New Year: Prayer Service

Prayer Service

Light and peace in Jesus Christ!

Thanks be to God! 

“ ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

Alleluia!!

January 3-8: After Epiphany

 3 Monday (The Most Holy Name of Jesus): 

The context: Today’s Gospel describes the beginning of Jesus’ mission of preaching and healing in Galilee, an ideal spot because it was the most fertile land in Palestine and well-populated with 204 villages around the Sea of Galilee housing Jews and Gentiles. The Jews there largely belonged to the tribes of Asher, Naphtali, and Zebulon. The people were open to new ideas because they had been exposed to various religious beliefs and the culture of traders from all over the known world.

January 6; Thursday after Epiphany

January 6; Thursday after Epiphany

1 John 4:19 - 5:4 / Luke 4:14-22     

How can we be sure we love God? Whoever loves God must also love others.

January 4: Tuesday after Epiphany

January 4: Tuesday after Epiphany

1 John 4:7-10 / Mark 6:34-44

God is love; Whoever loves knows God.

Jan 1: Mary, Mother of God - Liturgical Prayers

Greeting

A. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Option 1) 
God sent his Son, born of a woman,
to enable us to become God's children.
Through the Spirit of the Son we can cry out to God:
"Father, my Father!"
May Jesus, this Son, be always with you.
R/ And also with you.

Octave of Christmas, 29th December, St. Thomas Becket

 Octave of Christmas, 29th December, St. Thomas Becket

1 John 2:3-11 / Luke 2:22-35

The light is shining; If we don't love, we are in darkness

Holy Family - Liturgical Prayers

Greeting

We are already the children of God;
we need not be afraid in his presence.
May the Lord Jesus be always with you.
R/ And also with you.

Feast of the Holy Family

A little boy greets his father as he returns from work with a question: “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?” The father is surprised and says:

Advent, 24th December, Friday

 Advent, 24th December, Friday

2 Sam 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 / Luke 1:67-79     

Nathan prophesies about David; "Your kingdom will last forever.”

Advent, 23rd December, Thursday

 Advent, 23^rd December, Thursday

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 / Luke 1:57-66    

I will send my messenger; "He will prepare the way for me.”

Christmas: Stories

 Christmas Stories from Father Tony Kadavil

1) Origin of the Christmas celebration: Many scholars believe that Christmas came to be placed on December 25^th in order to counteract a pagan celebration called the Birth of the Unconquered Sun. The Romans called their winter holiday

Christmas - Liturgical Prayers

Greeting (See Second Reading)

    In our own time God has spoken to us
    through his own Son,
    the radiant light of God's glory
    through whom he made everything.
    May this Son, Jesus the Lord, be with you. 
    R/ And also with you.

Advent, 22nd December, Wednesday

 Advent, 22nd December, Wednesday

1 Sam 1:24-28 / Luke 1:46-56 

Hannah takes Samuel to the Temple; Hannah dedicated Samuel to God.

Advent 4th Week: Dec 20-24

 Advent 4th Week: Dec 20-24

Dec 20 Monday: 

The context: Today’s Gospel describes the story of the Annunciation, explaining how God began to keep the promise

Advent, 20th December, Monday

Advent, 20th December, Monday

Isaiah 7:10-14 / Luke 1:26-38

Isaiah prophesies; A virgin shall bear a son.

Advent 18th December, Saturday

 Advent 18th December, Saturday

Jeremiah 23:5-8 / Matthew 1:18-24       

Jeremiah prophesies: A descendant of David will rule as king.

Advent 4 Sunday C - Liturgical Prayers

Greeting (See the Gospel)
Blessed are they who believe with Mary
that the Lord will fulfill his promises.
The Lord be with you. R/ And also with you.

Advent 4 Sunday C: Mary and Elizabeth

 

 Michel de Verteuil

General comments
Each year the gospel passage for this Sunday is a story of Mary’s pregnancy, and for this year it is the visitation.

Advent, 17th December, Friday

 17th December, Friday

Genesis 49:2, 8-10 / Matthew 1:1-7

Jacob prophesies; Judah will hold the Royal Scepter.

Advent 3 Sunday - Gaudete - Rejoice

Michel de Verteuil

General Comments

On the third Sunday of Advent St Luke gives us a glimpse into the personality of that wonderful person, John the Baptist. In your meditation, let him remind you of great people you have known.

Advent 3 Sunday C - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (See Second Reading)

There is no need to worry,
for the Lord wants you to be happy,
and he is near to you.
May his peace and joy be with you always. 
R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

Advent 3rd Week: Dec 13-18

 Dec 13 Monday (St. Lucy, Virgin, Martyr) 

The context: After casting out the animal-merchants and moneychangers from the Temple immediately after the Palm Sunday procession,

3rd Week of Advent, Thursday, Dec 16

 3rd Week of Advent, Thursday, Dec 16

Isaiah 54:1-10 / Luke 7:24-30

Isaiah talks about God's mercy; "I will take you back with love."

2nd Week of Advent, Friday, Dec 10

 2nd Week of Advent, Friday, Dec 10

Isaiah 48:17-19 / Matthew 11:16-19

I am your God; I will show you the path to follow.

Advent 2nd Week: Dec 6-11

 Dec 6 Monday (St. Nicholas, Bishop) 

The context: Beyond showing his authority over temptation,

Dec 8: Immaculate Conception of Mary

 Fr. Tony Kadavil:

Mary’s prophecy, given in her Magnificat, “Behold all generations will call me blessed,” was fulfilled when the Catholic Church declared four dogmas of Faith about her:

Advent 2 Sunday C - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (See Second Reading)

May our love for one another
prepare us for the Day of the Lord,
when Jesus Christ returns.
May his grace and love be always with you.
R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

Advent 2 Sunday C: Prepare the Way of the Lord

Michel de VerteuilGeneral Comments
On the second and third Sundays of Advent, the church gives us John the Baptist as a model of someone who knows how to wait.

St. Francis Xavier, Patron of Missions and Missionaries, Dec 3

 St. Francis Xavier, Patron of Missions and Missionaries, Dec 3

1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23 / Mark 16:15-20 

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St Francis Xavier, the Co-patron of India and of all missions and missionaries all over the world.

1st Week of Advent: Nov 29-Dec 4:

 1^st Week: Nov 29-Dec 4:

 Nov 29 Monday: 

Context: Jesus’ healing of the centurion’s slave, described in today’s Gospel, shows us how God listens to our Faith-filled prayers and meets our needs. Centurions were reliable, commanding, brave captains in charge of 100 soldiers. They were used to giving and receiving commands.

Advent 1 Sunday C - Liturgical Prayers

Introduction by the Celebrant:

A. Happy New Year! Yes, advent marks the beginning of the Church’s calendar. The Church once again invites us to a period of waiting, hope and expectation.

B. Waiting in Tension:  "Stand erect, hold your heads high." This is the message the Lord speaks to us on this First Sunday of Advent. There are terrible civil wars, there is famine in many parts of the world, and there are millions of refugees seeking safety. Yet our Lord assures us that we should keep up our hope and expectations, for he is still with us and near to us. Be attentive to his presence, not only here in the Eucharist but also in the life of every day. 

34th Week: Nov 22-27:

 34th Week: Nov 22-27:

Nov 22 Monday (St. Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr) 

Christ The King - 34th Sunday B - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (see Second Reading)

All blessings to you from Jesus Christ,
our saving Lord and king,
the beginning and end of all that is,
who is and who was and who is to come.
His peace and grace be always with you. R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

Advent 1 Sunday C: Signs, Be Vigilant

Michel DeVerteuil

Textual Comments
The gospel readings for Advent each year invite us to meditate on the mystery of waiting, and they do it by presenting us with stories of great people who knew how to wait. On the first Sunday, Jesus himself is the model as he taught his followers the spirituality of “waiting in joyful hope”.

33rd Week, Saturday, Nov 20

 33rd Week, Saturday, Nov 20

1 Maccabees 6:3-13 / Luke 20:27-40

Antiochus dies grief-stricken; He paid dearly for his sins against Israel.

33rd Week, Friday, Nov 19

 33rd Week, Friday, Nov 19

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59 / Luke 19:45-48

Judas goes to Jerusalem; He purified and rededicated the Temple.

33rd Week: Nov 15-20:

 33^rd Week: Nov 15-20: 

 Nov 15 Monday (St. Albert the Great, Bishop, Doctor of the Church): 

Christ the King -34th Sunday

 

Introduction: It was Pope Pius XI who brought the Feast of Christ the King into the liturgy in 1925, to bring Christ, his rule and Christian values back into lives of Christians, into society and into politics.

33rd Week, Tuesday, Nov 16

 33rd Week, Tuesday, Nov 16

2 Maccabees 6:18-31 / Luke 19:1-10  

Old Eleazar is martyred; He left an example to the young.

32nd Week, Saturday, Nov 13

 32nd Week, Saturday, Nov 13

Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9 / Luke 18:1-8

The sea becomes a dry road; Israel saw what God did and rejoiced.

32nd Week, Thursday, Nov 11

32nd Week, Thursday, Nov 11

Wisdom 7:22-8:1 / Luke 17:20-25

Wisdom is all-seeing; Wisdom defeats wickedness.

33 Sunday B - End Times - Parousia

by

32nd Week: Nov 8-13:

 32nd Week: Nov 8-13: 

Nov 8 Monday:

The context: In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus gives us two warnings: 1) We should not give scandal to anyone. 2) We need to practice unconditional forgiveness. Jesus also stresses our need for trusting Faith in God’s power if we are to avoid giving scandal and to practice forgiveness.

31st Week: Nov 1-6:

 31^st Week: Nov 1-6: 

 Nov 1 Monday (All Saints Day): Mt 5:1-12: (Not a Holy Day of Obligation in the USA) The feast and its objectives: All baptized Christians who have died and are now with God in glory are considered saints.

32 Sunday B: 2 Copper Coins - True Generosity

32 Sunday B - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (see Responsorial Psalm)

Give praise to the Lord
who gives bread to the hungry
and raises up those who are bowed down.
It is he who protects the stranger
and upholds the widow and orphan.
May this loving God be with you always. R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. In the Hands of God

31 Sunday B - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (see Second Reading)

Jesus here among us offered himself for us.
He is living for ever
to intercede for all of us who come to him.
May his grace and peace be always with you.
R/ And also with you.

31 Sunday B: Foundation of Our Faith - Shema - 3 Loves

Reflection

‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength.’ Was this simply the setting of an impossible ideal?

Nov 1: All Saints Day

 The feast and its objectives: All baptized Christians who have died and are now with God in glory are considered saints. All Saints Day is intended to honor the memory of countless unknown and uncanonized saints who have no feast days.

30th Week: Oct 25-30:

 30^th Week: Oct 25-30:

 Oct 25 Monday:

The context: Today’s Gospel tells us how Jesus healed a woman in the synagogue who had been suffering for 18 years from what seems to have been curvature of the spine.

30th Week, Tuesday, Oct 26

 30th Week, Tuesday, Oct 26

Romans 8:18-25 / Luke 13:18-21

Paul talks about future glory; Nothing matches the glory that awaits us.

30 Sunday B - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (see Second Reading)

We are gathered in the name of Jesus,
of whom the Father said:
"You are my Son,
today I have become your father."
May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus
be always with you.
R/ And also with you.

30 Sunday: Blind man - Let me See

Background: 

Today’s Gospel is a classic example of Mark’s use of miracle stories.

29th Week, Saturday, Oct 23

  29th Week, Saturday, Oct 23

Romans 8:1-11 / Luke 13:1-9

Evil no longer enslaves you; Christ's spirit dwells in you.

29th Week: Oct 18-23:

 29^th Week: Oct 18-23:

 18th Monday (St. Luke, Evangelist) 

Resume: St. Luke was a Syrian by race, born in Antioch as a Gentile. He became a Christian and follower of St. Paul.

29th Week, Thursday, Oct 21

  29th Week, Thursday, Oct 21

Romans 6:19-23 / Luke 12:49-53          

Paul exhorts the Romans; Turn to Christ as you once turned to sin. 

28th Week, Saturday, Oct 16

 28th Week, Saturday, Oct 16

Romans 4:13, 16-18 / Luke 12:8:12

Abraham is our father; He saw hope where others didn't see it.

28th Week, Friday, Oct 15: St. Therese of Avila

 28th Week, Friday, Oct 15

Romans 4:1-8 / Luke 12:1-7

Paul talks about Abraham; Abraham's faith was his glory.

28th Week: Oct 11-16:

 28^th Week: Oct 11-16: 

Oct 11 Monday (St. John XXIII, Pope) 

29 Sunday B: It's Not Where you Sit, but How you Serve ...

 

Last Sunday, we heard about discipleship. Today it's about being a missionary.

1. In a world of stars and stripes, titles and accolades, we have been told what matters is not where you sit, but how you serve. Not what you know but how much you impart; not what you teach, but how much you tithe (give).

28 Sunday B - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (see Second Reading)

The Word of God is alive and active;
it can judge our secret emotions and thoughts.
It is the Lord Jesus who speaks this word to us.
May he always be with you.
R/ And also with you.

28th Week, Monday, Oct 11: St. John XXIII

 28th Week, Monday, Oct 11: St. John XXIII

Romans 1:1-7 / Luke 11:29-32

Paul discusses his calling; God called me to preach to the Gentiles.

27th Week, Thursday, Oct 7; Our Lady of the Rosary

Malachi 3:13-20 / Luke 11:5-13 
God speaks: “A Day of reckoning is coming.”

27th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, Oct 5

 27th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, Oct 5

Jonah 3:1-10 / Luke 10:38-42

God calls Jonah again: This time Jonah obeyed.

27th Week: Oct 4-9

 27^th Week: Oct 4-9: 

Oct 4 Monday (St. Francis of Assisi) 

(Mt 11:25-30): St. Francis of Assisi is the best known and the most loved thirteenth century Italian saint.

Respect Life Sunday: OCT 3, 2021

 Respect Life Sunday (OCT 3, 2021)

 Facts on attacks on human life: a) Abortion: The number of unborn children slaughtered in the wombs of their mothers in the last 25 years is 1200 million in the world and 37 million in the USA. (4400 per day in the US).

28 Sunday B: Discipleship: Sell, Give and Come

 

27th Week, Monday: St. Francis of Assisi: Oct 4

 27th Week, Monday, Oct 4

Jonah 1:1 - 2:1, 11 / Luke 10:25-37 

God calls Jonah: Jonah fled from God.

27 Sunday B: Marital Covenant

  An old man was at the hospital to remove some stitching to be removed and the receptionist told him to wait until a nurse would be free.

27 Sunday B - Marital Commitment: Liturgical Prayers

Greetings
All praise be to God our Father
for creating people in his likeness
and making them capable of faithfulness
through the self-giving love of his Son
and the unifying power of the Spirit.
May the Lord be always with you in his love.
R/ And also with you.

26th Week: Sept 27- Oct 2

 Sept 27 Monday (St. Vincent de Paul, Priest) 

The context: Today’s Gospel describes Jesus’ criterion for greatness with advice to be accepting of others who do good in ways different from ours.

Guardian Angels, Oct 2

 Guardian Angels, Oct 2

Exodus 23:20-23 / Matthew 18:1-5, 10

God protects his people; "My angel will guard you."

Guardian Angels - October 2:

 Who your Guardian Angel is and what they do:  10 things you should know

According to Christian tradition,  every one of us has a guardian angel  who accompanies us from the moment we’re born until the moment  of our death, and stays at our side at every moment of our life. The idea of ​​a spirit, of a supernatural entity that follows and supervises every human being,  was already present in other religions and in Greek philosophy. 

St. Theresa of Lisieux, Oct 1

 St. Theresa of Lisieux, Oct 1

Isaiah 66:10-14/ Matthew 18:1-5

God makes a promise to Israel; "You will rejoice.”

26th Week, Thursday, Oct 5: Saint Faustina Kowalska

26th Week, Thursday, Oct 5, St. Faustina

Nehemiah 8:1-12 / Luke 10:1-12   

Ezra reads God's law to the people; The people answered, "Amen!"

26 Sunday B - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (see 1 Cor 12:4-7)

There is a variety of gifts,
but they come from the same Spirit,
all sorts of service, but to the same Lord,
many forms of work, but all of them, in all people,
the work of the same God.
In each one the Spirit manifests himself
for the good of all.
May the Lord Jesus give you this Spirit
and always be with you. R/ And also with you.

26th Week, Monday, Sept 27

 26th Week, Monday, Sept 27

Zechariah 8:1-8 / Luke 9:46-50

God makes a promise; “I will rescue my people.”

25th Week, Saturday, Sept 25

 25th Week, Saturday, Sept 25

Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15 / Luke 9:43-45 

God speaks through Zechariah; I am coming to dwell among you.

25th Week, Friday, Sept 24

 25th Week, Friday, Sept 24

Haggai 1:15 - 2:9 / Luke 9:18-22          

God speaks through Haggai; My spirit is with you; fear not!

25th Week, Thursday, Sept 23

25th Week, Thursday, Sept 23

Haggai 1:1-8 / Luke 9:7-9     

Haggai rebukes the people; Seek God's will, not your own.

25th Week, Wednesday, Sept 22

 25th Week, Wednesday, Sept 22

Ezra 9:5-9 / Luke 9:1-6     

Ezra prays to God; We sinned, but you forgave us.

26th Sunday B: Discipleship - Radicality

 

25th Week: Sept 20-25:

 25^th Week: Sept 20-25: 

Sept 20 Monday (St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Priest and Paul Chong Ha-sang, and companion Martyrs): 

25th Sunday B: Liturgical Prayers

 Greeting (see Responsorial Psalm)

We have God for our help.
The Lord upholds our life.
May the Lord Jesus be always with you. R/ And also with you.

St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Sept 21

 Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13 / Matthew 9:9-13

There is one Lord over all: Preserve your unity.  

John Howard Griffin dyed his skin black, shaved his head, and posed as a black man in the South in the pre-civil-rights days. One day he asked for a Catholic church. He was told that the nearest "colored Catholic church" was on Drysades Street. 

UCA Asia News - Sept 13

 

Thousands flee Myanmar’s conflict-stricken Chin state Military airstrikes, shelling force people to seek refuge at nearby villages Read More >>

24th Week: Sept 13-18:

 24^th Week: Sept 13-18: 

 Sept 13 Monday (St. John Chrysostom, Bishop, Doctor of the Church) 

24th Week, Friday, Sept 22: St. Thomas Villanova

 24th Week, Friday, Sept 22

1 Tim 6:2-12 / Luke 8:1-3  

Paul talks about temptation; Love of money is the root of evil. 

24th Week, Thursday, Sept 16

 24th Week, Thursday, Sept 16

1 Tim 4:12-16 / Luke 7:36-50

Paul exhorts Timothy; Be an example of faith and love.

25 Sunday B - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (see Responsorial Psalm)

We have God for our help.
The Lord upholds our life.
May the Lord Jesus be always with you. R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

23rd Week: Sept 6-11:

 23^rd Week: Sept 6-11:

 Sept 6 Monday: (Labor Day in the U. S. –homily below):

Context: After the sad experience in Nazareth, Jesus used the city of Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the center of the fishing business, as a base for a teaching, healing, and preaching ministery. The people were impressed by the authority with which Jesus taught.

23rd Week, Friday, Sept 10

 23rd Week, Friday, Sept 10

1 Tim 1:1-2, 12-14 / Luke 6:39-42

I was an arrogant blasphemer; But God forgave me.

25th Sunday B: who's the Greatest?

23rd Week, Thursday, Sept 9

 23rd Week, Thursday, Sept 9

Colossians 3:12-17 / Luke 6:27-38

Bear with one another; Forgive as the Lord forgives you.

23rd Week, Tuesday, Sept 7

 23rd Week, Tuesday, Sept 7

Colossians 2:6-15 / Luke 6:12-19

Live in Christ; Abound with thanksgiving.

23rd Week, Monday, Sept 6

 23rd Week, Monday, Sept 6

Colossians 1:24 - 2:3 / Luke 6:6-11

Paul suffers for the Colossians; I suffer gladly

24 Sunday B: You are the Messiah

24 Sunday B - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings 

We trust in the Lord
who keeps us from lasting death,
who stands by our side
in sorrow and distress,
and keeps our feet from stumbling.
The Lord be always with you. R/ And also with you.

Mary, Mother of Hope

Jesus through the Bible - Tony Evans

22nd Week, Saturday, Sept 4

 22nd Week, Saturday, Sept 4

Colossians 1:21-23 / Luke 6:1-5

Sin alienates us from God: Christ reconciled us back to God.

22nd Week, Friday, Sept 3

 22nd Week, Friday, Sept 3

Colossians 1:15-20 / Luke 5:33-39

Christ is the visible likeness of God; God's fullness resides in Jesus 

22nd Week: Aug 30- Sept 4:

 22^nd Week: Aug 30- Sept 4:

 Aug 30 Monday:

Today’s Gospel presents the reaction of Jesus’ fellow- townsmen, to the “Inaugural Address” offered them at a synagogue in Nazareth when Jesus visited the town as a rabbi with a band of disciples.  The reading shows us how Jesus faced scepticism and criticism with prophetic courage.

22nd Week, Wednesday, Sept 1

 22nd Week, Wednesday, Sept 1

Colossians 1:1-8 / Luke 4:38-44 

Paul rejoices in the Colossians; Their faith is bearing fruit.  

23rd Sunday B: Ephphatha - Be Opened

 

 Michel DeVerteuil 
Textual Comments
We are given the context of today’s story: it took place as Jesus was “returning from the district of Tyre”. He was passing “by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee” and this brought him “right through the Decapolis region”. This reminds us that we must know how to leave our ordinary surroundings so that we can meet people like this man.

21st Week, Saturday, August 28; St. Augustine

 21st Week, Saturday, August 28; St. Augustine

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12: Mt 25:14-30

Paul encourages the people to make even greater progress.

21st Week: Aug 23-28:

 21^st Week: Aug 23-28:

 Aug 23 Monday (St. Rose of Lima, Virgin): 

The context: It is the third day of the original “Holy Week” in Jerusalem, a day of controversy and personal attacks.  The Master is under fire, and challenges the religious leaders of Israel, pronouncing the first three of the eight woes Jesus would levy levies against the religious leaders, calling them hypocrites and publicly humiliating them.

22nd Sunday: Purification - Both Inside and Outside

 

20 Sunday B: Living Bread for the Life of the World

20th Sunday B from Padir Neylu

 Michel DeVerteuil 
Textual Comments
This is the fourth passage from John 6 that the Church invites us to meditate on at this time of the year, and the third in which Jesus gives the people a teaching based on their experience of the miraculous feeding.

Aug 15: Assumption of Mary - Liturgy

Greeting

    Glory and honor to our risen Lord, whose victory over death was shared first by her who was closest to him, his Mother, the Virgin Mary. May her Son, the Lord Jesus, be always with you. R/ And also with you.

20th Week, Saturday, August 21

 20th Week, Saturday, August 21

Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 / Matthew 23:1-12 

Ruth marries Boaz; Ruth gave birth to David (Obed, father of Jesse, father of David)

21 Sunday B: Liturgical Prayers

1. Are You on My Side?
2. We Have Made a Choice
3. Though Not Perfect, It Is Beautiful Inside 

Greeting (see Second Reading)

Christ loved his Church;
he gave himself up for her
to make her holy and immaculate;
he nourishes us and cares for us.
May his love and peace be always with you. R/ And also with you.

20th Week, Wednesday, August 18

20th Week, Wednesday, August 18
Judges 9:6-15 / Matthew 20:1-16
 
The people elect a new leader; The worst Person won by default.

21 Sunday B: Loyalty and Faithfulness

 

21st Sunday B from Padir Neylu 

Michel DeVerteuil 
Textual Comments
This is the final extract from chapter 6 of John’s gospel that the Church invites us to meditate on at this time. We have had three rather abstract passages and, no doubt, you will be relieved to find that we have a story again, just as we had at the opening of the chapter.

19th Week: August 9-14

 19^th Week: August 9-14 

Aug 9 Monday (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin, Martyr) 

The context: The first part of today’s Gospel gives Jesus’ second prediction of His sufferings, death and Resurrection. The second part is Jesus’ explanation of why He pays the Temple tax.

19th Week, Friday, August 13

 19th Week, Friday, August 13

Joshua 24:1-13 / Matthew 19:3-12

God looks after his people; "I saved you. "

19th Week, Thursday, August 12

 19th Week, Thursday, August 12

Joshua 3:7-11, 13-17 / Matthew 18:21 - 19:1

The Israelites cross over the Jordan; The waters backed up.

19th Week, Wednesday, August 11

 19th Week, Wednesday, August 11

Duet 34:1-12 / Matthew 18:15-20

Moses dies; "You shall not enter the land. "

St. John Vianney - Aug 4

  

WALKING ON WATER

Introduction
The prophet Jeremiah first reminds the people of the punishment for their infidelity, but then he opens the perspectives to a beautiful restoration, when Israel shall be again God’s people and God will be their God.

19th Week, Monday, August 14

19th Week, Monday, August 14

Deuteronomy 10:12-22 / Matthew 17:22-27

Moses exhorts the Israelites; “Befriend the alien.” 

18th Week, Wednesday, Aug 4 - St. John Vianney

 

 August 4


WALKING ON WATER

Introduction
The prophet Jeremiah first reminds the people of the punishment for their infidelity, but then he opens the perspectives to a beautiful restoration, when Israel shall be again God’s people and God will be their God.

18th Week, Saturday, August 7

 18th Week, Saturday, August 7

Deut 6:4-13 / Matthew 17:14-20 

Moses recites the Shema Israel; "Love the Lord with all your heart."

Aug 6: Transfiguration of the Lord

 Opening Stories:
1) The Samurai Warrior and the Zen Master

One day, a Samurai warrior went to a Zen master for instruction. "Please," the huge man asked in a thundering voice that was used to instant obedience, "teach me about heaven and hell."
The master scowled at the swordsman, then broke into mocking laughter. "Me, teach you about heaven and hell? I wouldn't waste a moment trying to instruct the brain of an overweight ignoramus like you! How dare you ask me for such a lofty insight?"
Well, upon hearing these words, the Samurai grew furious. No one could insult him like this and get away with it. Enraged, his face flushed and he drew his sword to chop off the teacher's head. Just as he was about to strike, the master raised his hand and calmly said "That, sir, is hell." 

18th Week, Wednesday, August 4

 18th Week,  Wednesday, August 4

Numbers 13:1-2, 25 - 14:1, 26-29, 34-35 / Matthew 15:21-28 

The Israelites complain; The people wailed in the night.

18th Week: August 2-7:

 18^th Week: August 2-7:

 August 2 Monday (St Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop) 

Matthew 14:13-21: 

The context: Today’s Gospel describes Jesus’ miraculous feeding of a great multitude.

18 Sunday B - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (see the Gospel)

We have been looking for food that lasts,
the true bread from heaven, Jesus himself.
Those who believe in him will never grow thirsty.
May Jesus our Lord be always
our food and drink for life,
and may he always stay with you. R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

19th Sunday B: I'm the Living Bread

  Michel DeVerteuil

Textual Comments
In this passage, Jesus again draws lessons about life from the feeding of the five thousand.
I remind you that all teaching of Jesus recorded in the gospels is intended to speak to experience, and we must therefore appeal to our experience to discover its truth.

17th Week, Friday, July 30

  17th Week, Friday, July 30

Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37 / Matthew 13:54-58

God instructs Israel about worship; "Celebrate these feasts”

17th Week: July 26-31:

 17^th Week: July 26-31:

July 26 Monday (St. Joachim & St. Ann, Parents of B.V. Mary): (Grandparents’ Day): Mt 13: 16-17: 

The Bible does not say anything about the parents of Mary.

17 Sunday B - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (see second reading)

We are gathered here together
by the Holy Spirit as one body,
united in one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
and one God, the Father of all.
May the Lord Jesus, who has called us together,
be always with you. R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. God Provides Food

The traditional sign in the scriptures that God loves us and cares for us is that he provides food for his people, usually bread, the staple food in much of the world. Can we believe this when so many go hungry? Let us first ask ourselves whether food is lacking or the distribution and sharing are bad. The bread of the Bible stands not only for food for the body but also for God's word, love, concern and presence. The most profound of these signs of God's care is the eucharist in which Jesus keeps giving himself as our food and drink for the road of life. Let us give thanks to the Father with Jesus this great gift.