Catholic Mass Readings For Thursday, January 04, 2017

"The Calling of Saint John and Saint Andrew" -- by James Tissot

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

FIRST READING: 1 John 3: 7 - 10

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7 Little children, let no man deceive you. He that doth justice is just, even as he is just.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God appeared, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God, committeth not sin: for his seed abideth in him, and he can not sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil. Whosoever is not just, is not of God, nor he that loveth not his brother.

PSALM: Psalms 98: 1, 7 - 9

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1 Sing ye to the Lord anew canticle: because he hath done wonderful things. His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, and his arm is holy.

7 Let the sea be moved and the fulness thereof: the world and they that dwell therein.

8 The rivers shall clap their hands, the mountains shall rejoice together

9 At the presence of the Lord: because he cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with equity.

GOSPEL: John 1: 35 - 42

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35 The next day again John stood, and two of his disciples.

36 And beholding Jesus walking, he saith: Behold the Lamb of God.

37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38 And Jesus turning, and seeing them following him, saith to them: What seek you? Who said to him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

39 He saith to them: Come and see. They came, and saw where he abode, and they stayed with him that day: now it was about the tenth hour.

40 And Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard of John, and followed him.

41 He findeth first his brother Simon, and saith to him: We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

42 And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus looking upon him, said: Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted Peter.

Catholic Mass Readings For Thursday, August 07, 2014

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 31: 31 - 34

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31 Behold the days shall come, saith the Lord, and I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Juda:

32 Not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt: the covenant which they made void, and I had dominion over them, saith the Lord.

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, saith the Lord: I will give my law in their bowels, and I will write it in their heart: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying: Know the Lord: for all shall know me from the least of them even to the greatest, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

PSALM: Psalms 51: 12 - 15, 18 - 19

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12 Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.

13 Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

14 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.

15 I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.

18 For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.

19 A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise..

GOSPEL: Matthew 16: 13 - 23

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13 And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is?

14 But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?

16 Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.

18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

20 Then he commanded his disciples, that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.

21 From that time Jesus began to shew to his disciples, that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the ancients and scribes and chief priests, and be put to death, and the third day rise again.

22 And Peter taking him, began to rebuke him, saying: Lord, be it far from thee, this shall not be unto thee.

23 Who turning, said to Peter: Go behind me, Satan, thou art a scandal unto me: because thou savourest not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men.

Catholic Mass Readings For Wednesday, August 06, 2014

"The Transfiguration" -- by James Tissot

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

FIRST READING: Daniel 7: 9 - 10, 13 - 14

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9 I beheld till thrones were placed, and the Ancient of days sat: his garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like clean wool: his throne like flames of fire: the wheels of it like a burning fire.

10 A swift stream of fire issued forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times a hundred thousand stood before him: the judgment sat, and the books were opened.

13 I beheld therefore in the vision of the night, and lo, one like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and he came even to the Ancient of days: and they presented him before him.

14 And he gave him power, and glory, and a kingdom: and all peoples, tribes and tongues shall serve him: his power is an everlasting power that shall not be taken away: and his kingdom that shall not be destroyed.

PSALM: Psalms 97: 1 - 2, 5 - 6, 9

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1 The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad.

2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.

5 The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord: at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens declared his justice: and all people saw his glory.

9 For thou art the most high Lord over all the earth: thou art exalted exceedingly above all gods.

SECOND READING: 2 Peter 1: 16 - 19

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16 For we have not by following artificial fables, made known to you the power, and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ; but we were eyewitnesses of his greatness.

17 For he received from God the Father, honour and glory: this voice coming down to him from the excellent glory: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

18 And this voice we heard brought from heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount.

19 And we have the more firm prophetical word: whereunto you do well to attend, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.

GOSPEL: Matthew 17: 1 - 9

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1 And after six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:

2 And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow.

3 And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him.

4 And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

5 And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him.

6 And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid.

7 And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them, Arise, and fear not.

8 And they lifting up their eyes saw no one but only Jesus.

9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.

Catholic Mass Readings For Tuesday, August 05, 2014

"The Blind in the Ditch" -- by James Tissot

Optional Memorial of the Dedication of Saint Mary Major

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 30: 1 - 2, 12 - 15, 18 - 22

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1 This is another word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh:

2 Yahweh, God of Israel says, "Write in a book all that I have communicated to you,

12 Yahweh says, "Your wound is incurable, your injury is grievous.

13 There is no one to plead your cause. There is a remedy for an ulcer but no healing for you!

14 All your lovers have forgotten you; they care nothing for you. For I struck you as an enemy does, with a cruel punishment, because of your great guilt and the wickedness of your sin.

15 Why cry out now that you are hurt? Is there no cure for your pain? Because of your great crime and grievous sin I have done this to you.

18 Yahweh says, "I will restore my people into Jacob's tents and have pity on his dwellings. The city will be rebuilt over its ruins and the palace restored on its proper place.

19 From them will come songs of praise and the sound of merrymaking. I will multiply them and they shall not be few. I will bestow honor on them and they shall not be despised.

20 Their children will be as before and their community will be established before me. I will ask their oppressors to account.

21 Their leader will be one of themselves, their ruler shall emerge from their midst. I will bring him close to me for who would dare to approach me?

22 You shall be my people and I shall be your God."

PSALM: Psalms 102: 16 - 21, 29, 22 - 23

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16 O Lord, the nations will revere your name, and the kings of the earth your glory,

17 when the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in all his splendor.

18 For he will answer the prayer of the needy and will not despise their plea.

19 Let this be written for future ages, "the Lord will be praised by a people he will form."

20 From his holy height in heaven, the Lord has looked on the earth

21 to hear the groaning of the prisoners, and free those condemned to death.

29 Your servants' children will dwell secure; their posterity will endure without fail.

22 Then the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,

23 when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship him

GOSPEL: Matthew 14: 22 - 36 OR Matthew 15: 1 - 2, 10 - 14

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22 Immediately Jesus obliged his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowd away.

23 And having sent the people away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. At nightfall, he was there alone.

24 Meanwhile, the boat was very far from land, dangerously rocked by the waves for the wind was against it.

25 At daybreak, Jesus came to them walking on the lake.

26 When they saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, thinking that it was a ghost. And they cried out in fear.

27 But at once Jesus said to them, "Courage! Don't be afraid. It's me!"

28 Peter answered, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you walking on the water."

29 Jesus said to him, "Come." And Peter got out of the boat, walking on the water to go to Jesus.

30 But, in face of the strong wind, he was afraid and began to sink. So he cried out, "Lord, save me!"

31 Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and took hold of him, saying, "Man of little faith, why did you doubt?"

32 As they got into the boat, the wind dropped.

33 Then those in the boat bowed down before Jesus saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God!"

34 They came ashore at Gennesareth.

35 The local people recognized Jesus and spread the news throughout the region. So they brought all the sick to him,

36 begging him to let them touch just the fringe of his cloak. All who touched it became perfectly well.

OR

1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the Law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus. And they said to him,

2 "Why don't your disciples follow the tradition of the elders? In fact, they don't wash their hands before eating."

10 Jesus then called the people near him and said to them, "Listen and understand:

11 what enters into the mouth does not make a person unclean, what defiles one is what comes out of his mouth."

12 After a while the disciples gathered around Jesus and said, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended by what you said?"

13 Jesus answered, "Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted shall be uprooted.

14 Pay no attention to them! They are blind leading the blind. When a blind person leads another, the two will fall into a pit."

Catholic Mass Readings For Monday, August 04, 2014

"Jesus Walks on the Sea" (left) & "Saint Peter Walks on the Sea" (right) -- by James Tissot

Memorial of Saint John Mart Vianney, Priest

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 28: 1 - 17

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1 Early in the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah spoke to me. Hananiah son of Azzur from Gibeon proclaimed in Yahweh's House in the presence of the priests and the people,

2 "This is what Yahweh the God of hosts and the God of Israel says: I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

3 Within two years I will bring back to this place all the objects that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took away from Yahweh's House and carried to Babylon.

4 I will likewise bring back Jekoniah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all who were taken from Judah and deported to Babylon. For I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon - word of Yahweh."

5 Then Jeremiah replied to Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people,

6 "So be it! May Yahweh fulfill the words you have spoken and bring back from Babylon to this place the objects taken from the House of Yahweh and all the exiles.

7 Yet hear now what I say in your hearing and the hearing of all the people.

8 The prophets who came before you and me continually prophesied war, disaster and plague to many nations and great kingdoms.

9 So the prophet who prophesies peace will not be recognized as truly sent by Yahweh, until his predictions are fulfilled."

10 Then Hananiah took the yoke from the neck of Jeremiah and broke it.

11 Hananiah proclaimed in the presence of all the people, "Yahweh says this: In the same manner within two years will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar from the neck of all the nations." Then Jeremiah the prophet went on his way.

12 Some time later, a word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah,

13 "Go and tell this to Hananiah: This is what Yahweh says: You have broken a wooden yoke but in its place you will get a yoke of iron.

14 For this is what Yahweh the God of hosts and the God of Israel says: I am placing a yoke of iron on the neck of all the nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and they will serve him. I will even give him control over the wild animals."

15 Then Jeremiah said to Hananiah, "Listen! Hananiah, you have not been sent by Yahweh and yet you have deceived these people, giving them false hope with your lies.

16 That is why Yahweh says with regard to you: I am removing you from the face of the earth. You will die this very year because you have counseled rebellion against Yahweh."

17 And in the seventh month of that year Hananiah died.

PSALM: Psalms 119: 29, 43, 79 - 80, 95, 102

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29 Keep me away from deceitful paths; be gracious and teach me your law.

43 Take not the word of truth from my mouth, for I would also lose my hope in your word.

79 Let those who fear you turn to me, they will understand your statutes.

80 May my heart be blameless in your decrees, that I may not be ashamed.

95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I look to your word for salvation.

102 I have not departed from your decrees for you yourself have instructed me.

GOSPEL: Matthew 14: 22 - 36

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22 Immediately Jesus obliged his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowd away.

23 And having sent the people away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. At nightfall, he was there alone.

24 Meanwhile, the boat was very far from land, dangerously rocked by the waves for the wind was against it.

25 At daybreak, Jesus came to them walking on the lake.

26 When they saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, thinking that it was a ghost. And they cried out in fear.

27 But at once Jesus said to them, "Courage! Don't be afraid. It's me!"

28 Peter answered, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you walking on the water."

29 Jesus said to him, "Come." And Peter got out of the boat, walking on the water to go to Jesus.

30 But, in face of the strong wind, he was afraid and began to sink. So he cried out, "Lord, save me!"

31 Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and took hold of him, saying, "Man of little faith, why did you doubt?"

32 As they got into the boat, the wind dropped.

33 Then those in the boat bowed down before Jesus saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God!"

34 They came ashore at Gennesareth.

35 The local people recognized Jesus and spread the news throughout the region. So they brought all the sick to him,

36 begging him to let them touch just the fringe of his cloak. All who touched it became perfectly well.

Sunday Catholic Mass Readings For August 03, 2014

FIRST READING: Isaiah 55: 1 - 3

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1 Come here, all you who are thirsty, come to the water! All who have no money, come! Yes, without money and at no cost, buy and drink wine and milk.

2 Why spend money on what is not food and labor for what does not satisfy? Listen to me, and you will eat well; you will enjoy the richest of fare.

3 Incline your ear and come to me; listen, that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, I will fulfill in you my promises to David.

PSALM: Psalms 145: 8 - 9, 15 - 18

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8 Compassionate and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in love.

9 The Lord is good to everyone; his mercy embraces all his creation.

15 All creatures look to you to be fed in due season;

16 with open hand you satisfy the living according to their needs.

17 Righteous is the Lord in all his ways, his mercy shows in all his deeds.

18 He is near those who call on him, who call trustfully upon his name.

SECOND READING: Romans 8: 35, 37 - 39

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35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Will it be trials, or anguish, persecution or hunger, lack of clothing, or dangers or sword?

37 No, in all of this we are more than conquerors, thanks to him who has loved us.

38 I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor spiritual powers, neither the present nor the future, nor cosmic powers,

39 were they from heaven or from the deep world below, nor any creature whatsoever will separate us from the love of God, which we have in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

GOSPEL: Matthew 14: 13 - 21

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13 On hearing this, Jesus set out secretly by boat for a secluded place. But the people heard of it, and they followed him on foot from their towns.

14 When Jesus went ashore, he saw the crowd gathered there and he had compassion on them. And he healed their sick.

15 Late in the afternoon, his disciples came to him and said, "We are in a lonely place and it is now late. You should send these people away, so they can go to the villages and buy something for themselves to eat."

16 But Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat."

17 They answered, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fishes."

18 Jesus said to them, "Bring them here to me."

19 Then he made everyone sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fishes, raised his eyes to heaven, pronounced the blessing, broke the loaves and handed them to the disciples to distribute to the people.

20 And they all ate, and everyone had enough; then the disciples gathered up the leftovers, filling twelve baskets.

21 About five thousand men had eaten there besides women and children.

Catholic Mass Readings For Saturday, August 02, 2014

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 26: 11 - 16, 24

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11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the leaders of the people: "This man must die for he has spoken against the city as you have heard with your own ears!"

12 Jeremiah replied, "I have been sent by Yahweh to prophesy against this House and this city all that you have heard.

13 Hence, reform your ways and your deeds and obey Yahweh your God that he may change his mind and not bring upon you the destruction he had intended.

14 As for me I am in your hands; do with me whatever you consider just and right.

15 But know that I am innocent and if you take my life you commit a crime that is a curse on yourselves, on the city and the people. In truth it was Yahweh who sent me to say all that I said in your hearing."

16 Then the leaders, backed by the people, said to the priests and the prophets, "This man does not deserve death; he spoke to us in the Name of Yahweh."

24 As for Jeremiah he was befriended by Ahikam, son of Shaphan, and was not handed over to those who wanted him put to death.

PSALM: Psalms 69: 15 - 16, 30 - 31, 33 - 34

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15 Rescue me, lest I sink in the mire; deliver me from the storm and the deep waters.

16 Let not the flood engulf me, nor the deep suck me in, let not the pit close its mouth upon me.

30 But I myself am humbled and wounded; your salvation, O God, will lift me up.

31 I will praise the name of God in song; I will glorify him with thanksgiving.

33 Let the lowly witness this and be glad. You who seek God, may your hearts be revived.

34 For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise those in captivity.

GOSPEL: Matthew 14: 1 - 12

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1 At that time the news about Jesus reached King Herod.

2 And he said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. John has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him."

3 Herod had, in fact, ordered that John be arrested, bound in chains and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.

4 For John had said to him, "It is not right for you to have her as wife."

5 Herod wanted to kill him but he did not dare, because he feared the people who regarded John as a prophet.

6 On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst of the guests; she so delighted Herod

7 that he promised under oath to give her anything she asked.

8 The girl, following the advice of her mother, said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a dish."

9 The king was very displeased, but because he had made this promise under oath in the presence of the guests, he ordered it to be given her.

10 So he had John beheaded in prison

11 and his head brought on a dish and given to the girl. The girl then took it to her mother.

12 Then John's disciples came to take his body and bury it. And they went to bring the news to Jesus.

Catholic Mass Readings For Friday, August 01, 2014

Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 26: 1 - 9

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1 At the beginning of the reign of Judah's king Jehoiakim son of Josiah, the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah:

2 Yahweh says this, "Stand in the courtyard of Yahweh's House and say to all who come from the towns of Judah to worship in Yahweh's house - all that I command you to say; do not omit anything!

3 Perhaps they will listen to you. Perhaps each one will turn from his wicked ways. Then I will change my mind and forget the destruction that I have planned to inflict on them because of their wicked deeds.

4 Tell them: This is what Yahweh says:

"You have not obeyed me and you have failed to walk according to my Law which I have set before you.

5 You have not heeded my servants, the prophets, whom I have persistently sent to you. If you stubbornly close your ears to them,

6 I will treat this House of mine as I treated the sanctuary of Shiloh and let all the nations see that Jerusalem is a cursed city."

7 The priests, the prophets and all the people heard what Jeremiah said in Yahweh's House.

8 When Jeremiah finished saying all that Yahweh had commanded, he was besieged by the priests and prophets saying, "You are bound to die!

9 How dare you speak in Yahweh's Name telling us that this House will be treated like Shiloh and this city is to become a deserted ruins." And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the House of Yahweh.

PSALM: Psalms 69: 5, 8 - 10, 14

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5 More than the hairs of my head are those who hate me for no reason; mighty are those who attack me, many are my enemies without cause. What I did not steal I am forced to restore.

8 since I am held in contempt for your sake, and shame has covered my face.

9 I have become a stranger to my kindred, an alien to my mother's sons.

10 Zeal for your house consumes me as fire and those who insult you insult me as well.

14 But I pray to you, O Lord, at a time most favorable to you. In your great love, O God, answer me with your unfailing help.

GOSPEL: Matthew 13: 54 - 58

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54 He went to his hometown and taught the people in their synagogue. They were amazed and said, "Where did he get this wisdom and these special powers?

55 Isn't he the carpenter's son? Isn't Mary his mother and aren't James, Joseph, Simon and Judas his brothers?

56 Aren't all his sisters living here? How did he get all this?"

57 And so they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "The only place where prophets are not welcome is their hometown and in their own family."

58 And he did not perform many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Catholic Mass Readings For Thursday, July 31, 2014

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 18: 1 - 6

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1 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah:

2 "Go down to the potter's house and there you will hear what I have to say."

3 So I went to the potter's house and found him working at the wheel.

4 But the pot he was working on was spoiled in his hands, so he reworked it all over again into another pot that suits his desire.

5 Meanwhile Yahweh sent me his word,

6 "People of Israel, can I not do with you what this potter does? As clay in the potter's hand so are you in my hands.

PSALM: Psalms 146: 1 - 6

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1 Alleluia! Praise the Lord, my soul!

2 I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to God while I live.

3 Do not put your trust in princes, in a great one who cannot save.

4 Not sooner his spirit has left, that he goes back to the earth; on that very day, any plan comes to nothing.

5 Blessed are they whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God,

6 maker of heaven and earth, the sea and all they contain. The Lord is forever faithful.

GOSPEL: Matthew 13: 47 - 53

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47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a big fishing net let down into the sea, in which every kind of fish has been caught.

48 When the net is full, it is dragged ashore. Then they sit down and gather the good fish in buckets, but throw the worthless ones away.

49 That is how it will be at the end of time; the angels will go out to separate the wicked from the just

50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where they will weep and gnash their teeth."

51 Jesus asked, "Have you understood all these things?" "Yes," they answered.

52 So he said to them, "You will see that every teacher of the Law who becomes a disciple of the Kingdom is like a householder who can produce from his store things both new and old."

53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he left the place.

Catholic Mass Readings For Wednesday, July 30, 2014

"The Pearl of Great Price", by Domenico Fetti, 17th century

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 15: 10, 16 - 21

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10 Woe is me, my mother, that you bore me, a man of strife and contention to the whole land! I have not lent, nor have I borrowed, yet all of them curse me.

16 I devoured your words when they came.They were my happiness and I felt full of joy when you made your Name rest on me. Never did I associate with worldly people,

17 amusing myself with scoffers! When your hand was upon me I stood apart and you filled me with your anger.

18 Why is there no end to my sorrow or healing for my wound? Why do you deceive me, and why does my spring suddenly dry up?

19 Then Yahweh spoke to me, "If you return I will take you back and you will serve me again. Draw the gold from the dross and you will be as my own mouth. You must draw them to you and not go over to them.

20 I will make you a fortress and a wall of bronze facing them; if they fight against you they will not overcome you;

21 I am with you to free you and save you. I will redeem you from the wicked and free you from the hands of tyrants."

PSALM: Psalms 59: 2 - 4, 10 - 11, 17 - 18

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2 Deliver me from my enemies, O God, from those who rise up against me.

3 Deliver me from evildoers; rescue me from the bloodthirsty.

4 Look, they lie in wait for my life; the mighty conspiring against me, for no fault of mine, O Lord.

10 O my Strength, I look up to you, for you, O God, are my fortress.

11 My loving God will come to help me and let me see my enemies fall.

17 But I will sing of your might; in the morning I will sing of your love. For you have been a fortress to me, a refuge in time of distress.

18 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my stronghold; you are a loving God.

GOSPEL: Matthew 13: 44 - 46

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44 The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. The one who finds it buries it again; and so happy is he, that he goes and sells everything he has, in order to buy that field.

45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like a trader who is looking for fine pearls.

46 Once he has found a pearl of exceptional quality, he goes away, sells everything he has and buys it.