PM: Communion Fridays--18th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

You gave us bread from heaven, O Lord, having in it all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste.

Wisdom 16:20

We hear similar words near the end of Eucharistic Adoration, just before we are blessed. How fitting it is that after that blessing, we sound out the Divine Praises.

PM: Offertory Thursdays--18th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

There are two options; the first is for Cycles A and B.

Moses prayed to the Lord his God, and said; Moses addressed this prayer to the Lord his God, and declared:  "Why, O Lord, is your anger enkindled against your people? Let the wrath your mind has conceived cease. Remember Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, to whom you swore to give a land flowing with milk and honey." And the Lord was dissuaded from accomplishing the evil which he had threatened to inflict upon his people.

Exodus 32: 11, 15, 13, 14

Moses reminds God of the covenant He made with His people and asks for forgiveness for all. God shows His fidelity to us who truly repent of their sins. 

Moses consecrated an altar to the Lord, and presented thereupon burnt offerings and sacrificial victims; he made an evening sacrifice as a fragrant offering to the Lord, in the presence of the sons of Israel.

Cf. Exodus 24: 4, 5

This is also the Offertory for the 24th. Sunday of Ordinary Time for Cycles A and B. Here Moses is an archetype for Jesus and all priests in his pleading for us; the asking of forgiveness through a sacrifice is nothing less than a foreshadowing of the Passion and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

PM: Alleluia Wednesdays--18th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

O Lord God of my salvation, day and night have I called out unto you.

Ps. 87:2

As we pray always and everywhere, God hears us. Our saving, sanctifying grace only comes from Him.

PM: Gradual Tuesdays--18th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

There are two options; the first is for Cycle A.

The eyes of all look towards you in hope, O Lord; and you give them their food in due season.

V. You open your hand and fill every living thing with your blessings.

Ps. 144:15; V. 16

We revisit the Gradual from the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. God will give us what we need when we need it; His grace will be sufficient.

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth

V. My soul will boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear and be glad.

Ps. 32:2; V. 3

There are echoes of the Magnificat and St. Paul's exhortations in these verses.When we speak of God's greatness, we give Him the adoration due Him.

PM: Introit Mondays--18th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

There are two choices; the first is for Cycle A.

All you who are thirsty, come to the waters, says the Lord, and you who have no money, come, drink in gladness.

V. Attend, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

Cf. Isaiah 55:1; V. Ps. 55

God gives freely His grace. Along with life-giving water, He gives His life-giving words.

O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me; let them be put to confusion and shame, my enemies who seek my life.

V. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor, who wish me evil.

Ps. 69:2, 3; V. 4

The beginning of many of the prayers of the Liturgy of the Hours, we ask for God's aid. We can only overturn the enemies of God with His power and might.

PM: Communion Fridays--17th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

There are three options; one for each Cycle.

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant seeking fine pearls; having found one of great worth, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Matt. 13:45, 46

And what is this "pearl of great price"? It is no less than God and our relationship with Him.

Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns shall be filled with abundance, and your presses shall run with wine.

Prov. 3:9, 10

We must acknowledge God in all we do, for we can do nothing without Him. Blessings shall follow if we do.

Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be open to you; for all who ask, receive, he who seeks, finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened, alleluia.

Luke 11:9, 10 cf. Matt.7:7, 8 and 10:1

We must engage our whole being in our relationship to God. It is only then will we meet Him face to face and see Him as He Is.

PM: Offertory Thursdays--17th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and have not allowed my enemies to rejoice over me; O Lord, I called out unto you, and you healed me.

Ps. 29:2, 3

God has and will prevail over all evil. We give thanks He has saved us and made us whole again.

PM: Alleluia Wednesdays--17th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

Rejoice in honor of God our helper; shout for joy to the God of Jacob; intone a most beautiful psalm with the harp.

Ps. 80:2, 3

This hearkens to other Psalms where we sing God's praise. As we prepare to listen to His Good News, "it is right and just" to voice our  love and adoration to Him.

PM: Gradual Tuesdays--17th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

There are two options; the first is for Cycles A and C.

In God has my heart placed its trust and I have been helped; and my flesh has flowered anew, and with all my desire I will give thanks unto him.

V. Unto you, O Lord, do I cry; O my God, do not remain silent, depart not from me.

Ps. 27: 7; V. 1

Only in God alone shall we find aid. We are renewed when He answers our prayers; He is never far from us.

The eyes of all look towards you in hope, O Lord; and you give them their food in due season.

V. You open your hand and fill every living thing with your blessings.

Ps. 144:15; V. 16

We revisit the Gradual from Corpus Christi. Our loving God gives us what we need when we need it; all is gift, all is grace, all is good.

PM: Introit Mondays--17th. Sunday Of Ordinary Time

God is in his holy dwelling place; the God who causes us to dwell together, one at heart, in his house; he himself will give power and strength to his people.

V. Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; and let those who hate him flee before his face.

Ps. 67: 6, 7, 36; V. 2

As did the Israelites, we set aside a place where we come to worship Him. Here we will receive His Word and Real Presence, his "power and strength".