October 21, 2019
« October 20 | October 22 »
DAILY MEDITATION
by Daily reading & meditation website
Nghe đọc, Click vào đây
Saint Paul, in his letter to the Romans, holds up Abraham as a model of fidelity to God. In the Gospel, Jesus is asked to settle a conflict between two brothers. He cautions his followers to guard against greed, and tells them a parable about a rich man with a bountiful harvest.
God shows favor upon those who are faithful to his will.
As Abraham received a covenant from the Lord, so, too, do Jesus’ followers enter into a covenant with him. If we follow his teachings, to love God and to love neighbor. Our focus ought to be God, and not on earthly treasures. Let us pray: Good and Gracious God, may you receive the prayers we have just offered and answer them in your grace. Amen.
Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 473
Nghe các bài đọc Anh ngữ tại đây
Reading 1 Rom 4:20-25
Brothers and sisters:
Abraham did not doubt God’s promise in unbelief;
rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God
and was fully convinced that what God had promised
he was also able to do.
That is why it was credited to him as righteousness.
But it was not for him alone that it was written
that it was credited to him;
it was also for us, to whom it will be credited,
who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
who was handed over for our transgressions
and was raised for our justification.
Responsorial Psalm Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75
R.(see 68) Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
He has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
Alleluia Mt 5:3
- Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit;
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 12:13-21
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,
“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”
He replied to him,
“Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”
Then he said to the crowd,
“Take care to guard against all greed,
for though one may be rich,
one’s life does not consist of possessions.”
Then he told them a parable.
“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.
He asked himself, ‘What shall I do,
for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
And he said, ‘This is what I shall do:
I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones.
There I shall store all my grain and other goods
and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you,
you have so many good things stored up for many years,
rest, eat, drink, be merry!”‘
But God said to him,
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself
but is not rich in what matters to God.”
October 22, 2019
« October 21 | October 23 »
DAILY MEDITATION
by Daily reading & meditation website
Nghe đọc, Click vào đây
Optional memorial; Saint John Paul II, Pope
Saint Paul writes that because of the sacrifice of Christ we, who were once condemned, now have the hope of new life. In the Gospel, Jesus challenges the disciples to be like faithful servants, vigilant and ready to serve, not matter the hour or the day.
Christ is the New Adam, who justifies us and brings us eternal life.
Through one man – Adam – sin and death entered the world and all who followed him were subjected to both. Jesus Christ is the new Adam, who opened for us the way to a share in the eternal life of God. By his sacrifice on Calvary, he has paid the price that is rightly owed by all humanity. He has ensured that when he comes in glory, those who have been faithful and embraced his gift of grace will reign through his justification. Let us pray: Almighty God, hear our prayers and in your great love answer them. Let us experience once more your constant help and steadfast mercy. Amen.
Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 474
Nghe các bài đọc Anh ngữ tại đây
Reading 1 Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21
Brothers and sisters:
Through one man sin entered the world,
and through sin, death,
and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned.
If by that one person’s transgression the many died,
how much more did the grace of God
and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ
overflow for the many.
For if, by the transgression of the one,
death came to reign through that one,
how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace
and the gift of justification
come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, just as through one transgression
condemnation came upon all,
so, through one righteous act
acquittal and life came to all.
For just as through the disobedience of one man
the many were made sinners,
so, through the obedience of the one
the many will be made righteous.
Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more,
so that, as sin reigned in death,
grace also might reign through justification
for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17
R.(8a and 9a) Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you,
And may those who love your salvation
say ever, “The LORD be glorified.”
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Alleluia Lk 21:36
- Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray
that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 12:35-38
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.”
For the readings of the Optional Memorial of Saint John Paul II, please go here.
October 23, 2019
« October 22 | October 24 »
DAILY MEDITATION
by Daily reading & meditation website
Nghe đọc, Click vào đây
Optional memorial Saint John Capistrano, Priest
Saint Paul encourages the Romans to not let sin reign over them, for they are no longer under the law but under grace. Jesus tells his disciples that they must be prepared, like good servants, for the return of the master.
By grace we know of God’s goodness, and with grace and virtue we await Christ’s return.
Both Jesus and Saint Paul speak of the person who knows God’s will, yet acts sinfully. We may understand this through our own experience of temptation. Saint Paul and Jesus enjoin us not only to avoid sin, but to act in grace. Grace and virtue should direct all our ways, as we do not know the moment of Christ’s return. Let us pray: God, hear our prayers today, and graciously grant us what we ask in faith. Amen.
Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 475
Nghe các bài đọc Anh ngữ tại đây
Reading 1 Rom 6:12-18
Brothers and sisters:
Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies
so that you obey their desires.
And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin
as weapons for wickedness,
but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life
and the parts of your bodies to God
as weapons for righteousness.
For sin is not to have any power over you,
since you are not under the law but under grace.
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law
but under grace?
Of course not!
Do you not know that if you present yourselves
to someone as obedient slaves,
you are slaves of the one you obey,
either of sin, which leads to death,
or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin,
you have become obedient from the heart
to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted.
Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 124:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8
R.(8a) Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Had not the LORD been with us,
let Israel say, had not the LORD been with us–
When men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive;
When their fury was inflamed against us.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us;
over us then would have swept the raging waters.
Blessed be the LORD, who did not leave us
a prey to their teeth.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
We were rescued like a bird
from the fowlers’ snare;
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Alleluia Mt 24:42a, 44
- Alleluia, alleluia.
Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 12:39-48
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, he will put him
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly.
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
For the readings of the Optional Memorial of Saint John of Capistrano, please go here.
October 24, 2019
« October 23 | October 25 »
DAILY MEDITATION
by Daily reading & meditation website
Nghe đọc, Click vào đây
Optional memorial Saint Mary Claret, Bishop
Paul writes to the Romans that the natural consequence of sin is death, whereas holy life lived in obedience to God leads to eternal life, which is God’s gift. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that he has not come to bring peace on earth but division.
God’s gift of eternal life is more than we deserve.
From the beginning, the result of sin has been death. When we sin, we separate ourselves from the source of life. Jesus’ death retired humanity’s relationship with God. Now, when we turn away form sin and obey God, we receive the gift of eternal life. Let us pray: Father, you sent your Son into the world out of love for us, so that who we believe in him might have eternal life. Strengthen our faith so that we may one day reach the peace of your kingdom. Amen.
Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 476
Nghe các bài đọc Anh ngữ tại đây
Reading 1 Rom 6:19-23
Brothers and sisters:
I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature.
For just as you presented the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity
and to lawlessness for lawlessness,
so now present them as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness.
But what profit did you get then
from the things of which you are now ashamed?
For the end of those things is death.
But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God,
the benefit that you have leads to sanctification,
and its end is eternal life.
For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
R.(Ps 40:5) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Alleluia Phil 3:8-9
- Alleluia, alleluia.
I consider all things so much rubbish
that I may gain Christ and be found in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 12:49-53
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
For the readings of the Optional Memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, please go here.
October 25, 2019
« October 24 | October 26 »
DAILY MEDITATION
by Daily reading & meditation website
Nghe đọc, Click vào đây
In the first reading, Paul describes the conflict between his inner self and his mortal body. He desires to do what is good, but still does evil. In the Gospel, Jesus criticizes the crowds because they can interpret the signs of the weather, but not the signs of the times. He urges the crowd to make their relationships right before going before a judge.
With Jesus’ help, we are called to work for what is good in our world.
Today’s readings focus on the tension between good and evil. Paul desires to do what is right, but still struggles to do so. The people gathered to listen to Jesus are blind to the signs of Jesus. We, too, face these struggles. We must recognize what is good and right, and then choose to act accordingly. The readings today help us to understand that we need Jesus to guide us on the path of goodness. Let us pray: Thank you Lord for graciously hearing our prayers. Grant these things we brought before you today, and guide us along the path of goodness. Amen.
Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 477
Nghe các bài đọc Anh ngữ tại đây
Reading 1 Rom 7:18-25a
Brothers and sisters:
I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh.
The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not.
For I do not do the good I want,
but I do the evil I do not want.
Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it,
but sin that dwells in me.
So, then, I discover the principle
that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.
For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,
but I see in my members another principle
at war with the law of my mind,
taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Miserable one that I am!
Who will deliver me from this mortal body?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm pS 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94
R.(68b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Never will I forget your precepts,
for through them you give me life.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Alleluia See Mt 11:25
- Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 12:54-59
Jesus said to the crowds,
“When you see a cloud rising in the west
you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does;
and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south
you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is.
You hypocrites!
You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”
October 26, 2019
« October 25 | October 27 »
DAILY MEDITATION
by Daily reading & meditation website
Nghe đọc, Click vào đây
Saturday in honor of BVM.
In his letter to the Romans, Saint Paul differentiates between spirit and the flesh, stating that the spirit fosters life but the concern of the flesh is death. In the Gospel, Jesus instructs the crowds to not worry about others who may have sinned, but to focus on their own repentance so they will not perish.
God calls us to repent so that we can live the full life he intends for us.
In today’s Gospel Jesus demonstrates “tough love” as he tells the crowds that they will perish if they do not repent. The true nature of mercy is that God calls us to repent so that we can live the full life he intends for us. Let us pray: Lord, you are the one who calls us into life. Hear our prayers and answer them according to your holy will. Amen.
Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 478
Nghe các bài đọc Anh ngữ tại đây
Reading 1 Rom 8:1-11
Brothers and sisters:
Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has freed you from the law of sin and death.
For what the law, weakened by the flesh, was powerless to do,
this God has done:
by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh
and for the sake of sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
so that the righteous decree of the law might be fulfilled in us,
who live not according to the flesh but according to the spirit.
For those who live according to the flesh
are concerned with the things of the flesh,
but those who live according to the spirit
with the things of the spirit.
The concern of the flesh is death,
but the concern of the spirit is life and peace.
For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God;
it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it;
and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not in the flesh;
on the contrary, you are in the spirit,
if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.
Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
But if Christ is in you,
although the body is dead because of sin,
the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
the one who raised Christ from the dead
will give life to your mortal bodies also,
through his Spirit that dwells in you.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R.(see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Alleluia Ez 33:11
- Alleluia, alleluia.
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord,
but rather in his conversion that he may live.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 13:1-9
Some people told Jesus about the Galileans
whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
He said to them in reply,
“Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
Or those eighteen people who were killed
when the tower at Siloam fell on them—
do you think they were more guilty
than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!”
And he told them this parable:
“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,
and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,
he said to the gardener,
‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?’
He said to him in reply,
‘Sir, leave it for this year also,
and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
it may bear fruit in the future.
If not you can cut it down.'”
October 27, 2019
« October 26 | October 28 »
DAILY MEDITATION
by Daily reading & meditation website
Nghe đọc, Click vào đây
Sirach says that the Lord is the God of justice who is not partial, but does hear the cries and prayers of the most vulnerable. Saint Paul writes that he has kept the faith and looks forward to the crown of righteousness, noting that it was the Lord who rescued him from evil. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parables of the Pharisees and tax collector who go to the temple to pray, noting the justification of the tax collector due to his humility.
Relationship with the Lord requires us to recognize our dependence on him.
While pride is the root of much sin, humility is the soil in which a life of virtue can grow. The more we recognize our need for God and his mercy, the more we can open ourselves up to the grace he wishes to pour out on us. It is when we think ourselves independent of God that we close ourselves off to his saving mercy and grace. Let us pray: Father, hear these and all our prayers this day, and have mercy on us your sons and daughters. Amen.
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 150
Nghe các bài đọc Anh ngữ tại đây
Reading 1 Sir 35:12-14, 16-18
The LORD is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak,
yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.
The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,
nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.
The one who serves God willingly is heard;
his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;
it does not rest till it reaches its goal,
nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,
judges justly and affirms the right,
and the Lord will not delay.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23
- (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Reading 2 2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18
Beloved:
I am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Alleluia 2 Cor 5:19
- Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —
greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
