Tag: USCCB Daily Readings

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; 1 Cor 3:9-11, 16-17; Jn 2:13-22 ~ a house of prayer

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

Holy God, in every place on earth You gather Your people into Your presence to proclaim the wonders of Your love. Deepen our unity with Your faithful people throughout the world and build us up into a house of prayer for all nations. We ask this 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.
__________


__________

A Reading from the Old testament: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 (NLT)

6715550

In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway.
_____

Then he said to me, “This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea. The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows.
_____

Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”
__________

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 (NLT)

So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
_____

God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!
_____

Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
__________


__________

A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17 (NLT)

1Co3.9

For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.

Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
_____

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: John 2:13-22 (NLT)

It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”

But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.”

“All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

“What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.
__________


__________

Intercessions:

You, O Lord, are enthroned as the Holy One on the praises of Your people. Hear us now as we bring before You the needs of Your church:

+ For Christians around the world – that church leaders may follow in the footsteps of the Apostles…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all the churches in our communities – that Christians may be united with one another and with believers around the world…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all the people of our local churches – that our faith may show itself in acts of mercy and kindness…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people on the margins of life – that the welcome they receive in their church may remind them of God’s gracious care…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who design, build and care for church facilities – that their work may give glory to God…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who gather for prayer in Your name – that our praises and petitions may rise as a pleasing aroma to Your throne…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those of us who don’t know how, or what to pray – that Your Spirit would intercede for us with groanings too deep for words…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all the faithful who have died, especially through persecution and war – that having passed through the waters of baptism, they may share Christ’s victory over death…. Lord, hear us.

God of heaven and earth, You reward those with clean hands and pure hearts. Create in us clean hearts and right spirits as we bring our prayers to You, through Christ our Lord.
__________

I love thy kingdom, Lord, the house of thine abode, the church our blest Redeemer saved with his own precious blood.

I love thy church, O God. Her walls before thee stand, dear as the apple of thine eye, and graven on thy hand.

For her my tears shall fall; for her my prayers ascend; to her my cares and toils be given, till toils and cares shall end.

Beyond my highest joy, I prize her heavenly ways: her sweet communion, solemn vows, her hymns of love and praise.

Sure as thy truth shall last, to Zion shall be given the brightest glories earth can yield, and brighter bliss of heaven.
__________

Benediction:

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

All Souls Sunday: Isa 25: 6-9; Ps 23; Rom 6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40 ~ raised to life

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

On All Saints Day and today, we remember all those who have died in Christ and have been raised with Him to eternal life.

Kind and Loving God: look upon us with tender mercy and hear our prayer. Strengthen our confidence in the resurrection of Your Son and make our hope certain that Your departed servants will also rise again with Him to their eternal home. We ask this 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.
__________


__________

A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 25: 6-9 (NLT)

In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken!

In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!”
__________

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 23 (NLT)

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
__________


__________

A Reading from the Letters: Romans 6:3-9 (NLT)

All Saints Day Lodz, Poland
All Saints Day
Lodz, Poland

Have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:37-40 (NLT)

“Those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”
__________


__________

Intercessions:

Brothers and sisters: the Lord is our light, our ever present help. Let us come with confidence before His throne of grace –

+ For all who follow Christ – that their confidence in life after death may be strong…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our friends and family members who have died – that they may rest in the peace of Christ forever…. Lord hear us.
+ For those lost through war or violence – that the tragedy of their deaths may increase our resolve to become peacemakers…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died before their time, through accidents or suicide – that their loss may remind us of the sacredness of life…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people overcome by grief – that the power of Christ’s love may lift them up and renew their hope…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all our relatives and friends who have gone before us in faith, whom we remember now… and for the saints and martyrs and humble folk who have worshipped You through the ages – that they all may behold the Lord’s temple in the new and eternal Jerusalem…. Lord, hear us.

God of light, to live forever with You is our heart’s desire: hear our prayers and help us in all our needs, through Christ our Lord.
__________


__________

Benediction:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 01 Nov, All Saints Day – Rev 7:2-4, 9-14; Ps 24:1-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

All-holy God, You call Your people to holiness. As we remember Your saints in heaven, holy men and women of every time and place, give us their meekness and poverty of spirit, a thirst for righteousness, and purity of heart. May we share with them the richness of Your kingdom and be clothed in the glory You bestow. Grant this 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.
__________


__________

A Reading from Revelation 7:2-4,9-14 (NLT)

And I saw another angel coming up from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. And he shouted to those four angels, who had been given power to harm land and sea, “Wait! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.”

And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God — 144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel:
_____

The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs Fra Angelico (ca. 1423-24) National Gallery, London
The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs
Fra Angelico (ca. 1423-24)
National Gallery, London

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar,

“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?”

And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.”

Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.
__________

A Reading from Psalm 24

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.

Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?

Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.
__________


__________

A Reading from 1 John 3:1-3 (NLT)

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
__________

A Reading from Matthew 5:1-12 (NLT)

One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way….”
__________


__________

Intercessions:

Lord God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth – hear our prayers:

+ For all baptized believers in Jesus Christ – that we may live with the certain hope of entering the company of the saints…. Lord, hear us.

+ For Christians suffering persecution today – that they may have courage and remain faithful to You, the living God…. Lord, hear us.

+ For all who have gone before us in faith – that they may stand with the saints in worship before the throne of the Lamb…. Lord, hear us.

God of heaven and earth, You welcome those with clean hands and pure hearts: in our unworthiness we bring our prayers to You, through Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
__________


__________

Benediction:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

30th Ordinary Sunday: Ex 22:20-26; Ps 18:1-4, 46-49; 1 Thes 1:5-10; Mt 22:34-40 ~ love God, love people

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

Your love, O God, is boundless.

We who were strangers have been made Your children. We who were defenceless have been brought into Your household. Keep us mindful of Your deeds of mercy, that we may love You with our whole heart and love our neighbour as ourselves.

We ask this 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.
__________


__________

A Reading from the Old testament: Exodus 22:20-26 (NLT)

“Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the lord must be destroyed.

“You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.

“You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless.

“If you lend money to any of my people who are in need, do not charge interest as a money lender would. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as security for a loan, you must return it before sunset.”
__________

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 18:1-4, 46-49 (NLT)

I love you, lord ; you are my strength.

The lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

I called on the lord , who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.

The lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted!

He is the God who pays back those who harm me; he subdues the nations under me and rescues me from my enemies. You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; you save me from violent opponents.

For this, O lord , I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to your name.
__________


__________

A Reading from the Letters: I Thessalonians 1:5-10 (NLT)

And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece — throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.

And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven — Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 22:34-40 (NLT)

love-shoes

But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again.

One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
__________


__________

Intercessions:

Lord God, our Refuge and Strength – hear our prayers.

+ For all who follow Christ – that our love for one another may shine for all to see…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those parts of the world most battered by war and violence – that the Lord may grant them peace…. Lord, hear us.

+ For the weak and oppressed – that they may enjoy the protection of the strong and powerful…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those suffering because of the Ebola Virus, particularly in West Africa – that God may protect and save them…. Lord, hear us.

+ For refugees and asylum-seekers – that Christians may show them
love and care as unto the Lord…. Lord, hear us.

+ For the widowed and orphaned – that those who are troubled may experience comfort, compassion and justice…. Lord, hear us.

+ For the faithful who have departed this life – that our God of love and compassion may embrace them in peace…. Lord, hear us.

O God, You are our strength, our fortress, our saviour: hear our prayers offered in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________


__________

Benediction:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

29th Ordinary Sunday: Isa 45:1,4-6; Ps 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10; I Thes 1:1-5; Mt 22:15-21 ~ give God His due

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

As we come to the source of life, may the life of Christ might be in us and in all of humankind.
_____

In Your wonderful providence, O God, You willed that the kingdom of Christ should extend throughout the earth and that all people should partake in His saving redemption; grant that Your church may show and tell the wonders of Your love for all. We ask this 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.
__________


__________

A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 45:1,4-6 (NLT)

This is what the Lord says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never to shut again.
_____

“And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. I am the Lord; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me, so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the Lord, and there is no other.

__________

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
_____

Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
_____

Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens!
_____

O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts.
_____

Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.
__________

Psalm 96, “Chantez a Dieu, chanson nouvelle” (Sing to the Lord a New Song) by 16th century Dutch composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck.


__________

A Reading from the Letters: I Thessalonians 1:1-5 (NLT)

This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God give you grace and peace.

We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 22:15-21 (NLT)

Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

__________


__________

Intercessions:

God of glory and power – hear our prayer:

+ For church leaders everywhere – that they may lead with faith and courage…. Lord hear us.

+ For missionaries bringing help and hope to a broken world – that God’s Spirit may sustain them…. Lord, hear us.

+ For all believers – that we might have zeal to share the Good News of Jesus into our own neighborhoods…. Lord, hear us.

+ For leaders of nations and all those elected to serve us – that they may fight corruption and injustice…. Lord, hear us.

+ For tax collectors and all who work for the state – that they may respect the rights of all citizens…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those who collect charitable donations and for all who contribute – that God may reward generous hearts…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those who have died serving Christ in foreign lands – that they may receive their reward in heaven…. Lord, hear us.

God of glory and power, You will judge all peoples fairly – hear our prayers and graciously grant them, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________


__________

Benediction:

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen