Daily Readings for Lent
Today's readings: March 30, 2011
First Reading: Dt 4:1, 5-9
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20 ;
Gospel: Mt 5:17-19 ;
And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.
I am off on a short retreat this week. Please say lots of prayers for you and yours, and the world.
Showing posts with label gospel matthew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gospel matthew. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday Third Week of Lent
Daily Readings for Lent
Today's readings: March 29, 2011
First Reading: Dn 3: 25, 34-43
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 25: 4, 5ab, 6-7bc, 3,4 ;
Gospel: Mt 18:21-35 ;
And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.
I am off on a short retreat this week. Please say lots of prayers for you and yours, and the world.
Today's readings: March 29, 2011
First Reading: Dn 3: 25, 34-43
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 25: 4, 5ab, 6-7bc, 3,4 ;
Gospel: Mt 18:21-35 ;
And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.
I am off on a short retreat this week. Please say lots of prayers for you and yours, and the world.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wednesday Second Week of Lent
Daily Readings for Lent
Today's readings: March 23, 2011
First Reading: Jer 18: 18-20
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16 ;
Gospel: Mt 20:17-28 ;
And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.
Today's Gospel reading:
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem,
he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves,
and said to them on the way,
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests
and the scribes,
and they will condemn him to death,
and hand him over to the Gentiles
to be mocked and scourged and crucified,
and he will be raised on the third day.”
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She answered him,
“Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.”
Jesus said in reply,
“You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”
He replied,
“My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left,
this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Today's readings: March 23, 2011
First Reading: Jer 18: 18-20
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16 ;
Gospel: Mt 20:17-28 ;
And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.
Today's Gospel reading:
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem,
he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves,
and said to them on the way,
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests
and the scribes,
and they will condemn him to death,
and hand him over to the Gentiles
to be mocked and scourged and crucified,
and he will be raised on the third day.”
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She answered him,
“Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.”
Jesus said in reply,
“You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”
He replied,
“My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left,
this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, Second Week of Lent
Daily Readings for Lent
Today's readings: March 22, 2011
First Reading: Is 1:10, 16-20
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23 ;
Gospel: Mt 23:1-12 ;
And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.
Jesus tells His followers that they need to listen to the scribes and pharisees because they do know and understand the law. But they are not to follow their example, since they all too often do not set a very good example. After all, in another passage - Jesus tells us to be perfect, like your Father in heaven is perfect. Of course there are many very good priests, who are wonderful men and good shepherds of their flock. But they are always less than perfect.
I have found it somewhat strange over the years, how so many people are looking for a good "vibe" in the church they wish to attend. Which in all too many cases means they seem to be searching for a preacher that agrees with their world view, so they can feel good about themselves. If you take the preacher's homily out of the equation and just listen to the words of the readings, psalms and the Gospel - they are not easy words to hear sometimes. They are challenging, they very often leave you feeling that you need a lot of work to do, and that what you are doing is not right, or perhaps in nee of much improvement.
And I found myself wondering to myself - how a man's words, albeit the Son of God's words, who came to us in human form - are still hard to hear sometimes over 2,000 years later. And at the same time the words are true and very comforting. I always pray that my ears might listen well, and that my mind and my heart might soak in the message, like rain in a garden. A human life is just a blink of an eye, and at the same time it is a long growing season, going through many cycles and changes.
Don't be afraid to listen and change. Don't be afraid to grow. Truth is, Jesus is offering you good advice to assist you in making your joy complete.
Today's readings: March 22, 2011
First Reading: Is 1:10, 16-20
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23 ;
Gospel: Mt 23:1-12 ;
And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.
Jesus tells His followers that they need to listen to the scribes and pharisees because they do know and understand the law. But they are not to follow their example, since they all too often do not set a very good example. After all, in another passage - Jesus tells us to be perfect, like your Father in heaven is perfect. Of course there are many very good priests, who are wonderful men and good shepherds of their flock. But they are always less than perfect.
I have found it somewhat strange over the years, how so many people are looking for a good "vibe" in the church they wish to attend. Which in all too many cases means they seem to be searching for a preacher that agrees with their world view, so they can feel good about themselves. If you take the preacher's homily out of the equation and just listen to the words of the readings, psalms and the Gospel - they are not easy words to hear sometimes. They are challenging, they very often leave you feeling that you need a lot of work to do, and that what you are doing is not right, or perhaps in nee of much improvement.
And I found myself wondering to myself - how a man's words, albeit the Son of God's words, who came to us in human form - are still hard to hear sometimes over 2,000 years later. And at the same time the words are true and very comforting. I always pray that my ears might listen well, and that my mind and my heart might soak in the message, like rain in a garden. A human life is just a blink of an eye, and at the same time it is a long growing season, going through many cycles and changes.
Don't be afraid to listen and change. Don't be afraid to grow. Truth is, Jesus is offering you good advice to assist you in making your joy complete.
Monday, March 14, 2011
First Sunday of Lent
Daily Readings for Lent
Today's readings: March 13, 2011
First Reading: Gn: 2:7-9; 3: 1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 51: 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17 ;
Second Reading: Rom 5: 12-19 ;
Gospel: Matthew 4: 1-11 ;
And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.
Last full day of enjoying the company of an old friend. Please say a prayer for me.
Today's readings: March 13, 2011
First Reading: Gn: 2:7-9; 3: 1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 51: 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17 ;
Second Reading: Rom 5: 12-19 ;
Gospel: Matthew 4: 1-11 ;
And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.
Last full day of enjoying the company of an old friend. Please say a prayer for me.
Friday After Ash Wednesday
Daily Readings: IS 58: 9b-14 Responsorial Psalm: PS 51 3,4, 5-6ab, 18-19
Gospel: Matthew 9: 14-15 Audio / Video Reflections
I am busy entertaining a wonderful friend this weekend so I will not be adding any reflections. But rest assured, you are in my prayers.
Gospel: Matthew 9: 14-15 Audio / Video Reflections
I am busy entertaining a wonderful friend this weekend so I will not be adding any reflections. But rest assured, you are in my prayers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)