DR Squared: Memorial Of Our Lady Of Sorrows

First Reading:  Hebrews 5:7-9

Who in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offering up prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, was heard for his reverence. And whereas indeed he was the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things which he suffered:  And being consummated, he became, to all that obey him, the cause of eternal salvation.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 31 (30):17b; V. 2 and 3b, 3cd-4, 5-6, 15-16, 20

R.  (S)ave me in thy mercy.

V.  In thee, O Lord, have I hoped,

     let me never be confounded:

     deliver me in thy justice.

     (M)ake haste to deliver me.

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.  Thou wilt bring me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me:

     for thou art my protector.

     Into thy hands I commend my spirit:

     thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.

V.  But I have put my trust in thee, O Lord:

     I said: Thou art my God.

     My lots are in thy hands. Deliver me out of the hands of my enemies;

     and from them that persecute me.

V.  O how great is the multitude of thy sweetness, O Lord,

     which thou hast hidden for them that fear thee!

     Which thou hast wrought for them that hope in thee,

     in the sight of the sons of men.  

Gospel Reading:  John 19:25-27

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.

OR

Luke 2:33-35

And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 9/15/2025.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Twenty-Fourth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a

For as the body is one, and hath many members; and all the members of the body, whereas they are many, yet are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink. For the body also is not one member, but many. Now you are the body of Christ, and members of member. And God indeed hath set some in the church; first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly doctors; after that miracles; then the graces of healing, helps, governments, kinds of tongues, interpretations of speeches. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all doctors? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But be zealous for the better gifts.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 100 (99):3b; V. 1b-2, 3, 4, 5  (DR--2, 3, 4, 5)

R.  We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

V.  Sing joyfully to God, all the earth:

     serve ye the Lord with gladness.

     Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy.

V.  Know ye that the Lord he is God:

     he made us, and not we ourselves.

     We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

V.  Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns:

     and give glory to him.

     Praise ye his name:

V.  For the Lord is sweet,

     his mercy endureth for ever,

     and his truth to generation and generation. 

Gospel Reading:  John 19:25-27

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.

OR

Luke 2:33-35

And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

A Stumbling Block

Refrain:
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name.

Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine.

(Refrain)

Each newborn servant of the Crucified
Bears on the brow the seal of Him Who died.

(Refrain)

O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
As Thou hast promised, draw the world to Thee.

(Refrain)

So shall our song of triumph ever be:
Praise to the Crucified for victory.

(Refrain)

But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

I include my post from 2006 as well.

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Originally posted 9/14/2007.
Re-posted 9/14/2011.
Re-posted 9/14/2012.
Re-posted 9/14/2014.
Re-posted 9/14/2015.
Re-posted 9/14/2016.
Re-posted 9/14/2017.
Re-posted 9/14/2018.

Re-posted 9/14/2020.

Re-posted 9/14/2021.

Re-posted 9/14/2022.

Re-posted 9/14/2023.

Re-posted 9/14/2024.

Re-posted 9/14/2025.

In Hoc Signo Crucis Vinces

Let us not then be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the Cross our seal made with boldness by our fingers on our brow and in everything; over the bread we eat, and the cups we drink; in our comings in, and goings out; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake; when we are in the way and when we are still. Great is that preservative; it is without price, for the poor's sake; without toil, for the sick, since also its grace is from God. It is the Sign of the faithful, and the dread of evils; for He has triumphed over them in it, having made a shew of them openly; for when they see the Cross, they are reminded of the Crucified; they are afraid of Him, Who hath bruised the heads of the dragon. Despise not the Seal, because of the freeness of the Gift; but for this rather honor thy Benefactor.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, A.D. 315 - 386

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee;
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

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En ego, O bone et dulcissime Iesu, ante conspectum tuum genibus me provolvo, ac maximo animi ardore te oro atque obtestor, ut meum in cor vividos fidei, spei et caritatis sensus, atque veram peccatorum meorum poenitentiam, eaque emendandi firmissimam voluntatem velis imprimere; dum magno animi affectu et dolore tua quinque vulnera mecum ipse considero ac mente contemplor, illud prae oculis habens, quod iam in ore ponebat tuo David propheta de te, o bone Iesu: Foderunt manus meas et pedes meos: dinumeraverunt omnia ossa mea. Amen.

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Behold, O good and most sweet Jesus, I fall upon my knees before Thee, and with most fervent desire beg and beseech Thee that Thou wouldst impress upon my heart a lively sense of faith, hope and charity, true repentance for my sins, and a firm resolve to make amends. And with deep affection and grief, I reflect upon Thy five wounds, having before my eyes that which Thy prophet David spoke about Thee, o good Jesus: "They have pierced my hands and feet, they have counted all my bones." Amen.

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Originally posted 9/14/2006.
Re-posted 9/14/2017.
Re-posted 9/14/2018.

Re-posted 9/14/2020.

Re-posted 9/14/2021 with current image.

Re-posted 9/14/2022.

Re-posted 9/14/2023.

Re-posted 9/14/2024.

Re-posted 9/14/2025.

DR Squared: Feast Of The Exaltation Of The Holy Cross

First Reading:  Numbers 21:4b-9

And the people began to be weary of their journey and labour:  And speaking against God and Moses, they said: Why didst thou bring us out of Egypt, to die in the wilderness? There is no bread, nor have we any waters: our soul now loatheth this very light food. Wherefore the Lord sent among the people fiery serpents, which bit them and killed many of them.  Upon which they came to Moses, and said: We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and thee: pray that he may take away these serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to him: Make a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: whosoever being struck shall look on it, shall live. Moses therefore made a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: which when they that were bitten looked upon, they were healed.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 78 (77):7b; V. 1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38

R.  That they may...not forget the works of God:

V.  Attend, O my people, to my law:

     incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

     I will open my mouth in parables:

     I will utter propositions from the beginning.

V.  When he slew them, then they sought him:

     and they returned, and came to him early in the morning.

     And they remembered that God was their helper:

     and the most high God their redeemer.

V.  And they loved him with their mouth:

     and with their tongue they lied unto him:

     But their heart was not right with him:

     nor were they counted faithful in his covenant.

V.  But he is merciful, and will forgive their sins:

     and will not destroy them.

     And many a time did he turn away his anger:

     and did not kindle all his wrath.

Second Reading:  Philippians 2:6-11

Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names:  That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:  And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Gospel Reading:  John 3:13-17

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. 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.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 9/14/2025.

DR Squared: Twenty-Fourth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading:  Sirach 27:30—28:7 (DR--27:33-28:7)

Anger and fury are both of them abominable, and the sinful man shall be subject to them. He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance. Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurt thee: and then shall thy sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest. Man to man reserveth anger, and doth he seek remedy of God? He hath no mercy on a man like himself, and doth he entreat for his own sins? He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins? Remember thy last things, and let enmity cease:  For corruption and death hang over in his commandments.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 103 (102):8; V. 1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12

R.  The Lord is compassionate and merciful: longsuffering and plenteous in mercy.

V.  Bless the Lord, O my soul:

     and let all that is within me bless his holy name.

     Bless the Lord, O my soul,

     and never forget all he hath done for thee.

V.  Who forgiveth all thy iniquities:

     who healeth all thy diseases.

     Who redeemeth thy life from destruction:

     who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.

V.  He hath not dealt with us according to our sins:

     nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

     For according to the height of the heaven above the earth:

     he hath strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him.

V.  As far as the east is from the west,

     so far hath he removed our iniquities from us.

     As a father hath compassion on his children,

     so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him: 

Second Reading:  Romans 14:7-9

For none of us liveth to himself; and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord. Therefore, whether we live, or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose again; that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 18:21-35

Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him, that owed him ten thousand talents. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow servants that owed him an hundred pence: and laying hold of him, throttled him, saying: Pay what thou owest. And his fellow servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt. Now his fellow servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him; and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me:  Shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow servant, even as I had compassion on thee? And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Blackjack!

Another milestone in this infinitesimal corner of the universe.

I have added another year of existence in the 'blogosphere.

Perhaps you are thinking I should stay down for the count.

God's grace is not allowing me to do that, either personally or pixelly.

The "DR Squared" Project is drawing more eyeballs. While new content is few and far between, I do get a few hits. Besides, I have my reputation as the World's Greatest Re-poster to uphold.

Yes, I have had my struggles both at and away from the computer screen. Perhaps it is more proof God can write straight with crooked lines. It would help if I would keep giving him fewer crooked lines. As I have said many times, this 'blog and its author are a work in progress.

But now is a time to be grateful. Grateful that I still live, move, and have being. Grateful for the gifts God has bestowed on me. Grateful for the opportunities to bless Him in my own quiet way. And grateful that you peruse whenever I put my thoughts and words into the internet.

I shall Go Forward with this.

Perhaps I can be bolder.

But here's to reclaiming my spot as a 'blogger.

The welcome mat is ready.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of The Most Holy Name Of Mary

First Reading:  Galatians 4:4-7

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:  That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55

R.  Luke 1:49

     Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his             name. 

OR 

R.  O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father. 

V.  My soul doth magnify the Lord. 

     And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

V.  Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid;

     for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

     Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me;

     and holy is his name.

V.  And his mercy is from generation unto generations,

     to them that fear him.

     He hath shewed might in his arm:

     he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

V.  He hath put down the mighty from their seat,

     and hath exalted the humble.

     He hath filled the hungry with good things;

     and the rich he hath sent empty away.

V.  He hath received Israel his servant,

     being mindful of his mercy:

     As he spoke to our fathers,

     to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 1:39-47

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. And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 9/12/2025.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Twenty-Third Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  1 Corinthians 10:14-22  (DR--14-22a)

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, fly from the service of idols. I speak as to wise men: judge ye yourselves what I say. The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord? For we, being many, are one bread, one body, all that partake of one bread. Behold Israel according to the flesh: are not they, that eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar? What then? Do I say, that what is offered in sacrifice to idols, is any thing? Or, that the idol is any thing? But the things which the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God. And I would not that you should be made partakers with devils. You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord, and the chalice of devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 116 (115):17a; V. 12-13, 17-18

R.  I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise,

V.  What shall I render to the Lord,

     for all the things he hath rendered unto me?

     I will take the chalice of salvation;

     and I will call upon the name of the Lord.

V.  I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise,

     and I will call upon the name of the Lord.

     I will pay my vows to the Lord

     in the sight of all his people:

Gospel Reading:  Luke 6:43-49

For there is no good tree that bringeth forth evil fruit; nor an evil tree that bringeth forth good fruit. For every tree is known by its fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns; nor from a bramble bush do they gather the grape. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. And why call you me, Lord, Lord; and do not the things which I say? Every one that cometh to me, and heareth my words, and doth them, I will shew you to whom he is like. He is like to a man building a house, who digged deep, and laid the foundation upon a rock. And when a flood came, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and it could not shake it; for it was founded on a rock. But he that heareth, and doth not, is like to a man building his house upon the earth without a foundation: against which the stream beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Friday Of The Twenty-Third Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27 (DR--16-19, 24-27)

For if I preach the gospel, it is no glory to me, for a necessity lieth upon me: for woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation is committed to me:  What is my reward then? That preaching the gospel, I may deliver the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For whereas I was free as to all, I made myself the servant of all, that I might gain the more. Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain. And every one that striveth for the mastery, refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty: I so fight, not as one beating the air:  But I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 84 (83):2; V. 3, 4, 5-6, 12 (DR--3, 4, 5-6, 12-13a)

R.  How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!

V.  My soul longeth and fainteth

     for the courts of the Lord.

     My heart and my flesh have rejoiced

     in the living God.

V.  For the sparrow hath found herself a house,

     and the turtle a nest for herself where she may lay her young ones:

     Thy altars, O Lord of hosts,

     my king and my God.

V.  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord:

     they shall praise thee for ever and ever.

     Blessed is the man whose help is from thee:

     in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps,

V.  For God loveth mercy and truth:

     the Lord will give grace and glory.

     He will not deprive of good things

     them that walk in innocence:  

Gospel Reading:  Luke 6:39-42

And he spoke also to them a similitude: Can the blind lead the blind? do they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one shall be perfect, if he be as his master. And why seest thou the mote in thy brother's eye: but the beam that is in thy own eye thou considerest not? Or how canst thou say to thy brother: Brother, let me pull the mote out of thy eye, when thou thyself seest not the beam in thy own eye? Hypocrite, cast first the beam out of thy own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to take out the mote from thy brother's eye.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.