1st Reading: Ezekiel 2:2-5 God sends Ezekiel to call the people to repentance And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of…
Saint Elisabeth of Portugal. Elizabeth (Isabel) of Aragon (1271-1336) became wife of King Denis of Portugal, with whom she had a son and a daughter. During her time as queen she proved an effective conciliator between opposing factions. As a very devout believer, after king Denis’ death (1325), she retired to a monastery of Poor…
Thomas Didymus The Apostle Thomas, called Doubting Thomas or Didymus (“The Twin”) was one of the Twelve chosen by Jesus as his inner circle. He is best known for his candid doubt about Jesus’ resurrection, followed by his confession of faith as both “My Lord and my God!” 1st Reading: Ephesians 2:19-21. Built on the…
1st Reading: Genesis 22:1-19 God promises many descendants for Abraham through Isaac, the child of sacrifice. After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him…
1st Reading: Genesis 21:5, 8-20 Abraham drives out the slave-wife Hagar and her son Sarah noticed the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham playing with her son Isaac; so she demanded of Abraham: “Drive out that slave and her son! No son of that slave is going to share the inheritance with…
The First martyrs of the Church in Rome. Since 1969, the anonymous “proto-martyrs” who died under emperor Nero in the 60s are commemorated as a group on June 30. Since Peter and Paul both died in this persecution, the others are collectively remembers on the day after their feast. 1st Reading: Genesis 19:15-29 Before destroying…
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…
As summer takes hold, we give thanks to God for all the gifts we enjoy. We rejoice in God’s saving power: death itself is in his hand and all the living depend on God alone.
1st Reading: Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24 All that God does is wholesome, and he intends us to enjoy a blessed immortality. God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living. For he created all things so that they might exist; the generative forces of the world are wholesome, and…
1st Reading: Genesis 18:1-15 Abraham becomes a paradigm of hospitality, as he entertains the travellers The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he…
1st Reading: Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22 Abram’s name is changed. The promised child will be God’s special gift. When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram again, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.” God said to Abraam, “As for you, you shall keep my…
1st Reading: Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16 Hagar is driven out, but an angel is sent to rescue her Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had an Egyptian slave-girl whose name was Hagar, and Sarai said to Abram, “You see that the Lord has prevented me from bearing children; go in to my slave-girl;…
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: Genesis 13:2, 5-18 The herdsmen of Abram and Lot quarrel, so the two groups must go their separate ways. Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of…
1st Reading: Genesis 12:1-9 God calls Abram to “go to the land that I will show you.” This brings blessing on all mankind. 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…
The sight of people being rescued from ricketty boats in the Mediterranean brings home the plight of immigrants and refugees; seeing rescuers coming to their aid inspires us. God is master of the deep; Jesus stilled the storm. May all in need of help be saved through his power today. (On Father’s Day we pray especially for fathers.)
1st First Reading: Job 38:1, 8-11 Job’s pride is curbed by awe The Lord addressed Job out of the storm and said: Who shut within doors the sea, when it burst forth from the womb; when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling bands? When I set limits for it and…
1st Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Paul continues to boast, but says a thorn in the flesh has forced him to find his strength in Christ. It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a person in Christ…
1st Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:18, 21-30 Paul boasts about his hardships in carrying out his ministry My brethren, since many others boast according to human standards, I will also boast. To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone dares to boast of–I am speaking as a fool–I also…
1st Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:1-11 Paul asks for their patience; he will not be a financial burden to them. I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a…
