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.