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

First Reading:  Ephesians 3:14-19

For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened by his Spirit with might unto the inward man, That Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts; that being rooted and founded in charity, You may be able to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth:  To know also the charity of Christ, which surpasseth all knowledge, that you may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 34 (33):2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11

R.  (2a) I will bless the Lord at all times,

OR

R.  (9a) 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.

R.  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 7:21-29

Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock. And every one that heareth these my words, and doth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof. And it came to pass when Jesus had fully ended these words, the people were in admiration at his doctrine. For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes and Pharisees.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Third Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 7:51—8:1a (DR 7:59)

You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do you also. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them who foretold of the coming of the Just One; of whom you have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. Now hearing these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with their teeth at him. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. And they crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and with one accord ran violently upon him. And casting him forth without the city, they stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, invoking, and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 31 (30):6a; V. 3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab

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.

     But I have hoped in the Lord:

     I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy.

V.  Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;

     save me in thy mercy.

     Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy face,

     from the disturbance of men.

Gospel Reading:  John 6:30-35

They said therefore to him: What sign therefore dost thou shew, that we may see, and may believe thee? What dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say to you; Moses gave you not bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life to the world. They said therefore unto him: Lord, give us always this bread. And Jesus said to them: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger: and he that believeth in me shall never thirst.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 5/6/2025.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Third Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 6:8-15

And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people. Now there arose some of that which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke. Then they suborned men to say, they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the ancients, and the scribes; and running together, they took him, and brought him to the council. And they set up false witnesses, who said: This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place and the law. For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the traditions which Moses delivered unto us. And all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119 (118):1; V. 23-24, 26-27, 29-30

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

V.  For princes sat, and spoke against me:

     but thy servant was employed in thy justifications.

     For thy testimonies are my meditation:

     and thy justifications my counsel.

V.  I have declared my ways, and thou hast heard me:

     teach me thy justifications.

     Make me to understand the way of thy justifications:

     and I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works.

V.  Remove from me the way of iniquity:

     and out of thy law have mercy on me.

     I have chosen the way of truth:

     thy judgments I have not forgotten. 

Gospel Reading:  John 6:22-29

The next day, the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea, saw that there was no other ship there but one, and that Jesus had not entered into the ship with his disciples, but that his disciples were gone away alone. But other ships came in from Tiberias; nigh unto the place where they had eaten the bread, the Lord giving thanks. When therefore the multitude saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they took shipping, and came to Capharnaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him: Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them, and said: Amen, amen I say to you, you seek me, not because you have seen miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto life everlasting, which the Son of man will give you. For him hath God, the Father, sealed. They said therefore unto him: What shall we do, that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered, and said to them: This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he hath sent.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 5/5/2025

DR Squared: Third Sunday Of Easter (Year A)

First Reading:  Acts 2:14, 22-33

But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and with your ears receive my words. Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you, by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him, in the midst of you, as you also know:  This same being delivered up, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you by the hands of wicked men have crucified and slain. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the sorrows of hell, as it was impossible that he should be holden by it. For David saith concerning him: I foresaw the Lord before my face: because he is at my right hand, that I may not be moved. For this my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced: moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, nor suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life: thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Ye men, brethren, let me freely speak to you of the patriarch David; that he died, and was buried; and his sepulchre is with us to this present day. Whereas therefore he was a prophet, and knew that God hath sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins one should sit upon his throne. Foreseeing this, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ. For neither was he left in hell, neither did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised again, whereof all we are witnesses. Being exalted therefore by the right hand of God, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath poured forth this which you see and hear.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 16 (15):11a; V. 1-2, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R.  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life,

V.  Preserve me, O Lord,

     for I have put my trust in thee.

     I have said to the Lord, thou art my God,

     for thou hast no need of my goods.

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.  Therefore my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced:

     moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.

     Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;

     nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption. till night.

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.

Second Reading:  1 Peter 1:17-21

And if you invoke as Father him who, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every one's work: converse in fear during the time of your sojourning here. Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things as gold or silver, from your vain conversation of the tradition of your fathers:  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled, Foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but manifested in the last times for you, Who through him are faithful in God, who raised him up from the dead, and hath given him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 24:13-35

And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus himself also drawing near, went with them. But their eyes were held, that they should not know him. And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger to Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days? To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people; And how our chief priests and princes delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done. Yea and certain women also of our company affrighted us, who before it was light, were at the sepulchre, And not finding his body, came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive. And some of our people went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said, but him they found not. Then he said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him. And they drew nigh to the town, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go farther. But they constrained him; saying: Stay with us, because it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them. And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Second Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 6:1-7

And in those days, the number of the disciples increasing, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, for that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying was liked by all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles; and they praying, imposed hands upon them. And the word of the Lord increased; and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly: a great multitude also of the priests obeyed the faith.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 33 (32):22; V. 1-2, 4-5, 18-19

R.  Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in thee.

V.  Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just:

     praise becometh the upright.

     Give praise to the Lord on the harp;

     sing to him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten strings.

V.  For the word of the Lord is right,

     and all his works are done with faithfulness.

     He loveth mercy and judgment;

     the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.

V.  Behold the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear him:

     and on them that hope in his mercy.

     To deliver their souls from death;

     and feed them in famine.

Gospel Reading:  John 6:16-21

And when evening was come, his disciples went down to the sea. And when they had gone up into a ship, they went over the sea to Capharnaum; and it was now dark, and Jesus was not come unto them. And the sea arose, by reason of a great wind that blew. When they had rowed therefore about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking upon the sea, and drawing nigh to the ship, and they were afraid. But he saith to them: It is I; be not afraid. They were willing therefore to take him into the ship; and presently the ship was at the land to which they were going.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Friday Of The Second Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 5:34-42

But one in the council rising up, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, respected by all the people, commanded the men to be put forth a little while. And he said to them: Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do, as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theodas, affirming himself to be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all that believed him were scattered, and brought to nothing. After this man, rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the enrolling, and drew away the people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as consented to him, were dispersed. And now, therefore, I say to you, refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this council or this work be of men, it will come to nought;  But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest perhaps you be found even to fight against God. And they consented to him. And calling in the apostles, after they had scourged them, they charged them that they should not speak at all in the name of Jesus; and they dismissed them. And they indeed went from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus. And every day they ceased not in the temple, and from house to house, to teach and preach Christ Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 27 (26):4; V. 1, 4, 13-14

R.  (T)his will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

V.  The Lord is my light and my salvation,

     whom shall I fear?

     The Lord is the protector of my life:

     of whom shall I be afraid?

V.  One thing I have asked of the Lord,

     this will I seek after;

     that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

     all the days of my life.

     That I may see the delight of the Lord,

     and may visit his temple.

V.  I believe to see the good things of the Lord

     in the land of the living.

     Expect the Lord, do manfully,

     and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.

Gospel Reading:  John 6:1-15

After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is that of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw the miracles which he did on them that were diseased. Jesus therefore went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Now the pasch, the festival day of the Jews, was near at hand. When Jesus therefore had lifted up his eyes, and seen that a very great multitude cometh to him, he said to Philip: Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to try him; for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him: Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, saith to him:  There is a boy here that hath five barley loaves, and two fishes; but what are these among so many? Then Jesus said: Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. The men therefore sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves: and when he had given thanks, he distributed to them that were set down. In like manner also of the fishes, as much as they would. And when they were filled, he said to his disciples: Gather up the fragments that remain, lest they be lost. They gathered up therefore, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten. Now those men, when they had seen what a miracle Jesus had done, said: This is of a truth the prophet, that is to come into the world. Jesus therefore, when he knew that they would come to take him by force, and make him king, fled again into the mountain himself alone.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 5/2/2025. 

DR Squared: Thursday Of The Second Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 5:27-33

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, Saying: Commanding we commanded you, that you should not teach in this name; and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and you have a mind to bring the blood of this man upon us. But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God, rather than men. The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom you put to death, hanging him upon a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. And we are witnesses of these things and the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to all that obey him. When they had heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they thought to put them to death.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20

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.

     O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet:

     blessed is the man that hopeth in him.

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.

     Many are the afflictions of the just;

     but out of them all will the Lord deliver them.

Gospel Reading:  John 3:31-36

He that cometh from above, is above all. He that is of the earth, of the earth he is, and of the earth he speaketh. He that cometh from heaven, is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth: and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony, hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God doth not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loveth the Son: and he hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth in the Son, hath life everlasting; but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 5/1/2025. 

DR Squared: Wednesday Of The Second Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 5:17-26

Then the high priest rising up, and all they that were with him, (which is the heresy of the Sadducees,) were filled with envy. And they laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But an angel of the Lord by night opening the doors of the prison, and leading them out, said:  Go, and standing speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. Who having heard this, early in the morning, entered into the temple, and taught. And the high priest coming, and they that were with him, called together the council, and all the ancients of the children of Israel; and they sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the ministers came, and opening the prison, found them not there, they returned and told, Saying: The prison indeed we found shut with all diligence, and the keepers standing before the doors; but opening it, we found no man within. Now when the officer of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were in doubt concerning them, what would come to pass. But one came and told them: Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple standing, and teaching the people. Then went the officer with the ministers, and brought them without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 34 (33):7a; V. 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

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.  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.

Gospel Reading:  John 3:16-21

For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting. For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by him. He that believeth in him is not judged. But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment: because the light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the light: for their works were evil. For every one that doth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved. But he that doth truth, cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, because they are done in God.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/30/2025

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Second Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 4:32-37

And the multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul: neither did any one say that aught of the things which he possessed, was his own; but all things were common unto them. And with great power did the apostles give testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord; and great grace was in them all. For neither was there any one needy among them. For as many as were owners of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the price of the things they sold, And laid it down before the feet of the apostles. And distribution was made to every one, according as he had need. And Joseph, who, by the apostles, was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, by interpretation, The son of consolation,) a Levite, a Cyprian born, Having land, sold it, and brought the price, and laid it at the feet of the apostles.

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

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

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

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

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

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

V.  Thy testimonies are become exceedingly credible:

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

Gospel Reading:  John 3:7b-15

(Y)ou must be born again. The Spirit breatheth where he will; and thou hearest his voice, but thou knowest not whence he cometh, and whither he goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered, and said to him: How can these things be done? Jesus answered, and said to him: Art thou a master in Israel, and knowest not these things? Amen, amen I say to thee, that we speak what we know, and we testify what we have seen, and you receive not our testimony. If I have spoken to you earthly things, and you believe not; how will you believe, if I shall speak to you heavenly things? And no man hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up:  That whosoever believeth in him, may not perish; but may have life everlasting.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/29/2025.

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

First Reading:  2 Timothy 2:8-13; 3:10-12

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. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, Persecutions, afflictions: such as came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra: what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me. And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.

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

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

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

     we became like men comforted. 

     Then was our mouth filled with gladness;

     and our tongue with joy.

V.  Then shall they say among the Gentiles:

     The Lord hath done great things for them.

     The Lord hath done great things for us:

     we are become joyful.

V.  Turn again our captivity, O Lord,

     as a stream in the south.

     They that sow in tears

     shall reap in joy.

V.  Going they went and wept,

     casting their seeds.

     But coming they shall come with joyfulness,

     carrying their sheaves.

Gospel Reading:  John 15:18-21

If the world hate you, know ye, that it hath hated me before you. If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember my word that I said to you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for my name's sake: because they know not him who sent me.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Second Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 4:23-31

And being let go, they came to their own company, and related all that the chief priests and ancients had said to them. Who having heard it, with one accord lifted up their voice to God, and said: Lord, thou art he that didst make heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them. Who, by the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of our father David, thy servant, hast said: Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people meditate vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes assembled together against the Lord and his Christ. For of a truth there assembled together in this city against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, To do what thy hand and thy counsel decreed to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants, that with all confidence they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thy hand to cures, and signs, and wonders to be done by the name of thy holy Son Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was moved wherein they were assembled; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with confidence.

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

R.  (B)lessed are all they that trust in him.

V.  Why have the Gentiles raged,

      and the people devised vain things?

      The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together,

      against the Lord and against his Christ.

      Let us break their bonds asunder:

      and let us cast away their yoke from us.

V.  He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them:

      and the Lord shall deride them.

     Then shall he speak to them in his anger,

      and trouble them in his rage.

     But I am appointed king by him over Sion his holy mountain,

     preaching his commandment.

V.  The Lord hath said to me:

     Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.

     Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance,

     and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.

     Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron,

     and shalt break them in pieces like a potter's vessel.   

Gospel Reading:  John 3:1-8

And there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which thou dost, unless God be with him. Jesus answered, and said to him: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith to him: How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born again? Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. Wonder not, that I said to thee, you must be born again. The Spirit breatheth where he will; and thou hearest his voice, but thou knowest not whence he cometh, and whither he goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/28/2025.

DR Squared: Second Sunday Of Easter--Sunday Of Divine Mercy (Year A)

First Reading:  Acts 2:42-47

And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: many wonders also and signs were done by the apostles in Jerusalem, and there was great fear in all. And all they that believed, were together, and had all things common. Their possessions and goods they sold, and divided them to all, according as every one had need. And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they took their meat with gladness and simplicity of heart; Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord increased daily together such as should be saved.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 118 (117):1; V. 2-4, 13-15, 22-24

R.  Give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

V.  Let Israel now say that he is good:

     that his mercy endureth for ever.

     Let the house of Aaron now say,

     that his mercy endureth for ever.

     Let them that fear the Lord now say,

     that his mercy endureth for ever.

V.  Being pushed I was overturned that I might fall:

     but the Lord supported me.

     The Lord is my strength and my praise:

     and he is become my salvation.

     The voice of rejoicing and of salvation

     is in the tabernacles of the just.

V.  The stone which the builders rejected;

     the same is become the head of the corner.

     This is the Lord's doing:

     and it is wonderful in our eyes.

     This is the day which the Lord hath made:

     let us be glad and rejoice therein.

Second Reading:  1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy hath regenerated us unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that can not fade, reserved in heaven for you, Who, by the power of God, are kept by faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you shall greatly rejoice, if now you must be for a little time made sorrowful in divers temptations:  That the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honour at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  Whom having not seen, you love: in whom also now, though you see him not, you believe: and believing shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorified; Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Gospel Reading:  John 20:19-31

Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you. Then he saith to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither, and see my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord, and my God. Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed. Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Saturday In The Octave Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 4:13-21

Now seeing the constancy of Peter and of John, understanding that they were illiterate and ignorant men, they wondered; and they knew them that they had been with Jesus. Seeing the man also who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But they commanded them to go aside out of the council; and they conferred among themselves, Saying: What shall we do to these men? for indeed a known miracle hath been done by them, to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: it is manifest, and we cannot deny it. But that it may be no farther spread among the people, let us threaten them that they speak no more in this name to any man. And calling them, they charged them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answering, said to them: If it be just in the sight of God, to hear you rather than God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. But they threatening, sent them away, not finding how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified what had been done, in that which had come to pass. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 118 (117):21a; V. 1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21

R.  I will give glory to thee because thou hast heard me:

V.  Give praise to the Lord, for he is good:

     for his mercy endureth for ever.

     The Lord is my strength and my praise:

     and he is become my salvation.

     The voice of rejoicing and of salvation

     is in the tabernacles of the just.

V.  The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength:

     the right hand of the Lord hath exulted me:

     I shall not die, but live:

     and shall declare the works of the Lord.

     The Lord chastising hath chastised me:

     but he hath not delivered me over to death.

V.  Open ye to me the gates of justice:

     I will go into them, and give praise to the Lord.

     This is the gate of the Lord,

     the just shall enter into it.

     I will give glory to thee because thou hast heard me:

     and art become my salvation.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 16:9-15

But he rising early the first day of the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalen, out of whom he had cast seven devils. She went and told them that had been with him, who were mourning and weeping. And they hearing that he was alive, and had been seen by her, did not believe. And after that he appeared in another shape to two of them walking, as they were going into the country. And they going told it to the rest: neither did they believe them. At length he appeared to the eleven as they were at table: and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him after he was risen again. And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/26/2025.

DR Squared: Friday In The Octave Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 4:1-12

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the officer of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead:  And they laid hands upon them, and put them in hold till the next day; for it was now evening. But many of them who had heard the word, believed; and the number of the men was made five thousand. And it came to pass on the morrow, that their princes, and ancients, and scribes, were gathered together in Jerusalem; And Annas the high priest, and Caiphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest. And setting them in the midst, they asked: By what power, or by what name, have you done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them: Ye princes of the people, and ancients, hear:  If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he hath been made whole:  Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by him this man standeth here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 118 (117):22; V. 1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a

R.  The stone which the builders rejected; the same is become the head of the corner.

V.  Give praise to the Lord, for he is good:

     for his mercy endureth for ever.

     Let Israel now say that he is good:

     that his mercy endureth for ever.

     Let them that fear the Lord now say,

     that his mercy endureth for ever.

V.  The stone which the builders rejected;

     the same is become the head of the corner.

     This is the Lord's doing:

     and it is wonderful in our eyes.

     This is the day which the Lord hath made:

     let us be glad and rejoice therein.

V.  O Lord, save me:

     O Lord, give good success.

     Blessed be he that cometh in the name Lord.

     We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.

     The Lord is God, and he hath shone upon us.

Gospel Reading:  John 21:1-14

After this, Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he shewed himself after this manner. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, who is called Didymus, and Nathanael, who was of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter saith to them: I go a fishing. They say to him: We also come with thee. And they went forth, and entered into the ship: and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said to them: Children, have you any meat? They answered him: No. He saith to them: Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find. They cast therefore; and now they were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved, said to Peter: It is the Lord. Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt his coat about him, (for he was naked,) and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the ship, (for they were not far from the land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they came to land, they saw hot coals lying, and a fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith to them: Bring hither of the fishes which you have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty-three. And although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus saith to them: Come, and dine. And none of them who were at meat, durst ask him: Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. And Jesus cometh and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish in like manner. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to his disciples, after he was risen from the dead. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/25/2025

DR Squared: Thursday In The Octave Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 3:11-26

And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran to them to the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. But Peter seeing, made answer to the people: Ye men of Israel, why wonder you at this? or why look you upon us, as if by our strength or power we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus, whom you indeed delivered up and denied before the face of Pilate, when he judged he should be released. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you. But the author of life you killed, whom God hath raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And in the faith of his name, this man, whom you have seen and known, hath his name strengthened; and the faith which is by him, hath given this perfect soundness in the sight of you all. And now, brethren, I know that you did it through ignorance, as did also your rulers. But those things which God before had shewed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Be penitent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. That when the times of refreshment shall come from the presence of the Lord, and he shall send him who hath been preached unto you, Jesus Christ, Whom heaven indeed must receive, until the times of the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets, from the beginning of the world. For Moses said: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: him you shall hear according to all things whatsoever he shall speak to you. And it shall be, that every soul which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. And all the prophets, from Samuel and afterwards, who have spoken, have told of these days. You are the children of the prophets, and of the testament which God made to our fathers, saying to Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. To you first God, raising up his Son, hath sent him to bless you; that every one may convert himself from his wickedness.

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

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

V.  O Lord our Lord,

     how admirable is thy name in the whole earth!

     What is man that thou art mindful of him?

     or the son of man that thou visitest him?

V.  Thou hast made him a little less than the angels,

     thou hast crowned him with glory and honour:

     And hast set him over

     the works of thy hands.

V.  Thou hast subjected all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen:

     moreover the beasts also of the fields.

     The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea,

     that pass through the paths of the sea.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 24:35-48

And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread. Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not. But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and feet. But while they yet believed not, and wondered for joy, he said: Have you any thing to eat? And they offered him a piece of a broiled fish, and a honeycomb. And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them. And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, the third day:  And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/24/2025.

DR Squared: Wednesday In The Octave Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 3:1-10

Now Peter and John went up into the temple at the ninth hour of prayer. And a certain man who was lame from his mother's womb, was carried: whom they laid every day at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, that he might ask alms of them that went into the temple. He, when he had seen Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms. But Peter with John fastening his eyes upon him, said: Look upon us. But he looked earnestly upon them, hoping that he should receive something of them. But Peter said: Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise, and walk. And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up, and forthwith his feet and soles received strength. And he leaping up, stood, and walked, and went in with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. And they knew him, that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 105 (104):3b; V. 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

R.  (L)et the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

V.  Give glory to the Lord, and call upon his name:

     declare his deeds among the Gentiles.

     Sing to him, yea sing praises to him:

     relate all his wondrous works.

V.  Glory ye in his holy name:

     let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

     Seek ye the Lord, and be strengthened:

     seek his face evermore.

V.  O ye seed of Abraham his servant;

     ye sons of Jacob his chosen.

     He is the Lord our God:

     his judgments are in all the earth.

V.  He hath remembered his covenant for ever:

     the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

     Which he made to Abraham;

     and his oath to Isaac:  

Gospel Reading:  Luke 24:13-35

And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus himself also drawing near, went with them. But their eyes were held, that they should not know him. And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger to Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days? To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people; And how our chief priests and princes delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done. Yea and certain women also of our company affrighted us, who before it was light, were at the sepulchre, And not finding his body, came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive. And some of our people went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said, but him they found not. Then he said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him. And they drew nigh to the town, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go farther. But they constrained him; saying: Stay with us, because it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them. And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/23/2025.

DR Squared: Tuesday In The Octave Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 2:36-41

Therefore let all the house of Israel know most certainly, that God hath made both Lord and Christ, this same Jesus, whom you have crucified. Now when they had heard these things, they had compunction in their heart, and said to Peter, and to the rest of the apostles: What shall we do, men and brethren? But Peter said to them: Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call. And with very many other words did he testify and exhort them, saying: Save yourselves from this perverse generation. They therefore that received his word, were baptized; and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 33 (32): 5b; V. 4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22

R.  (T)he earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.  

V.  For the word of the Lord is right,

     and all his works are done with faithfulness.

     He loveth mercy and judgment;

     the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.

V.  Behold the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear him:

     and on them that hope in his mercy.

     To deliver their souls from death;

     and feed them in famine.

V.  Our soul waiteth for the Lord:

     for he is our helper and protector.

     Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us,

     as we have hoped in thee.

Gospel Reading:  John 20:11-18

But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid. They say to her: Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them: Because they have taken away my Lord; and I know not where they have laid him. When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing; and she knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith to her: Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, thinking it was the gardener, saith to him: Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master). Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me, for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren, and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God. Mary Magdalen cometh, and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/22/2025.

DR Squared: Monday In The Octave Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 2:14, 22-33

But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and with your ears receive my words. Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you, by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him, in the midst of you, as you also know:  This same being delivered up, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you by the hands of wicked men have crucified and slain. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the sorrows of hell, as it was impossible that he should be holden by it. For David saith concerning him: I foresaw the Lord before my face: because he is at my right hand, that I may not be moved. For this my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced: moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, nor suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life: thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Ye men, brethren, let me freely speak to you of the patriarch David; that he died, and was buried; and his sepulchre is with us to this present day. Whereas therefore he was a prophet, and knew that God hath sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins one should sit upon his throne. Foreseeing this, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ. For neither was he left in hell, neither did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised again, whereof all we are witnesses. Being exalted therefore by the right hand of God, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath poured forth this which you see and hear. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 16 (15):1; V. 1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R.  Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put my trust in thee.

V.  Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put my trust in thee.

     I have said to the Lord, thou art my God, for thou hast no need of my goods.

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

     it is thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me.

V.  I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding:

     moreover my reins also have corrected me even till night.

     I set the Lord always in my sight:

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

V.  Therefore my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced:

     moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.

     Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;

     nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption.

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 28:8-15

And they went out quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, running to tell his disciples. And behold Jesus met them, saying: All hail. But they came up and took hold of his feet, and adored him. Then Jesus said to them: Fear not. Go, tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, there they shall see me. Who when they were departed, behold some of the guards came into the city, and told the chief priests all things that had been done. And they being assembled together with the ancients, taking counsel, gave a great sum of money to the soldiers, Saying: Say you, His disciples came by night, and stole him away when we were asleep. And if the governor shall hear this, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they taking the money, did as they were taught: and this word was spread abroad among the Jews even unto this day.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/21/2025.

The "Other" Prayer

As mentioned in a previous post, the Regina Coeli now takes the place of the Angelus when the church bells peel morning, noon, and night during the Easter Season. This is a wonderful reminder of our salvation during the next 50 days.

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V. Regina cæli, lætare, alleluia:

R. Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,

V. Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia,

R. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

V. Gaude et lætare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.

R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.

Oremus. Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum lætificare dignatus es:  præsta, quæsumus, ut per eius Genitricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuæ capiamus gaudia vitæ.  Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

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V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice. Alleluia.
R. For He Whom thou was made worthy to bear. Alleluia.

V. Has risen as He said. Alleluia.
R. Pray for us to God. Alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia.
R. For the Lord hath risen indeed. Alleluia.

Let us pray: O God, Who through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, hast vouchsafed to make glad the world, grant us we beseech Thee, that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain unto the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Originally posted 4/16/2006.
Re-posted 4/4/2010.
Re-posted 4/8/2012.
Re-posted 3/31/2013.
Re-posted 4/20/2014.
Re-posted 4/5/2015.
Re-posted 3/27/2016.
Re-posted 4/16/2017.
Re-posted 4/1/2018.
Re-posted 4/21/2019.

Re-posted 4/12/2020.

Re-posted 4/4/2021.

Re-posted 4/17/2022.

Re-posted 4/9/2023.

Re-posted 3/31/2024.

Re-posted 4/20/2025.

Easter Sequence

The Resurrection of Christ, by Peter Paul Rubens

Victimae Paschali laudes immolent Christiani.

Agnus redemit oves: Christus innocens Patri reconciliavit peccatores.

Mors et vita duello conflixere mirando: dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus.

Dic nobis Maria, Quid vidisti in via?

Sepulcrum Christi viventis, et gloriam vidi resurgentis.

Angelicos testees, sudarium et vestes.

Surrexit Christus spes mea: praecedet suos in Galilaeam.

Scimus Christum surrexisse a mortuis vere: Tu nobis, victor Rex miserere.

Amen. Alleluia.

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Christians, to the Paschal victim offer sacrifice and praise.

The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb; and Christ, the undefiled, hath sinners to his Father reconciled.

Death with life contended: combat strangely ended!

Life's own Champion, slain, yet lives to reign.

Tell us, Mary: say what thou didst see upon the way.

The tomb the Living did enclose; I saw Christ's glory as He rose!

The angels there attesting; shroud with grave-clothes resting.

Christ, my hope, has risen: He goes before you into Galilee.

That Christ is truly risen from the dead we know.

Victorious King, Thy mercy show!

Amen. Alleluia.

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He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter, Everybody!

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Originally posted Easter Sunday 2006.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2007.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2008.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2009.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2011.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2012.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2013.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2014.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2015.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2016.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2017.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2018.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2019.

Re-posted Easter Sunday 2020.

Re-posted Easter Sunday 2021.

Re-posted Easter Sunday 2022.
Re-posted Easter Sunday 2023.

Re-posted Easter Sunday 2024.

Re-posted Easter Sunday 2025.

Some messages never change.

DR Squared: The Resurrection Of The Lord--The Mass Of Easter Day

First Reading:  Acts 10:34a, 37-43

And Peter opening his mouth, said: You know the word which hath been published through all Judea: for it began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached, Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Ghost, and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed, hanging him upon a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest, Not to all the people, but to witnesses preordained by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he arose again from the dead; And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who was appointed by God, to be judge of the living and of the dead. To him all the prophets give testimony, that by his name all receive remission of sins, who believe in him.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 118 (117):24; V. 1-2, 16-17, 22-23

R.  This is the day which the Lord hath made: let us be glad and rejoice therein. 

V.  Give praise to the Lord, for he is good:

     for his mercy endureth for ever.

      Let Israel now say that he is good:

     that his mercy endureth for ever.

V.  The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength:

     the right hand of the Lord hath exulted me.

     I shall not die, but live:

     and shall declare the works of the Lord.

V.  The stone which the builders rejected;

     the same is become the head of the corner.

     This is the Lord's doing:

     and it is wonderful in our eyes. 

Second Reading:  Colossians 3:1-4

Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above; where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God:  Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth. For you are dead; and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then you also shall appear with him in glory.

OR

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 5:6b-8

Know you not that a little leaven corrupteth the whole lump? Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are unleavened. For Christ our pasch is sacrificed. Therefore let us feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Gospel Reading:  John 20:1-9

And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre; and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre. She ran, therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went out, and that other disciple, and they came to the sepulchre. And they both ran together, and that other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And when he stooped down, he saw the linen cloths lying; but yet he went not in. Then cometh Simon Peter, following him, and went into the sepulchre, and saw the linen cloths lying, And the napkin that had been about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but apart, wrapped up into one place. Then that other disciple also went in, who came first to the sepulchre: and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 4/20/2025.

2026 Easter Card

May our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bestow upon you every grace and blessing. May the glory of His Resurrection enliven you. May you be a faithful witness to the pinnacle of His saving work.

Happy Easter, Everybody!

He is risen! He is risen indeed! 

The Ode Of Joy

Of all the entrance rites which start the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, tonight's is the culmination of them all.

It stands in stark contrast to the beginning of the Good Friday liturgy, where silence is required because it is demanded. It seems the Church can hardly wait to "let this holy building shake with joy, filled with the mighty voices of the peoples."

Why is that? We have just finished Lent and Holy Week, a time of solemn and somber preparation. We have been reminded of our sins and sinfulness, how we really are everything yet nothing in the sight of God, how much we needed to be saved. We have cried out, "Attende, Domine." We have pleaded, "Parce, Domine." We have made partial reparation with our praying, fasting, and almsgiving. We have rent our hearts and worn our ashes and sackcloths. We have prepared as best as possible for tonight, where we who have walked in darkness will see our great light.

We are ready to celebrate our redemption "with ardent love of mind and heart and with devoted service of our voice." We are ready to express our belief in "(t)he sanctifying power of this night." We are ready in awe and amazement to marvel at the "wonder of your humble care for us," We are ready to rejoice and be glad in this "love (and) charity beyond all telling."

While technically it not, as it come after the procession of the Pascal Candle to the sanctuary at the end of the Introductory Rite of the Easter Vigil Mass, I have called the Exsultet the Church's greatest Introit. This is the hymn of our great joy and greatest Joy, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His redeeming work. May this prayer prepare you for tonight's Wedding Feast, as you renew you life in Christ and as His Bride receives new members into His Mystical Body.

The Latin and English versions are provided for your meditation.

Seven Last Words: Waiting And Trusting

Crucified Christ with Saint John the Evangelist, the Virgin, and Saints Dominic and Jerome

by Fra Angelico

This concludes a series of short meditations upon the statements made while Jesus hung on the Cross.

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"Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit." (Luke 23:46, cf. Psalm 31:6)

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus realized that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had loved his own in this world, and would show his love for them to the end.

John 13:1

His final acts. One last attempt to reveal Himself to the world (again, a fragment of a Psalm which would be familiar to all, another one which portrayed His Passion). And then, He dies.

"What wondrous love is this, O my soul?" A love which takes a soul a lifetime to understand, much less appreciate, much less articulate, much less emulate. A love eternal.

And now comes the ultimate act of trust. In His humanity, He can no longer do anymore. In a sense, He has become a child again--placed in His Mother's arms, wrapped in cloth, laid to rest in a place not His own. He has now placed His trust in the Father, a trust that the plan of salvation would come to fruition.

His work on earth is done. His job--to re-create the world--is completed. The six days from Palm Sunday to Good Friday are over. "Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken." (Genesis 2:2)

And so He rests.

And so we wait.

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Originally posted 4/15/2006 as "Seven Last Words: Trusting".
Re-posted 4/7/2007 as "Seven Last Words: Waiting."
Re-posted 3/22/2008.
Re-posted 4/11/2009.
Re-posted 4/3/2010.
Re-posted 4/23/2011.
Re-posted 4/7/2012.
Re-posted 3/30/2013.
Re-posted 4/19/2014.
Re-posted 4/4/2015.
Re-posted 3/26/2016.
Re-posted 4/15/2017.
Re-posted 3/31/2018.
Re-posted 4/20/2019.

Re-posted 4/11/2020.

Re-posted 4/3/2021.

Re-posted 4/16/2022.

Re-posted 4/8/2023.

Re-posted 3/30/2024.

Re-posted 4/19/2025.

While We Wait

The following is from the Office of Readings of the Divine Office/Liturgy of the Hours. It is a ancient homily preserved in this liturgy for this day. Its tone reflects the mood of the day and the anticipation of what is to come

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The Lord's Descent Into The Underworld

Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

  

He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

  

I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

  

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

  

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

  

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

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Fedora doff to the Catholic Company, an on-line Catholic book and gift shop with headquarters in Charlotte, NC. They provide a daily newsletter with meditations, the daily readings for the Mass, a saint of the day, and links to the Divine Office/Liturgy of the Hours. This post's inspiration comes from today's e-mail.

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Originally published 4/20/2019.

Re-posted 4/11/2020.

Re-posted 4/3/2021.

Re-posted 4/16/2022.

Re-posted 4/8/2023.

Re-posted 3/30/2024.

Re-posted 4/19/2025.

DR Squared: Holy Saturday--At the Easter Vigil In The Holy Night Of Easter (Year A)

Reading I:  Genesis 1:1—2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a

In the beginning God created heaven, and earth. And the earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God moved over the waters. 

And God said: Be light made. And light was made. And God saw the light that it was good; and he divided the light from the darkness. And he called the light Day, and the darkness Night; and there was evening and morning one day.

And God said: Let there be a firmament made amidst the waters: and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made a firmament, and divided the waters that were under the firmament, from those that were above the firmament, and it was so. And God called the firmament, Heaven; and the evening and morning were the second day.

God also said: Let the waters that are under the heaven, be gathered together into one place: and let the dry land appear. And it was so done. And God called the dry land, Earth; and the gathering together of the waters, he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. And he said: Let the earth bring forth the green herb, and such as may seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind, which may have seed in itself upon the earth. And it was so done. And the earth brought forth the green herb, and such as yieldeth seed according to its kind, and the tree that beareth fruit, having seed each one according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day.

And God said: Let there be lights made in the firmament of heaven, to divide the day and the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years:  To shine in the firmament of heaven, and to give light upon the earth. And it was so done. And God made two great lights: a greater light to rule the day; and a lesser light to rule the night: and the stars. And he set them in the firmament of heaven to shine upon the earth. And to rule the day and the night, and to divide the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and morning were the fourth day.

God also said: Let the waters bring forth the creeping creature having life, and the fowl that may fly over the earth under the firmament of heaven. And God created the great whales, and every living and moving creature, which the waters brought forth, according to their kinds, and every winged fowl according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And he blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea: and let the birds be multiplied upon the earth. And the evening and morning were the fifth day.

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

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 104 (103):30; V. 1-2ab, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35c

R.  Thou shalt send forth thy spirit,...and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

V.   Bless the Lord, O my soul:

      O Lord my God, thou art exceedingly great.

      Thou hast put on praise and beauty:

      And art clothed with light as with a garment.

 

V.  Who hast founded the earth upon its own bases:

      it shall not be moved for ever and ever.

     The deep like a garment is its clothing:

     above the mountains shall the waters stand.

V.  Thou sendest forth springs in the vales:

      between the midst of the hills the waters shall pass.

      Over them the birds of the air shall dwell:

      from the midst of the rocks they shall give forth their voices.

V.  Thou waterest the hills from thy upper rooms:

     the earth shall be filled with the fruit of thy works:

     Bringing forth grass for cattle, and herb for the service of men.

     That thou mayst bring bread out of the earth:

V.  How great are thy works, O Lord?

     thou hast made all things in wisdom;

     the earth is filled with thy riches.

     O my soul, bless thou the Lord.

OR

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 33 (32):5b; V. 4-5, 6-7, 12-13, 20 and 22

R.  (T)he earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.

V. For the word of the Lord is right,

     and all his works are done with faithfulness.

     He loveth mercy and judgment;

     the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.

V.  By the word of the Lord the heavens were established;

     and all the power of them by the spirit of his mouth:

     Gathering together the waters of the sea, as in a vessel;

     laying up the depths in storehouses.

V.  Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord:

     the people whom he hath chosen for his inheritance.

     The Lord hath looked from heaven:

      he hath beheld all the sons of men.

V.  Our soul waiteth for the Lord:

     for he is our helper and protector.

     Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us,

     as we have hoped in thee.

Reading II:  Genesis 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

After these things, God tempted Abraham, and said to him: Abraham, Abraham. And he answered: Here I am.  2 He said to him: Take thy only begotten son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and go into the land of vision: and there thou shalt offer him for an holocaust upon one of the mountains which I will shew thee. So Abraham rising up in the night, saddled his ass: and took with him two young men, and Isaac his son: and when he had cut wood for the holocaust he went his way to the place which God had commanded him. And on the third day, lifting up his eyes, he saw the place afar off. And he said to his young men: Stay you here with the ass: I and the boy will go with speed as far as yonder, and after we have worshipped, will return to you. And he took the wood for the holocaust, and laid it upon Isaac his son: and he himself carried in his hands fire and a sword. And as they two went on together,  7 Isaac said to his father: My father. And he answered: What wilt thou, son? Behold, saith he, fire and wood: where is the victim for the holocaust? And Abraham said: God will provide himself a victim for an holocaust, my son. So they went on together. And they came to the place which God had shewn him, where he built an altar, and laid the wood in order upon it: and when he had bound Isaac his son, he laid him on the altar upon the pile of wood. And he put forth his hand and took the sword, to sacrifice his son. And behold an angel of the Lord from heaven called to him, saying: Abraham, Abraham. And he answered: Here I am. And he said to him: Lay not thy hand upon the boy, neither do thou any thing to him: now I know that thou fearest God, and hast not spared thy only begotten son for my sake. Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw behind his back a ram amongst the briers sticking fast by the horns, which he took and offered for a holocaust instead of his son. And he called the name of that place, The Lord seeth. Whereupon even to this day it is said: In the mountain the Lord will see. And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, saying: By my own self have I sworn, saith the Lord: because thou hast done this thing, and hast not spared thy only begotten son for my sake:  I will bless thee, and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is by the sea shore: thy seed shall possess the gates of their enemies. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed my voice.  

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 16 (15):5; V. 5, 8, 9-10, 11

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

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

      it is thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me.

      I set the Lord always in my sight:

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

V.  Therefore my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced:

      moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.

      Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;

      nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption.

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.

Reading III:  Exodus 14:15—15:1

And the Lord said to Moses: Why criest thou to me? Speak to the children of Israel to go forward. But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch forth thy hand over the sea, and divide it: that the children of Israel may go through the midst of the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the heart of the Egyptians to pursue you: and I will be glorified in Pharao, and in all his host, and in his chariots, and in his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall be glorified in Pharao, and in his chariots and in his horsemen.

And the angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, removing, went behind them: and together with him the pillar of the cloud, leaving the forepart, Stood behind, between the Egyptians' camp and the camp of Israel: and it was a dark cloud, and enlightening the night, so that they could not come at one another all the night. And when Moses had stretched forth his hand over the sea, the Lord took it away by a strong and burning wind blowing all the night, and turned it into dry ground: and the water was divided. And the children of Israel went in through the midst of the sea dried up: for the water was as a wall on their right hand and on their left.

And the Egyptians pursuing went in after them, and all Pharao's horses, his chariots and horsemen through the midst of the sea, And now the morning watch was come, and behold the Lord looking upon the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, slew their host. And overthrew the wheels of the chariots, and they were carried into the deep. And the Egyptians said: Let us flee from Israel: for the Lord fighteth for them against us.

And the Lord said to Moses: Stretch forth thy hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and horsemen. And when Moses had stretched forth his hand towards the sea, it returned at the first break of day to the former place: and as the Egyptians were fleeing away, the waters came upon them, and the Lord shut them up in the middle of the waves. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen of all the army of Pharao, who had come into the sea after them, neither did there so much as one of them remain. But the children of Israel marched through the midst of the sea upon dry land, and the waters were to them as a wall on the right hand and on the left:  And the Lord delivered Israel on that day out of the hands of the Egyptians. And they saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore, and the mighty hand that the Lord had used against them: and the people feared the Lord, and they believed the Lord, and Moses his servant. 

Then Moses and the children of Israel sung this canticle to the Lord: and said: Let us sing to the Lord: for he is gloriously magnified, the horse and the rider he hath thrown into the sea. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Exodus 15:1b; V. 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18

R.  Let us sing to the Lord: for he is gloriously magnified,

V. Let us sing to the Lord: for he is gloriously magnified,

     the horse and the rider he hath thrown into the sea.

     The Lord is my strength and my praise,

     and he is become salvation to me:

     he is my God and I will glorify him:

     the God of my father, and I will exalt him.

V.  The Lord is as a man of war,

     Almighty is his name.

     Pharao's chariots and his army he hath cast into the sea:

     his chosen captains are drowned in the Red Sea.

V.  The depths have covered them,

     they are sunk to the bottom like a stone.

     Thy right hand, O Lord, is magnified in strength:

     thy right hand, O Lord, hath slain the enemy.

V.  Thou shalt bring them in,

     and plant them in the mountain of thy inheritance,

     in thy most firm habitation which thou hast made, O Lord;

     thy sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

     The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.

Reading IV:  Isaiah 54:5-14

For he that made thee shall rule over thee, the Lord of hosts is his name: and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, shall be called the God of all the earth. For the Lord hath called thee as woman forsaken and mourning in spirit, and as a wife cast off from her youth, said thy God. For a, small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a moment of indignation have I hid my face a little while from thee, but with everlasting kindness have I had mercy on thee, said the Lord thy Redeemer. This thing is to me as in the days of Noe, to whom I swore, that I would no more bring in the waters of Noe upon the earth: so have I sworn not to be angry with thee, and not to rebuke thee. For the mountains shall be moved, and the hills shall tremble; but my mercy shall not depart from thee, and the covenant of my peace shall not be moved: said the Lord that hath mercy on thee. O poor little one, tossed with tempest, without all comfort, behold I will lay thy stones in order, and will lay thy foundations with sapphires, And I will make thy bulwarks of jasper: and thy gates of graven stones, and all thy borders of desirable stones. All thy children shall be taught of the Lord: and great shall be the peace of thy children. And thou shalt be founded in justice: depart far from oppression, for thou shalt not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near thee.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 30 (29):2a; V. 2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13

R.  I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou hast upheld me:

V.  I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou hast upheld me:

     and hast not made my enemies to rejoice over me.

     Thou hast brought forth, O Lord, my soul from hell:

     thou hast saved me from them that go down into the pit.

V.  Sing to the Lord, O ye his saints:

     and give praise to the memory of his holiness.

     For wrath is in his indignation;

     and life in his good will.

     In the evening weeping shall have place,

     and in the morning gladness.

V.  The Lord hath heard, and hath had mercy on me:

     the Lord became my helper.

     Thou hast turned for me my mourning into joy:

     thou hast cut my sackcloth, and hast compassed me with gladness:

     To the end that my glory may sing to thee, and I may not regret:

     O Lord my God, I will give praise to thee for ever.

Reading V:  Isaiah 55:1-11

All you that thirst, come to the waters: and you that have no money make haste, buy, and eat: come ye, buy wine and milk without money, and without any price. Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which doth not satisfy you? Hearken diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and your soul shall be delighted in fatness. Incline your ear and come to me: hear and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, the faithful mercies of David. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people, for a leader and a master to the Gentiles. Behold thou shalt call a nation, which thou knewest not: and the nations that knew not thee shall run to thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, for he hath glorified thee.

Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found: call upon him, while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God: for he is bountiful to forgive. For my thoughts are not your thoughts: nor your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are exalted above the earth, so are my ways exalted above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts.

And as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return no more thither, but soak the earth, and water it, and make it to spring, and give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be, which shall go forth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall prosper in the things for which I sent it.

Responsorial Psalm:  Isaiah 12:3; V. 2-3, 4, 5-6

R.  You shall draw waters with joy out of the saviour's fountains:

V.  Behold, God is my saviour,

     I will deal confidently, and will not fear

     O because the Lord is my strength,

     and my praise, and he is become my salvation.

     You shall draw waters with joy

     out of the saviour's fountains:

V.  And you shall say in that day: Praise ye the Lord, and call upon his name:

     make his works known among the people:

     remember that his name is high.

V.  Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath done great things:

     shew this forth in all the earth.

     Rejoice, and praise, O thou habitation of Sion:

     for great is he that is in the midst of thee,

     the Holy One of Israel. 

 Reading VI:  Baruch 3:9-15, 32-4:4

Hear, O Israel, the commandments of life: give ear, that thou mayst learn wisdom. How happeneth it, O Israel, that thou art in thy enemies' land? Thou art grown old in a strange country, thou art defiled with the dead: thou art counted with them that go down into hell. Thou hast forsaken the fountain of wisdom:  For if thou hadst walked in the way of God, thou hadst surely dwelt in peace for ever. Learn where is wisdom, where is strength, where is understanding: that thou mayst know also where is length of days and life, where is the light of the eyes, and peace. Who hath found out her place? and who hath gone in to her treasures?

But he that knoweth all things, knoweth her, and hath found her out with his understanding: he that prepared the earth for evermore, and filled it with cattle and fourfooted beasts:  He that sendeth forth light, and it goeth: and hath called it, and it obeyeth him with trembling. And the stars have given light in their watches, and rejoiced:  They were called, and they said: Here we are: and with cheerfulness they have shined forth to him that made them. This is our God, and there shall no other be accounted of in comparison of him. He found out all the way of knowledge, and gave it to Jacob his servant, and to Israel his beloved.  

Afterwards he was seen upon earth, and conversed with men. This is the book of the commandments of God, and the law, that is for ever: all they that keep it, shall come to life: but they that have forsaken it, to death. Return, O Jacob, and take hold of it, walk in the way by its brightness, in the presence of the light thereof. Give not thy honour to another, nor thy dignity to a strange nation. We are happy, O Israel: because the things that are pleasing to God, are made known to us.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. John 6:69c; V. Psalm 19 (18):8, 9, 10, 11

R.  (T)hou hast the words of eternal life.

V.  The law of the Lord is unspotted,

     converting souls:

     the testimony of the Lord is faithful,

     giving wisdom to little ones.

V.  The justices of the Lord are right,

     rejoicing hearts:

     the commandment of the Lord is lightsome,

     enlightening the eyes.

V.  The fear of the Lord is holy,

     enduring for ever and ever:

     the judgments of the Lord are true,

     justified in themselves.

V.  More to be desired than gold

     and many precious stones:

     and sweeter than honey

     and the honeycomb.

  Reading VII:  Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:  Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it with their ways, and with their doings:  And I poured out my indignation upon them for the blood which they had shed upon the land, and with their idols they defiled it. And I scattered them among the nations, and they are dispersed through the countries: I have judged them according to their ways, and their devices. And when they entered among the nations whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when it was said of them: This is the people of the Lord, and they are come forth out of his land. And I have regarded my own holy name, which the house of Israel hath profaned among the nations to which they went in. Therefore thou shalt say to the house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord God: It is not for your sake that I will do this, O house of Israel, but for my holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations whither you went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the Gentiles, which you have profaned in the midst of them: that the Gentiles may know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord of hosts, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the Gentiles, and will gather you together out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. And I will pour upon you clean water, and you shall be cleansed from all your filthiness, and I will cleanse you from all your idols. And I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit in the midst of you: and I will cause you to walk in my commandments, and to keep my judgments, and do them. And you shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Responsorial Psalm (When Baptism is celebrated):  Psalm 42 (41):2; V. 3, 5; 43 (42):3, 4,5a

R.  As the hart panteth after the fountains of water; so my soul panteth after thee, O God.

V.  My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God;

     when shall I come and appear before the face of God?

V.  These things I remembered, and poured out my soul in me:

     for I shall go over into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, even to the house of God:

     With the voice of joy and praise;

     the noise of one feasting.

V.  Send forth thy light and thy truth:

     they have conducted me,

     and brought me unto thy holy hill,

     and into thy tabernacles.

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

     to God who giveth joy to my youth.

     To thee, O God my God,

     I will give praise upon the harp:

OR

Responsorial Psalm (When Baptism is not celebrated):  Isaiah 12:3; V. 2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

R.  You shall draw waters with joy out of the saviour's fountains:

V.  Behold, God is my saviour,

     I will deal confidently, and will not fear

     O because the Lord is my strength, and my praise,

     and he is become my salvation.

     You shall draw waters with joy

     out of the saviour's fountains:

V.  Praise ye the Lord, and call upon his name:

     make his works known among the people:

     remember that his name is high.

V.  Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath done great things:

     shew this forth in all the earth.

     Rejoice, and praise, O thou habitation of Sion:

     for great is he that is in the midst of thee,

     the Holy One of Israel.

   OR

Responsorial Psalm (When Baptism is not celebrated):  Psalm 51 (50):12a; V. 12-13, 14-15, 18-19

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

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.

     I will teach the unjust thy ways:

      and the wicked shall be converted to 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.

Epistle:  Romans 6:3-11

Know you not that all we, who are baptized in Christ Jesus, are baptized in his death? For we are buried together with him by baptism into death; that as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, to the end that we may serve sin no longer. For he that is dead is justified from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall live also together with Christ:  Knowing that Christ rising again from the dead, dieth now no more, death shall no more have dominion over him. For in that he died to sin, he died once; but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God:  So do you also reckon, that you are dead to sin, but alive unto God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel Acclimation:  V. Psalm 118 (117):1-2, 16ab-17, 22-23

R.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

V.  Give praise to the Lord, for he is good:

     for his mercy endureth for ever.

     Let Israel now say that he is good:

     that his mercy endureth for ever.

V.  The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength:

      the right hand of the Lord hath exulted me:

      I shall not die, but live:

      and shall declare the works of the Lord.

V.  The stone which the builders rejected;

      the same is become the head of the corner.

      This is the Lord's doing:

      and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 28:1-10

And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre.And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. And his countenance was as lightning, and his raiment as snow. And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror, and became as dead men. And the angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid. And going quickly, tell ye his disciples that he is risen: and behold he will go before you into Galilee; there you shall see him. Lo, I have foretold it to you. And they went out quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, running to tell his disciples. And behold Jesus met them, saying: All hail. But they came up and took hold of his feet, and adored him.  10 Then Jesus said to them: Fear not. Go, tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, there they shall see me.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.