DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Joseph The Worker

First Reading:  Genesis 1:26b-2:3

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

OR

First Reading:  Colossians 3:14-15, 17, 23-24

But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection:  And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men:  Knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Serve ye the Lord Christ. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 90 (89):17b; V. 2, 3-4, 12-13, 14 and 16

R.  (D)irect thou the works of our hands over us;

V.  Before the mountains were made,

     or the earth and the world was formed;

     from eternity and to eternity thou art God.

V.  Turn not man away to be brought low:

     and thou hast said: Be converted, O ye sons of men.

     For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past.

     And as a watch in the night,

V.  Can number thy wrath? So make thy right hand known:

     and men learned in heart, in wisdom.

     Return, O Lord, how long?

     and be entreated in favour of thy servants.

V.  We are filled in the morning with thy mercy:

     and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days.

     Look upon thy servants and upon their works:

     and direct their children.   

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 13:54-58

And coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogues, so that they wondered and said: How came this man by this wisdom and miracles? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Jude:   And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence therefore hath he all these things? And they were scandalized in his regard. But Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he wrought not many miracles there, because of their unbelief.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 5/1/2025

DR Squared: Friday Of The Fourth Week Of Easter

First Reading:  Acts 13:26-33

Men, brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fear God, to you the word of this salvation is sent. For they that inhabited Jerusalem, and the rulers thereof, not knowing him, nor the voices of the prophets, which are read every sabbath, judging him have fulfilled them. And finding no cause of death in him, they desired of Pilate, that they might kill him. And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, taking him down from the tree, they laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him up from the dead the third day:  Who was seen for many days, by them who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who to this present are his witnesses to the people. And we declare unto you, that the promise which was made to our fathers, This same God hath fulfilled to our children, raising up Jesus, as in the second psalm also is written: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 2:7bc; V. 6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab

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

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

     preaching his commandment.

     The Lord hath said to me:

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

V.  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.

V.  And now, O ye kings, understand:

     receive instruction, you that judge the earth.

     Serve ye the Lord with fear:

     and rejoice unto him with trembling.

Gospel Reading:  John 14:1-6

Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many mansions. If not, I would have told you: because I go to prepare a place for you. And if I shall go, and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will take you to myself; that where I am, you also may be. And whither I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas saith to him: Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 5/16/2025.