DR Squared: Saturday After Ash Wednesday

First Reading:  Isaiah 58:9b-14

If thou wilt take away the chain out of the midst of thee, and cease to stretch out the finger, and to speak that which profiteth not. When thou shalt pour out thy soul to the hungry, and shalt satisfy the afflicted soul then shall thy light rise up in darkness, and thy darkness shall be as the noonday. And the Lord will give thee rest continually, and will fill thy soul with brightness, and deliver thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a fountain of water whose waters shall not fail. And the places that have been desolate for ages shall be built in thee: thou shalt raise up the foundations of generation and generation: and thou shalt be called the repairer of the fences, turning the paths into rest. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy own will in my holy day, and call the sabbath delightful, and the holy of the Lord glorious, and glorify him, while thou dost not thy own ways, and thy own will is not found: to speak a word:  Then shalt thou be delighted in the Lord, and I will lift thee up above the high places of the earth, and will feed thee with the inheritance of Jacob thy father. For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 86 (85):11ab; V. 1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R.  Conduct me, O Lord, in thy way, and I will walk in thy truth:

V.  Incline thy ear, O Lord, and hear me:

     for I am needy and poor.

     Preserve my soul, for I am holy:

     save thy servant, O my God, that trusteth in thee.

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.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 5:27-32

And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom, and he said to him: Follow me. And leaving all things, he rose up and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house; and there was a great company of publicans, and of others, that were at table with them. But the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying to his disciples: Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering, said to them: They that are whole, need not the physician: but they that are sick. I came not to call the just, but sinners to penance.

The reading from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 3/8/2025.

DR Squared: Friday After Ash Wednesday

First Reading:  Isaiah 58:1-9a

Cry, cease not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their wicked doings, and the house of Jacob their sins. For they seek me from day to day, and desire to know my ways, as a nation that hath done justice, and hath not forsaken the judgment of their God: they ask of me the judgments of justice: they are willing to approach to God. Why have we fasted, and thou hast not regarded: have we humbled our souls, and thou hast not taken notice? Behold in the day of your fast your own will is found, and you exact of all your debtors. Behold you fast for debates and strife, and strike with the fist wickedly. Do not fast as you have done until this day, to make your cry to be heard on high. Is this such a fast as I have chosen: for a man to afflict his soul for a day? is this it, to wind his head about like a circle, and to spread sackcloth and ashes? wilt thou call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this rather the fast that I have chosen? loose the bands of wickedness, undo the bundles that oppress, let them that are broken go free, and break asunder every burden. Deal thy bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the harbourless into thy house: when thou shalt see one naked, cover him, and despise not thy own flesh. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall speedily arise, and thy justice shall go before thy face, and the glory of the Lord shall gather thee up. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall hear: thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 51 (50):19b; V. 3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19

R. (A) contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

V.  Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.

     And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.

     Wash me yet more from my iniquity,

     and cleanse me from my sin.

V.  For I know my iniquity,

     and my sin is always before me.

     To thee only have I sinned,

     and have done evil before thee:

V.  For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it:

     with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.

     A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit:

     a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.  

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 9:14-15

Then came to him the disciples of John, saying: Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but thy disciples do not fast? And Jesus said to them: Can the children of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 3/7/2025.

DR Squared: Thursday After Ash Wednesday

First Reading:  Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Consider that I have set before thee this day life and good, and on the other hand death and evil:  That thou mayst love the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways, and keep his commandments and ceremonies and judgments, and thou mayst live, and he may multiply thee, and bless thee in the land, which thou shalt go in to possess. But if thy heart be turned away, so that thou wilt not hear, and being deceived with error thou adore strange gods, and serve them:  I foretell thee this day that thou shalt perish, and shalt remain but a short time in the land, to which thou shalt pass over the Jordan, and shalt go in to possess it. I call heaven and earth to witness this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose therefore life, that both thou and thy seed may live:  And that thou mayst love the Lord thy God, and obey his voice, and adhere to him (for he is thy life, and the length of thy days,) that thou mayst dwell in the land, for which the Lord swore to thy fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that he would give it them.

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 9:22-25

Saying: The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the ancients and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day rise again. 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?

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 3/6/2025.

Repeating The Repenting

 

I am the Lecturer for our local Knights of Columbus council. At our General Meeting earlier this month I gave a brief exhortation to my brother Knights in attendance. While a bit off the cuff, I did know what I wanted to say.

I used as a reference the Gospel Reading for today, Ash Wednesday, and the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14). Relying on a bit of Lectio Divina, I made note of the fact our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said, "When you give alms,...(W)hen you fast,...(W)hen you pray....". He did not say "if". The three pillars of our Lenten observance are not optional for the Church nor my brother Knights during this time (or any time, for that matter). Granted, many of them are beyond the age of observing the fasting requirement (ages 14-59), but the abstinence requirement is still there.

As for the other passage, I did read parts of it out loud. At the end, I asked them which one of the two were they going to be this year. It is the same question I ask of you, dear reader. It is the same question I ask myself.

It is said the difference between a sinner and a saint is while the sinner thinks he is a saint, the saint knows he is a sinner. It is under this understanding the Church bestows upon us this time of repentance, this time of preparation before Easter, to re-form and conform our lives to be more like Christ. Throughout these next 40 days, we are given the opportunity to work on our shortcomings and become more perfect as God is perfect, more holy as God is holy.

Rend you hearts, not your garments.

Take up your cross; grace is there for the asking.

"Remember you are dust, and unto dust you will return."

DR Squared: Ash Wednesday

First Reading:  Joel 2:12-18

Now therefore saith the Lord: Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning. And rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil. Who knoweth but he will return, and forgive, and leave a blessing behind him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Sion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, Gather together the people, sanctify the church, assemble the ancients, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of her bride chamber. Between the porch and the altar the priests the Lord's ministers shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare thy people: and give not thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them. Why should they say among the nations: Where is their God? The Lord hath been zealous for his land, and hath spared his people.

Responsorial Psalm:  Cf. Psalm 51 (50):3a; V. 3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17

R.  Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.

V.  Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.

      And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.

     Wash me yet more from my iniquity,

     and cleanse me from my sin.

V.  For I know my iniquity,

     and my sin is always before me.

     To thee only have I sinned,

     and have done evil before thee:

V.  Create a clean heart in me, O God:

     and renew a right spirit within my bowels.

     Cast me not away from thy face;

     and take not thy holy spirit from me.

V.  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation,

     and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.

     O Lord, thou wilt open my lips:

     and my mouth shall declare thy praise. 

Second Reading:  2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2

For Christ therefore we are ambassadors, God as it were exhorting by us. For Christ, we beseech you, be reconciled to God. Him, who knew no sin, he hath made sin for us, that we might be made the justice of God in him. And we helping do exhort you, that you receive not the grace of God in vain. For he saith: In an accepted time have I heard thee; and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven.  2 Therefore when thou dost an almsdeed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.  3 But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth.  4 That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.  5 And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 3/5/2025.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of The Seven Founders Of The Order Of Servites, Religious

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  34 (33):2a OR 9a; V. 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11

R.  I will bless the Lord at all times,

OR

R.  O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet:

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.  O magnify the Lord with me;

     and let us extol his name together.

     I sought the Lord, and he heard me;

     and he delivered me from all my troubles.

V.  Come ye to him and be enlightened:

     and your faces shall not be confounded.

     This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him:

     and saved him out of all his troubles.

V.  The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him:

     and shall deliver them.

     O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet:

     blessed is the man that hopeth in him.

V.  Fear the Lord, all ye his saints:

     for there is no want to them that fear him.

     The rich have wanted, and have suffered hunger: 

     but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 19:27-29

Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have? And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  James 1:12-18

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive a crown of life, which God hath promised to them that love him. Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God. For God is not a tempter of evils, and he tempteth no man. But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured. Then when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death. Do not err, therefore, my dearest brethren. Every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration. For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creatures.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 94 (93):12a; V. 12-13a, 14-15, 18-19

R.  Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct, O Lord:

V.  Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct, O Lord:

     and shalt teach him out of thy law.

     That thou mayst give him rest from the evil days:

V.  Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct, O Lord:

     and shalt teach him out of thy law.

     That thou mayst give him rest

     from the evil days:

V.  If I said: My foot is moved:

     thy mercy, O Lord, assisted me.

     According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart,

     thy comforts have given joy to my soul.  

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 readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  James 1:1-11

James the servant of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy, when you shall fall into divers temptations; Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience. And patience hath a perfect work; that you may be perfect and entire, failing in nothing. But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men abundantly, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind. Therefore let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways. But let the brother of low condition glory in his exaltation:  And the rich, in his being low; because as the flower of the grass shall he pass away. For the sun rose with a burning heat, and parched the grass, and the flower thereof fell off, and the beauty of the shape thereof perished: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119 (118):77a; V. 67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76

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

V.  Before I was humbled I offended;

     therefore have I kept thy word.

V.  Thou art good;

     and in thy goodness teach me thy justifications.

V.  It is good for me that thou hast humbled me,

     that I may learn thy justifications.

V.  The law of thy mouth is good to me,

     above thousands of gold and silver.

V.  I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity:

     and in thy truth thou hast humbled me.

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

     according to thy word unto thy servant.

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 A)

First Reading:  Sirach 15:15-20  (DR--16-21)

If thou wilt keep the commandments and perform acceptable fidelity for ever, they shall preserve thee. He hath set water and fire before thee: stretch forth thy hand to which thou wilt. Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him:  For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing. The eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear him, and he knoweth all the work of man. He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, and he hath given no man license to sin:

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119 (118):1; V. 1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34

R.  Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

V.  Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

     who walk in the law of the Lord.

     Blessed are they who search his testimonies:

     that seek him with their whole heart.

V.  Thou hast commanded thy commandments

     to be kept most diligently.

     O! that my ways may be directed

     to keep thy justifications.

V. Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me:

     and I shall keep thy words.

     Open thou my eyes:

     and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law.

V.  Set before me for a law the way of thy justifications, O Lord:

     and I will always seek after it.

     Give me understanding, and I will search thy law;

     and I will keep it with my whole heart.

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Howbeit we speak wisdom among the perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, neither of the princes of this world that come to nought; But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, a wisdom which is hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory:  Which none of the princes of this world knew; for if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written: That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him. But to us God hath revealed them, by his Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 5:17-37

Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou Fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body be cast into hell. And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body be cast into hell. And it hath been said, whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, excepting for the cause of fornication, maketh her to commit adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery. Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, Thou shalt not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord. But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God:  Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king:  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

God's Valentine's Day Card

"For God so loVed the world,

         that He gAve

             His onLy 

             begottEn

                   SoN,

                       That whosoever

        believeth In Him

           should Not perish,

        but have Everlasting life."

                John 3:16

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Originally published 2/14/2006.

Re-posted 2/14/2023.

THE Greatest Love Affair

An acquaintance sent this to me a few years ago. It gets to the heart of St. Augustine's statement that our restlessness is quieted only in God. It is a reminder of Who our First Love is and should be. It is the cornerstone of seeking the Kingdom of God by seeking the King. Edited for form; the content is everlasting:

Everyone longs to give himself completely to someone, to have a deep soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively. 

But God, to the Christian, says, "No, not until you are satisfied with living for Me and being loved by Me alone and having an intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone. 

"I love you my child; and until you discover that only in Me is your satisfaction, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. 

"I want you to stop planning and stop wanting, and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan ever existing--one that you cannot even imagine. 

"I want you to have the best. Please allow Me to bring it to you--just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things--keep experiencing that satisfaction in Me, knowing that I AM--keep learning and listening to the things that I tell you. 

"You must wait. Do not be anxious. Do not worry. Do not look around at the things others have gained for themselves or that I have given them. Do not look at the things you want. Just keep looking at Me or you will miss what I want to show you. 

"And then, when you are ready, I will surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any you would ever dream of. You see, until you are ready (and even at this minute I desire to have you both ready at the same time), until you are both satisfied with Me and the life that I have prepared for you, you will not be able to experience the love that exemplifies our relationship with Me--and this is perfect love. 

"And, dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love. I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me and to enjoy the everlasting union of beauty and love. 

"I AM GOD. Believe and be satisfied."

St. Anthony

Then, every day will be Valentine's Day.

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Originally posted 2/14/2007.

Re-posted 2/14/2023.

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.

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Originally posted 2/14/2025.

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

First Reading:  1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34

And Jeroboam said in his heart: Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David, If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem: and the heart of this people will turn to their lord Roboam the king of Juda, and they will kill me, and return to him. And finding out a device he made two golden calves, and said to them: Go ye up no more to Jerusalem: Behold thy gods, O Israel, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other in Dan:  And this thing became an occasion of sin: for the people went to adore the calf as far as Dan. And he made temples in the high places, and priests of the lowest of the people, who were not of the sons of Levi. And he appointed a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, after the manner of the feast that was celebrated in Juda. And going up to the altar, he did in like manner in Bethel, to sacrifice to the calves, which he had made: and he placed in Bethel priests of the high places, which he had made. After these words Jeroboam came not back from his wicked way: but on the contrary he made of the meanest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he filled his hand, and he was made a priest of the high places. And for this cause did the house of Jeroboam sin, and was cut off and destroyed from the face of the earth.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 106 (105):4a; V. 6-7ab, 19-20, 21-22

R.  Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of thy people:

V.  We have sinned with our fathers:

     we have acted unjustly, we have wrought iniquity.

     Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt:

     they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies:

V.  They made also a calf in Horeb:

     and they adored the graven thing.

     And they changed their glory

     into the likeness of a calf that eateth grass.

V.  They forgot God, who saved them,

     who had done great things in Egypt,

     Wondrous works in the land of Cham:

     terrible things in the Red Sea.

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: Friday Of The Fifth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19

So it came to pass at that time, that Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, and the prophet Ahias the Silonite, clad with a new garment, found him in the way: and they two were alone in the field. And Ahias taking his new garment, wherewith he was clad, divided it into twelve parts:  And he said to Jeroboam: Take to thee ten pieces: for thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: Behold I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give thee ten tribes. But one tribe shall remain to him for the sake of my servant David, and Jerusalem the city, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:  And Israel revolted from the house of David, unto this day.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 81 (80):11a and 9a; V. 10-11ab, 12-13, 14-15

R.  For I am the Lord thy God, (h)ear, O my people, and I will testify to thee:

V.  There shall be no new god in thee:

     neither shalt thou adore a strange god.

     For I am the Lord thy God,

     who brought thee out of the land of Egypt:

V.  But my people heard not my voice:

     and Israel hearkened not to me.

     So I let them go according to the desires of their heart:

     they shall walk in their own inventions.

V.  If my people had heard me:

     if Israel had walked in my ways:

     I should soon have humbled their enemies,

     and laid my hand on them that troubled them.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 7:31-37

And again going out of the coasts of Tyre, he came by Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. And they bring to him one deaf and dumb; and they besought him that he would lay his hand upon him. And taking him from the multitude apart, he put his fingers into his ears, and spitting, he touched his tongue:  And looking up to heaven, he groaned, and said to him: Ephpheta, which is, Be thou opened. And immediately his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke right. And he charged them that they should tell no man. But the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal did they publish it. And so much the more did they wonder, saying: He hath done all things well; he hath made both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  1 Kings 11:4-13

And when he was now old, his heart was turned away by women to follow strange gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. But Solomon worshipped Astarthe the goddess of the Sidonians, and Moloch the idol of the ammonites. And Solomon did that which was not pleasing before the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as David his father. Then Solomon built a temple for Chamos the idol of Moab, on the hill that is over against Jerusalem, and for Moloch the idol of the children of Ammon. And he did in this manner for all his wives that were strangers, who burnt incense, and offered sacrifice to their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his mind was turned away from the Lord the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not follow strange gods: but he kept not the things which the Lord commanded him. The Lord therefore said to Solomon: Because thou hast done this, and hast not kept my covenant, and my precepts, which I have commanded thee, I will divide and rend thy kingdom, and will give it to thy servant. Nevertheless in thy days I will not do it, for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. Neither will I take away the whole kingdom, but I will give one tribe to thy son for the sake of David my servant, and Jerusalem which I have chosen.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 106 (105):4a; V. 3-4, 35-36, 37 and 40

R.  Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of thy people:

V.  Blessed are they that keep judgment,

     and do justice at all times.

     Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of thy people:

     visit us with thy salvation.

V.  And they were mingled among the heathens,

     and learned their works:

     And served their idols,

     and it became a stumblingblock to them.

V.  And they sacrificed their sons,

     and their daughters to devils.

     And the Lord was exceedingly angry with his people:

     and he abhorred his inheritance.

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 

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.

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Originally posted 2/11/2025.

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

First Reading:  1 Kings 10:1-10

And the queen of Saba, having; heard of the fame of Solomon in the name of the Lord, came to try him with hard questions. And entering into Jerusalem with a great train, and riches, and camels that carried spices, and an immense quantity of gold, and precious stones, she came to king Solomon, and spoke to him all that she had in her heart. And Solomon informed her of all the things she proposed to him: there was not any word the king was ignorant of, and which he could not answer her. And when the queen of Saba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, and the house which he had built, And the meat of his table, and the apartments of his servants, and the order of his ministers, and their apparel, and the cupbearers, and the holocausts, which he offered in the house of the Lord: she had no longer any spirit in her, And she said to the king: The report is true, which I heard in my own country, Concerning thy words, and concerning thy wisdom. And I did not believe them that told me, till I came myself, and saw with my own eyes, and have found that the half hath not been told me: thy wisdom and thy works, exceed the fame which I heard. Blessed are thy men, and blessed are thy servants, who stand before thee always, and hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, whom thou hast pleased, and who hath set thee upon the throne of Israel, because the Lord hath loved Israel for ever, and hath appointed thee king, to do judgment and justice. And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices a very great store, and precious stones: there was brought no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Saba gave to king Solomon.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 37 (36):30a; V. 5-6, 30-31, 39-40

R.  The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom:

V.  Commit thy way to the Lord,

     and trust in him, and he will do it.

     And he will bring forth thy justice as the light,

     and thy judgment as the noonday.

V.  The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom:

     and his tongue shall speak judgment.

     The law of his God is in his heart,

     and his steps shall not be supplanted.

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 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: Memorial Of Saint Scholastica, Virgin

First Reading:  Song of Songs 8:6-7

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

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

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

V.  Praise ye the Lord from the heavens:

     praise ye him in the high places.

     Praise ye him, all his angels:

     praise ye him, all his hosts.

V.  Kings of the earth and all people:

     princes and all judges of the earth:

     Young men and maidens:

     let the old with the younger,

     praise the name of the Lord:

     For his name alone is exalted.

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

      and he hath exalted the horn of his people.

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

      a people approaching to him. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 10:38-42

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 2/7/2025.

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

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

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

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

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

V.  My soul longeth and fainteth

     for the courts of the Lord.

     My heart and my flesh have rejoiced

     in the living God.

V.  For the sparrow hath found herself a house,

     and the turtle a nest for herself

     where she may lay her young ones:

     Thy altars, O Lord of hosts,

     my king and my God.

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

     they shall praise thee for ever and ever.

     Behold, O God our protector:

     and look on the face of thy Christ.

V.  For better is one day in thy courts

     above thousands.

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

     rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 7:1-13

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13

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

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

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

V.  Behold we have heard of it in Ephrata:

     we have found it in the fields of the wood.

     We will go into his tabernacle:

     We will adore in the place where his feet stood.

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

     thou and the ark, which thou hast sanctified.

     Let thy priests be clothed with justice:

     and let thy saints rejoice.

     For thy servant David's sake,

     turn not away the face of thy anointed.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 6:53-56

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Isaiah 58:7-10

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

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

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

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

     he is merciful, and compassionate and just.

     Acceptable is the man that sheweth mercy and lendeth:

     he shall order his words with judgment:

V.  Because he shall not be moved for ever.

     The just shall be in everlasting remembrance:

     he shall not fear the evil hearing.

     His heart is ready to hope in the Lord:

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

     He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor:

     his justice remaineth for ever and ever:

     his horn shall be exalted in glory.

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 2:1-5

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

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 5:13-16

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  1 Kings 3:4-13

He went therefore to Gabaon, to sacrifice there: for that was the great high place: a thousand victims for holocausts did Solomon offer upon that altar in Gabaon. And the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, saying: Ask what thou wilt that I should give thee. And Solomon said: Thou hast shewn great mercy to thy servant David my father, even as, he walked before thee in truth, and justice, and an upright heart with thee: and thou hast kept thy great mercy for him, and hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a child, and know not how to go out and come in. And thy servant is in the midst of the people which thou hast chosen, an immense people, which cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, and discern between good and evil. For who shall be able to judge this people, thy people which is so numerous? And the word was pleasing to the Lord that Solomon had asked such a thing. And the Lord said to Solomon: Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life or riches, nor the lives of thy enemies, but hast asked for thyself wisdom to discern judgment, Behold I have done for thee according to thy words, and have given thee a wise and understanding heart, insomuch that there hath been no one like thee before thee, nor shall arise after thee. Yea and the things also which thou didst not ask, I have given thee: to wit riches and glory, as that no one hath been like thee among the kings in all days heretofore.

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

R.  O Lord: teach me thy justifications.

V.  By what doth a young man correct his way?

     by observing thy words.

V.  With my whole heart have I sought after thee:

     let me not stray from thy commandments.

V.  Thy words have I hidden in my heart,

     that I may not sin against thee.

V.  Blessed art thou, O Lord:

     teach me thy justifications.

V.  With my lips I have pronounced

     all the judgments of thy mouth.

V.  I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies,

     as in all riches. 

Gospel Reading:  Mark 6:30-34

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

February 2026 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

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

A link is provided for further reflection.

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

First Reading:  Galatians 2:19-20

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

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

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

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

     we became like men comforted.

     Then was our mouth filled with gladness;

     and our tongue with joy.

V.  Then shall they say among the Gentiles:

     The Lord hath done great things for them.

     The Lord hath done great things for us:

     we are become joyful.

V.  Turn again our captivity, O Lord,

     as a stream in the south.

     They that sow in tears

     shall reap in joy.

V.  Going they went and wept,

     casting their seeds.

     But coming they shall come with joyfulness,

     carrying their sheaves.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 28:16-20

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 2/6/2025.

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

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

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

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

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

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

     the words of the Lord are fire tried:

     he is the protector of all that trust in him.

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

     and let the God of my salvation be exalted:

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

     and I will sing a psalm to thy name.

V.  Giving great deliverance to his king,

     and shewing mercy to David his anointed:

     and to his seed for ever.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 6:14-29

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found 

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Agatha, Virgin And Martyr

First Reading:  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

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

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

R.  Into thy hands I commend my spirit:

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

     and a house of refuge, to save me.

     For thou art my strength and my refuge;

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

V.  Into thy hands I commend my spirit:

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

     I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy.

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

     and from them that persecute me.

     Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;

     save me in thy mercy.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:23-26

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 2/5/2025.

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

First Reading:  1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12

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

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

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

V.  Blessed art thou,

     O Lord the God of Israel,

     our father from eternity to eternity.

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

     and glory, and victory:

     and to thee is praise:

V.  (T)hine is the kingdom, O Lord,

     and thou art above all princes.

     Thine are riches, and thine is glory,

     thou hast dominion over all,

V.  (I)n thy hand is power and might:

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

Gospel Reading:  Mark 6:7-13

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found

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

First Reading:  2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17

And the king said to Joab the general of his army: Go through all the tribes of Israel from Dan to Bersabee, and number ye the people that I may know the number of them. And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people to the king, and there were found of Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword: and of Juda five hundred thousand fighting men. But David's heart struck him, after the people were numbered: and David said to the Lord: I have sinned very much in what I have done: but I pray thee, O Lord, to take away the iniquity of thy servant, because I have done exceeding foolishly. And David arose in the morning, and the word of the Lord came to Gad the prophet and the seer of David, saying:  Go, and say to David: Thus saith the Lord: I give thee thy choice of three things, choose one of them which thou wilt, that I may do it to thee. And when Gad was come to David, he told him, saying: Either seven years of famine shall come to thee in thy land: or thou shalt flee three months before thy adversaries, and they shall pursue thee: or for three days there shall be a pestilence in thy land. Now therefore deliberate, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me. And David said to Gad: I am in a great strait: but it is better that I should fall into the hands of the Lord (for his mercies are many) than into the hands of men. And the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel, from the morning unto the time appointed, and there died of the people from Dan to Bersabee seventy thousand men. And when the angel of the Lord had stretched out his hand over Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord had pity on the affliction, and said to the angel that slew the people: It is enough: now hold thy hand. And the angel of the Lord was by the threshingfloor of Areuna the Jebusite. And David said to the Lord, when he saw the angel striking the people: It is I; I am he that have sinned, I have done wickedly: these that are the sheep, what have they done? let thy hand, I beseech thee, be turned against me, and against my father's house.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 32 (31):5c; V. 1-2, 5, 6, 7

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

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.  For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee

     in a seasonable time.

     And yet in a flood of many waters,

     they shall not come nigh unto him.

V.  Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me:

     my joy, deliver me from them that surround me.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 6:1-6

And going out from thence, he went into his own country; and his disciples followed him. And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were in admiration at his doctrine, saying: How came this man by all these things? and what wisdom is this that is given to him, and such mighty works as are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joseph, and Jude, and Simon? are not also his sisters here with us? And they were scandalized in regard of him. And Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and in his own house, and among his own kindred. And he could not do any miracles there, only that he cured a few that were sick, laying his hands upon them. And he wondered because of their unbelief, and he went through the villages round about teaching.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Romans 5:1-5

Being justified therefore by faith, let us have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access through faith into this grace, wherein we stand, and glory in the hope of the glory of the sons of God. And not only so; but we glory also in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience trial; and trial hope; And hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us.

Responsorial Psalm:  Mark 16:15b; 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:  Mark 16:15-20

And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God. But they going forth preached everywhere: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Ansgar, Bishop

First Reading:  Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, and that preacheth peace: of him that sheweth forth good, that preacheth salvation, that saith to Sion: Thy God shall reign! The voice of thy watchmen: they have lifted up their voice, they shall praise together: for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall convert Sion. Rejoice, and give praise together, O ye deserts of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people: he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath prepared his holy arm in the sight of all the Gentiles: and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 96 (95):3; V. 1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8, 10

R.  Declare his glory among the Gentiles: his wonders among all people.

V.  Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle:

     sing to the Lord, all the earth.

     Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name:

V.  (S)hew forth his salvation from day to day.

     Declare his glory among the Gentiles:

     his wonders among all people.

V.  Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles,

     bring ye to the Lord glory and honour:

     Bring to the Lord glory unto his name.

     Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts:

V.  Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned.

     For he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved:

     he will judge the people with justice.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 1:14-20

And after that John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying: The time is accomplished, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel. And passing by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother, casting nets into the sea (for they were fishermen). And Jesus said to them: Come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And immediately leaving their nets, they followed him. And going on from thence a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were mending their nets in the ship: And forthwith he called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with his hired men, they followed him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30–19:3

And it happened that Absalom met the servants of David, riding on a mule: and as the mule went under a thick and large oak, his head stuck in the oak: and while he hung between the heaven and the earth, the mule on which he rode passed on. And one saw this and told Joab, saying: I saw Absalom hanging upon an oak. So he took three lances in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom: and whilst he yet panted for life, sticking on the oak, And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman that was on the top of the gate upon the wall, lifting up his eyes, saw a man running alone. And crying out he told the king: and the king said: If he be alone, there are good tidings in his mouth. And the king said to him: Pass, and stand here. And when he had passed, and stood still, Chusai appeared: and coming up he said: I bring good tidings, my lord, the king, for the Lord hath judged for thee this day from the hand of all that have risen up against thee. And the king said to Chusai: Is the young man Absalom safe? And Chusai answering him, said: Let the enemies of my lord, the king, and all that rise against him unto evil, be as the young man is. The king therefore being much moved, went up to the high chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went he spoke in this manner: My son Absalom, Absalom my son: would to God that I might die for thee, Absalom my son, my son Absalom. And it was told Joab, that the king wept and mourned for his son:  And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day: The king grieveth for his son. And the people shunned the going into the city that day as a people would do that hath turned their backs, and fled away from the battle.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 86 (85):1a; V. 1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R.  Incline thy ear, O Lord, and hear me:

V.  Incline thy ear, O Lord, and hear me:

     for I am needy and poor.

     Preserve my soul, for I am holy:

     save thy servant, O my God,

     that trusteth in thee.

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.   

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.