February 18, 2024 - First Sunday of Lent (Year B)

 

First Reading - Gn 9:8-15

    God said to Noah and to his sons with him: “See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark. I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.”

    God added: “This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you: I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, I will recall the covenant I have made between me and you and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings.”

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 25

R – Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth, to those who keep your covenant! 

* Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. R.

* Remember that your com- passion, O Lord, and your love are from of old. In your kind- ness remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. R.

* Good and upright is the Lord; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, and he teaches the humble his way. R 

Second Reading - 1 Pt 3:18-22 

    Beloved: Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God.

    Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit. In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison, who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water.

    This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

Verse before the Gospel

(Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!) 

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God!

(Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!)

Gospel - Mk 1:12-15 

    The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

    After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” 

February 11, 2024 - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - Lv 13:1-2.44-46

    The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule or blotch which appears to be the sore of leprosy, he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest, or to one of the priests among his descendants. If the man is leprous and unclean, the priest shall declare him unclean by reason of the sore on his head. The one who bears the sore of leprosy shall keep his garments rent and his head bare, and shall muffle his beard; he shall cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean, since he is in fact unclean. He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.”

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 32 

R – I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation! 

* Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. R.

* Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the Lord,” and you took away the guilt of my sin. R.

* Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart. R.

Second Reading - 1 Cor 10:31-11:1 

    Bother and sisters:

    Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Gospel Acclamation - Lk 7:16 

Alleluia! Alleluia!
A great prophet has arisen in our midst, God has visited his people.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel - Mk 1:40-45 

    A leper came to Jesus and, kneeling down, begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.

    Then, warning him sternly, Jesus dismissed him at once. He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

    The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report everywhere so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere. 

February 4, 2024 - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - Jb 7:1-4.6-7

    Job spoke, saying: Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of a hireling? He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages. So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me.

    If in bed I say, “When shall I arise?” then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.

    My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope.

    Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again.

Responsorial Psalm  - Ps 147

R– Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted! 

* Praise the Lord, for he is good; sing praise to our God, for he is gracious; it is fitting to praise him. The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; the dispersed of Israel he gathers. R.

* He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He tells the number of the stars; he calls each by name. R. 

* Great is our Lord and mighty in power; to his wisdom, there is no limit. The Lord sustains the lowly; the wicked he casts to the ground. R. 

Second Reading - 1 Cor 9:16-19. 22-23

Brothers and sisters: If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.

What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it. 

Gospel Acclamation - Mt 8:17

Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel - Mk 1:29-39 

    On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in- law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her, and she waited on them.

    When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to Jesus all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

    Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”

    So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee. 

January 28, 2024 - Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - Dt 18:15-20

    Moses spoke to the people, saying: “A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kin; to him you shall listen. This is exactly what you requested of the Lord, your God, at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let us not again hear the voice of the Lord, our God, nor see this great fire any more, lest we die.’

    And the Lord said to me, ‘This was well said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kin, and will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him.

    Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it. But if a prophet presumes to speak in my name an oracle that I have not commanded him to speak, or speaks in the name of other gods, he shall die.’ ” 

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 95

R – If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts! 

* Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord; let us acclaim the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him. R.

* Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us. For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides. R.

* Oh, that today you would hear his voice: “Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, where your fathers tempt- ed me; they tested me though they had seen my works.” R. 

Second Reading - 1 Cor 7:32-35 

    Brothers and sisters:

    I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

    I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction. 

Gospel Acclamation - Mt 4:16

Alleluia! Alleluia!
The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light; on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen. 
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel - Mk 1:21-28 

    They came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

    In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit. He cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed the man and with a loud cry came out of him.

All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” Jesus’ fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. 

January 21, 2024 - FEAST OF THE STO. NIÑO (Year B)

 

First Reading - Is 9:1-6

    The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.

    For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful. He will rule as David’ s successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 98

R –The Lord is King; let the many isles be glad! 

*Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. R.

* The Lord has made his salvation known; in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. R.

* All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. R.

* Sing joyfully to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn, sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. R 

Second Reading - Eph 1:3-6.15-18

    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

    May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones. 

Gospel Acclamation - Jn 1:14

Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Mk 10:13-16 

    People were bringing their little 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.

January 14, 2024 - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - 1 Sm 3:3-10.19

    Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was. The Lord called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.” Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.” “I did not call you,” Eli said. “Go back to sleep.” So he went back to sleep. Again the Lord called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli. “Here I am,” he said. “You called me.” But Eli answered, “I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep.”

    At that time Samuel was not familiar with the Lord, because the Lord had not re- vealed anything to him as yet. The Lord called Samuel again, for the third time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am. You called me.” Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the youth. So he said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ”

    When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the Lord came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

    Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect. 

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 40

R – Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

* I have waited, waited for the Lord, and he stooped toward me and heard my cry. And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.  R.

* Sacrifice or offering you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, “Behold I come.” R.

* “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” R.

* I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know. R.

Second Reading - 1 Cor 6:13-15. 17-20

    Brothers and sisters: The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body; God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.

    Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him. Avoid immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the immoral person sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.

Gospel Acclamation - Jn 1:41.17b

Alleluia! Alleluia!
We have found the Messiah: Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace. 
Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Jn 1:35-42 

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher) “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Christ). Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas” – which is translated Peter. 

January 7, 2024 - SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (Year B)

 

First Reading - Is 60:1-6

    Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.

    Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 72 

R – Lord, every nation on earth will adore you 

* O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son. He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. R.

* Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. R.

* The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him. R.

* For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. R.

Second Reading - Eph 3:2-3.5-6 

    Brothers and sisters:

    You have heard of the stewardship of God’ s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus, through the Gospel.

Gospel Acclamation - Mt 2:2 

Alleluia! Alleluia!
We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.
Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Mt 2:1-12 

    When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

    When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

    Then Herod called the Magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’ s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, thatItoomaygoanddohim homage.”

    After their audience with the king, the Magi set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising pre- ceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. The Magi were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him hom- age. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

    And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.