DR Squared: Fourth Sunday Of Advent (Year C)

First Reading:  Micah 5:1-4a

Now shalt thou be laid waste, O daughter of the robber: they have laid siege against us, with a rod shall they strike the cheek of the judge of Israel. AND THOU, BETHLEHEM Ephrata, art a little one among the thousands of Juda: out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be the ruler in Israel: and his going forth is from the beginning, from the days of eternity. Therefore will he give them up even till the time wherein she that travaileth shall bring forth: and the remnant of his brethren shall be converted to the children of Israel. And he shall stand, and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the height of the name of the Lord his God: and they shall be converted, for now shall he be magnified even to the ends of the earth. And this man shall be our peace,...

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 80 (79):4; V. 2-3, 15-16, 18-19

R. Convert us, O God: and shew us thy face, and we shall be saved.

V. Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Thou that sittest       upon the cherubims, shine forth

     Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses. Stir up thy might, and come to save us.

V. Turn again, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard:

     And perfect the same which thy right hand hath planted: and upon the son of man                 whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.

V. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand: and upon the son of man whom thou           hast confirmed for thyself.

     And we depart not from thee, thou shalt quicken us: and we will call upon thy name.    

Second Reading:  Hebrews 10:5-10

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith: Sacrifice and oblation thou wouldest not: but a body thou hast fitted to me:  Holocausts for sin did not please thee. Then said I: Behold I come: in the head of the book it is written of me: that I should do thy will, O God. In saying before, Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin thou wouldest not, neither are they pleasing to thee, which are offered according to the law. Then said I: Behold, I come to do thy will, O God: he taketh away the first, that he may establish that which followeth. In the which will, we are sanctified by the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ once.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 1:39-45

And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:  And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Third Week Of Advent (Year I)

First Reading:  Song of Songs 2:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18a

The voice of my beloved, behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping over the hills. My beloved is like a roe, or a young hart. Behold he standeth behind our wall, looking through the windows, looking through the lattices. Behold my beloved speaketh to me: Arise, make haste, my love, my dove, my beautiful one, and come. For winter is now past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning is come: the voice of the turtle is heard in our land:  The fig tree hath put forth her green figs: the vines in flower yield their sweet smell. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come:  My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hollow places of the wall, shew me thy face, let thy voice sound in my ears: for thy voice is sweet, and thy face comely.

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Give praise, O daughter of Sion: shout, O Israel: be glad, and rejoice with all thy heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy judgment, he hath turned away thy enemies: the king of Israel the Lord is in the midst of thee, thou shalt fear evil no more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not: to Sion: Let not thy hands be weakened. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty, he will save: he will rejoice over thee with gladness, he will be silent in his love, he will be joyful over thee in praise. 

Responsorial Psalm:  33 (32):1a, 3a; V. 2-3, 11-12, 20-21

R. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just:  Sing to him a new canticle,

V. Give praise to the Lord on the harp; sing to him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten         strings 

     Sing to him a new canticle, sing well unto him with a loud noise.

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

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

V.  Our soul waiteth for the Lord: for he is our helper and protector.

      For in him our heart shall rejoice: and in his holy name we have trusted.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 1:39-45

And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:  And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Friday Of The Third Week Of Advent (Year I)

First Reading:  Isaiah 7:10-14

And the Lord spoke again to Achaz, saying:  Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God either unto the depth of hell, or unto the height above. And Achaz said: I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord. And he said: Hear ye therefore, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 24 (23):7c, 10 b; V. 1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

R. (T)he King of Glory shall enter in; he is the King of Glory.

V. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof: the world, and all they that dwell therein.

For he hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the rivers.

V. Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in his holy place?

The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain,

V. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour.

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

Gospel Reading:  Luke 1:26-38

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren:  Because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Thursday Of The Third Week Of Advent (Year I)

First Reading:  Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a

Now there was a certain man of Saraa, and of the race of Dan, whose name was Manue, and his wife was barren. And an angel of the Lord appeared to her, and said: Thou art barren and without children: but thou shalt conceive and bear a son. Now therefore beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing. Because thou shalt conceive and bear a son, and no razor shall touch his head: for he shall be a Nazarite of God, from his infancy, and from his mother's womb, and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines. And when she was come to her husband she said to him: A man of God came to me, having the countenance of an angel, very awful. And when I asked him who he was, and whence he came, and by what name he was called, he would not tell me. But he answered thus: Behold thou shalt conceive and bear a son: beware thou drink no wine, nor strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite of God from his infancy, from his mother's womb until the day of his death. And she bore a son, and called his name Samson. And the child grew, and the Lord blessed him.  And the spirit of the Lord began to be with him....

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 71 (70):8; V. 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17

R. Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may sing thy glory;

V. Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a place of strength: that thou mayst make me safe.

    For thou art my firmament and my refuge.  4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the sinner, 

V.  For thou art my patience, O Lord: my hope, O Lord, from my youth;

     By thee have I been confirmed from the womb: from my mother's womb thou art my protector.

V. I will enter into the powers of the Lord: O Lord, I will be mindful of thy justice alone.

    Thou hast taught me, O God, from my youth: and till now I will declare thy wonderful works.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 1:5-25

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zachary, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth. And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and justifications of the Lord without blame. And they had no son, for that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years. And it came to pass, when he executed the priestly function in the order of his course before God, According to the custom of the priestly office, it was his lot to offer incense, going into the temple of the Lord. And all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zachary seeing him, was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him: Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John:  And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice in his nativity. For he shall be great before the Lord; and shall drink no wine nor strong drink: and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias; that he may turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the incredulous to the wisdom of the just, to prepare unto the Lord a perfect people. And Zachary said to the angel: Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years. And the angel answering, said to him: I am Gabriel, who stand before God: and am sent to speak to thee, and to bring thee these good tidings. And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be able to speak until the day wherein these things shall come to pass, because thou hast not believed my words, which shall be fulfilled in their time. And the people were waiting for Zachary; and they wondered that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they understood that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he made signs to them, and remained dumb. And it came to pass, after the days of his office were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days, Elizabeth his wife conceived, and hid herself five months, saying:  Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he hath had regard to take away my reproach among men.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Wednesday Of The Third Week Of Advent (Year I)

First Reading:  Jeremiah 23:5-8

Behold the days come, saith the Lord, and I will raise up to David a just branch: and a king shall reign, and shall be wise, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In those days shall Juda be saved, and Israel shall dwell confidently: and this is the name that they shall call him: the Lord our just one. Therefore behold the days to come, saith the Lord, and they shall say no more: The Lord liveth, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt:  But the Lord liveth, who hath brought out, and brought hither the seed of the house of Israel from the land of the north, and out of all the lands, to which I had cast them forth: and they shall dwell in their own land.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 72 (71):7; V. 2, 12-13, 18-19

R. (J)ustice spring up, and abundance of peace, till the moon be taken away.

V. Give to the king thy judgment, O God: and to the king's son thy justice:

     To judge thy people with justice, and thy poor with judgment.

V. For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty: and the needy that had no helper.

    He shall spare the poor and needy: and he shall save the souls of the poor.

V. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone doth wonderful things. 

    And blessed be the name of his majesty for ever: and the whole earth shall be filled with his majesty. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 1:18-25

Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying:  Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Updated "O's"

It is perhaps my most popular as well as best received output on the 'blog. It is a chronical of the development of what meager writing skills I have. It is also a testament to my dedication to this form of social media.

Once again this infinitesimal corner of the universe presents its annual meditations on the "O" Antiphons. This yearly tradition presents each of the seven antiphons spoken or chanted just before the Magnificat in the Liturgy of the Hours/Daily Office. They are also used as the Gospel Acclamation at daily Masses, save for the one which falls on Sunday.

As I noted last year, one of the reflections I was using no longer has a link. Along with reflections by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, starting today I also am presenting a video series produced by the Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey in Silverado, CA along with my very own humble musings. The first two should be of tremendous value. Your mileage will vary on my thoughts.

As these have appear throughout the years, there have been additions and revisions. This is a series where I can actually document the evolution of these posts, as I have not deleted any of the previous ones I created. Much like this 'blog and its creator, they are still works in progress.

In any event, as we come into the final days of Advent, I hope these still are edifying for those who come across them. May they be a source of inspiration to complete your preparation for Christmas.

They begin to make their appearance later today.

 

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Third Week Of Advent (Year I)

First Reading:  Genesis 49:2, 8-10

Gather yourselves together, and hear, O ye sons of Jacob, hearken to Israel your father:  Juda, thee shall thy brethren praise: thy hands shall be on the necks of thy enemies: the sons of thy father shall bow down to thee. Juda is a lion's whelp: to the prey, my son, thou art gone up: resting thou hast couched as a lion, and as a lioness, who shall rouse him? The sceptre shall not be taken away from Juda, nor a ruler from his thigh, till he come that is to be sent, and he shall be the expectation of nations.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 72 (71):7; V. 72:2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17

R. (J)ustice spring up, and abundance of peace, till the moon be taken away.

V. Give to the king thy judgment, O God: and to the king's son thy justice:

     To judge thy people with justice, and thy poor with judgment.

V. Let the mountains receive peace for the people: and the hills justice.

    He shall judge the poor of the people, and he shall save the children of the poor:

V. In his days shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace, till the moon be taken away.

    And he shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

V. Let his name be blessed for evermore: his name continueth before the sun.

    And in him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed: all nations shall magnify him.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 1:1-17

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:  Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas and his brethren. And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram. And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon.  And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse. And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias. And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot Asa. And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot Ozias. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias. And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias. And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob.  And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations, from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Third Week Of Advent (Year I)

First Reading:  Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a

And lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel abiding in their tents by their tribes: and the spirit of God rushing upon him, He took up his parable and said: Balaam the son of Beor hath said: The man hath said, whose eye ire stopped up:  The hearer of the words of God hath said, he that hath beheld the vision of the Almighty, he that falleth, and so his eyes are opened:  How beautiful are thy tabernacles, O Jacob, and thy tents, O Israel! As woody valleys, as watered gardens near the rivers, as tabernacles which the Lord hath pitched, as cedars by the waterside. Water shall flow out of his bucket, and his seed shall be in many waters. For Agag his king shall be removed, and his kingdom shall be taken awry. (H)erefore taking up his parable, again he said: Balaam the son of Beor hath said: The man whose eye is stopped up, hath said:  The hearer of the words of God hath said, who knoweth the doctrine of the Highest, and seeth the visions of the Almighty, who falling hath his eyes opened:  I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not near. A STAR SHALL RISE out of Jacob and a sceptre shall spring up from Israel:

Responsorial Psalm:   cf. Psalm 25:4b; V. 4b-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9

R. (T)each me thy paths.

V. Shew, O Lord, thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths.

    Direct me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art God my Saviour;

V. Remember, O Lord, thy bowels of compassion; and thy mercies that are from the                beginning of the world. According to thy mercy remember thou me: for thy goodness'          sake, O Lord.

V. The Lord is sweet and righteous: therefore he will give a law to sinners in the way.

    He will guide the mild in judgment: he will teach the meek his ways.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 21:23-27

And when he was come into the temple, there came to him, as he was teaching, the chief priests and ancients of the people, saying: By what authority dost thou these things? and who hath given thee this authority? Jesus answering, said to them: I also will ask you one word, which if you shall tell me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? But they thought within themselves, saying:  If we shall say, from heaven, he will say to us: Why then did you not believe him? But if we shall say, from men, we are afraid of the multitude: for all held John as a prophet. And answering Jesus, they said: We know not. He also said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)

First Reading:  Zephaniah 3:14-17

Give praise, O daughter of Sion: shout, O Israel: be glad, and rejoice with all thy heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy judgment, he hath turned away thy enemies: the king of Israel the Lord is in the midst of thee, thou shalt fear evil no more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not: to Sion: Let not thy hands be weakened. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty, he will save: he will rejoice over thee with gladness, he will be silent in his love, he will be joyful over thee in praise.

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

R. Rejoice, and praise, O thou habitation of Sion: for great is he that is in the midst of thee,       the Holy One of Israel.

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.

Second Reading:  Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 3:10-18

And the people asked him, saying: What then shall we do? And he answering, said to them: He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do in like manner. And the publicans also came to be baptized, and said to him: Master, what shall we do? But he said to them: Do nothing more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers also asked him, saying: And what shall we do? And he said to them: Do violence to no man; neither calumniate any man; and be content with your pay. And as the people were of opinion, and all were thinking in their hearts of John, that perhaps he might be the Christ; John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water; but there shall come one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. And many other things exhorting, did he preach to the people.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here. 

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint John Of The Cross, Priest And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  1 Corinthians 2:1-10a

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not in loftiness of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of Christ. For I judged not myself to know anything among you, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not in the persuasive words of human wisdom, but in shewing of the Spirit and power; That your faith might not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among the perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, neither of the princes of this world that come to nought; But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, a wisdom which is hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory:  Which none of the princes of this world knew; for if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written: That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him. But to us God hath revealed them, by his Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 37 (36):30a; V. 37:3-4, 5-6, 30-31

R. The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom:

V. Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land, and thou shalt be fed with its               riches.

     Delight in the Lord, and he will give thee the requests of thy heart.

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

     And he will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

V. The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom: and his tongue shall speak judgment.

     The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps shall not be supplanted.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 14:25-33

And there went great multitudes with him. And turning, he said to them:  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down, and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it:  Lest, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him, Saying: This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, about to go to make war against another king, doth not first sit down, and think whether he be able, with ten thousand, to meet him that, with twenty thousand, cometh against him? Or else, whilst the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desireth conditions of peace. So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth, cannot be my disciple.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.