Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 07-17-09

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 07-17-09 | New American Bible

[Salvation]

Lauds -- Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer (Lauds)

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.

O God, come to my aid.

– O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

  world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

---

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 50 (51)

God, have mercy on me

Against you alone I have sinned: take pity on me.

Take pity on me, Lord, in your mercy;

  in your abundance of mercy wipe out my guilt.

Wash me ever more from my guilt

  and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know how guilty I am:

  my sin is always before me.

Against you, you alone have I sinned,

  and I have done evil in your sight.

Know this, so that you may give just sentence

  and an unbiased judgement.

See, I was conceived in guilt,

  in sin my mother conceived me;

but you love truth in the heart,

  and deep within me you have shown me your wisdom.

You will sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be made clean;

  you will wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

You will make me hear the sound of joy and gladness;

  the bones you have crushed will rejoice.

Turn your face away from my sins

  and wipe out all my transgressions;

create a pure heart in me, God,

  put a steadfast spirit into me.

Do not send me away from your presence,

  or withdraw your holy spirit from me;

give me again the joy of your salvation,

  and be ready to strengthen me with your spirit.

I will teach the unjust your ways,

  and the impious will return to you.

Free me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, God my saviour,

  and my voice will glory in your justice.

Open my lips, Lord,

  and my mouth will proclaim your praise;

for you do not delight in sacrifices:

  if I offered you a burnt offering, it would not please you.

The true sacrifice is a broken spirit:

  a contrite and humble heart, O God, you will not refuse.

Be pleased, Lord, to look kindly on Zion,

  so that the walls of Jerusalem can be rebuilt,

Then indeed you will accept the proper sacrifices, gifts and burnt offerings;

  then indeed will bullocks be laid upon your altar.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

  world without end.

Amen.

Against you alone I have sinned: take pity on me.

---

Canticle	Jeremiah 14
Lamentation of the people in the time of famine and war
O Lord, we acknowledge our wickedness; we acknowledge that we have sinned.
Let my eyes shed tears, night and day, let them never cease,   for the daughter of my people is afflicted with a great affliction,   with the worst of all wounds. If I go out into the fields – behold, those slain by the sword;   if I go into the city – behold, those wasted by famine. Prophet and priest go through the land, they know nothing. Surely you have not rejected Judah, thrust him from you? Surely Zion has not become hateful to your heart? Why have you struck us down beyond all hope of healing? We have looked for peace, but no good came;   we have looked for the time of healing, but trouble came instead. We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the evil done by our fathers:   we acknowledge that we have sinned. Do not make us a reproach, for your name’s sake,   and do not make us a disgrace before the throne of your glory. Remember the covenant you made with us: do not bring it to an end. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,   world without end. Amen.
O Lord, we acknowledge our wickedness; we acknowledge that we have sinned.

---

Psalm 99 (100)

Enter the Temple with joy

The Lord is God: we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Rejoice in the Lord, all the earth,

  and serve him with joy.

Exult as you enter his presence.

Know that the Lord is God.

He made us and we are his

 – his people, the sheep of his flock.

Cry out his praises as you enter his gates,

  fill his courtyards with songs.

Proclaim him and bless his name;

  for the Lord is our delight.

His mercy lasts for ever,

  his faithfulness through all the ages.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

  world without end.

Amen.

The Lord is God: we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

---

Short reading	2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ©
I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me, and that is why I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.

---

Canticle	Benedictus
The Messiah and his forerunner
The Lord has come to his people and brought about their redemption.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,   for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption. He has raised up the sign of salvation   in the house of his servant David, as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones,   his prophets through the ages: to rescue us from our enemies   and all who hate us, to take pity on our fathers,   to remember his holy covenant and the oath he swore to Abraham our father,   that he would give himself to us, that we could serve him without fear  – freed from the hands of our enemies – in uprightness and holiness before him,   for all of our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High:   for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path, to let his people know their salvation,   so that their sins may be forgiven. Through the bottomless mercy of our God,   one born on high will visit us to give light to those who walk in darkness,   who live in the shadow of death;   to lead our feet in the path of peace. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,   world without end. Amen.
The Lord has come to his people and brought about their redemption.

---

Prayers and Intercessions

?

Let us raise our eyes to Christ. For his people he was born; he died; he rose from the dead. So let us put our trust in him and pray: – Lord, give salvation to those you redeemed with your blood. Blessed are you, Jesus, saviour of mankind. You did not hesitate to suffer and die for us:   by your precious blood we are redeemed. – Lord, give salvation to those you redeemed with your blood. You promised to give water welling up into eternal life:   pour out your Spirit over all mankind. – Lord, give salvation to those you redeemed with your blood. You sent your disciples to preach the Good News to the nations:   help them to extend the victory of your Cross. – Lord, give salvation to those you redeemed with your blood. The sick and poor share your cross:   give them the gifts of strength and patience. – Lord, give salvation to those you redeemed with your blood.

---

Our Father, who art in Heaven,

  hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

  thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

  and forgive us our trespasses

  as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

  but deliver us from evil.

---

Almighty Father, let your light soak deeply into our minds.

  Stepping forward in the light of your commandments,

  may we follow you always, our leader and our guide.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

  who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

  God for ever and ever.

Amen.

---

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Psalm 116:12-13,15-18

How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me? (Psalm 116:12)

How can I possibly give back to you, Lord, for all the miracles you have performed in my life, all the grace you have poured upon me, all the mercy you have had on me?

Perhaps I should start by recalling all that you have done for me. You have given me the gift of life, and you sustain me moment by moment. You have brought people into my life to love me, and you have given me people to love. You have revealed yourself to me through your word and the teaching of the church. I have encountered you in the sacraments. You have forgiven all my sins and offered me a new beginning. You have directed my steps and have shown me how to please you. No matter how many missteps I make, you are there to meet me and redirect me as soon as I turn back to you.

Why have you done all this for me? Surely I don’t deserve such kindness and patient generosity. No, you have done it all out of nothing but love, pure and simple affection for me—and for all your children. You simply delight in giving and forgiving, because you see not only what I am right now but also what I can become as I learn to surrender to your love.

So how can I repay you for all you have done for me? All you want is for me to ask you to do more of the same. You want me to lift up the cup of your grace and call on your name again and again and again. I am grateful for what you have already done, but I know full well that your work isn’t finished. I still stand in need of your salvation. So please give me more, Lord!

Father, you want to be in constant communion with me. That’s why it pleases you so much when I call on your name, asking what you are up to and how I can cooperate with you. Lord, you have been so good to me, may I never cease to praise you and to follow you!

“Lord, I am your servant; you have loosed my bonds. I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on your name.”

Exodus 11:10-12,14; Matthew 12:1-8

[Salvation]

Vespers -- Evening Prayer

Vespers (Evening Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.

– O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

  world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

---

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 134 (135)

Praise the Lord, the wonder-worker

The Lord is great: our God is great above all gods.

Praise the name of the Lord:

  praise it, servants of the Lord,

you who stand in the house of the Lord,

  in the courts of the house of our God.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;

  sing to his name, for it brings happiness.

For the Lord chose Jacob for his own,

  he chose Israel for his possession.

I know how great is the Lord,

  how great is our God above all gods.

The Lord accomplishes all that he wills,

  in the heavens and on the earth,

  in the sea and the depths of the oceans.

He brings in clouds from the ends of the earth,

  makes lightning for the rain-clouds,

  from his storehouse he calls forth the winds.

He struck down the first-born of Egypt,

  of man and of beast alike.

He sent signs and wonders among them,

  to Pharaoh and all his servants.

He shattered nation after nation,

  killed powerful kings:

Sihon, king of the Amorites,

  Og, the king of Bashan,

  all the kingdoms of Canaan.

He gave their lands as a birthright,

  as a birthright for Israel his people.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

  world without end.

Amen.

The Lord is great: our God is great above all gods.

---

Psalm 134 (135)

House of Israel, bless the Lord, sing psalms to his name.

Lord, your name is for ever;

  Lord, your name will be remembered

  by generation after generation.

For the Lord will give judgement for his people,

  he will look with kindness upon his servants.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,

  the work of the hands of men.

They have mouths but will not speak,

  they have eyes and will not see.

They have ears and will not hear,

  there is no breath in their mouths.

They will be like them, those who make them;

  and all who put their trust in them.

House of Israel, bless the Lord;

  house of Aaron, bless the Lord;

house of Levi, bless the Lord;

  you who fear the Lord, bless the Lord.

Blessed be the Lord from Zion,

  whose abode is Jerusalem.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

  world without end.

Amen.

House of Israel, bless the Lord, sing psalms to his name.

---

Canticle	Apocalypse 15
A hymn of adoration
All nations will come and worship in your presence, O Lord.
Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God Almighty;   just and true are your ways, King of all nations! Who, Lord, will not revere and glorify your name?   For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship in your presence,   for your judgements have been seen by all. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,   world without end. Amen.
All nations will come and worship in your presence, O Lord.

---

Short reading	James 1:2-4 ©
My brothers, you will always have your trials but, when they come, try to treat them as a happy privilege; you understand that your faith is only put to the test to make you patient, but patience too is to have its practical results so that you will become fully-developed, complete, with nothing missing.

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Canticle	Magnificat
My soul rejoices in the Lord
He has come to help us, his servants: he has remembered his mercy.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,   and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour –   me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed,   because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy,   his mercy lasts for generation after generation   for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength:   he has scattered the proud and conceited,   torn princes from their thrones;   but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things;   the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel,   he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,   to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,   world without end. Amen.
He has come to help us, his servants: he has remembered his mercy.

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Prayers and Intercessions

?

Let us pray to our Lord Jesus, whom the Father handed over for our transgressions but raised up for our redemption: – Lord, take pity on your people. Lord, we ask you to listen to our prayers and forget the sins we confess,   and in your kindness to give us pardon and peace. – Lord, take pity on your people. Through you St Paul said “where sin has abounded, grace abounds still more”:   be generous in forgiving our many debts. – Lord, take pity on your people. Lord, our sins are great but we trust that your mercy is infinite:   change our hearts and we will change our lives. – Lord, take pity on your people. Lord, save your people from their sins   and restore them to your favour. – Lord, take pity on your people. The thief called you Saviour and you opened to him the gates of paradise:   do not close them against our deceased brethren. – Lord, take pity on your people.

---

Our Father, who art in Heaven,

  hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

  thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

  and forgive us our trespasses

  as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

  but deliver us from evil.

---

Lord, holy Father, you decreed Christ your Son as the price to be paid for our salvation.

  May his Passion be part of our lives

  and bring us the strength of his Resurrection.

He lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

  God for ever and ever.

Amen.

---

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

[Salvation]

**This will probably be celebrated as a special Votive Mass for the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.**

This is exactly what our priest did today!

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

Sunday Service and Service-on-Sunday
Friday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

<i>Father Eugene Gormley, LC

Matthew 12: 1-8

Jesus was going through a field of grain on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the Sabbath." He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, ´I desire mercy, not sacrifice,´ you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

 

Introductory Prayer: Almighty and ever-living God, I seek new strength from the courage of Christ our shepherd. I believe in you, I hope in you, and I seek to love you with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength. I want to be led one day to join the saints in heaven, where your Son Jesus Christ lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

Petition: Help me to make every Sunday a special day for me and my family.

1. The Disciples Were Hungry It was the Sabbath, a day of rest. The disciples had had a difficult and busy week, and they were hungry. Jesus allowed them to look for food in the fields. This could have discouraged them, not having a meal waiting for them. But they were accustomed to hardship. They were busy and had much to do. There was little free time. Christ was busy on weekends; his mission didn’t stop. The disciples were united with Jesus, participating in his mission. This made all their sacrifices worthwhile and easier to cope with. When we trust in and unite ourselves with Christ, we can be patient and at peace in the midst of trials.

2. The Pharisees Confront Jesus The Sabbath was established in order for the Jewish people to remember and reflect on their special covenant relationship with God. He had delivered them from slavery and given them rest. The Pharisees, however, focused on “what you can’t do” and failed to see “what you should do.” On Sundays, we should focus more on what we should do in order to worthily receive Christ. Then secondary things will not distract us from what is essential. God has a special relationship with us. He has delivered us from slavery. He continues to love us and asks that we love him and others with all our heart. On Sundays, do I recall my covenant relationship with Our Lord? Am I mindful and grateful for all the good things he has done and continues to do for me? Does God take first place for me on Sundays?

3. Sunday Service Christ instructed his disciples about his mission. They grew to understand, appreciate and live it. He taught them to participate at the Sabbath service with fervor, but also to be open to any needs others might have, even on the Sabbath. It is lawful to do good any day of the week, especially the Lord’s Day. Christ cured the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, fed his disciples on the Sabbath, and cured another woman with a bent back on the Sabbath. Charity will inspire us to good to others even on a Sunday. “Sunday service” and “Service-on-Sunday” go together. Do I ever dedicate my Sundays, or part of them, to bring rest to those who are most in need? What can I do to help the poor and marginalized on that day? How can I instill this spirit of service in my children?

Conversation with Christ: You long to share your Word and Body with me at Sunday Mass and at every Mass I can attend during the week. May I always have a hunger for this encounter with your love and friendship. May I serve others with the same charity and love as you serve me. May Sunday be the most important day of the week for me and my family.

Resolution: I will organize this coming Sunday to be a day of worship and rest. I will try to do good to someone this Sunday, and I will help someone come back to Sunday Mass attendance.

[Salvation]

Homily of the Day

Don’t Settle for a Small Heart!

July 17th, 2009 by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Ex 11:10-12:14 / Mt 12:1-8

One of the more desirable consequences of growing a little older is that at least some of us begin to develop a greater awareness of our own faults and limitations, and stop projecting them onto other people as often as we did in our youth. So when we hear in today’s gospel about the pharisees berating Jesus’ disciples for pulling off and nibbling heads of grain as they walk through the fields, we perhaps can restrain our instincts to go for the jugular.

No doubt about it, it was both foolish and frankly suspect to call so trivial an act a serious violation of the Sabbath’s no-work rule, but before we rush to judgment, we might want to inspect our own record. With what frequency do we focus on trivia in our dealings with one another. An eccentric mannerism may entitle some poor soul to our ridicule or worse. A modest physical defect may put someone else permanently outside the circle of our love and concern.

Jesus had a huge heart and a great spirit. He always knew what mattered and what didn’t, and He always found room in His life for one more of us, no matter how small or wounded.

May your mind and your heart grow very large like His!

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

<< Friday, July 17, 2009 >>

Saint of the Day

Exodus 11:10—12:14
View Readings

Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18

Matthew 12:1-8

CELEBRATING THE NEW PASSOVER

"This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the Lord, as a perpetual institution." —Exodus 12:14

 

Passover is one of the most important celebrations in the history of the human race. It refers to the event when the Lord passed over the homes of the Israelites while putting to death the firstborn of the Egyptians (Ex 12:12, 29-30). In this way, the Israelites were freed from hundreds of years of slavery.

Jesus celebrated the "Last Supper" on the occasion of the Passover. He said: "I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer" (Lk 22:15). He commanded us to do the new Passover of the Last Supper in remembrance of Him (Lk 22:19). After Pentecost, the Spirit led the early Church to devote itself to celebrating the new Passover (Acts 2:42). They called it the "breaking of the bread." For two thousand years the Passover, Last Supper, Mass, Eucharist, has been the center of Christian life.

Are you desiring to celebrate the Passover as Jesus greatly desires to celebrate it with you? (Lk 22:15) Is Mass the center of your life? Do you live to celebrate the Eucharist? Have you followed the Spirit's lead in devoting yourself to the breaking of the bread? (Acts 2:42) Ask for the grace to love Jesus in the Eucharist with all your heart.

 

Prayer: Jesus, may I desire to celebrate Mass and receive Communion daily. Do anything to increase this desire in Me.

Promise: "It is mercy I desire and not sacrifice." —Mt 12:7

Praise: Reception of the Eucharist has turned around many a day for Rhonda.

[Salvation]

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

Introduction
O God, come to my aid.   O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,   world without end. Amen. Alleluia.

---

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

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Hymn
Now that the daylight dies away, By all thy grace and love, Thee, Maker of the world, we pray To watch our bed above. Let dreams depart and phantoms fly, The offspring of the night, Keep us, like shrines, beneath thine eye, Pure in our foe’s despite. This grace on thy redeemed confer, Father, co-equal Son, And Holy Ghost, the Comforter, Eternal Three in One.

---

Psalm 87 (88)
The prayer of one gravely ill

I cry out to you, Lord, by day and by night.

Lord God, my saviour,

  I have cried out to you by day and by night.

Let my prayer come before you:

  turn your ear to my request.

For my soul is full of evils,

  my life has come close to its end.

I am counted with those who go down to the pit:

  I am left without help.

I am one of the dead,

  like the murdered who sleep in their tombs,

who lie there forgotten,

  cut off from your care.

You have thrust me down into the pit,

  to the gloom and the shadow of death.

Your anger weighs heavy upon me;

  you have drowned me under your waves.

You have taken my friends away from me:

  you have made me hateful in their sight,

  I am shut in, I may not go out.

My eyes are weak from my sufferings.

I have called to you, Lord, all the day;

  I have stretched out my hands to you.

Is it for the dead that you perform your wonders?

  Will the ghosts rise up and proclaim you?

In the tomb, will they tell of your kindness?

  Will they tell of your faithfulness in the place of the lost?

Will your wonders be known in the darkness,

  or your righteousness in the land of oblivion?

And so I have called out to you, Lord,

  and in the morning my prayer will come before you.

With what purpose, Lord, do you reject my soul?

  Why do you hide your face from me?

I am poor; from my youth I have been dying;

  I have borne the terrors you sent, I am lost in confusion.

Your anger has overrun me, your terrors have broken me:

  they have flowed round me like water,

  they have besieged me all the day long.

You have taken my friends and those close to me:

  all I have left is shadows.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

  world without end.

Amen.

I cry out to you, Lord, by day and by night.

---

Reading	(Jeremiah 14:9)
You, Lord, are in our midst, and we are called by your name; therefore do not abandon us, Lord, our God.

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Short Responsory
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. – Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. – Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. – Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

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Canticle

Nunc Dimittis

Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace.   You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation,   which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness;   the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,   world without end. Amen. Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.

---

Let us pray.

Lord, let us be so united with your only Son that we become worthy to rise with him into new life, who lives and reigns for ever and ever, Amen.

---

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

A M E N

	Salve Regina
Hail to you, O Queen, mother of loving kindness,   our life, our happiness, our hope. Hear us cry out to you,   children of Eve in our exile. Hear as we sigh, with groaning and weeping   in this life, this valley of tears. Come then, our Advocate, turn towards us   the gaze of your kind and loving eyes. And show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb,   when at last our exile here is ended.