DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Eighteenth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Numbers 12:1-13

And Mary and Aaron spoke against Moses, because of his wife the Ethiopian, And they said: Hath the Lord spoken by Moses only? hath he not also spoken to us in like manner? And when the Lord heard this, (For Moses was a man exceeding meek above all men that dwelt upon earth) Immediately he spoke to him, and to Aaron and Mary: Come out you three only to the tabernacle of the covenant. And when they were come out, The Lord came down in a pillar of the cloud, and stood in the entry of the tabernacle calling to Aaron and Mary. And when they were come, He said to them: Hear my words: if there be among you a prophet of the Lord, I will appear to him in a vision, or I will speak to him in a dream. But it is not so with my servant Moses who is most faithful in all my house:  For I speak to him mouth to mouth: and plainly, and not by riddles and figures doth he see the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak ill of my servant Moses? And being angry with them he went away:  The cloud also that was over the tabernacle departed: and behold Mary appeared white as snow with a leprosy. And when Aaron had looked on her, and saw her all covered with leprosy, He said to Moses: I beseech thee, my lord, lay not upon us this sin, which we have foolishly committed:  Let her not be as one dead, and as an abortive that is cast forth from the mother's womb. Lo, now one half of her flesh is consumed with the leprosy. And Moses cried to the Lord, saying: O God, I beseech thee heal her.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 51 (50):3a; V. 3-4, 5-6ab, 6cd-7, 12-13

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

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

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

     Wash me yet more from my iniquity,

     and cleanse me from my sin.

V.  For I know my iniquity,

     and my sin is always before me.

     To thee only have I sinned,

     and have done evil before thee:

V.  (T)hat thou mayst be justified in thy words

     and mayst overcome when thou art judged..

     For behold I was conceived in iniquities;

     and in sins did my mother conceive me.

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. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 14:22-36

And forthwith Jesus obliged his disciples to go up into the boat, and to go before him over the water, till he dismissed the people. And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a mountain alone to pray. And when it was evening, he was there alone. But the boat in the midst of the sea was tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking upon the sea. And they seeing him walk upon the sea, were troubled, saying: It is an apparition. And they cried out for fear. And immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of good heart: it is I, fear ye not. And Peter making answer, said: Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee upon the waters. And he said: Come. And Peter going down out of the boat, walked upon the water to come to Jesus. But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid: and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying: Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretching forth his hand took hold of him, and said to him: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt? And when they were come up into the boat, the wind ceased. And they that were in the boat came and adored him, saying: Indeed thou art the Son of God. And having passed the water, they came into the country of Genesar. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent into all that country, and brought to him all that were diseased. And they besought him that they might touch but the hem of his garment. And as many as touched, were made whole.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint John Vianney, Priest

First Reading:  Ezekiel 3:17-21

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman to the house of Israel: and thou shalt hear the word out of my mouth, and shalt tell it them from me. If, when I say to the wicked, Thou shalt surely die: thou declare it not to him, nor speak to him, that he may be converted from his wicked way, and live: the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at thy hand. But if thou give warning to the wicked, and he be not converted from his wickedness, and from his evil way: he indeed shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy soul. Moreover if the just man shall turn away from his justice, and shall commit iniquity: I will lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die, because thou hast not given him warning: he shall die in his sin, and his justices which he hath done, shall not be remembered: but I will require his blood at thy hand. But if thou warn the just man, that the just may not sin, and he doth not sin: living he shall live, because thou hast warned him, and thou hast delivered thy soul.

Responsorial Psalm:  Mark 16:15b; V. Psalm 117 (116):1bc, 2

R.  Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

V.  O praise the Lord, all ye nations:

     praise him, all ye people.

V.  For his mercy is confirmed upon us:

     and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 9:35-10:1

And Jesus went about all the cities, and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every infirmity. And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd. Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest. And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Numbers 11:4b-15

(T)he children of Israel also being joined with them, and said: Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish that we ate in Egypt free cost: the cucumbers come into our mind, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic. Our soul is dry, our eyes behold nothing else but manna. A Now the manna was like coriander seed, of the colour of bdellium. And the people went about, and gathering it, ground it in a mill, or beat it in a mortar, and boiled it in a pot, and made cakes thereof of the taste of bread tempered with oil. And when the dew fell in the night upon the camp, the manna also fell with it. Now Moses heard the people weeping by their families, every one at the door of his tent. And the wrath of the Lord was exceedingly enkindled: to Moses also the thing seemed insupportable. And he said to the Lord: Why hast thou afflicted thy servant? wherefore do I not find favour before thee? and why hast thou laid the weight of all this people upon me? Have I conceived all this multitude, or begotten them, that thou shouldst say to me: Carry them in thy bosom as the nurse is wont to carry the little infant, and bear them into the land, for which thou hast sworn to their fathers? Whence should I have flesh to give to so great a multitude? they weep against me, saying: Give us flesh that we may eat. I am not able alone to bear all this people, because it is too heavy for me. But if it seem unto thee otherwise, I beseech thee to kill me, and let me find grace in thy eyes, that I be not afflicted with so great evils.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 81 (80):2a; V. 12-13, 14-15, 16-17

R.  Rejoice to God our helper:

V.  But my people heard not my voice:

     and Israel hearkened not to me.

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

     they shall walk in their own inventions.

V.  If my people had heard me:

     if Israel had walked in my ways:

     I should soon have humbled their enemies,

     and laid my hand on them that troubled them.

V.  The enemies of the Lord have lied to him:

     and their time shall be for ever.

     And he fed them with the fat of wheat,

     and filled them with honey out of the rock.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 14:13-21

Which when Jesus had heard, he retired from thence by boat, into a desert place apart, and the multitudes having heard of it, followed him on foot out of the cities. And he coming forth saw a great multitude, and had compassion on them, and healed their sick. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying: This is a desert place, and the hour is now past: send away the multitudes, that going into the towns, they may buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said to them, They have no need to go: give you them to eat. They answered him: We have not here, but five loaves, and two fishes. He said to them: Bring them hither to me. And when he had commanded the multitudes to sit down upon the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up what remained, twelve full baskets of fragments. And the number of them that did eat, was five thousand men, besides women and children.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes vanity of vanities, and all is vanity. For when a man laboureth in wisdom, and knowledge, and carefulness, he leaveth what he hath gotten to an idle man: so this also is vanity, and a great evil. For what profit shall a man have of all his labour, and vexation of spirit, with which he hath been tormented under the sun? All his days are full of sorrows and miseries, even in the night he doth not rest in mind: and is not this vanity?  

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 95 (94):8; V. Psalm 90 (89):3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17

R.  Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts 

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.  Things that are counted nothing, shall their years be.

     In the morning man shall grow up like grass;

     in the morning he shall flourish and pass away:

     in the evening he shall fall, grow dry, and wither.

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.

     And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us:

     and direct thou the works of our hands over us;

     yea, the work of our hands do thou direct.

Second Reading:  Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11

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. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is the service of idols. Lie not one to another: stripping yourselves of the old man with his deeds, And putting on the new, him who is renewed unto knowledge, according to the image of him that created him. Where there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free. But Christ is all, and in all.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 12:13-21

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

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Priest

First Reading:  Acts 4:32-35

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.

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

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

V.  I will bless the Lord at all times,

     his praise shall be always in my mouth.

     In the Lord shall my soul be praised:

     let the meek hear and rejoice.

V.  O magnify the Lord with me;

     and let us extol his name together.

     I sought the Lord, and he heard me;

     and he delivered me from all my troubles.

V.  Come ye to him and be enlightened:

     and your faces shall not be confounded.

     This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him:

     and saved him out of all his troubles.

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

     and shall deliver them.

     O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet:

     blessed is the man that hopeth in him.

V.  Fear the Lord, all ye his saints:

     for there is no want to them that fear him.

     The rich have wanted, and have suffered hunger:

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

Gospel Reading:  John 15:1-8

I am the true vine; and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me, that beareth not fruit, he will take away: and every one that beareth fruit, he will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean by reason of the word, which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine: you the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burneth. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you. In this is my Father glorified; that you bring forth very much fruit, and become my disciples.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Eusebius Of Vercelli, Bishop

First Reading:  1 John  5:1-5

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And every one that loveth him who begot, loveth him also who is born of him. In this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the charity of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not heavy. For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 89 (88):2; V. 2-3, 4-5, 21-22, 25 and 27

R.  The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever.

V.  The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever.

     I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth to generation and generation.

     For thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens:

     thy truth shall be prepared in them.

V.  I have made a covenant with my elect:

     I have sworn to David my servant:

     Thy seed will I settle for ever.

     And I will build up thy throne unto generation and generation.

V.  I have found David my servant:

     with my holy oil I have anointed him.

     For my hand shall help him:

     and my arm shall strengthen him.

V.  And my truth and my mercy shall be with him:

     and in my name shall his horn be exalted.

     He shall cry out to me: Thou art my father:

     my God, and the support of my salvation.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 5:1-12a

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him. And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake:  Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Seventeenth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  Leviticus 25:1, 8-17

And the Lord spoke to Moses in mount Sinai, saying:  Thou shalt also number to thee seven weeks of years, that is to say, seven times seven, which together make forty-nine years:  And thou shalt sound the trumpet in the seventh month, the tenth day of the month, in the time of the expiation in all your land. And thou shalt sanctify the fiftieth year, and shalt proclaim remission to all the inhabitants of thy land: for it is the year of jubilee. Every man shall return to his possession, and every one shall go back to his former family:  Because it is the jubilee and the fiftieth year. You shall not sow, nor reap the things that grow in the field of their own accord, neither shall you gather the firstfruits of the vines, Because of the sanctification of the jubilee: but as they grow you shall presently eat them. In the year of the jubilee all shall return to their possessions. When thou shalt sell any thing to thy neighbour, or shalt buy of him; grieve not thy brother: but thou shalt buy of him according to the number of years from the jubilee. And he shall sell to thee according to the computation of the fruits. The more years remain after the jubilee, the more shall the price increase: and the less time is counted, so much the less shall the purchase cost. For he shall sell to thee the time of the fruits. Do not afflict your countrymen, but let every one fear his God: because I am the Lord your God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 67:4; V. 2-3, 5, 7-8

R.  Let people confess to thee, O God: let all people give praise to thee.

V.  May God have mercy on us, and bless us:

     may he cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on         us.

     That we may know thy way upon earth:

     thy salvation in all nations.

V.  Let the nations be glad and rejoice:

     for thou judgest the people with justice,

     and directest the nations upon earth.

V.  The earth hath yielded her fruit.

     May God, our God bless us,

     May God bless us:

     and all the ends of the earth fear him.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 14:1-12

At the time Herod the Tetrarch heard the fame of Jesus. And he said to his servants: This is John the Baptist: he is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works shew forth themselves in him. For Herod had apprehended John and bound him, and put him into prison, because of Herodias, his brother's wife. For John said to him: It is not lawful for thee to have her. And having a mind to put him to death, he feared the people: because they esteemed him as a prophet. But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them: and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath, to give her whatsoever she would ask of him. But she being instructed before by her mother, said: Give me here in a dish the head of John the Baptist. And the king was struck sad: yet because of his oath, and for them that sat with him at table, he commanded it to be given. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a dish: and it was given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body, and buried it, and came and told Jesus.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

August 2025 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

For Mutual Coexistence. Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.

A reflection for this intention can be found here. 

 

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  Romans 8:1-4

There is now therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh. For the law of the spirit of life, in Christ Jesus, hath delivered me from the law of sin and of death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh; God sending his own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh and of sin, hath condemned sin in the flesh; That the justification of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.

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

R.  O Lord: teach me thy justifications.

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

     by observing thy words. 

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

     let me not stray from thy commandments.

V.  Thy words have I hidden in my heart,

     that I may not sin against thee.

V.  Blessed art thou, O Lord:

     teach me thy justifications.

V. With my lips I have pronounced

     all the judgments of thy mouth.

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

     as in all riches.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 5:13-19

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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

First Reading:  Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:  These also are the holy days of the Lord, which you must celebrate in their seasons.The first month, the fourteenth day of the month at evening, is the phase of the Lord:  And the fifteenth day of the same month is the solemnity of the unleavened bread of the Lord. Seven days shall you eat unleavened bread. The first day shall be most solemn unto you, and holy: you shall do no servile work therein:  But you shall offer sacrifice in fire to the Lord seven days. And the seventh day shall be more solemn, and more holy: and you shall do no servile work therein. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:  Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them: When you shall have entered into the land which I will give you, and shall reap your corn, you shall bring sheaves of ears, the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest:  Who shall lift up the sheaf before the Lord, the next day after the sabbath, that it may be acceptable for you, and shall sanctify it. You shall count therefore from the morrow after the sabbath, wherein you offered the sheaf of the firstfruits, seven full weeks. Even unto the morrow after the seventh week be expired, that is to say, fifty days, and so you shall offer a new sacrifice to the Lord. Upon the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the day of atonement, it shall be most solemn, and shall be called holy: and you shall afflict your souls on that day, and shall offer a holocaust to the Lord. From the fifteenth day of this same seventh month, shall be kept the feast of tabernacles seven days to the Lord. The first day shall be called most solemn and most holy: you shall do no servile work therein. And seven days you shall offer holocausts to the Lord. The eighth day also shall be most solemn and most holy, and you shall offer holocausts to the Lord: for it is the day of assembly and congregation: you shall do no servile work therein. These are the feasts of the Lord, which you shall call most solemn and most holy, and shall offer on them oblations to the Lord, holocausts and libations according to the rite of every day,

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 81 (80):2a; V. 3-4, 5-6, 10-11ab

R.  Rejoice to God our helper:

V.  Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel:

     the pleasant psaltery with the harp.

     Blow up the trumpet on the new moon,

     on the noted day of your solemnity.

V.  For it is a commandment in Israel,

     and a judgment to the God of Jacob.

     He ordained it for a testimony in Joseph, when he came out of the land of Egypt:

     he heard a tongue which he knew not.

V.  There shall be no new god in thee:

     neither shalt thou adore a strange god.

     For I am the Lord thy God,

     who brought thee out of the land of Egypt:

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.