Mass Readings Friday March 2, 2007

Friday of the First Week of Lent

Reading 1

Ez 18:21-28

Thus says the Lord GOD:If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just,he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him;he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced. Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked?says the Lord GOD. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil waythat he may live?

And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil,the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does,can he do this and still live?None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered,because he has broken faith and committed sin;because of this, he shall die. You say, "The LORD’s way is not fair!"Hear now, house of Israel:Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed,does what is right and just,he shall preserve his life;since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

********************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8

R. (3) If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

LORD, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

to my voice in supplication.

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,

LORD, who can stand?

But with you is forgiveness,

that you may be revered.

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

I trust in the LORD;

my soul trusts in his word.

My soul waits for the LORD

more than sentinels wait for the dawn.

Let Israel wait for the LORD.

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

For with the LORD is kindness

and with him is plenteous redemption;

And he will redeem Israel

from all their iniquities.

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

********************

Gospel

Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:

"I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses thatof the scribes and Pharisees,you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brotherwill be liable to judgment,and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,and there recall that your brotherhas anything against you,leave your gift there at the altar,go first and be reconciled with your brother,and then come and offer your gift.Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,and the judge will hand you over to the guard,and you will be thrown into prison.Amen, I say to you,you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."

********************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs

Mass Readings Thursday March 1, 2007

Thursday of the First Week of Lent

Reading 1

Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25

Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish,had recourse to the LORD.She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said:"God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you,for I am taking my life in my hand.As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathersthat you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you.Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you,O LORD, my God.

"And now, come to help me, an orphan.Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lionand turn his heart to hatred for our enemy,so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.Save us from the hand of our enemies;turn our mourning into gladnessand our sorrows into wholeness."

********************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8

R. (3a) Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,

for you have heard the words of my mouth;

in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;

I will worship at your holy temple

and give thanks to your name.

R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Because of your kindness and your truth;

for you have made great above all things

your name and your promise.

When I called, you answered me;

you built up strength within me.

R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Your right hand saves me.

The LORD will complete what he has done for me;

your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;

forsake not the work of your hands.

R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

********************

Gospel

Mt 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples:"Ask and it will be given to you;seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened to you.For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stonewhen he asked for a loaf of bread,or a snake when he asked for a fish?If you then, who are wicked,know how to give good gifts to your children,how much more will your heavenly Father give good thingsto those who ask him.

"Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets."

********************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs

Daily Mass Readings Wednesday February 28, 2007

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

Reading 1

Jon 3:1-10

The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:
“Set out for the great city of Nineveh,
and announce to it the message that I will tell you.”
So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh,
according to the LORD’s bidding.
Now Nineveh was an enormously large city;
it took three days to go through it.
Jonah began his journey through the city,
and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing,
“Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,”
when the people of Nineveh believed God;
they proclaimed a fast
and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When the news reached the king of Nineveh,
he rose from his throne,
laid aside his robe,
covered himself with sackcloth,
and sat in the ashes.
Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh,
by decree of the king and his nobles:
“Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep,
shall taste anything;

they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water.

Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God;

every man shall turn from his evil way

and from the violence he has in hand.

Who knows, God may relent and forgive,

and withhold his blazing wrath,

so that we shall not perish.”

When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way,

he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them;

he did not carry it out.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19

R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.

R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Gospel

Lk 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

Daily Mass Readings Tuesday February 27, 2007

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

Reading 1

Is 55:10-11

Thus says the LORD:
Just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
And do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
Giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19

R. (18b) From all their distress God rescues the just.

Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.

R. From all their distress God rescues the just.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out,
the LORD heard,and from all his distress he saved him.

R. From all their distress God rescues the just.

The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.

R. From all their distress God rescues the just.

When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

R. From all their distress God rescues the just.

Gospel

Mt 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This is how you are to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
“If you forgive men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

Mass Readings Monday February 26, 2007

Monday of the First Week of Lentt

Reading 1

Lv 19:1-2, 11-18

The LORD said to Moses,

“Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them:

Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.

“You shall not steal.
You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another.
You shall not swear falsely by my name,

thus profaning the name of your God.

I am the LORD.

“You shall not defraud or rob your neighbor.

You shall not withhold overnight the wages of your day laborer.

You shall not curse the deaf,

or put a stumbling block in front of the blind,

but you shall fear your God.

I am the LORD.

“You shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgment.

Show neither partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty

,but judge your fellow men justly.

You shall not go about spreading slander among your kin;

nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor’s life is at stake.

I am the LORD.

“You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart.

Though you may have to reprove him,

do not incur sin because of him.

Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen.

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

I am the LORD."

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15

R. (John 6:63b) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the LORD is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,

giving wisdom to the simple.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart.

The command of the LORD is clear,

enlightening the eye.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever;

The ordinances of the LORD are true,

all of them just.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart

find favor before you,

O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Gospel

Mt 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory,

and all the angels with him,

he will sit upon his glorious throne,

and all the nations will be assembled before him.

And he will separate them one from another,

as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Then the king will say to those on his right,

‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.

Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me food,

I was thirsty and you gave me drink,

a stranger and you welcomed me,

naked and you clothed me,

ill and you cared for me,

in prison and you visited me.’

Then the righteous will answer him and say,

‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,

or thirsty and give you drink?

When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,

or naked and clothe you?

When did we see you ill

or in prison, and visit you?’

And the king will say to them in reply,

‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did

for one of these least brothers of mine,

you did for me.

’Then he will say to those on his left,

‘Depart from me, you accursed,

into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.

For I was hungry and you gave me no food,

I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,

a stranger and you gave me no welcome,

naked and you gave me no clothing,

ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.

’Then they will answer and say,

‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty

or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,

and not minister to your needs?

’He will answer them,

‘Amen, I say to you,

what you did not do for one of these least ones,

you did not do for me.

’And these will go off to eternal punishment,

but the righteous to eternal life.”

First Sunday of Lent, February 25, 2007

Reading 1

Dt 26:4-10

Moses spoke to the people, saying: “The priest shall receive the basket from you and shall set it in front of the altar of the LORD, your God. Then you shall declare before the Lord, your God, ‘My father was a wandering Aramean who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as an alien. But there he became a nation great, strong, and numerous. When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us, we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cryand saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; and bringing us into this country, he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore, I have now brought you the firstfruits of the products of the soil which you, O LORD, have given me.’ And having set them before the Lord, your God, you shall bow down in his presence.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15

R. (cf. 15b) Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,

who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,

say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress,

my God in whom I trust.”

R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

No evil shall befall you,

nor shall affliction come near your tent,

For to his angels he has given command about you,

that they guard you in all your ways.

R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Upon their hands they shall bear you up,

lest you dash your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the asp and the viper;

you shall trample down the lion and the dragon.

R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;

I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in distress;I will deliver him and glorify him.

R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Reading II

Rm 10:8-13

Brothers and sisters:What does Scripture say? The word is near you,in your mouth and in your heart. that is, the word of faith that we preach , for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. For the Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all,enriching all who call upon him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Gospel

Lk 4:1-13

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him,“If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.”Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says,You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

Mass Readings Saturday February 24. 2007

Reading 1

Is 58: 9b- 14

Thus says the LORD: If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungryand satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise for you in the darkness,and the gloom shall become for you like midday; Then the LORD will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land. He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails. The ancient ruins shall be rebuilt for your sake, and the foundations from ages past you shall raise up; “Repairer of the breach,” they shall call you, “Restorer of ruined homesteads.”If you hold back your foot on the sabbath from following your own pursuits on my holy day; If you call the sabbath a delight,and the LORD’s holy day honorable; If you honor it by not following your ways,seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice—Then you shall delight in the LORD,and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;I will nourish you with the heritage of Jacob, your father,for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. (11ab) Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.

Incline your ear, O LORD; answer me,
for I am afflicted and poor.
Keep my life, for I am devoted to you;
save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God.

R. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.

Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for to you I call all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

R. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.
Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my pleading.

R. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.

Gospel
Lk 5:27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.”And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house,and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying,“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”Jesus said to them in reply,“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

Mass Readings Ash Wednesday February 21, 2007

Reading 1

J1 2:12-18

Even now, says the LORD,return to me with your whole heart,with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;Rend your hearts, not your garments,and return to the LORD, your God.For gracious and merciful is he,slow to anger, rich in kindness,and relenting in punishment.Perhaps he will again relentand leave behind him a blessing,Offerings and libationsfor the LORD, your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion!proclaim a fast,call an assembly;Gather the people,notify the congregation;Assemble the elders,gather the childrenand the infants at the breast;Let the bridegroom quit his roomand the bride her chamber.Between the porch and the altarlet the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,And say, "Spare, O LORD, your people,and make not your heritage a reproach,with the nations ruling over them!Why should they say among the peoples,‘Where is their God?’"

Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his landand took pity on his people.

*******************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17

R. (see 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;

in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.

Thoroughly wash me from my guilt

and of my sin cleanse me.

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

For I acknowledge my offense,

and my sin is before me always:

“Against you only have I sinned,

and done what is evil in your sight.”

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

A clean heart create for me, O God,

and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Cast me not out from your presence,

and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,

and a willing spirit sustain in me.

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

*******************

Reading II

2 Cor 5:20--6:2

Brothers and sisters:

We are ambassadors for Christ,as if God were appealing through us.We implore you on behalf of Christ,be reconciled to God.For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Working together, then,we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you,and on the day of salvation I helped you.

Behold, now is a very acceptable time;behold, now is the day of salvation.

*******************

Gospel

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Take care not to perform righteous deedsin order that people may see them;otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.When you give alms,do not blow a trumpet before you,as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streetsto win the praise of others.Amen, I say to you,they have received their reward.But when you give alms,do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,so that your almsgiving may be secret.And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

"When you pray,do not be like the hypocrites,who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street cornersso that others may see them.Amen, I say to you,they have received their reward.But when you pray, go to your inner room,close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

"When you fast,do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.They neglect their appearance,so that they may appear to others to be fasting.Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.But when you fast,anoint your head and wash your face,so that you may not appear to be fasting,except to your Father who is hidden.And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."

*******************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs

Mass Readings Monday February 19, 2007

Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Sir 1:1-10

All wisdom comes from the LORDand with him it remains forever, and is before all timeThe sand of the seashore, the drops of rain,the days of eternity: who can number these?Heaven’s height, earth’s breadth,the depths of the abyss: who can explore these?Before all things else wisdom was created;and prudent understanding, from eternity.The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdomand her ways are everlasting.To whom has wisdom’s root been revealed?Who knows her subtleties?To whom has the discipline of wisdom been revealed?And who has understood the multiplicity of her ways?There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring,seated upon his throne:There is but one, Most High all-powerful creator-king and truly awe-inspiring one,seated upon his throne and he is the God of dominion.It is the LORD; he created her through the Holy Spirit,has seen her and taken note of her.He has poured her forth upon all his works,upon every living thing according to his bounty;he has lavished her upon his friends.

********************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5

R. (1a) The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

The LORD is king, in splendor robed;

robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.

R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

And he has made the world firm,

not to be moved.

Your throne stands firm from of old;

from everlasting you are, O LORD.

R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed:

holiness befits your house,

O LORD, for length of days.

R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

********************

Gospel

Mk 9:14-29

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, Johnand approached the other disciples,they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.Immediately on seeing him,the whole crowd was utterly amazed.They ran up to him and greeted him. He asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?"Someone from the crowd answered him,"Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit.Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down;he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid.I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so."He said to them in reply,"O faithless generation, how long will I be with you?How long will I endure you? Bring him to me."They brought the boy to him.And when he saw him,the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions.As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. Then he questioned his father,"How long has this been happening to him?"He replied, "Since childhood.It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him.But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."Jesus said to him,"‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith."Then the boy’s father cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief!"Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering,rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it,"Mute and deaf spirit, I command you:come out of him and never enter him again!"

Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out.He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, "He is dead!"But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private,"Why could we not drive the spirit out?"He said to them, "This kind can only come out through prayer."

********************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs

Mass Readings Sunday February 18, 2007

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23

In those days, Saul went down to the desert of Ziphwith three thousand picked men of Israel,to search for David in the desert of Ziph.So David and Abishai went among Saul’s soldiers by nightand found Saul lying asleep within the barricade,with his spear thrust into the ground at his headand Abner and his men sleeping around him.

Abishai whispered to David:"God has delivered your enemy into your grasp this day.Let me nail him to the ground with one thrust of the spear;I will not need a second thrust!"But David said to Abishai, "Do not harm him,for who can lay hands on the LORD’s anointed and remain unpunished?"So David took the spear and the water jug from their place at Saul’s head,and they got away without anyone’s seeing or knowing or awakening.All remained asleep,because the LORD had put them into a deep slumber.

Going across to an opposite slope,David stood on a remote hilltopat a great distance from Abner, son of Ner, and the troops.He said: "Here is the king’s spear.Let an attendant come over to get it.The LORD will reward each man for his justice and faithfulness.Today, though the LORD delivered you into my grasp,I would not harm the LORD’S anointed."

********************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-1

R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

and all my being, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

He pardons all your iniquities,

heals all your ills.

He redeems your life from destruction,

crowns you with kindness and compassion.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Merciful and gracious is the LORD,

slow to anger and abounding in kindness.

Not according to our sins does he deal with us,

nor does he requite us according to our crimes.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he put our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

********************

Reading II

1 Cor 15:45-49

Brothers and sisters:

It is written, The first man, Adam, became a living being, the last Adam a life-giving spirit.But the spiritual was not first;rather the natural and then the spiritual.The first man was from the earth, earthly;the second man, from heaven.As was the earthly one, so also are the earthly,and as is the heavenly one, so also are the heavenly.Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one,we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.

********************

Gospel

Lk 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples:

"To you who hear I say,love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.To the person who strikes you on one cheek,offer the other one as well,and from the person who takes your cloak,do not withhold even your tunic.Give to everyone who asks of you,and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.Do to others as you would have them do to you.For if you love those who love you,what credit is that to you?Even sinners love those who love them.And if you do good to those who do good to you,what credit is that to you?Even sinners do the same.If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,what credit is that to you?Even sinners lend to sinners,and get back the same amount.But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,and lend expecting nothing back;then your reward will be greatand you will be children of the Most High,for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

"Stop judging and you will not be judged.Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.Forgive and you will be forgiven.Give, and gifts will be given to you;a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,will be poured into your lap.For the measure with which you measurewill in return be measured out to you."

********************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs

Mass Readings Friday February 16, 2007

Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Gn 11:1-9

The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words.While the people were migrating in the east,they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.They said to one another,"Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire."They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar.Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a cityand a tower with its top in the sky,and so make a name for ourselves;otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth."

The LORD came down to see the city and the towerthat they had built.Then the LORD said: "If now, while they are one people,all speaking the same language,they have started to do this,nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do.Let us then go down and there confuse their language,so that one will not understand what another says."Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth,and they stopped building the city.That is why it was called Babel,because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world.It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth.

********************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 33:10-11, 12-13, 14-15

R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;

he foils the designs of peoples.

But the plan of the LORD stands forever;

the design of his heart, through all generations.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.

From heaven the LORD looks down;

he sees all mankind.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

From his fixed throne he beholds

all who dwell on the earth,

He who fashioned the heart of each,

he who knows all their works.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

********************

Gospel

Mk 8:34--9:1

Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,take up his cross, and follow me.For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,but whoever loses his life for my sakeand that of the Gospel will save it.What profit is there for one to gain the whole worldand forfeit his life?What could one give in exchange for his life?Whoever is ashamed of me and of my wordsin this faithless and sinful generation,the Son of Man will be ashamed ofwhen he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels."

He also said to them,"Amen, I say to you,there are some standing here who will not taste deathuntil they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power."

********************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs

Mass Readings Thursday February 15, 2007

Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Gn 9:1-13

God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them:"Be fertile and multiply and fill the earth.Dread fear of you shall come upon all the animals of the earthand all the birds of the air,upon all the creatures that move about on the groundand all the fishes of the sea;into your power they are delivered. Every creature that is alive shall be yours to eat;I give them all to you as I did the green plants. Only flesh with its lifeblood still in it you shall not eat.For your own lifeblood, too, I will demand an accounting:from every animal I will demand it,and from one man in regard to his fellow man I will demand an accounting for human life.

If anyone sheds the blood of man,by man shall his blood be shed;For in the image of Godhas man been made.

Be fertile, then, and multiply;abound on earth and subdue it."

God said to Noah and to his sons with him:"See, I am now establishing my covenant with youand your descendants after youand with every living creature that was with you:all the birds, and the various tame and wild animalsthat were with you and came out of the ark.I will establish my covenant with you,that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyedby the waters of a flood;there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth."God added:"This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and youand every living creature with you:I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a signof the covenant between me and the earth."

********************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 102:16-18, 19-21 and 22-23

R. (20b) From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.

The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,

and all the kings of the earth your glory,

When the LORD has rebuilt Zion

and appeared in his glory;

When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,

and not despised their prayer.

R. From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.

Let this be written for the generation to come,

and let his future creatures praise the LORD:

“The LORD looked down from his holy height,

from heaven he beheld the earth,

To hear the groaning of the prisoners,

to release those doomed to die.”

R. From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.

The children of your servants shall abide,

and their posterity shall continue in your presence,

That the name of the LORD may be declared in Zion,

and his praise, in Jerusalem,

When the peoples gather together,

and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

R. From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.

********************

Gospel

Mk 8:27-33

Jesus and his disciples set outfor the villages of Caesarea Philippi.Along the way he asked his disciples,"Who do people say that I am?"They said in reply,"John the Baptist, others Elijah,still others one of the prophets."And he asked them,"But who do you say that I am?"Peter said to him in reply,"You are the Christ."

Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach themthat the Son of Man must suffer greatlyand be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,and be killed, and rise after three days.He spoke this openly.Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan.You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

********************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs

Mass Readings Tuesday February 13, 2007

Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Gn 6:5-8, 7:1-5, 10

When the LORD saw how great was man’s wickedness on earth,and how no desire that his heart conceivedwas ever anything but evil,he regretted that he had made man on the earth,and his heart was grieved.

So the LORD said:"I will wipe out from the earth the men whom I have created,and not only the men,but also the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air,for I am sorry that I made them."But Noah found favor with the LORD.

Then the LORD said to Noah:"Go into the ark, you and all your household,for you alone in this age have I found to be truly just.Of every clean animal, take with you seven pairs,a male and its mate;and of the unclean animals, one pair,a male and its mate;likewise, of every clean bird of the air, seven pairs,a male and a female,and of all the unclean birds, one pair,a male and a female.Thus you will keep their issue alive over all the earth.Seven days from now I will bring rain down on the earthfor forty days and forty nights,and so I will wipe out from the surface of the earthevery moving creature that I have made."Noah did just as the LORD had commanded him.

As soon as the seven days were over,the waters of the flood came upon the earth.

*******************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 29:1a and 2, 3ac-4, 3b and 9c-10

R. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Give to the LORD, you sons of God,

give to the LORD glory and praise,

Give to the LORD the glory due his name;

adore the LORD in holy attire.

R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters,

the LORD, over vast waters.

The voice of the LORD is mighty;

the voice of the LORD is majestic.

R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The God of glory thunders,

and in his temple all say, “Glory!”

The LORD is enthroned above the flood;

the LORD is enthroned as king forever.

R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

*******************

Gospel

Mk 8:14-21

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread,and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.Jesus enjoined them, "Watch out,guard against the leaven of the Phariseesand the leaven of Herod."They concluded among themselves thatit was because they had no bread.When he became aware of this he said to them,"Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread?Do you not yet understand or comprehend?Are your hearts hardened?Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?And do you not remember,when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand,how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?"They answered him, "Twelve.""When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand,how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?"They answered him, "Seven."He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"

*******************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs

Mass Readings Monday February 12, 2007

Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Gn 4:1-15, 25

The man had relations with his wife Eve,and she conceived and bore Cain, saying,"I have produced a man with the help of the LORD."Next she bore his brother Abel.Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil.In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORDfrom the fruit of the soil,while Abel, for his part,brought one of the best firstlings of his flock.The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,but on Cain and his offering he did not.Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen.So the LORD said to Cain:"Why are you so resentful and crestfallen.If you do well, you can hold up your head;but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door:his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master."

Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let us go out in the field."When they were in the field,Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.Then the LORD asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"He answered, "I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?"The LORD then said: "What have you done!Listen: your brother’s blood cries out to me from the soil!Therefore you shall be banned from the soilthat opened its mouth to receiveyour brother’s blood from your hand.If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce.You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth."Cain said to the LORD: "My punishment is too great to bear.Since you have now banished me from the soil,and I must avoid your presenceand become a restless wanderer on the earth,anyone may kill me at sight.""Not so!" the LORD said to him."If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold."So the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight.

Adam again had relations with his wife,and she gave birth to a son whom she called Seth."God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel," she said,"because Cain slew him."

*******************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 50:1 and 8, 16bc-17, 20-21

R. (14a) Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.

God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,

from the rising of the sun to its setting.

“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,

for your burnt offerings are before me always.”

R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.

“Why do you recite my statutes,

and profess my covenant with your mouth

Though you hate discipline

and cast my words behind you?”

R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.

“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. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.

*******************

Gospel

Mk 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,"Why does this generation seek a sign?Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."Then he left them, got into the boat again,and went off to the other shore.

*******************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs

Mass Readings Sunday February 11, 2007

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Jer 17:5-8

Thus says the LORD:Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings,who seeks his strength in flesh,whose heart turns away from the LORD.He is like a barren bush in the desertthat enjoys no change of season,but stands in a lava waste,a salt and empty earth.Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,whose hope is the LORD.He is like a tree planted beside the watersthat stretches out its roots to the stream:it fears not the heat when it comes;its leaves stay green;in the year of drought it shows no distress,but still bears fruit.

********************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

R. (40:5a) 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.

********************

Reading II

1 Cor 15:12, 16-20

Brothers and sisters:If Christ is preached as raised from the dead,how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?If the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised,and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain;you are still in your sins.Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.If for this life only we have hoped in Christ,we are the most pitiable people of all.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead,the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

********************

Gospel

Lk 6:17, 20-26

Jesus came down with the twelveand stood on a stretch of level groundwith a great crowd of his disciplesand a large number of the peoplefrom all Judea and Jerusalemand the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:"Blessed are you who are poor,for the kingdom of God is yours.Blessed are you who are now hungry,for you will be satisfied.Blessed are you who are now weeping,for you will laugh.Blessed are you when people hate you,and when they exclude and insult you,and denounce your name as evilon account of the Son of Man.Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.But woe to you who are rich,for you have received your consolation.Woe to you who are filled now,for you will be hungry.Woe to you who laugh now,for you will grieve and weep.Woe to you when all speak well of you,for their ancestors treated the falseprophets in this way."

********************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs

Mass Readings Saturday February 10, 2007

Memorial of Saint Scholastica, virgin

Reading 1

Gn 3:9-24

The LORD God called to Adam and asked him, "Where are you?"He answered, "I heard you in the garden;but I was afraid, because I was naked,so I hid myself."Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked?You have eaten, then,from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!"The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it."The LORD God then asked the woman,"Why did you do such a thing?"The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it."

Then the LORD God said to the serpent:

"Because you have done this, you shall be bannedfrom all the animalsand from all the wild creatures;On your belly shall you crawl,and dirt shall you eatall the days of your life.I will put enmity between you and the woman,and between your offspring and hers;He will strike at your head,while you strike at his heel."

To the woman he said:

"I will intensify the pangs of your childbearing;in pain shall you bring forth children.Yet your urge shall be for your husband,and he shall be your master."

To the man he said: "Because you listened to your wifeand ate from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat, "Cursed be the ground because of you!In toil shall you eat its yieldall the days of your life.Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to you,as you eat of the plants of the field.By the sweat of your faceshall you get bread to eat,Until you return to the ground,from which you were taken;For you are dirt,and to dirt you shall return."The man called his wife Eve,because she became the mother of all the living.

For the man and his wife the LORD God made leather garments,with which he clothed them.Then the LORD God said: "See! The man has become like one of us,knowing what is good and what is evil!Therefore, he must not be allowed to put out his handto take fruit from the tree of life also,and thus eat of it and live forever."The LORD God therefore banished him from the garden of Eden,to till the ground from which he had been taken.When he expelled the man,he settled him east of the garden of Eden;and he stationed the cherubim and the fiery revolving sword,to guard the way to the tree of life.

********************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 90:2, 3-4abc, 5-6, 12-13

R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Before the mountains were begotten

and the earth and the world were brought forth,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

You turn man back to dust,

saying, “Return, O children of men.”

For a thousand years in your sight

are as yesterday, now that it is past,

or as a watch of the night.

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

You make an end of them in their sleep;

the next morning they are like the changing grass,

Which at dawn springs up anew,

but by evening wilts and fades.

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Teach us to number our days aright,

that we may gain wisdom of heart.

Return, O LORD! How long?

Have pity on your servants!

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

********************

Gospel

Mk 8:1-10

In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat,Jesus summoned the disciples and said,"My heart is moved with pity for the crowd,because they have been with me now for three daysand have nothing to eat.If I send them away hungry to their homes,they will collapse on the way,and some of them have come a great distance."His disciples answered him, "Where can anyone get enough breadto satisfy them here in this deserted place?"Still he asked them, "How many loaves do you have?"They replied, "Seven."He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them,and gave them to his disciples to distribute,and they distributed them to the crowd.They also had a few fish.He said the blessing over themand ordered them distributed also.They ate and were satisfied.They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets.There were about four thousand people.

He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciplesand came to the region of Dalmanutha.

********************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs

Mass Readings Friday February 9, 2007

Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Gn 3:1-8

Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animalsthat the LORD God had made.The serpent asked the woman,"Did God really tell you not to eatfrom any of the trees in the garden?"The woman answered the serpent:"We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden;it is only about the fruit of the treein the middle of the garden that God said,‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’"But the serpent said to the woman:"You certainly will not die!No, God knows well that the moment you eat of ityour eyes will be opened and you will be like godswho know what is good and what is evil."The woman saw that the tree was good for food,pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom.So she took some of its fruit and ate it;and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her,and he ate it.Then the eyes of both of them were opened,and they realized that they were naked;so they sewed fig leaves togetherand made loincloths for themselves.

When they heard the sound of the LORD God moving about in the gardenat the breezy time of the day,the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD Godamong the trees of the garden.

********************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7

R. (1a) Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.

Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,

whose sin is covered.

Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,

in whose spirit there is no guile.

R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you,

my guilt I covered not.

I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”

and you took away the guilt of my sin.

R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.

For this shall every faithful man pray to you

in time of stress.

Though deep waters overflow,

they shall not reach him.

R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.

You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;

with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.

R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.

********************

Gospel

Mk 7:31-37

Jesus left the district of Tyreand went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impedimentand begged him to lay his hand on him.He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man(s earsand, spitting, touched his tongue;then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,"Ephphatha!" (that is, "Be opened!")And immediately the man’s ears were opened,his speech impediment was removed,and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to,the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said,"He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

********************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs

Mass Readings for Thursday February 8, 2007

Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Gn 2:18-25

The LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone.I will make a suitable partner for him."So the LORD God formed out of the groundvarious wild animals and various birds of the air,and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them;whatever the man called each of them would be its name.The man gave names to all the cattle,all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals;but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.

So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man,and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribsand closed up its place with flesh.The LORD God then built up into a womanthe rib that he had taken from the man.When he brought her to the man, the man said: "This one, at last, is bone of my bonesand flesh of my flesh;this one shall be called ‘woman,’for out of "her man’ this one has been taken."

That is why a man leaves his father and motherand clings to his wife,and the two of them become one flesh.

The man and his wife were both naked, yet they felt no shame.

*******************

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R. (see 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,

who walk in his ways!

For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;

blessed shall you be, and favored.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

in the recesses of your home;

Your children like olive plants

around your table.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Behold, thus is the man blessed

who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion:

may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

*******************

Gospel

Mk 7:24-30

Jesus went to the district of Tyre.He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it,but he could not escape notice.Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him.She came and fell at his feet.The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth,and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.He said to her, "Let the children be fed first.For it is not right to take the food of the childrenand throw it to the dogs."She replied and said to him,"Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps."Then he said to her, "For saying this, you may go.The demon has gone out of your daughter."When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bedand the demon gone.

*******************

Catholic

Religion
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Catholic Blogs