcame. And Moses' hands were heavy: so they took a stone, and put under him, and he sat on it: and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands on both sides. And it came to pass that his hands were not weary until sunset. And Josue put Amalec and his people to flight, by the edge of the sword.

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

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

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

     from whence help shall come to me.

     My help is from the Lord,

     who made heaven and earth.

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

     neither let him slumber that keepeth thee.

     Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep,

     that keepeth Israel.

V.  The Lord is thy keeper, 

     the Lord is thy protection upon thy right hand.

     The sun shall not burn thee by day:

     nor the moon by night.

V.  The Lord keepeth thee from all evil:

      may the Lord keep thy soul.

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

     from henceforth now and for ever.

Second Reading:  2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

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. 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.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 18:1-8

And he spoke also a parable to them, that we ought always to pray, and not to faint, Saying: There was a judge in a certain city, who feared not God, nor regarded man. And there was a certain widow in that city, and she came to him, saying: Avenge me of my adversary. And he would not for a long time. But afterwards he said within himself: Although I fear not God, nor regard man, Yet because this widow is troublesome to me, I will avenge her, lest continually coming she weary me. And the Lord said: Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God revenge his elect who cry to him day and night: and will he have patience in their regard? I say to you, that he will quickly revenge them. But yet the Son of man, when he cometh, shall he find, think you, faith on earth?

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Feast Of Saint Luke, Evangelist

First Reading:  2 Timothy 4:10-17b

For Demas hath left me, loving this world, and is gone to Thessalonica:  Crescens into Galatia, Titus into Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. The cloak that I left at Troas, with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith hath done me much evil: the Lord will reward him according to his works:  Whom do thou also avoid, for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their charge. But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching may be accomplished, and that all the Gentiles may hear:

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 145 (144):12; V. 10-11, 12-13, 17-18

R.  To make thy might known to the sons of men: and the glory of the magnificence of thy        kingdom.

V.  Let all thy works, O lord, praise thee:

     and let thy saints bless thee.

     They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom:

     and shall tell of thy power:

V.  To make thy might known to the sons of men:

     and the glory of the magnificence of thy kingdom.

     Thy kingdom is a kingdom of all ages:

     and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

V.  The Lord is just in all his ways:

     and holy in all his works.

     The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him:

     to all that call upon him in truth.

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.  5 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: Friday Of The Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Romans 4:1-8

What shall we say then that Abraham hath found, who is our father according to the flesh. For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice. Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt. But to him that worketh not, yet believeth in him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reputed to justice, according to the purpose of the grace of God. As David also termeth the blessedness of a man, to whom God reputeth justice without works:  Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 32 (31):7; V. 1b-2, 5, 11

R.  Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me: my joy, deliver me          from them that surround me.

V.  Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,

     and whose sins are covered.

     Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin,

     and in whose spirit there is no guile.

V.  I have acknowledged my sin to thee,

     and my injustice I have not concealed.

     I said I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord:

     and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.

V.  Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just,

     and glory, all ye right of heart.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 12:1-7

And when great multitudes stood about him, so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples: Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed: nor hidden, that shall not be known. For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness, shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers, shall be preached on the housetops. And I say to you, my friends: Be not afraid of them who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will shew you whom you shall fear: fear ye him, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Yea, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Thursday Of The Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Romans 3:21-30

But now without the law the justice of God is made manifest, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. Even the justice of God, by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe in him: for there is no distinction:  For all have sinned, and do need the glory of God. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption, that is in Christ Jesus, Whom God hath proposed to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to the shewing of his justice, for the remission of former sins, Through the forbearance of God, for the shewing of his justice in this time; that he himself may be just, and the justifier of him, who is of the faith of Jesus Christ. Where is then thy boasting? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also. For it is one God, that justifieth circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 130 (129):7; V. 1b-2, 3-4, 5-6ab

R.  Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.

V. Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord:

     Lord, hear my voice.

     Let thy ears be attentive

     to the voice of my supplication.

V.  If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities:

     Lord, who shall stand it.

     For with thee there is merciful forgiveness:

     and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord.

V.  My soul hath relied on his word:

     My soul hath hoped in the Lord.

     From the morning watch even until night,

     let Israel hope in the Lord.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 11:47-54

Woe to you who build the monuments of the prophets: and your fathers killed them. Truly you bear witness that you consent to the doings of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and you build their sepulchres. For this cause also the wisdom of God said: I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute. That the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation, From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, who was slain between the altar and the temple: Yea I say to you, It shall be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you yourselves have not entered in, and those that were entering in, you have hindered. And as he was saying these things to them, the Pharisees and the lawyers began violently to urge him, and to oppress his mouth about many things, Lying in wait for him, and seeking to catch something from his mouth, that they might accuse him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Wednesday Of The Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Romans 2:1-11

Wherefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest. For wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself. For thou dost the same things which thou judgest. For we know that the judgment of God is, according to truth, against them that do such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them who do such things, and dost the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and patience, and longsuffering? Knowest thou not, that the benignity of God leadeth thee to penance? But according to thy hardness and impenitent heart, thou treasurest up to thyself wrath, against the day of wrath, and revelation of the just judgment of God. Who will render to every man according to his works. To them indeed, who according to patience in good work, seek glory and honour and incorruption, eternal life:  But to them that are contentious, and who obey not the truth, but give credit to iniquity, wrath and indignation. Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek. But glory, and honour, and peace to every one that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For there is no respect of persons with God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 62 (61):13b; V. 2-3, 6-7, 9

R.  (F)or thou wilt render to every man according to his works.

V.  Shall not my soul be subject to God?

     for from him is my salvation.

     For he is my God and my saviour:

     he is my protector, I shall be moved no more.

V.  But be thou, O my soul, subject to God:

     for from him is my patience.

     For he is my God and my saviour:

     he is my helper, I shall not be moved.

V.  Trust in him, all ye congregation of people:

     pour out your hearts before him.

     God is our helper for ever.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 11:42-46

But woe to you, Pharisees, because you tithe mint and rue and every herb; and pass over judgment, and the charity of God. Now these things you ought to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe to you, Pharisees, because you love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the marketplace. Woe to you, because you are as sepulchres that appear not, and men that walk over are not aware. And one of the lawyers answering, saith to him: Master, in saying these things, thou reproachest us also. But he said: Woe to you lawyers also, because you load men with burdens which they cannot bear, and you yourselves touch not the packs with one of your fingers.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Callistus I, Pope And Martyr

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

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

V.  With expectation I have waited for the Lord,

     and he was attentive to me.

     And he put a new canticle into my mouth,

     a song to our God.

V.  Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire;

     but thou hast pierced ears for me.

     Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:

     Then said I, Behold I come.

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

     That I should do thy will:

     O my God, I have desired it,

     and thy law in the midst of my heart.

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

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

V.  I have not hid thy justice within my heart:

     I have declared thy truth and thy salvation.

     I have not concealed thy mercy

     and thy truth from a great council.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 22:24-30

And there was also a strife amongst them, which of them should seem to be the greater. And he said to them: The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that have power over them, are called beneficent. But you not so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is the leader, as he that serveth. For which is greater, he that sitteth at table, or he that serveth? Is it not he that sitteth at table? But I am in the midst of you, as he that serveth:  And you are they who have continued with me in my temptations:  And I dispose to you, as my Father hath disposed to me, a kingdom; That you may eat and drink at my table, in my kingdom: and may sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Romans 1:16-25

For I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and to the Greek. For the justice of God is revealed therein, from faith unto faith, as it is written: The just man liveth by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and injustice of those men that detain the truth of God in injustice:  Because that which is known of God is manifest in them. For God hath manifested it unto them. For the invisible things of him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made; his eternal power also, and divinity: so that they are inexcusable. Because that, when they knew God, they have not glorified him as God, or given thanks; but became vain in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. For professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. And they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of the image of a corruptible man, and of birds, and of fourfooted beasts, and of creeping things. Wherefore God gave them up to the desires of their heart, unto uncleanness, to dishonour their own bodies among themselves. Who changed the truth of God into a lie; and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 19 (18):2a; V. 2-3, 4-5

R.  The heavens shew forth the glory of God,

V.  The heavens shew forth the glory of God,

     and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.

     Day to day uttereth speech,

     and night to night sheweth knowledge.

V.  There are no speeches nor languages,

     where their voices are not heard.

     Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth:

     and their words unto the ends of the world.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 11:37-41

And as he was speaking, a certain Pharisee prayed him, that he would dine with him. And he going in, sat down to eat. And the Pharisee began to say, thinking within himself, why he was not washed before dinner. And the Lord said to him: Now you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but your inside is full of rapine and iniquity. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without, make also that which is within? But yet that which remaineth, give alms; and behold, all things are clean unto you.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Which he had promised before, by his prophets, in the holy scriptures, Concerning his Son, who was made to him of the seed of David, according to the flesh, Who was predestinated the Son of God in power, according to the spirit of sanctification, by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead; By whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith, in all nations, for his name; Among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ:  To all that are at Rome, the beloved of God, called to be saints. Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

R.  The Lord hath made known his salvation:

V.  Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle:

     because he hath done wonderful things.

     His right hand hath wrought for him salvation,

     and his arm is holy.

V.  The Lord hath made known his salvation:

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

     He hath remembered his mercy and his truth

     toward the house of Israel.

V.  All the ends of the earth have seen

     the salvation of our God.

     Sing joyfully to God, all the earth;

     make melody, rejoice and sing.  

Gospel Reading:  Luke 11:29-32

And the multitudes running together, he began to say: This generation is a wicked generation: it asketh a sign, and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was a sign to the Ninivites; so shall the Son of man also be to this generation. The queen of the south shall rise in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them: because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold more than Solomon here. The men of Ninive shall rise in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it; because they did penance at the preaching of Jonas; and behold more than Jonas here.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  2 Kings 5:14-17

Then he went down, and washed in the Jordan seven times: according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored, like the flesh of a little child, and he was made clean. And returning to the man of God with all his train, he came, and stood before him, and said: In truth, I know there is no other God in all the earth, but only in Israel: I beseech thee therefore take a blessing of thy servant. But he answered: As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And when he pressed him, he still refused. And Naaman said: As thou wilt: but I beseech thee, grant to me thy servant, to take from hence two mules' burden of earth: for thy servant will not henceforth offer holocaust, or victim, to other gods, but to the Lord.

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

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

V.  Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle:

     because he hath done wonderful things.

     His right hand hath wrought for him salvation,

     and his arm is holy.

V.  The Lord hath made known his salvation:

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

     He hath remembered his mercy and his truth

     toward the house of Israel.

V.  All the ends of the earth have seen

     the salvation of our God.

     Sing joyfully to God, all the earth;

     make melody, rejoice and sing.

Second Reading:  2 Timothy 2:8-13

Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel. Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. A faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall live also with him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he can not deny himself.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 17:11-19

And it came to pass, as he was going to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off; And lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, master, have mercy on us. Whom when he saw, he said: Go, shew yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean. And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God. And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks: and this was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering, said, Were not ten made clean? and where are the nine? There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger. And he said to him: Arise, go thy way; for thy faith hath made thee whole.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint John XXIII, Pope

First Reading:  Ezekiel 34:11-16

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

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

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

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

     He hath set me in a place of pasture.

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

     He hath converted my soul.

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

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

     Thy rod and thy staff,

     they have comforted me.

V.  Thou hast prepared a table before me

     against them that afflict me.

     Thou hast anointed my head with oil;

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

V.  And thy mercy will follow me

     all the days of my life.

     And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

     unto length of days. 

Gospel Reading:  John 21:15-17

When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs. He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs. He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Joel 4:12-21 (DR--3:12-21)

Let them arise, and let the nations come up into the valley of Josaphat: for there I will sit to judge all nations round about. Put ye in the sickles, for the harvest is ripe: come and go down, for the press is full, the fats run over: for their wickedness is multiplied. Nations, nations in the valley of destruction: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of destruction. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars have withdrawn their shining. And the Lord shall roar out of Sion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem: and the heavens and the earth shall be moved, and the Lord shall be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Sion my holy mountain: and Jerusalem shall be holy and strangers shall pass through it no more. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down sweetness, and the hills shall flow with milk: and waters shall flow through all the rivers of Juda: and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the torrent of thorns. Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom a wilderness destroyed: because they have done unjustly against the children of Juda, and have shed innocent blood in their land. And Judea shall be inhabited for ever, and Jerusalem to generation and generation. And I will cleanse their blood which I had not cleansed: and the Lord will dwell in Sion.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 97 (96):12a; V. 1-2, 5-6, 11-12

R.  Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord:

V.  The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice:

      let many islands be glad.

     Clouds and darkness are round about him:

     justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.

V.  The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord:

     at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.

     The heavens declared his justice:

     and all people saw his glory.

V.  Light is risen to the just,

     and joy to the right of heart.

     Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord:

     and give praise to the remembrance of his holiness. 

Gospel Reading:  Luke 11:27-28

And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck. But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.

  The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2

Gird yourselves, and lament, O ye priests, howl, ye ministers of the altars: go in, lie in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: because sacrifice and libation is cut off from the house of your God. Sanctify ye a fast, call an assembly; gather together the ancients, all the inhabitants of the land into the house of your God: and cry ye to the Lord:  Ah, ah, ah, for the day: because the day of the Lord is at hand, and it shall come like destruction from the mighty. Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because the day of the Lord cometh, because it is nigh at hand,  A day of darkness, and of gloominess, a day of clouds and whirlwinds: a numerous and strong people as the morning spread upon the mountains: the like to it hath not been from the beginning, nor shall be after it even to the years of generation and generation.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 9:9a; V. 2-3, 6 and 16, 8-9

R.  And he shall judge the world in equity,

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

     I will relate all thy wonders.

     I will be glad and rejoice in thee:

     I will sing to thy name, O thou most high.

V.  Thou hast rebuked the Gentiles, and the wicked one hath perished:

     thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever.

     the Gentiles have stuck fast in the destruction which they have prepared.

     Their foot hath been taken in the very snare which they hid.

V.  But the Lord remaineth for ever.

     He hath prepared his throne in judgment:

     And he shall judge the world in equity,

     he shall judge the people in justice.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 11:15-26

But some of them said: He casteth out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils. And others tempting, asked of him a sign from heaven. But he seeing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself, shall be brought to desolation, and house upon house shall fall. And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because you say, that through Beelzebub I cast out devils. Now if I cast out devils by Beelzebub; by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I by the finger of God cast out devils; doubtless the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things are in peace which he possesseth. But if a stronger than he come upon him, and overcome him; he will take away all his armour wherein he trusted, and will distribute his spoils. He that is not with me, is against me; and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest; and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then he goeth and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and entering in they dwell there. And the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.

The reading from the USCCB can be found

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

First Reading:  Malachi 3:13-20b (DR--4:1-2b)

Your words have been unsufferable to me, saith the Lord. And you have said: What have we spoken against thee? You have said: He laboureth in vain that serveth God, and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinances, and that we have walked sorrowful before the Lord of hosts? Wherefore now we call the proud people happy, for they that work wickedness are built up, and they have tempted God and are preserved. Then they that feared the Lord spoke every one with his neighbour: and the Lord gave ear, and heard it: and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that fear the Lord, and think on his name. And they shall be my special possession, saith the Lord of hosts, in the day that I do judgment: and I will spare them, as a man spareth his son that serveth him.  18 And you shall return, and shall see the difference between the just and the wicked: and between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not. For behold the day shall come kindled as a furnace: and all the proud, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall set them on fire, saith the Lord of hosts, it shall not leave them root, nor branch. But unto you that fear my name, the Sun of justice shall arise, and health in his wings:

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

Gospel Reading:  Luke 11:5-13

And he said to them: Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and shall say to him: Friend, lend me three loaves, Because a friend of mine is come off his journey to me, and I have not what to set before him. And he from within should answer, and say: Trouble me not, the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. Yet if he shall continue knocking, I say to you, although he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he will rise, and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. And which of you, if he ask his father bread, will he give him a stone? or a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he reach him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father from heaven give the good Spirit to them that ask him?

The readings from the USCCB can be found here

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

First Reading:  Jonah 4:1-11

And Jonas was exceedingly troubled, and was angry:  And he prayed to the Lord, and said: I beseech thee, O Lord, is not this what I said, when I was yet in my own country? therefore I went before to flee into Tharsis: for I know that thou art a gracious and merciful God, patient, and of much compassion, and easy to forgive evil. And now, O Lord, I beseech thee take my life from me: for it is better for me to die than to live. And the Lord said: Dost thou think thou hast reason to be angry? Then Jonas went out of the city, and sat toward the east side of the city: and he made himself a booth there, and he sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would befall the city. And the Lord God prepared an ivy, and it came up over the head of Jonas, to be a shadow over his head, and to cover him (for he was fatigued), and Jonas was exceeding glad of the ivy. But God prepared a worm, when the morning arose on the following day: and it struck the ivy and it withered. And when the sun was risen, the Lord commanded a hot and burning wind: and the sun beat upon the head of Jonas, and he broiled with the heat: and he desired for his soul that he might die, and said: It is better for me to die than to live. And the Lord said to Jonas: Dost thou think thou hast reason to be angry, for the ivy? And he said: I am angry with reason even unto death. And the Lord said: Thou art grieved for the ivy, for which thou hast not laboured, nor made it to grow, which in one night came up, and in one night perished. And shall not I spare Ninive, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons that know not how to distinguish between their right hand and their left, and many beasts?

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 86:3-4, 5-6, 9-10

R.  And thou, O Lord, art a God of compassion, and merciful,

V.  Have mercy on me, O Lord,

     for I have cried to thee all the day.

     Give joy to the soul of thy servant,

     for to thee, O Lord, I have lifted up my soul.

V.  For thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild:

     and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon thee.

     Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer:

     and attend to the voice of my petition.

V.  All the nations thou hast made shall come and adore before thee, O Lord:

     and they shall glorify thy name.

     For thou art great and dost wonderful things:

     thou art God alone.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 11:1-4

And it came to pass, that as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said to them: When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Jonah 3:1-10

And the word of the Lord came to Jonas the second time, saying:  Arise, and go to Ninive the great city: and preach in it the preaching that I bid thee. And Jonas arose, and went to Ninive, according to the word of the Lord: now Ninive was a great city of three days' journey. And Jonas began to enter into the city one day's journey: and he cried, and said: Yet forty days, and Ninive shall be destroyed. And the men of Ninive believed in God: and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least. And the word came to the king of Ninive; and he rose up out of his throne, and cast away his robe from him, and was clothed with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published in Ninive from the mouth of the king and of his princes, saying: Let neither men nor beasts, oxen nor sheep, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water. And let men and beasts be covered with sackcloth, and cry to the Lord with all their strength, and let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the iniquity that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn, and forgive: and will turn away from his fierce anger, and we shall not perish? And God saw their works, that they were turned from their evil way: and God had mercy with regard to the evil which he had said that he would do to them, and he did it not.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 130 (129):3; V. 1b-2, 3-4ab, 7-8

R.  If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it.

V.  Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord:

     Lord, hear my voice.

     Let thy ears be attentive

     to the voice of my supplication.

V.  If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities:

     Lord, who shall stand it.

     For with thee there is merciful forgiveness:

     and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord.

V.  (L)et Israel hope in the Lord.

     Because with the Lord there is mercy:

     and with him plentiful redemption.

     And he shall redeem Israel

     from all his iniquities.

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: Monday Of The Twenty-Seventh Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Jonah 1:1–2:1-2, 11

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonas the son of Amathi, saying:  Arise, and go to Ninive the great city, and preach in it: for the wickedness thereof is come up before me. And Jonas rose up to flee into Tharsis from the face of the Lord, and he went down to Joppe, and found a ship going to Tharsis: and he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them to Tharsis from the face of the Lord. But the Lord sent a great wind into the sea: and a great tempest was raised in the sea, and the ship was in danger to be broken. And the mariners were afraid, and the men cried to their god: and they cast forth the wares that were in the ship, into the sea, to lighten it of them: and Jonas went down into the inner part of the ship, and fell into a deep sleep. And the shipmaster came to him, and said to him: Why art thou fast asleep? rise up, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think of us, that we may not perish. And they said every one to his fellow: Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know why this evil is upon us. And they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonas. And they said to him: Tell us for what cause this evil is upon us, what is thy business? of what country art thou? and whither goest thou? or of what people art thou? And he said to them: I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord the God of heaven, who made both the sea and the dry land. And the men were greatly afraid, and they said to him: Why hast thou done this? (for the men knew that he fled from the face of the Lord: because he had told them.) And they said to him: What shall we do to thee, that the sea may be calm to us? for the sea flowed and swelled. And he said to them: Take me up, and cast me into the sea, and the sea shall be calm to you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. And the men rowed hard to return to land, but they were not able: because the sea tossed and swelled upon them. And they cried to the Lord, and said: We beseech thee, O Lord, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee. And they took Jonas, and cast him into the sea, and the sea ceased from raging. And the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and sacrificed victims to the Lord, and made vows. Now the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonas: and Jonas was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. And Jonas prayed to the Lord his God out of the belly of the fish. And the Lord spoke to the fish: and it vomited out Jonas upon the dry land.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Jonah 2:7c; V. 3, 4, 5, 8

R.  (A)nd thou wilt bring up my life from corruption, O Lord my God.

V.  And he said: I cried out of my affliction to the Lord,

     and he heard me:

     I cried out of the belly of hell,

     and thou hast heard my voice.

V.  And thou hast cast me forth into the deep in the heart of the sea,

     and a flood hath compassed me:

     all thy billows,

     and thy waves have passed over me.

V.  And I said: I am cast away out of the sight of thy eyes:

     but yet I shall see thy holy temple again.

V.  When my soul was in distress within me,

     I remembered the Lord:

     that my prayer may come to thee,

     unto thy holy temple.   

Gospel Reading:  Luke 10:25-37

And behold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting him, and saying, Master, what must I do to possess eternal life? But he said to him: What is written in the law? how readest thou? He answering, said: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said to him: Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he willing to justify himself, said to Jesus: And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him, and having wounded him went away, leaving him half dead. And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by. In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him; and seeing him, was moved with compassion. And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two pence, and gave to the host, and said: Take care of him; and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I, at my return, will repay thee. Which of these three, in thy opinion, was neighbour to him that fell among the robbers? But he said: He that shewed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go, and do thou in like manner.

The readings from the USCCB can be found 

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.

DR 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.