Traditionally, this Sunday is called Laetare Sunday, which means ‘a day for joy’. Lent is half over, and the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus is nearer. At this midpoint of Lent, it is traditional to honour mothers, treasuring those still with us and praying for those we have lost to death.
First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 Samuel selects and anoints young David as future king of Israel The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite,…
1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10 King Ahaz refuses to ask a sign of the Lord; Isaiah promises a child to be called Immanuel Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and…
Saint Macartan, bishop 1st Reading: Hosea 14:2-10 How God supports those who trust in Him Take words with you and return to the Lord; say to him, “Take away all guilt; accept that which is good, and we will offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride upon…
1st Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 God’s people have clear duties and a high destiny So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. See, just…
Saint Turibius of Mongrovejo 1st Reading: Jeremiah 7:23-28 Life’s highest goal is obedient response to God But this command I gave them, “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk only in the way that I command you, so that it may be well with you.”…
1st Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 God’s people have clear duties and a high destiny So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. See, just…
Saint Enda, abbot 1st Reading: Daniel 3:25, 34-43 Nebuchadnezzar admires the miraculous escape of the young Jews Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up quickly. He said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O king.” He replied, “But I see…
1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-6, 12-14, 16 From king David’s offspring will come the universal spiritual King But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived…
1st Reading: Exodus 17:3-7 (God provides water for his people on their way through the wilderness. Help is never far from us). The people thirsted for water; and they complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried…
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop and doctor of the church 1st Reading: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Israel’s God is a God of mercy Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as…
In the heart of Lent, we keep the feast of Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. We mark the day by praising God the creator, who sustained Patrick, and who sustains the Church, in good times and bad.
1st Reading: Sirach 39:6-10 One who was filled with the spirit of understanding If the great Lord is willing, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; he will pour forth words of wisdom of his own and give thanks to the Lord in prayer. The Lord will direct his counsel and knowledge, as…
The readings in this Sunday’s celebration about water and thirst remind us that this is a baptismal season. During Lent, many people all over the world look forward to their baptism, while those already baptised prepare to renew their promises.
1st Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord rather than in mere mortal power Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not…
1st Reading: Jeremiah 18:18-20 In desperate need, Jeremiah pins his hope on God “Come, let us decide what to do with Jeremiah,” people say. “There will still be priests to guide us, still wise men to advise us, still prophets to proclaim the word. Come, let us bring charges against him, and let us not…
1st Reading: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 A call to personal conversion, to remove our sins from God’s sight Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to…
First Reading: Daniel 9:4-10 I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments, we have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances. We have not…
Now that we are ten days into the season of Lent, our goal is clarified in today’s liturgy. The Gospel of the Transfiguration reminds us that we are destined for glory. Like the disciples, we keep this glimpse of glory in our hearts in the dark days ahead. Resurection will follow, as surely as day follows night.
First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4 Abraham’s total obedience to God, prepared even to sacrifice Isaac Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your…
