July 2, 2018
DAILY MEDITATION
by Fr. Peter Tran
In the first reading, Amos performed his ministry as prophet in Northern Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II around year 760 B.C. Amos’ messages are announcements of God’s anger dealing with a very bad Israel’s society. People did not care about God. They live an unjust and immoral life. The prophet foretold a terrible judgment of God to answer for their sinful life. The Gospel of Mark tells us about the demand in order to become the disciples of Jesus. The disciples of Jesus suppose to have nowhere to live, to care not for family but for the kingdom of God only “follow me, and let the dead bury their dead”
We are created by God and for God not for ourselves or for our own plan for our future. In the time of the prophet Amos, people left God behind and lived for their desire. They lived in a sinful way. God was so angry and he wanted to punish them. The more we live for God the more we are on the right way that God wants us to be. We won’t loose anything if we give everything for God and for human salvation. Pray for us to give up everything for God, especially materials and our own desire. Amen
Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 377
Reading 1 Am 2:6-10, 13-16
Thus says the LORD:
For three crimes of Israel, and for four,
I will not revoke my word;
Because they sell the just man for silver,
and the poor man for a pair of sandals.
They trample the heads of the weak
into the dust of the earth,
and force the lowly out of the way.
Son and father go to the same prostitute,
profaning my holy name.
Upon garments taken in pledge
they recline beside any altar;
And the wine of those who have been fined
they drink in the house of their god.
Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorites before them,
who were as tall as the cedars,
and as strong as the oak trees.
I destroyed their fruit above,
and their roots beneath.
It was I who brought you up from the land of Egypt,
and who led you through the desert for forty years,
to occupy the land of the Amorites.
Beware, I will crush you into the ground
as a wagon crushes when laden with sheaves.
Flight shall perish from the swift,
and the strong man shall not retain his strength;
The warrior shall not save his life,
nor the bowman stand his ground;
The swift of foot shall not escape,
nor the horseman save his life.
And the most stouthearted of warriors
shall flee naked on that day, says the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 50:16bc-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23
- (22a) Remember this, you who never think of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. Remember this, you who never think of God.
“When you see a thief, you keep pace with him,
and with adulterers you throw in your lot.
To your mouth you give free rein for evil,
you harness your tongue to deceit.”
R. Remember this, you who never think of God.
“You sit speaking against your brother;
against your mother’s son you spread rumors.
When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.”
R. Remember this, you who never think of God.
“Consider this, you who forget God,
lest I rend you and there be no one to rescue you.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. Remember this, you who never think of God.
Alleluia Ps 95:8
- Alleluia, alleluia.
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 8:18-22
When Jesus saw a crowd around him,
he gave orders to cross to the other shore.
A scribe approached and said to him,
“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
Another of his disciples said to him,
“Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But Jesus answered him, “Follow me,
and let the dead bury their dead.”
July 3, 2018
DAILY MEDITATION
by Fr. Peter Tran
The letter of Paul to the Ephesians tells us that we are no longer strangers and sojourners but we are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God. Saint Paul’s message is that we are in the family of God. That family has been built on the Apostles. The Gospel of Saint John tells us the story of Jesus who appeared the second time to strengthen the faith of Thomas “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
The Church of Jesus is the Church of unity, of holiness, of Catholic and of Apostles. As Catholic we recite Apostles Creed as well. Our faith is based on the Apostles. Saint Thomas was chosen by Jesus himself and Jesus himself has to appear a second time to show himself to Thomas as the Risen Lord. After he saw the risen Lord, his faith gets stronger and he went out to proclaim the Gospel and to bring that faith to other people. When we celebrate the feast of saint Thomas Apostle, we learn a wonderful and practical teaching: We receive faith by God through the Apostles. In our turn we have to bring that faith to other people like Saint Thomas Apostle. Amen
Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle
Lectionary: 593
Reading 1 Eph 2:19-22
Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 117:1bc, 2
- (Mark 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
For steadfast is his kindness for us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Alleluia Jn 20:29
- Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Jn 20:24-29
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But Thomas said to them,
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
July 4, 2018
DAILY MEDITATION
by Fr. Peter Tran
In the first reading, the prophet Amos who made announcements to Israel people about the anger of the Lord for their sinful life showed the people of Israel how to calm down the anger of the Lord. He told them “Seek God and not evil…Hate evil and love good…” This teaching reflects exactly in the Responsorial psalm: “To the upright I will show the saving power of God”. The Gospel of Saint Matthew tells us about the power of God over the two demoniacs. Jesus comes to destroy the power of Satan and free people from the evil’s control. People did not want to let Jesus in because they did not recognize who he is and they did not want to get out of their own way, to stay away from Satan and welcome Jesus the Savior.
The power of devil is still strong in our society. People don’t like Catholic morality: Marriage is a permanent union between a male and a female. Don’t do abortion. Don’ do Euthanasia…… Many people still want to keep their old way. They live on whatever they want and like. They don’t want to let Jesus as the way, the truth and the life in. They want to be with Satan and evil things. Pray for our society and be a good example before others. Amen.
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 379
Reading 1 Am 5:14-15, 21-24
Seek good and not evil,
that you may live;
Then truly will the LORD, the God of hosts,
be with you as you claim!
Hate evil and love good,
and let justice prevail at the gate;
Then it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts,
will have pity on the remnant of Joseph.
I hate, I spurn your feasts, says the LORD,
I take no pleasure in your solemnities;
Your cereal offerings I will not accept,
nor consider your stall-fed peace offerings.
Away with your noisy songs!
I will not listen to the melodies of your harps.
But if you would offer me burnt offerings,
then let justice surge like water,
and goodness like an unfailing stream.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 50:7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 16bc-17
- (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Hear, my people, and I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“For mine are all the animals of the forests,
beasts by the thousand on my mountains.
I know all the birds of the air,
and whatever stirs in the plains, belongs to me.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“If I were hungry, I should not tell you,
for mine are the world and its fullness.
Do I eat the flesh of strong bulls,
or is the blood of goats my drink?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
Alleluia Jas 1:18
- Alleluia, alleluia.
The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 8:28-34
When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes,
two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him.
They were so savage that no one could travel by that road.
They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God?
Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?”
Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding.
The demons pleaded with him,
“If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.”
And he said to them, “Go then!”
They came out and entered the swine,
and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea
where they drowned.
The swineherds ran away,
and when they came to the town they reported everything,
including what had happened to the demoniacs.
Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus,
and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.
July 5, 2018
DAILY MEDITATION
by Fr. Peter Tran
In the first reading, Amos verifies himself that “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Amos means that he hasn’t chosen to be a prophet by himself but God chose him and whatever he does comes from the will of God. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus cured the paralytic by giving an order “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven” and “rise and walk!” Jesus wants to show his power over demons and decease.
God chose us to be born on earth for the glory of God and for salvation. Don’t think of us as an accident exist on the earth. Don’t think of us just like grass, nothing is valuable. We come and go without any notice from anyone. No, God chose us to be born and to work for God’s plan. Believe in God’s power and mercy. God planes us to be saved by saying “your sins are forgiven”. Trust in the power of God, let us rise and walk in the plan of salvation. Amen
Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 380
Reading 1 Am 7:10-17
Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam,
king of Israel:
“Amos has conspired against you here within Israel;
the country cannot endure all his words.
For this is what Amos says:
Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land.”
To Amos, Amaziah said:
“Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel;
for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.”
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet,
nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
Now hear the word of the LORD!”
You say: prophesy not against Israel,
preach not against the house of Isaac.
Now thus says the LORD:
Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city,
and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword;
Your land shall be divided by measuring line,
and you yourself shall die in an unclean land;
Israel shall be exiled far from its land.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11
- (10cd) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
Alleluia 2 Cor 5:19
- Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 9:1-8
After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
“This man is blaspheming.”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
“Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins”–
he then said to the paralytic,
“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.
July 6, 2018
DAILY MEDITATION
by Fr. Peter Tran
In the first reading, the book of the prophet Amos says “When I will send famine upon the land: Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the Lord….” Amos made people go further than the food to fill up the stomach but the food of life that they need very much. This is the word of God. They should be hungry for that spiritual food. In the Gospel, Saint Matthew tells us how Jesus chose him to be his disciple. Matthew used to be a tax collector, the one who works just for the money. However, Jesus went through his tax table and called him. From that day, Matthew stop looking for money, for materials but for the word of God, the food for eternal life, much more important than money and materials.
We should learn by heart the responsorial psalm today: One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Usually people prepare a very good meal for dead penalty person before he will be killed. Unfortunately even the luxury meal won’t do anything to save his life. Many people have good food and luxury life. They can spend as much as they want. However money and luxury life can do nothing for the life after death. Spend more time for spiritual food, for bible and for sacraments. Amen
Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 381
Reading 1 Am 8:4-6, 9-12
Hear this, you who trample upon the needy
and destroy the poor of the land!
“When will the new moon be over,” you ask,
“that we may sell our grain,
and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?”
We will diminish the containers for measuring,
add to the weights,
and fix our scales for cheating!
We will buy the lowly man for silver,
and the poor man for a pair of sandals;
even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!”
On that day, says the Lord GOD,
I will make the sun set at midday
and cover the earth with darkness in broad daylight.
I will turn your feasts into mourning
and all your songs into lamentations.
I will cover the loins of all with sackcloth
and make every head bald.
I will make them mourn as for an only son,
and bring their day to a bitter end.
Yes, days are coming, says the Lord GOD,
when I will send famine upon the land:
Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water,
but for hearing the word of the LORD.
Then shall they wander from sea to sea
and rove from the north to the east
In search of the word of the LORD,
but they shall not find it.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131
- (Matthew 4:4) One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Blessed are they who observe his decrees,
who seek him with all their heart.
R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
With all my heart I seek you;
let me not stray from your commands.
R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
My soul is consumed with longing
for your ordinances at all times.
R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
The way of truth I have chosen;
I have set your ordinances before me.
R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your justice give me life.
R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
I gasp with open mouth
in my yearning for your commands.
R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Alleluia Mt 11:28
- Alleluia, alleluia.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 9:9-13
As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
He heard this and said,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
July 7, 2018
DAILY MEDITATION
by Fr. Peter Tran
In the first reading, Amos foretold about the good future for Israel. God is in compassion and mercy. The purpose of God’s punishment is restoration, not destruction. “I will bring about the restoration of my people Israel; they shall rebuild and inhabit their ruined cities…God is the Father, the Savior…Listen to his word and keep hoping in the mercy of God. The Gospel of saint Mark tells us about Old Testament and New Testament. Jesus comes not to destroy the Old Testament but to renew and update them. The New Testament doesn’t use punishment to answer for the sinful person but forgiveness and restoration for a new life with hope.
“The Lord speaks of peace to his people” This comes from the responsorial psalm. God wants us to live, not to die or not to be destroyed. God wants to give us peace and peaceful future. We want peace and we pray for peace, but we forget to look for God first. God is peace and hope. If we want to have peace and hope in the family, in the society… we firstly should bring God in. People work for peace. People pray for peace but war and fighting happen everyday. Reason: they look for not God but for weapon. Amen.
Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 382
Reading 1 Am 9:11-15
Thus says the LORD:
On that day I will raise up
the fallen hut of David;
I will wall up its breaches,
raise up its ruins,
and rebuild it as in the days of old,
That they may conquer what is left of Edom
and all the nations that shall bear my name,
say I, the LORD, who will do this.
Yes, days are coming,
says the LORD,
When the plowman shall overtake the reaper,
and the vintager, him who sows the seed;
The juice of grapes shall drip down the mountains,
and all the hills shall run with it.
I will bring about the restoration of my people Israel;
they shall rebuild and inhabit their ruined cities,
Plant vineyards and drink the wine,
set out gardens and eat the fruits.
I will plant them upon their own ground;
never again shall they be plucked
From the land I have given them,
say I, the LORD, your God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14
- (see 9b) The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Alleluia Jn 10:27
- Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 9:14-17
The disciples of John approached Jesus and said,
“Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,
but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn
as long as the bridegroom is with them?
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast.
No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth,
for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse.
People do not put new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined.
Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”
July 8, 2018
DAILY MEDITATION
by Fr. Peter Tran
The first reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel tells us that God sent Ezekiel, as prophet to Israelites for God’ message even God knows Israelites are stubborn and rebellious. However, it depends to them, they would listen to the prophet or not… God still sends his prophet to them. If they listen to him, they will be saved, if they don’t they might receive bad things for them. We can say that God try his best to show his love to them. The Gospel of Saint Mark tells us that the people of Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown denied listening to Jesus because his very normal background. He is nothing special. Before their eyes, Jesus is not even a prophet. They never think of Jesus as God.
We have a very regular daily life as many people do. We don’t see any grace given by God in our daily life. We have no talent. We might not do many things. We are just a normal people. We don’t think of God’s plan for everyone of us. We don’t have any special family background….. People also don’t give us any special look. We are very normal and regular… However, God creates us in a special way… Nobody totally is alike with others in every thing, even the twin brother or sisters. Yes, we are valuable. God has special plan for us. Spend few minutes a day for meditation and recognize the grace of God for every one of us in our daily life. Amen
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 101
Reading 1 Ez 2:2-5
As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit entered into me
and set me on my feet,
and I heard the one who was speaking say to me:
Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites,
rebels who have rebelled against me;
they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day.
Hard of face and obstinate of heart
are they to whom I am sending you.
But you shall say to them: Thus says the LORD GOD!
And whether they heed or resist—for they are a rebellious house—
they shall know that a prophet has been among them.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 123:1-2, 2, 3-4
- (2cd) Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
To you I lift up my eyes
who are enthroned in heaven —
As the eyes of servants
are on the hands of their masters.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
As the eyes of a maid
are on the hands of her mistress,
So are our eyes on the LORD, our God,
till he have pity on us.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
Have pity on us, O LORD, have pity on us,
for we are more than sated with contempt;
our souls are more than sated
with the mockery of the arrogant,
with the contempt of the proud.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
Reading 2 2 Cor 12:7-10
Brothers and sisters:
That I, Paul, might not become too elated,
because of the abundance of the revelations,
a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan,
to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness.”
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,
in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Alleluia Cf. Lk 4:18
- Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 6:1-6
Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
