Wednesday 17 July 2019 Readings

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Wednesday 17 July 2019 Readings

FIRST READING Exodus 3:1-6.9-12
In those days: Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian; and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here am I.” Then he said, “Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. The Lord said, “Now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to me, and I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God upon this mountain.”
The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 103:1-2.3-4.6-7 (R. 8a)
R. The Lord is compassionate and gracious.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all within me, his. holy name,
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and never forget all his benefits. R.

It is the Lord who forgives all your sins,
who heals every one of your ills,
who redeems your life from the grave,
who crowns you with mercy and compassion. R

The Lord does just deeds,
gives full justice to all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
and his deeds to the children of Israel. R.

ALLELUIA Matthew 11 :25
Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia.

GOSPEL Matthew11:25-27
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
The Gospel of the Lord.

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Tuesday 16 July 2019 Reflection

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Tuesday 16 July 2019 Reflection

There is a feeling of pain that come with unreturned affection. Parents expect, even when they do not say it, that the resources they spend on their children will enable them to turn out better persons. When the reverse happens, regret sets in. jesus came close to that as he looked at places where most of his mighty works were done. God has shown us so much love. He sent his son to die for us, and secondly, he manifests daily in the events of our lives. We may not have reached where we want to be in life. But we aren’t where we used to be. How do we respond to all that which we have received from God?

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Tuesday 16 July 2019 Readings

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Tuesday 16 July 2019 Readings

FIRST READING Exodus 2: 1-15a
In those days: A man from the house of Levi went and took to wife a daughter of Levi. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could hide him no longer she took for him a basket made of bulrushes, and daubed it with bitumen and pitch; and she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds at the river’s brink. And his sister stood at a distance, to know what would be done to him. Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, and her maidens walked beside the river; she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to fetch it. When she opened it she saw the child; and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son; and she named him Moses, for she said, “Because I drew him out of the water.” One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to’ his people and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together; and he said to the man that did the wrong, “Why do you strike your fellow?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh, and stayed in the land of Midian.
The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 69:3.14.30-31.33-34 (R. see 33)
R. You who are poor, seek God, and your hearts will revive.

I have sunk into the mud of the deep,
where there is no foothold.
I have entered the waters of the deep,
where the flood overwhelms we. R.

But I pray to you, O Lord,
for a time of your favour.
In your great mercy, answer me, O God,
with your salvation that never fails. R.

As for me in my poverty and pain,
let your salvation, O God, raise me up.
Then I will praise God’s name with a song;
I will glorify him with thanksgiving. R.

The poor when they see it will be glad,
and God-seeking hearts will revive;
for the Lord listens to the needy,
and does not spurn his own in their chains. R.

ALLELUIA Psalm 95:7d.8a
Alleluia. Today, harden not your hearts, but listen to the voice of the Lord. Alleluia.

Gospel Matthew11:20-24
 At that time: Jesus began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgement for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgement for the land of Sodom than for you.”
The Gospel of the Lord.

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Monday 15 July 2019 Readings

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Monday 15 July 2019 Readings

FIRST READING Exodus1:8-14.22
In those days: there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the sons of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war befall us, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens; and they built for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Ra-amses. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the sons of Israel. So they made the people of Israel serve with rigour, and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field; in all their work they made them serve with rigor. And Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”
The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 124:1-3.4-6.7-8 (R. 8a)
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

“If the Lord had not been on our side,”
let Israel say —
“If the Lord had not been on our side
when men rose against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive
when their anger was kindled.” R.

“Then would the waters have engulfed us,
the torrent gone over us;
over our head would have swept
the raging waters.”
Blest be the Lord who did not give us
a prey to their teeth! R.

Our life, like a bird, has escaped
from the snare of the fowler.
Indeed, the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth. R.

Alleluia Matthew 5:10
Alleluia. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia.

GOSPEL Matthew10:34-11:1
At that time: Jesus said to his apostles, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you received me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
The Gospel of the Lord.

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Sunday 14 July 2019 Prayer of the Faithful

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Sunday 14 July 2019 Prayer of the Faithful

Celebrant: To the Lord of love and Father of compassion let us lift up our hearts in prayer:

  1. That our Church and parish community may be a place of welcome and a community of support to all our neighbours: let us pray to the Lord.
  2. That all nations, governments, and institutions may be committed to making the justice and peace of God a reality for all the world’s peoples: let us pray to the Lord.
  3. That pastors, preachers, teachers, and religious educators may instruct their students in the ways of God’s love and compassion: let us pray to the Lord.
  4. That those who care for the sick, the recovering, and the dying may see, in their patients, the person of Jesus: let us pray to the Lord.
  5. That the victims of violence and abuse may be restored to health and wholeness of spirit and dignity: let us pray to the Lord.
  6. That those who have died may experience the peace of the Risen Christ, “the first-born of the dead”: let us pray to the Lord.
  7. That God will bless those for whom we now pray in the silence of our hearts:
    Celebrant:

Compassionate God, Father of all humanity, hear the prayers we offer. Give us eyes of faith to see all men and women as our brothers and sisters, and hearts of love to welcome them as your children.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

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Sunday 14 July 2019 Reflection

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Sunday 14 July 2019 Reflection

The path to inherit eternal life is not so far from us as to need someone to bring it near. It is visible in Jesus and expressed in his teaching: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ This path to eternal life calls us to stretch beyond our comfort zone to the very unfamiliar and the strange. It is a human inclination in us to love our own and despise what we consider as the other. Your neighbour is that person with whom you may not necessarily share the same faith. He is that person with whom you may not necessarily share the same race, ideology, or opinions. In a world that is becoming more exclusive and boundary-bound, true worshippers of God are invited to break those boundaries and reach out to the other.

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Sunday 14 July 2019 Readings

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Sunday 14 July 2019 Readings

Theme of the Sunday: To Inherit Eternal Life. Our love of God, we learn from today’s gospel, will be assessed on our attitude towards people. A true religion is a religion of love, not one of mere words. The Samaritan was capable of sharing in God’s compassion for all people. The first reading tells us that the commandments are not imposed from outside but spring from our hearts. The second reading is in line with this theme. Jesus holds the first place in love for his brethren. He was the first authentic “Samaritan.”

FIRST READING Deuteronomy 30: 10-14
Moses spoke to the people, saying, “You shall obey the voice of the Lord your God, and keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. “For this commandment which I command you this day is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”
The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 69:13 and 16.29-30.32—33.35ab and 36 (R. see 32)
R/. You who are poor, seek God, and your hearts will revive.

I pray to you, O Lord, for a time of your favour.
In your great mercy, answer me, O God,
with your salvation that never fails.
Lord, answer, for your mercy is kind;
in your great compassion, turn towards me. R/.

As for me in my poverty and pain,
let your salvation, O God, raise me up.
Then I will praise God’s name with a song;
I will glorify him with thanksgiving. R/.

The poor when they see it will be glad,
and God-seeking hearts will revive;
for the Lord listens to the needy,
and does not spurn his own in their chains. R/.

For God will bring salvation to Sion,
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
The children of his servants shall inherit it;
those who love his name shall dwell there. R/

SECOND READING Colossians 1:15-20
Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the Church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA John 6:63c.68c
Alleluia. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

GOSPEL Luke 10:25-37
At that time: Behold, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
The Gospel of the Lord.

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Saturday 13 July 2019 Reflection

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There will always be something to be afraid of in life. What are you afraid of? Courage does not annihilate fear. It goes ahead and does the needful despite fear. Perhaps, because of fear, someone is about to be discouraged from achieving a feat today. It is interesting to know that not all that is faced in life can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced. Jesus did not hide this fact from his disciples. There are forces, no doubt, to cause us to fear in our spiritual warfare, but Christ has conquered. Therefore, feel the fear, go ahead, face life, and do what needs to be done.

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FIRST READING Genesis 49:29-33; 50: 15-26a

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In those days: Jacob charged his sons, and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah — the field and the cave that is in it were purchased from the Hittites.” When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed, and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died, ‘Say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’ And now, we beg you, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Fear not, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Then he reassured them and comforted them. So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father’s house; and Joseph lived a hundred and ten years. And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation; the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were born upon Joseph’s knees. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die; but God will visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph took an oath of the sons of Israel, saying, “God will visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” So Joseph died, being a hundred and ten years old.
The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 105:1-2.3-4.6-7 (R. see Psalm 69:33)
R. You who are poor, seek God, and your hearts will revive.

Give thanks to the Lord; proclaim his name.
Make known his deeds among the peoples.
O sing to him, sing his praise;
tell all his wonderful works! R.

Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.
Turn to the Lord and his strength;
constantly seek his face. R.

O children of Abraham, his servant,
O descendants of the Jacob he chose,
he, the Lord, is Our God;
his judgements are in all the earth. R.

ALLELUIA 1 Peter 4:14
Alleluia. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of God rests upon you. Alleluia.

GOSPEL Matthew 10:24-33
At that time: Jesus said to his apostles, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord.

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Friday 12 July 2019 Readings

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Friday 12 July 2019 Readings

FIRST READING Genesis 46: 1-7.2b-30
In those days: Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here am I.” Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt; for I will there make of you a great nation. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” Then Jacob set out from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their cattle and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters; all his offspring he brought with him into Egypt. He sent Judah before him to Joseph, to appear before him in Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. Then Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.”
The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 37:3-4.18-19.27-28.39-40 (R. 39a)
R. From the Lord comes the salvation of the just.

Trust in the Lord and do good;
then you will dwell in the land and safely pasture.
Find your delight in the Lord,
who grants your heart’s desire. R.

The Lord takes note of the days of the blameless;
their heritage will last forever.
They shall not be put to shame in evil days;
in time of famine they shall have their fill. R.

Then turn away from evil and do good,
and you may abide forever;
for indeed, the Lord loves justice,
and will never forsake his faithful.
The unjust shall be wiped out forever,
and the descendants of the wicked destroyed. R.

But from the Lord comes the salvation of the just,|
their stronghold in time of distress.
The Lord helps them and rescues them,
rescues and saves them from the wicked:
because they take refuge in him. R.

ALLELUIA John 16:13a; 14:25d
Alleluia. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Alleluia.

GOSPEL Matthew 10: 16-23
At that time: Jesus said to his apostles, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes.
The Gospel of the Lord.

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