1st Reading: Ezekiel 36:23-28 The exiles return home, purified and renewed, inspired to keep God’s law I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when through you I display…
Our Lady of Knock (memorial). Readings from the common of the BVM. 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…
Saint Stephen of Hungary, optional memorial 1st Reading: Ezekiel 28:1-10 God warns the wealthy seaport metropolis of Tyre to beware of pride The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord God: Because your heart is proud and you have said, “I am a god;…
1st Reading: Revelation 12:1-6, 10 The woman and the dragon was first an image for the church under persecution; later it was extended to the Assumption of our Lady Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals…
Theme: Moral courage is in short supply. Safer to keep our heads down and go with the herd; but this is not the way to follow Christ. 1st Reading: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 Jeremiah is dropped into a well to die, but is saved by a foreigner Then the officials said to the king, “This man…
Saints Pontian and Hippolytus optional memorial 1st Reading: Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32 Each individual is personally responsible to God, to practice personal integrity and not hide behind the virtues of our ancestors The word of the Lord came to me: What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents…
Saints Jane Frances de Chantal, Attracta, and Muredach, optional memorials 1st Reading: Ezekiel 16:1-15 Israel is compared to a baby girl, neglected at birth but later espoused and loved by God The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, make known to Jerusalem her abominations, and say, Thus says the Lord God to Jerusalem:…
Saint Clare of Assisi, virgin, memorial 1st Reading: Ezekiel 12:1-12 Ezekiel mimes going into exile, as a warning to the people The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, you are living in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see but do not see, who have ears to hear but…
Saint Lawrence optional memorial 1st Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 Whoever sows generously will also reap generously Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And…
Saint Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein). Feast 1st Reading: Hosea 2:16-17; 21-22 In affectionate imagery, the prophet describes God’s enduring love for his people, Israel On that day, says the Lord, you will call me, “My husband,” and no longer will you call me, “My Baal.” For I will remove the names of the Baals from…
Saint Dominic, memorial 1st Reading: Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28 God’s chariot-throne borne by four cherubim, accompanying the people into exile On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin), the word of the Lord came to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi, in the land of the…
As we admire our ancestors in the faith, we hope to share their faith in God’s direction of our own lives. 1st Reading: Wisdom 18:6-9 A lesson from the Exodus: whoever trusts in the Lord will not be disappointed That night was made known beforehand to our ancestors, so that they might rejoice in sure…
Theme: Three apostles were priveleged to witness the inner life of Christ, revealed to them in splendour on the holy mountain. We pray for a deeper experience of God in our own lives, and to share in his divine life 1st Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Daniel sees the Almighty One conferring power upon the Son…
Dedication of the basilica of Saint Mary Major, optional memorial 1st Reading: Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7 The collapse of oppressive Assyria is celebrated by a joyful, gifted and optimistic prophet A shatterer has come up against you. Guard the ramparts; watch the road; gird your loins; collect all your strength. The shields of his…
St John Vianney, optional memorial 1st Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34 The new covenant will not be inscribed on rock but on the flesh of the heart; all will know the Lord and be forgiven their sins The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel…
1st Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-7 Jeremiah foretells the joyful reunion of Israel’s northern tribes with Jerusalem At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the Lord: “The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel…
Saints Eusebius of Vercelli; Julian Eymard, optional memorials 1st Reading: Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22 After the exile the Israelites will return home, with their own civil and religious leaders The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I…
Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, optional memorial 1st Reading: Jeremiah 28:1-17 Jeremiah predicts the end of his people’s exile In that same year, at the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of…
God’s Word calls us to recognise the transience of life, to keep our eyes on what is lasting: we gather in that spirit today.
The Rich Fool is a sombre warning to anyone who complacently enjoys being rich and comfortable, while others starve. The economic model imposed by our capitalist, accumulative society plays a large part in world inequalities and tensions. 1st Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 “Vanity of vanities!” You can’t take it with you when you die Vanity…
