November 24, 2024 - SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING (Year B)

 

 First Reading - Dn 7:13-14

    As the visions during the night continued, I saw one like a Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven. When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. 

     His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

 Responsorial Psalm - Ps 93 

 R –The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty!

 * The Lord is king, in splendor robed; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength. R. 

 * And he has made the world firm, not to be moved. Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, O Lord. R. 

 * Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed; holiness befits your house, O Lord, for length of days. R. 

 Second Reading - Rv 1:5-8

    Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen! 

     Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes! Amen! 

     “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the al mighty.”

 Gospel Acclamation 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 Gospel - Jn 18:33-37

    Pilate said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own, or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not here.” 

     So Pilate said to him, “Then, you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

17 November 2024 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - Dn 12:1-3

     In those days, I, Daniel, heard this word of the Lord: “At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people. 

     It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. 

     At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”

 Responsorial - Psalm Ps 16 

 R –You are my inheritance, O Lord!

 * O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. R.

* Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. R. 

 * You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. R. 

 Second Reading - Heb 10:11-14.18

    Brothers and sisters: 

     Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But this one [Jesus] offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God. Now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. 

     Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is no longer offering for sin.

 Gospel Acclamation 

 Alleluia! Alleluia!
 Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man. Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 Gospel - Mk 13:24-32

    Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 

     And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. 

     Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. 

     Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Fa ther.”

November 10, 2024 - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

 First Reading - 1 Kgs 17:10-16

     In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.” She left to get it, and he called out after her, “Please bring along a bit of bread.” She answered, “As the Lord, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’ ” 

     She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.

 Responsorial Psalm - Ps 146 

 R –Praise the Lord, my soul!

 * The Lord keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free. R. 

 * The Lord gives sight to the blind; the Lord raises up those who were bowed down. The Lord loves the just; the Lord protects strangers. R. 

 * The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia! R.

 Second Reading - Heb 9:24-28

     Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. Not that he might of fer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own. If that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now, once for all, he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. 

     Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will ap pear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Gospel Acclamation - Mt 5:3 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 Gospel Mk 12:38-44

    In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of hon or at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” 

     He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Call ing his disciples to himself, Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has con tributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” 

November 3, 2024 - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - Dt 6:2-6  

    Moses spoke to the people, saying: “Fear the Lord, your God, and keep, throughout the days of your lives, all His statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you, and thus have long life. Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them, that you may grow and prosper the more, in keeping with the promise of the Lord, the God of your fathers, to give you a land flowing with milk and honey. 

     Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.”

 Responsorial Psalm Ps 18 

 R – I love you, Lord, my strength!

* I love you, O Lord, my strength, O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. R. 

 * My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold! Praised be the Lord, I exclaim, and I am safe from my enemies. R. 

 * The Lord lives! And blessed be my Rock! Extolled be God my savior. You who gave great victories to your king and showed kindness to your anointed. R. 

 Second Reading - Heb 7:23-28

    Brothers and sisters: The levitical priests were many because they were prevented by death from remaining in office; but Jesus, because he remains forever, has a priest hood that does not pass away. Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them. 

     It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens. He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people. He did that once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests, but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law, appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever.

 Gospel Acclamation 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord; 

 and my Father will love him and we will come to him. 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 Gospel Mk 12:28-34

    One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him: “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied: “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

     The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher! You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than He.’ And ‘to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 

     And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

October 27, 2024 - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - Jer 31:7-9

    Thus says the Lord: “Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The Lord has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel.Behold, I will bring them back from the land of the north; I will gather them from the ends of the world, with the blind and the lame in their midst, the mothers and those with child. 

     They shall return as an immense throng. They departed in tears, but I will console them and guide them; I will lead them to brooks of water, on a level road, so that none shall stumble. 

     For I am a father to Israel, Ephraim is my first-born.”

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 126 

R –The Lord has done great things for us; we are fi lled with joy!

*When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was 
filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. R. 

* Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. R. 

* Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. R.

* Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. R

Second Reading - Heb 5:1-6

    Brothers and sisters: 

    Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 

    No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, it was not Christ who glorifi ed himself in becoming high priest; but rather the One who said to him: “You are my son: this day I have begotten you.” Just as he says in another place: “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Gospel Acclamation 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life to light through his Gospel. 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Mk 10:46-52

    As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. 

    On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!” Many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” 

    Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” Bartimaeus threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately the man received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.

October 20, 2024 - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - Is 53:10-11

    The Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the Lord shall be accomplished through him. 

    Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days. 

     Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

Responsorial - Psalm Ps 33 

R –Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you!

* Upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. R. 

* See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. R. 

* Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you. R. 

Second Reading - Heb 4:14-16

     Brothers and sisters: 

     Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our profession of faith. 

    For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. 

    So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

Gospel Acclamation 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Mk 10:35-45

    James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, “We can!” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 

    When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. 

    Jesus summoned the Twelve and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  

October 13, 2024 - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading -Wis 7:7-11

    I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. 

    I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, nor did I liken any priceless gem to her, because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire. 

    Beyond health and comeliness I loved her, and I chose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep. 

    Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands.

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 90 

R –Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

* Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! R. 

* Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. Make us glad, for the days when you affl icted us, for the years when we saw evil. R. 

* Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children. And may the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours. Prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands! R. 

Second Reading - Heb 4:12-13

    Brothers and sisters: 

    Indeed the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. 

    No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

Gospel Acclamation

 Alleluia! Alleluia!
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Mk 10:17-30

    As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 

     You shall not kill. 

     You shall not commit adultery. 

     You shall not steal. 

     You shall not bear false witness. 

     You shall not defraud. 

     Honor your father and your mother.” 

    The man replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 

    At that statement the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 

    Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of  God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” 

    Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters, or mother or father, or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands – with persecutions! – and eternal life in the age to come.”

October 6, 2024 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year (B)

First Reading - Gn 2:18-24

    The Lord God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him."

     So the Lord God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called each of them would be its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man. 

    So the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The Lord God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. 

     When he brought her to the man, the man said: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh! This one shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken."

      That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 128 

R –May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives!

* Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork. Blessed shall you be, and favored. R. 

* Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table. R. 

* Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. R. 

* May you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel! R. 

Second Reading - Heb 2:9-11

    Brothers and sisters: 

    Jesus, “for a little while,” was made “lower than the angels,” that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 

    For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated, all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers.”

Gospel Acclamation 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is brought to perfection in us. Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Mk 10:2-16

    The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” 

    They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” 

    In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” 

    People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them. 

September 29, 2024 - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - Nm 11:25-29

    The Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses, the Lord bestowed it on the seventy elders; and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied. Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad, were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp. They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent; yet the spirit came to rest on them also, and they prophesied in the camp.

    So, when a young man quickly told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp,” Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” But Moses answered him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!”

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 19 

R –The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart! 

* The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. R.

* The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just. R.

* Though your servant is careful of them, very diligent in keeping them, yet who can detect failings? Cleanse me from my unknown faults! R.

* From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant; let it not rule over me. Then shall I be blameless and innocent of serious sin. R. 

Second Reading - Jas 5:1-6 

    Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire.

    You have stored up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 

    You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one; he offers you no resistance. 

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia! Alleluia!
Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel - Mk 9:38-43.45.47-48 

    At that time, John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not pre- vent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.

    Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

    If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ ”

September 22, 2024 - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

First Reading - Wis 2:12.17-20 

    The wicked say: “Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us, he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training.

    Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him.

    For, if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes.

    With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience.

    Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.”

Responsorial Psalm -  Ps. 54 

R  - The Lord upholds my life! 

*  O God, by your name save me, and by your might defend my cause. O God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth. R.

* For the haughty men have risen up against me, the ruthless seek my life; they set not God before their eyes. R. 

* Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life. Freely will I offer you sacrifice; I will praise your name, O Lord, for its goodness. R.

Second Reading - Jas 3:16-4:3 

    Beloved: Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.

    But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

    Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members?

    You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia! Alleluia!
God has called us through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel - Mk 9:30-37

    Jesus and his disciples began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it.

    He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

    They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, Jesus began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

    Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

September 15, 2024 - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - Is 50:5-9

    The Lord God opens my ear that I may hear. And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let that man confront me. See, the Lord God is my help; who will prove me wrong?

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 116

R – I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living! 

* I love the Lord because he has heard my voice in supplication, because he has inclined his ear to me the day I called. R.

* The cords of death encompassed me; the snares of the netherworld seized upon me; I fell into distress and sorrow and I called upon the name of the Lord, “O Lord, save my life!” R.

* Gracious is the Lord and just; yes, our God is merciful. The Lord keeps the little ones; I was brought low, and he saved me. R.

* For he has freed my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living. R 

Second Reading - Jas 2:14-18 

    What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

    If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them what they need for their bodies, what good is it?

    So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. 

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia! Alleluia!
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Mk 8:27-35 

    Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ!” Then he warned them not to tell any- one about him.

    He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this Jesus turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

    He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will save it.” 

September 8, 2024 - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - Is 35:4-7

    Thus says the Lord: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you.

    Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then     the tongue of the mute will sing.

    Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water. 

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 146

 R– Praise the Lord, my soul! 

* The God of Jacob keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free. R.

* The Lord gives sight to the blind; the Lord raises up those who were bowed down. The Lord loves the just; the Lord protects strangers. R.

* The fatherless and the widow the Lord sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia! R. 

Second Reading - Jas 2:1-5 

    My brothers and sisters: Show no partiality as you ad- here to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please,” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there,” or “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among your- selves and become judges with evil designs?

    Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? 

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom and cured every disease among the people. 
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel - Mk 7:31-37 

Jesus left the district of

    Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis.

    People brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. Jesus took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue. Then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” – that is, “Be opened!” – And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.

    Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” 

September 1, 2024 - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary (Time Year B)

 

First Reading - Dt 4:1-2.6-8

    Moses said to the people: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. In your observance of the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin upon you, you shall not add to what I command you, nor subtract from it.

    Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’ For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?”

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 15

R –The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord!

* Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue. R.

* Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the Lord. R

* Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent.Whoever does these things shall never be disturbed. R. 

Second Reading - Jas 1:17-18. 21-22.27

    Dearest brothers and sisters:

    All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth, that we may be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

    Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. Religion that is pure and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world. 

Gospel Acclamation 

Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth, that we may be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Mk 7:1-8.14-15.21-23 

    When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.

    The Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, such as the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.

    So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, hypocrites, as it is written:

    ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.’

    You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”

    Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person, but the things that come out from within are what defile.

    From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” 

August 25, 2024 - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - Jos 24:1-2. 15-17.18

    Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, summoning their elders, their leaders, their judges, and their officers.

    When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all the people: “If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve: the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

    But the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods. For it was the Lord, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along all our entire journey and among the peoples through whom we passed. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.” 

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 34

R –Taste and see the goodness of the Lord!

* I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. R.

* The Lord has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry. The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. R.

* When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. R

* Many are the troubles of the just one, but out of them all the Lord delivers him. He watches over all his bones; not one of them shall be broken. R

Second Reading - Eph 5:21-32 

    Brothers and sisters: 

    Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the Church, he himself the savior of the body. As the Church is sub- ordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.

    Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the Church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the Church, because we are members of his body.

    “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church. 

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia! Alleluia!
Your words, Lord, are spirit and life. You have the words of everlasting life.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel - Jn 6:60-69 

    Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?”

    Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”

    As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. 

    Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”