2Cor 9:6-11
6Remember: the one who sows meagerly will reap meagerly, and there shall be generous harvests for the one who sows generously. 7Each of you should give as you decided personally, and not reluctantly as if obliged. God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to fill you with every good thing, so that you have enough of everything at all times, and may give abundantly for any good work.
9Scripture says: He distributed, he gave to the poor, his good works last forever. 10God who provides the sower with seed will also provide him with the bread he eats. He will multiply the seed for you and also increase the interests of your good works. 11Become rich in every way, and give abundantly. What you give will become, through us, a thanksgiving to God.
Ps 112:1-9
1 Alleluia!
Blessed is the one who fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in his commands.
2His children will be powerful on earth;
the upright’s offspring will be blessed.
3Wealth and riches are for his family,
there his integrity will remain.
4He is for the righteous a light in darkness,
he is kind, merciful and upright.
5It will be well with him who lends freely,
who leads a life of justice and honesty.
6For the righteous will never be moved;
he will be remembered and loved forever.
7He has no fear of evil news,
for his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
8His heart is confident, he needs not fear,
he shall prevail over his foes at the end.
9He gives generously to the poor,
his merits will last forever
and his head will be raised in honor.
Mt 6:1-18
1 Be careful not to make a show of your righteousness before people. If you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in heaven. 2When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be seen in the synagogues and in the streets in order to be praised by the people. I assure you, they have been already paid in full.
3If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your gift remains really secret. Your Father who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.
5When you pray, do not be like those who want to be seen. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. 6When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father who sees what is kept secret will reward you.
7When you pray, do not use a lot of words, as the pagans do, for they hold that the more they say, the more chance they have of being heard. 8Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need, even before you ask him.
9This, then, is how you should pray:
Our Father in heaven,
holy be your name,
10your kingdom come
and your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts
just as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
13Do not bring us to the test
but deliver us from the evil one.
14If you forgive others their wrongs, your Father in heaven will also forgive yours. 15If you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive you either.
16When you fast, do not put on a miserable face as do the hypocrites. They put on a gloomy face, so people can see they are fasting. I tell you this: they have been paid in full already. 17When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, 18because you are not fasting for appearances or for people, but for your Father who sees beyond appearances. And your Father, who sees what is kept secret will reward you.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Readings for June 16, 2009
2Cor 8:1-9
1 Now I want you to know about a gift of divine grace among the Churches of Macedonia. 2While they were so afflicted and persecuted, their joy overflowed and their extreme poverty turned into a wealth of generosity. 3-4 According to their means—even beyond their means—they wanted to share in helping the saints.
They asked us for this favor spontaneously and with much insistence 5and, far beyond anything we expected, they put themselves at the disposal of the Lord and of us by the will of God. 6Accordingly, I urged Titus to complete among you this work of grace since he began it with you. 7You excel in everything: in the gifts of faith, speech and knowledge; you feel concern for every cause and, besides, you are first in my heart. Excel also in this generous service.
8This is not a command; I make known to you the determination of others to check the sincerity of your fraternal concern. 9You know well the generosity of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Although he was rich, he made himself poor to make you rich through his poverty.
Ps 146:2-9
2I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to God while I live.
3Do not put your trust in princes,
in a great one who cannot save.
4Not sooner his spirit has left,
that he goes back to the earth;
on that very day, any plan comes to nothing.
5Blessed are they whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God,
6maker of heaven and earth,
the sea and all they contain.
The Lord is forever faithful;
7he gives justice to the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free.
8The Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord straightens the bent.
9The Lord protects the stranger,
sustains the widow and the orphan.
8c The Lord loves the virtuous,
but he brings to ruin the way of the wicked.
Mt 5:34-48
34But I tell you this: do not take oaths. Do not swear by the heavens, for they are God’s throne, 35nor by the earth, because it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem because it is the city of the great king. 36Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37Say yes when you mean yes and say no when you mean no. Anything else you say comes from the devil.
38You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other. 40If someone sues you in court for your shirt, give your coat as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give when asked and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you.
43You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy. 44But this I tell you: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good, and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust.
46If you love those who love you, what is special about that? Do not even tax collectors do as much? 47And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the pagans do as much? 48For your part you shall be righteous and perfect in the way your heavenly Father is righteous and perfect.
1 Now I want you to know about a gift of divine grace among the Churches of Macedonia. 2While they were so afflicted and persecuted, their joy overflowed and their extreme poverty turned into a wealth of generosity. 3-4 According to their means—even beyond their means—they wanted to share in helping the saints.
They asked us for this favor spontaneously and with much insistence 5and, far beyond anything we expected, they put themselves at the disposal of the Lord and of us by the will of God. 6Accordingly, I urged Titus to complete among you this work of grace since he began it with you. 7You excel in everything: in the gifts of faith, speech and knowledge; you feel concern for every cause and, besides, you are first in my heart. Excel also in this generous service.
8This is not a command; I make known to you the determination of others to check the sincerity of your fraternal concern. 9You know well the generosity of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Although he was rich, he made himself poor to make you rich through his poverty.
Ps 146:2-9
2I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to God while I live.
3Do not put your trust in princes,
in a great one who cannot save.
4Not sooner his spirit has left,
that he goes back to the earth;
on that very day, any plan comes to nothing.
5Blessed are they whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God,
6maker of heaven and earth,
the sea and all they contain.
The Lord is forever faithful;
7he gives justice to the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free.
8The Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord straightens the bent.
9The Lord protects the stranger,
sustains the widow and the orphan.
8c The Lord loves the virtuous,
but he brings to ruin the way of the wicked.
Mt 5:34-48
34But I tell you this: do not take oaths. Do not swear by the heavens, for they are God’s throne, 35nor by the earth, because it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem because it is the city of the great king. 36Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37Say yes when you mean yes and say no when you mean no. Anything else you say comes from the devil.
38You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other. 40If someone sues you in court for your shirt, give your coat as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give when asked and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you.
43You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy. 44But this I tell you: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good, and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust.
46If you love those who love you, what is special about that? Do not even tax collectors do as much? 47And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the pagans do as much? 48For your part you shall be righteous and perfect in the way your heavenly Father is righteous and perfect.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Readings for June 15, 2009
2Cor 6:1-10
1Being God’s helpers we beg you: let it not be in vain that you received this grace of God. 2Scripture says: At the favorable time I listened to you, on the day of salvation I helped you. This is the favorable time, this is the day of salvation.
3We are concerned not to give anyone an occasion to stumble or criticize our mission. 4Instead we prove we are true ministers of God in every way by our endurance in so many trials, in hardships, afflictions, 5floggings, imprisonment, riots, fatigue, sleepless nights and days of hunger.
6People can notice in our upright life, knowledge, patience and kindness, action of the Holy Spirit, sincere love, 7words of truth and power of God. So we fight with the weapons of justice, to attack as well as to defend.
8Sometimes we are honored, at other times insulted; we receive criticism as well as praise. We are regarded as liars although we speak the truth; 9as unknown though we are well known; as dead and yet we live. Punishments come upon us but we have not, as yet, been put to death. 10We appear to be afflicted, yet always joyful; we seem to be poor, but we enrich many; we have nothing, but we possess everything!
Ps 98:1-4
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wonders; his right hand, his holy arm, has won victory for him.
2The Lord has shown his salvation, revealing his justice to the nations.
3He has not forgotten his love nor his faithfulness to Israel. The farthest ends of the earth all have seen God’s saving power.
4All you lands, make a joyful noise to the Lord, break into song and sing praise,
Mt 5:38-42
38You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other. 40If someone sues you in court for your shirt, give your coat as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give when asked and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you.
1Being God’s helpers we beg you: let it not be in vain that you received this grace of God. 2Scripture says: At the favorable time I listened to you, on the day of salvation I helped you. This is the favorable time, this is the day of salvation.
3We are concerned not to give anyone an occasion to stumble or criticize our mission. 4Instead we prove we are true ministers of God in every way by our endurance in so many trials, in hardships, afflictions, 5floggings, imprisonment, riots, fatigue, sleepless nights and days of hunger.
6People can notice in our upright life, knowledge, patience and kindness, action of the Holy Spirit, sincere love, 7words of truth and power of God. So we fight with the weapons of justice, to attack as well as to defend.
8Sometimes we are honored, at other times insulted; we receive criticism as well as praise. We are regarded as liars although we speak the truth; 9as unknown though we are well known; as dead and yet we live. Punishments come upon us but we have not, as yet, been put to death. 10We appear to be afflicted, yet always joyful; we seem to be poor, but we enrich many; we have nothing, but we possess everything!
Ps 98:1-4
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wonders; his right hand, his holy arm, has won victory for him.
2The Lord has shown his salvation, revealing his justice to the nations.
3He has not forgotten his love nor his faithfulness to Israel. The farthest ends of the earth all have seen God’s saving power.
4All you lands, make a joyful noise to the Lord, break into song and sing praise,
Mt 5:38-42
38You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other. 40If someone sues you in court for your shirt, give your coat as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give when asked and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Readings for June 14, 2009
Ex 24:3-8
3Moses came and told the people all the words of Yahweh and all his laws. The people replied with one voice: “Everything that Yahweh has said, we shall do.”
4Moses wrote down all the words of Yahweh, then rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve raised stones for the twelve tribes of Israel.
5He then sent young men from among the sons of Israel to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice bullocks as peace offerings to Yahweh.
6And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins; and with the other half of the blood he sprinkled the altar.
7He then took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. They said, “All that Yahweh said we shall do and obey.”
8Moses then took the blood and sprinkled it on the people saying, “Here is the blood of the covenant that Yahweh has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
Ps 116:12-18
1 Alleluia!
I am pleased that the Lord has heard
my voice in supplication
Heb 9:11-15
11But now Christ has appeared as the high priest with regard to the good things of these new times. He passed through a sanctuary more noble and perfect, not made by hands, that is, not created. 12He did not take with himself the blood of goats and bulls but his own blood, when he entered once and for all into this sanctuary after obtaining definitive redemption. 13If the sprinkling of people defiled by sin with the blood of goats and bulls or with the ashes of a heifer provides them with exterior cleanness and holiness, 14how much more will it be with the blood of Christ? He, moved by the eternal Spirit, offered himself as an unblemished victim to God and his blood cleanses us from dead works, so that we may serve the living God.
15So Christ is the mediator of a new covenant or testament. His death made atonement for the sins committed under the old testament, and the promise is handed over to all who are called to the everlasting inheritance.
Mk 14:12-26
12On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the day when the Passover Lamb was killed, the disciples asked him, “Where would you have us go to prepare the Passover meal for you?”
13So Jesus sent two of his disciples with these instructions, “Go into the city and there a man will come to you carrying a jar of water. Follow him to the house he enters and say to the owner, 14‘The Master says: Where is the room where I may eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 15Then he will show you a large room upstairs, already arranged and furnished. There you will prepare for us.” 16The disciples went off. When they reached the city, they found everything just as Jesus had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.
17When it was evening, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18While they were at table eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who shares my meal.” 19They were deeply distressed at hearing this and asked him, one after the other, “You don’t mean me, do you?” 20And Jesus answered, “It is one of you Twelve, one who dips his bread in the dish with me. 21The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say he will. But alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed; better for him if he had never been born.”
22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And he said, “Take this, it is my body.” 23Then he took a cup and after he had given thanks, passed it to them and they all drank from it. 24And he said, “This is my blood, the blood of the Covenant, which is to be poured out for many. 25Truly, I say to you, I will not taste the fruit of the vine again until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.”
26After singing psalms of praise, they went out to the Hill of Olives.
3Moses came and told the people all the words of Yahweh and all his laws. The people replied with one voice: “Everything that Yahweh has said, we shall do.”
4Moses wrote down all the words of Yahweh, then rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve raised stones for the twelve tribes of Israel.
5He then sent young men from among the sons of Israel to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice bullocks as peace offerings to Yahweh.
6And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins; and with the other half of the blood he sprinkled the altar.
7He then took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. They said, “All that Yahweh said we shall do and obey.”
8Moses then took the blood and sprinkled it on the people saying, “Here is the blood of the covenant that Yahweh has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
Ps 116:12-18
1 Alleluia!
I am pleased that the Lord has heard
my voice in supplication
Heb 9:11-15
11But now Christ has appeared as the high priest with regard to the good things of these new times. He passed through a sanctuary more noble and perfect, not made by hands, that is, not created. 12He did not take with himself the blood of goats and bulls but his own blood, when he entered once and for all into this sanctuary after obtaining definitive redemption. 13If the sprinkling of people defiled by sin with the blood of goats and bulls or with the ashes of a heifer provides them with exterior cleanness and holiness, 14how much more will it be with the blood of Christ? He, moved by the eternal Spirit, offered himself as an unblemished victim to God and his blood cleanses us from dead works, so that we may serve the living God.
15So Christ is the mediator of a new covenant or testament. His death made atonement for the sins committed under the old testament, and the promise is handed over to all who are called to the everlasting inheritance.
Mk 14:12-26
12On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the day when the Passover Lamb was killed, the disciples asked him, “Where would you have us go to prepare the Passover meal for you?”
13So Jesus sent two of his disciples with these instructions, “Go into the city and there a man will come to you carrying a jar of water. Follow him to the house he enters and say to the owner, 14‘The Master says: Where is the room where I may eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 15Then he will show you a large room upstairs, already arranged and furnished. There you will prepare for us.” 16The disciples went off. When they reached the city, they found everything just as Jesus had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.
17When it was evening, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18While they were at table eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who shares my meal.” 19They were deeply distressed at hearing this and asked him, one after the other, “You don’t mean me, do you?” 20And Jesus answered, “It is one of you Twelve, one who dips his bread in the dish with me. 21The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say he will. But alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed; better for him if he had never been born.”
22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And he said, “Take this, it is my body.” 23Then he took a cup and after he had given thanks, passed it to them and they all drank from it. 24And he said, “This is my blood, the blood of the Covenant, which is to be poured out for many. 25Truly, I say to you, I will not taste the fruit of the vine again until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.”
26After singing psalms of praise, they went out to the Hill of Olives.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Readings for June 13, 2009
2Cor 5:14-21
14Indeed the love of Christ holds us and we realize that if he died for all, all have died. 15He died for all so that those who live may live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and rose again for them. 16And so from now on, we do not regard anyone from a human point of view; and even if we once knew Christ personally, we should now regard him in another way.
17For that same reason, the one who is in Christ is a new creature. For him the old things have passed away; a new world has come. 18All this is the work of God who in Christ reconciled us to himself, and who entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation. 19Because in Christ God reconciled the world with himself, no longer taking into account their trespasses and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
20So we present ourselves as ambassadors in the name of Christ, as if God himself makes an appeal to you through us. Let God reconcile you; this we ask you in the name of Christ. 21e had no sin, but God made him bear our sin, so that in him we might share the holiness of God.
Ps 103:1-12
1 Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!
2Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget all his kindness; 3he forgives all your sins and heals all your sickness; 4he redeems your life from destruction and crowns you with love and compassion; 5he gives fulfillment to your years, and renews your youth like the eagle’s.
6The Lord restores justice and secures the rights of the oppressed.
7He has made known his ways to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8The Lord is gracious and merciful, abounding in love and slow to anger; 9he will not always scold nor will he be angry forever. 10He does not treat us according to our sins, nor does he punish us as we deserve.
11As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his love for those fearing him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove from us our sins.
Mt 5:33-37
33You have also heard that people were told in the past: Do not break your oath; an oath sworn to the Lord must be kept. 34But I tell you this: do not take oaths. Do not swear by the heavens, for they are God’s throne, 35nor by the earth, because it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem because it is the city of the great king. 36Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37Say yes when you mean yes and say no when you mean no. Anything else you say comes from the devil.
14Indeed the love of Christ holds us and we realize that if he died for all, all have died. 15He died for all so that those who live may live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and rose again for them. 16And so from now on, we do not regard anyone from a human point of view; and even if we once knew Christ personally, we should now regard him in another way.
17For that same reason, the one who is in Christ is a new creature. For him the old things have passed away; a new world has come. 18All this is the work of God who in Christ reconciled us to himself, and who entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation. 19Because in Christ God reconciled the world with himself, no longer taking into account their trespasses and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
20So we present ourselves as ambassadors in the name of Christ, as if God himself makes an appeal to you through us. Let God reconcile you; this we ask you in the name of Christ. 21e had no sin, but God made him bear our sin, so that in him we might share the holiness of God.
Ps 103:1-12
1 Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!
2Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget all his kindness; 3he forgives all your sins and heals all your sickness; 4he redeems your life from destruction and crowns you with love and compassion; 5he gives fulfillment to your years, and renews your youth like the eagle’s.
6The Lord restores justice and secures the rights of the oppressed.
7He has made known his ways to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8The Lord is gracious and merciful, abounding in love and slow to anger; 9he will not always scold nor will he be angry forever. 10He does not treat us according to our sins, nor does he punish us as we deserve.
11As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his love for those fearing him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove from us our sins.
Mt 5:33-37
33You have also heard that people were told in the past: Do not break your oath; an oath sworn to the Lord must be kept. 34But I tell you this: do not take oaths. Do not swear by the heavens, for they are God’s throne, 35nor by the earth, because it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem because it is the city of the great king. 36Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37Say yes when you mean yes and say no when you mean no. Anything else you say comes from the devil.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Readings for June 12, 2009
2Cor 4:7-15
7However, we carry this treasure in vessels of clay, so that this all-surpassing power may not be seen as ours but as God’s. 8Trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged. 9We are left without answer, but do not despair; persecuted but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed. 10At any moment we carry in our person the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in us. 11For we, the living, are given up continually to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may appear in our mortal existence. 12And as death is at work in us, life comes to you.
13We have received the same spirit of faith referred to in Scripture that says: I believed and so I spoke. We also believe and so we speak. 14We know that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and bring us, with you, into his presence. 15Finally, everything is for your good, so that grace will come more abundantly upon you and great will be the thanksgiving for the glory of God.
Ps 116:10-18
1 Alleluia!
I am pleased that the Lord has heard
my voice in supplication
Mt 5:27-32
27You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery. 28But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman to lustfully has in fact already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29So, if your right eye causes you to sin, pull it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 30If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell.
31It was also said: anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce. 32But what I tell you is this: If a man divorces his wife except in the case of unlawful union, he causes her to commit adultery. And the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
7However, we carry this treasure in vessels of clay, so that this all-surpassing power may not be seen as ours but as God’s. 8Trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged. 9We are left without answer, but do not despair; persecuted but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed. 10At any moment we carry in our person the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in us. 11For we, the living, are given up continually to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may appear in our mortal existence. 12And as death is at work in us, life comes to you.
13We have received the same spirit of faith referred to in Scripture that says: I believed and so I spoke. We also believe and so we speak. 14We know that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and bring us, with you, into his presence. 15Finally, everything is for your good, so that grace will come more abundantly upon you and great will be the thanksgiving for the glory of God.
Ps 116:10-18
1 Alleluia!
I am pleased that the Lord has heard
my voice in supplication
Mt 5:27-32
27You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery. 28But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman to lustfully has in fact already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29So, if your right eye causes you to sin, pull it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 30If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell.
31It was also said: anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce. 32But what I tell you is this: If a man divorces his wife except in the case of unlawful union, he causes her to commit adultery. And the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Readings for June 11, 2009
Ac 11:22-13:3
22News of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the manifest signs of God’s favor, he rejoiced and urged them all to remain firmly faithful to the Lord; 24for he himself was a good man filled with Holy Spirit and faith. Thus large crowds came to know the Lord.
25Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus to look for Saul 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they had meetings with the Church and instructed many people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
27At that time some prophets went down from Jerusalem to Antioch 28and one of them, named Agabus, inspired by the Holy Spirit, foretold that a great famine would spread over the whole world. This actually happened in the days of the Emperor Claudius. 29So the disciples decided, within their means, to set something aside and to send relief to the brothers and sisters who were living in Judea. 30They did this and sent their donations to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
1 About that time King Herod decided to persecute some members of the Church. 2He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword, 3and when he saw how it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
This happened during the festival of the Unleavened Bread. 4Herod had him seized and thrown into prison with four squads, each of four soldiers, to guard him. He wanted to bring him to trial before the people after the Passover feast, 5but while Peter was kept in prison, the whole Church prayed earnestly for him.
6On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound by a double chain, while guards kept watch at the gate of the prison.
7Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood there and a light shone in the prison cell. The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him saying, “Get up quickly!” At once the chains fell from Peter’s wrists. The angel said, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” Peter did so, 8and the angel added, “Now, put on your cloak and follow me.”
9Peter followed him out; yet he did not realize that what was happening with the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10They passed the first guard and then the second and they came to the iron door leading out to the city, which opened of itself for them. They went out and made their way down a narrow alley, when suddenly the angel left him.
11Then Peter recovered his senses and said, “Now I know that the Lord has sent his angel and has rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from all that the Jews had in store for me.”
12Peter then found his bearings and came to the house of Mary, the mother of John also known as Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13When he knocked at the outside door, a maid named Rhoda came to answer it. 14On recognizing the voice of Peter she was so overcome with joy that, instead of opening the door, she ran in to announce that Peter was at the door. 15They said to her, “You are crazy!” And as she insisted, they said, “It must be his angel.”
16Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking and, when they finally opened the door, they were amazed to see him. 17He motioned to them with his hand to be quiet and told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. And he said to them, “Report this to James and to the brothers.” Then he left and went to another place.
18At daybreak there was a great commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19Herod began a search for him and, not finding him, had the guards questioned and executed. After that, he came down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.
20At that time Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. By general agreement they appeared before him and, after having won over Blastus, the king’s treasurer, they asked for peace, for their country was supplied with food from the territory of Herod. 21On the appointed day Herod, clothed in royal robes, sat on his throne and addressed them. 22So the assembled crowd shouted back, “A god is speaking, not a man!”
23The angel of the Lord immediately struck Herod for he did not return the honor to God, and he died eaten by worms.
24Meanwhile the word of God was increasing and spreading. 25Barnabas and Saul carried out their mission and then came back from Jerusalem, taking with them John also called Mark.
1 There were at Antioch – in the Church which was there – prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon known as Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod, and Saul. 2On one occasion while they were celebrating the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul to do the work for which I have called them.” 3So, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Ps 98:1-6
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wonders; his right hand, his holy arm, has won victory for him.
2The Lord has shown his salvation, revealing his justice to the nations.
3He has not forgotten his love nor his faithfulness to Israel. The farthest ends of the earth all have seen God’s saving power.
4All you lands, make a joyful noise to the Lord, break into song and sing praise, 5with melody of the lyre and with music of the harp.
6With trumpet blast and sound of the horn, rejoice before the King, the Lord!
Mt 10:7-13
7Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. 8Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. You received this as a gift, so give it as a gift. 9Do not carry any gold, silver or copper in your purses. 10Do not carry a traveler’s bag, or an extra shirt, or sandals, or walking-stick: workers deserve their living.
11When you come to a town or a village, look for a worthy person and stay there until you leave.
12As you enter the house, wish it peace. 13If the people in the house deserve it, your peace will be on them; if they do not deserve it, your blessing will come back to you.
22News of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the manifest signs of God’s favor, he rejoiced and urged them all to remain firmly faithful to the Lord; 24for he himself was a good man filled with Holy Spirit and faith. Thus large crowds came to know the Lord.
25Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus to look for Saul 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they had meetings with the Church and instructed many people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
27At that time some prophets went down from Jerusalem to Antioch 28and one of them, named Agabus, inspired by the Holy Spirit, foretold that a great famine would spread over the whole world. This actually happened in the days of the Emperor Claudius. 29So the disciples decided, within their means, to set something aside and to send relief to the brothers and sisters who were living in Judea. 30They did this and sent their donations to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
1 About that time King Herod decided to persecute some members of the Church. 2He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword, 3and when he saw how it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
This happened during the festival of the Unleavened Bread. 4Herod had him seized and thrown into prison with four squads, each of four soldiers, to guard him. He wanted to bring him to trial before the people after the Passover feast, 5but while Peter was kept in prison, the whole Church prayed earnestly for him.
6On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound by a double chain, while guards kept watch at the gate of the prison.
7Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood there and a light shone in the prison cell. The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him saying, “Get up quickly!” At once the chains fell from Peter’s wrists. The angel said, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” Peter did so, 8and the angel added, “Now, put on your cloak and follow me.”
9Peter followed him out; yet he did not realize that what was happening with the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10They passed the first guard and then the second and they came to the iron door leading out to the city, which opened of itself for them. They went out and made their way down a narrow alley, when suddenly the angel left him.
11Then Peter recovered his senses and said, “Now I know that the Lord has sent his angel and has rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from all that the Jews had in store for me.”
12Peter then found his bearings and came to the house of Mary, the mother of John also known as Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13When he knocked at the outside door, a maid named Rhoda came to answer it. 14On recognizing the voice of Peter she was so overcome with joy that, instead of opening the door, she ran in to announce that Peter was at the door. 15They said to her, “You are crazy!” And as she insisted, they said, “It must be his angel.”
16Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking and, when they finally opened the door, they were amazed to see him. 17He motioned to them with his hand to be quiet and told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. And he said to them, “Report this to James and to the brothers.” Then he left and went to another place.
18At daybreak there was a great commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19Herod began a search for him and, not finding him, had the guards questioned and executed. After that, he came down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.
20At that time Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. By general agreement they appeared before him and, after having won over Blastus, the king’s treasurer, they asked for peace, for their country was supplied with food from the territory of Herod. 21On the appointed day Herod, clothed in royal robes, sat on his throne and addressed them. 22So the assembled crowd shouted back, “A god is speaking, not a man!”
23The angel of the Lord immediately struck Herod for he did not return the honor to God, and he died eaten by worms.
24Meanwhile the word of God was increasing and spreading. 25Barnabas and Saul carried out their mission and then came back from Jerusalem, taking with them John also called Mark.
1 There were at Antioch – in the Church which was there – prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon known as Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod, and Saul. 2On one occasion while they were celebrating the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul to do the work for which I have called them.” 3So, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Ps 98:1-6
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wonders; his right hand, his holy arm, has won victory for him.
2The Lord has shown his salvation, revealing his justice to the nations.
3He has not forgotten his love nor his faithfulness to Israel. The farthest ends of the earth all have seen God’s saving power.
4All you lands, make a joyful noise to the Lord, break into song and sing praise, 5with melody of the lyre and with music of the harp.
6With trumpet blast and sound of the horn, rejoice before the King, the Lord!
Mt 10:7-13
7Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. 8Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. You received this as a gift, so give it as a gift. 9Do not carry any gold, silver or copper in your purses. 10Do not carry a traveler’s bag, or an extra shirt, or sandals, or walking-stick: workers deserve their living.
11When you come to a town or a village, look for a worthy person and stay there until you leave.
12As you enter the house, wish it peace. 13If the people in the house deserve it, your peace will be on them; if they do not deserve it, your blessing will come back to you.
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