1st Reading: 1 Maccabees 2:15-29 Mattathias starts the Maccabee rebellion against pagan rule The king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modein to make them offer sacrifice. Many from Israel came to them; and Mattathias and his sons were assembled. Then the king’s officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: “You…
Dedication of Saints Peter and Paul basilicas in Rome. The basilica on the Vatican Hill marks the place in Rome where Saint Peter was buried after his martyrdom. It seems the apostle’s remains were moved for a time to the catacombs of Callistus, but later brought back to the Vatican. Saint Paul was buried beside…
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, optional memorial 1st Reading: 2 Maccabees 6:18-31 Eleazar’s refusal to be disloyal to Yahweh gives an example of virtue for the whole nation Eleazar, one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in age and of noble presence, was being forced to open his mouth to eat swine’s…
1st Reading: 1 Maccabees 1:10-15 etc The Jews suffering under persecution by Antiochus Epiphanes From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. In those days certain renegades…
For next Sunday’s homily resource, click Next Entry (above); or see the month’s Calendar (below, right) 1st Reading: Daniel 12:1-13 Daniel’s vision about the end of time, including the resurrection of the dead “At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such…
(Saint Lawrence O’Toole, see below) 1st Reading: Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9 In the peaceful stillness of the night God’s Word came down For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that…
1st Reading: Wisdom 13:1-9 The beauty of created things can lead us to their Maker For all people who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature; and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know the one who exists, nor did they recognize the artisan while paying heed to his…
(Saint Josaphat, see below) 1st Reading: Wisdom 7:22-8:1 Wisdom reaches from end to end and governs all things well There is in her a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through…
As we move into the darker times of the year, the readings at Mass remind us more and more of the end of time, and the glory awaiting believers. We trust that God stays with us always.
(Saint Martin of Tours, see below) 1st Reading: Wisdom 6:1-11 God, as Creator of everything, provides for all alike Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and boast of many nations. For your dominion was given you from the Lord,…
Saint Leo the Great (see below) 1st Reading: Wisdom 2:23-3:9 The dead may seem extinct, but their souls are in peace God created us for incorruption, and made us in the image of his own eternity, but through the devil’s envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his company experience it. But…
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Where is the true temple? The feast of the mother-church of Latin Christendom invites us to appreciate what place the church has in our lives. “You are God’s building” – the real sanctuary of God is in the hearts of his people 1st Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-10, 12 Life-giving…
Gathering together in the Lord’s house, we bring simple gifts into God’s presence – our love, our care for each other, our worshipping hearts and voices. We ask for the grace to continue to show love through the coming week.
For next Sunday’s homily resource, click Next Entry (above); or see the month’s Calendar (below, right) 1st Reading: First Book of Kings 17:10-16 The widow of Zarephath shares the last of her food with Elijah So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was…
1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 Hannah dedicates her young son to a life of service to God When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh; and the…
Saint Willibrord, bishop and missionary (see below). 1st Reading: Romans 16:3-9 etc Greeting Paul’s co-workers, and praise of God’s unfolding plan Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles….
For tomorrow’s weekday readings, click Next Entry (above). See all later dates via Calendar (below) 1st Reading: Hebrews 11:2 12:1-4, 15, 13:1 Celebrate the faith of our ancestors It was by faith our ancestors received approval. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight…
For tomorrow’s weekday readings, click Next Entry (above). See all later dates via Calendar (below) 1st Reading: Romans 14:7-12 In life and in death we belong to God; hence we love each other We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and…
For tomorrow’s weekday readings, click Next Entry (above). See all later dates via Calendar (below) Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop (see below). 1st Reading: Romans 13:8-10 Paul’s summary of all God’s commandments,”love one another.” Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You…
Saint Malachy of Armagh, Memorial (see below) 1st Reading: Romans 12:5-16 Though many, we are one body in Christ, with a variety of gifts Brothers and sisters, we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to…
