Tag: USCCB Daily Readings

Morning Prayer: 19 March – Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 ~ the faithful step-dad

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
(Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 (NLT)

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.
_____

holy-family

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
_____

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

Morning Prayer

Whatever we do or say, let us do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Lord, hear us.

+ As Joseph believed what you had told him, and became the guardian of your only Son: so may I put my faith in you, and receive the fulfillment of your promise.
+ Father, give me that faith which gives substance to my hopes, and make me certain of realities I do not see.
+ Joseph took the child Jesus into his care, loving and accepting him as his own Son: may I accept all that God gives me, and care for those entrusted to me.
+ You have given mankind authority over the work of your hands and invited us to share in your creation: help me to accept my responsibility by working for your glory and the good of all.

Almighty God, at the beginnings of our salvation, when Mary conceived your Son and brought him forth into the world, you placed them under Joseph’s watchful care. May his example still guide your Church to be an equally faithful guardian of your mysteries and a sign of Christ to mankind. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“There Is A Name” – Covenant Worship

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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

Morning Prayer: 18 March – John 10:31-42 ~ ‘I am the Son of God’

Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
(Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: John 10:31-42 (NLT)

Once again the people picked up stones to kill him. Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?”

They replied, “We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Jesus replied, “It is written in your own Scriptures that God said to certain leaders of the people, ‘I say, you are gods!’ And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people who received God’s message were called ‘gods,’ why do you call it blasphemy when I say, ‘I am the Son of God’? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world. Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work. But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”

Once again they tried to arrest him, but he got away and left them. He went beyond the Jordan River near the place where John was first baptizing and stayed there awhile. And many followed him. “John didn’t perform miraculous signs,” they remarked to one another, “but everything he said about this man has come true.” And many who were there believed in Jesus.

Morning Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dying on the cross that I might live. Master and Savior, may your death bring me alive in you.

+ Lord, Jesus, you have taught me by your life and renewed me by your passion; do not allow me to grow used to sin.
+ Lord Jesus, you call me to care for the needy; may I deny myself to help my brothers and sisters in their need.
+ Lord Jesus, I accept from your hands this day of Lent; may I make it yours by deeds of love and kindness.
+ Lord Jesus, end the rebellion within my heart; make me generous and willing to share with both the deserving and the undeserving.

Lord, break the bonds of sin which my weaknesses have forged to enchain me, and in your loving mercy forgive my sin and wash away my guilt. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Jesus prayer” – Sr. Tereza Vodjana (Ukraine)

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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

Morning Prayer: 17 March – John 8:51-59 ~ I arise today…

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through a belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness, of the Creator of creation. (Lorica of St Patrick)

Morning Reading: John 8:51-59 (NLT)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”

high tower and cross

The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”

The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.

Morning Prayer

I arise today through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism, through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial, through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension, through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me; God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s hosts to save me from snares of the devil, from temptations of vices, from every one who desires me ill, afar and anear, alone or in a multitude.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism, through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial, through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension, through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom. (Lorica of St Patrick)

“Be Thou My Vision” – Robin Mark

Closing Sentence

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through a belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness, of the Creator of creation. (Lorica of St Patrick)

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

Morning Prayer: 16 March – John 8:31-42 ~ the truth will set you free

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
(Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: John 8:31-42 (NLT)

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

truth will set you free

“But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”

“Our father is Abraham!” they declared.

“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. No, you are imitating your real father.”

They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.

Morning Prayer

Blessed be Christ our Savior. In him we become a new creation, the old order passes and all things are renewed. You promised us, Lord, a new heaven and a new earth; renew me in your Spirit, that I may come to the new Jerusalem and rejoice in you for ever.

+ Renew me, Lord, that I may work with you to fill the world with your Spirit.
+ Renew me, Lord, that I may be engaged civically for your Kingdom purposes.
+ Renew me, Lord, that I may recognize with joy the power you have given me.
+ Renew me, Lord, that I may be set free from all evil.
+ Renew me, Lord, that I may see your path through the confusion of these times.
+ Renew me, Lord, that I may pursue the things that really matter in life.

God of mercy, shed your light on our hearts and, in your goodness, hear us when we pray. Keep us faithful to your teachings so that the Truth may set us free. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“The truth will set you free” – Dion DiMucci

down the dirty city street, black-topped sneakers on my feet, i raced thru’ early teenage years, and dealt with all those needless fears. waiting as the school bell rang, to drop my books and join the gang, in alley fights with stick ball games, when passing girls wore dirty names.

over my shoulder and back thru’ the years, i can see my father’s eyes in my memory, Jesus died upon the cross, all was won and nothing lost, and how the truth will set you free, yeah, and how the truth will set you free.

i turned my collar, i combed my hair, and i’d hide all the confusion there, when two dimes made my pockets ring, i was a wealthy new york king. being cool by the candy store, i knew my world yet wanted more, my high school colors of black and blue, they would disturb my point of view.

you know our candy stores turn shopping malls, and two dimes won’t buy much at all, the boy, Caruso, on the street is a father now in slippered feet, who tells his son as years go by, how God’s the truth and hates a lie, its not what’s in your pockets son, but what’s in your heart that makes us one.

over your shoulder and back thru’ the years, you will see your father’s eyes in your memory telling you why Jesus died upon the cross, all was won and nothing lost, and how the truth will set you free, yeah, and son the truth will set you free.

the truth will set you free, the truth will set you free, the truth will set you free

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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

Morning Prayer: 15 March – John 8:21-30 ~ then you will understand

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
(Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: John 8:21-30 (NLT)

Later Jesus said to them again, “I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.”

The people asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?”

Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”

Side Chapel Pauline Monastery of Jasna Góra Częstochowa, Poland
Side Chapel
Pauline Monastery of Jasna Góra
Częstochowa, Poland

“Who are you?” they demanded.

Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be. I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.” But they still didn’t understand that he was talking about his Father.

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me — he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.

Morning Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, bread of life, strengthen us and fill us with the blessings of your paschal sacrifice.

+ Implant your word in our hearts through faith and obedience.
+ Yield a harvest in us through diligence and perseverance.
+ Make us eager to fulfill your plan for the world to spread the great message of peace.
+ Forgive our sins and take away our guilt by your saving grace.

Gracious God, help your people to persevere in obedience to your will, so that through this obedience your Church in our time may grow in grace and increase in numbers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Lift High The Cross”

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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