1st Reading: Amos 7:10-17 Expelled from the Bethel sanctuary, Amos announces God’s Word Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said,…
In these two apostles, we see how the faith can spread through the life of generous, faithful hearts. We get a glimpse of each of them in turn, in prison for the faith, prepared for martyrdom for the Gospel of Christ; followed by the famous declaration of faith, for which Jesus gives Peter (“Rock”) the…
St Irenaeus, memorial 1st Reading: Amos 3:1-8. 4:11-12 Amos warns of the need for conversion Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: You only have I known of all the families of the earth;…
Saint Cyril of Alexandria optional memorial 1st Reading: Amos 2:6-10, 13-16 Israel is condemned for neglecting the poor and the defenseless Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals –…
1st Reading: 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21 Elisha immediately answers his call; leaving all he follows Elijah The Lord said to Elijah, “You shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.” So he set out rom there, and found…
1st Reading: Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19 A survivor of Jerusalem’s destruction laments in mournful tones The Lord has destroyed without mercy all the dwellings of Jacob; in his wrath he has broken down the strongholds of daughter Judah; he has brought down to the ground in dishonour the kingdom and its rulers. The elders of…
1st Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6 The Lord called me before I was born; in my mother’s womb he named me Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. He made my mouth like a…
1st Reading: 2 Kings 24:8-17 The background to the first Jewish deportation to Babylon, in 597 B.C Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign; he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, just…
1st Reading: 2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3 When Deuteronomy is rediscovered in the temple, it leads to reform The high priest Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.” When Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, he read it. Then Shaphan the secretary came…
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga optional memorial 1st Reading: 2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36 The Assyrians attack; but Isaiah promises thatr a remnant and Jerusalem will be saved When the king heard concerning King Tirhakah of Ethiopia, “See, he has set out to fight against you,” he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus shall you…
In Ireland: Feast of The Irish Martyrs may be celebrated (Common of Martyrs). The suggested readings are: 2 Maccabees 7:1-14 [or Philippians 3:8-14]; John 17:20-26. 1st Reading: 2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15, 18 The ten northern tribes of Israel are exiled, for not listening to the prophets Then the king of Assyria invaded all the land…
As Christians called to follow Christ in good times as well as bad, we gather to praise our God who sustains us on that journey. (Today is celebrated as Father’s Day, so in the Mass we remember and pray for our fathers.)
Jesus predicts his impending passion and death. Only by taking up the cross can disciples follow him. We must learn to accept the crosses that come our way. 1st Reading: Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1 Guided by a new spirit, people will revere the One they have killed The Lord says this, “And I will pour out…
1st Reading: 2 Chronicles 24:17-25 King Joash turns against the supporters who saved his life Now after the death of Jehoiada the officials of Judah came and did obeisance to the king; then the king listened to them. They abandoned the house of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and served the sacred poles…
1st Reading: 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20 Athaliah seized the throne by violence. Later she is executed, and the covenant is renewed Now when Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, saw that her son was dead, she set about to destroy all the royal family. But Jehosheba, King Joram’s daughter, Ahaziah’s sister, took Joash son of Ahaziah, and…
1st Reading: Sirach 48:1-14 The prophet Elijah is praised for his zeal and miracles; he will return before the Messiah comes Then Elijah arose, a prophet like fire, and his word burned like a torch. He brought a famine upon them, and by his zeal he made them few in number. By the word of…
1st Reading: 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 After crossing the Jordan, Elijah is taken up to heaven, and his mantle falls to Elisha Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord…
1st Reading: 1 Kings 21:17-29 King Ahab will pay for the murder of Naboth; but Elijah offers hope of repentance Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria; he is now in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has…
St Anthony of Padua, optional memorial 1st Reading: 1 Kings 21:1-16 After condemning Naboth of blasphemy, King Ahab seized his precious vineyard Later the following events took place: Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. And Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, so that…
God’s forgiveness sweeps away all that holds us back. God, who forgave King David and who through the ages took away the sins of everyone who asked, invites us to expererience that same healing power today.
