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Showing posts with label Jeremiah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jeremiah. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

Daily Catholic Mass Readings For Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Icon of Jesus Christ

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 18: 18-20

18 And they said: Come, and let us invent devices against Jeremiah: for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet: come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us give no heed to all his words.
19 Give heed to me, O Lord, and hear the voice of my adversaries.
20 Shall evil be rendered for good, because they have digged a pit for my soul? Remember that I have stood in thy sight, so speak good for them, and turn away thy indignation from them.

PSALM: Psalms 31: 5-6, 14-16

5 Thou wilt bring me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me: for thou art my protector.
6 Into thy hands I commend my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.
14 For I have heard the blame of many that dwell round about. While they assembled together against me, they consulted to take away my life.
15 But I have put my trust in thee, O Lord: I said: Thou art my God.
16 My lots are in thy hands. Deliver me out of the hands of my enemies; and from them that persecute me.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL: John 8: 12

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
he that followeth me shall have the light of life.

GOSPEL: Matthew 20: 17-28

17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart, and said to them:
18 Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death.
19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked, and scourged, and crucified, and the third day he shall rise again.
20 Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of him.
21 Who said to her: What wilt thou? She saith to him: Say that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom.
22 And Jesus answering, said: You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to him: We can.
23 He saith to them: My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand, is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.
24 And the ten hearing it, were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
25 But Jesus called them to him, and said: You know that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that are the greater, exercise power upon them.
26 It shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be the greater among you, let him be your minister:
27 And he that will be first among you, shall be your servant.
28 Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many.


I was recently robbed at the new job where I am now working. I wrote about it on a post you may read here.


Thursday, December 18, 2014

Daily Catholic Mass Readings For Thursday, December 18, 2014

"The Vision of Saint Joseph" -- by James Tissot
"The Vision of Saint Joseph"
-- by James Tissot

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 23:5-8

5 Behold the days come, saith the Lord, and I will raise up to David a just branch: and a king shall reign, and shall be wise, and shall execute judgement and justice in the earth.
6 In those days shall Juda be saved, and Israel shall dwell confidently: and this is the name that they shall call him: the Lord our just one.
7 Therefore behold the days to come, saith the Lord, and they shall say no more: The Lord liveth, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt:
8 But the Lord liveth, who hath brought out, and brought hither the seed of the house of Israel from the land of the north, and out of all the lands, to which I had cast them forth: and they shall dwell in their own land.

PSALM: Psalms 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19

1 Give to the king thy judgment, O God, and to the king’s son thy justice:
2 To judge thy people with justice, and thy poor with judgment.
12 For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty: and the needy that had no helper.
13 He shall spare the poor and needy: and he shall save the souls of the poor.
18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone doth wonderful things.
19 And blessed be the name of his majesty for ever: and the whole earth shall be filled with his majesty. So be it. So be it.

Alleluia:

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL: Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost.
19 Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying:
23 Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife.
25 And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.


Saturday, August 30, 2014

Sunday Catholic Mass Readings For August 31, 2014

"Get Thee Behind Me, Satan" -- by James Tissot
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 20: 7 - 9

7 Thou hast deceived me, O Lord, and I am deceived: thou hast been stronger than I, and thou hast prevailed. I am become a laughing-stock all the day, all scoff at me.
8 For I am speaking now this long time, crying out against iniquity, and I often proclaim devastation: and the word of the Lord is made a reproach to me, and a derision all the day.
9 Then I said: I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name: and there came in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was wearied, not being able to bear it.

PSALM: Psalms 63: 2 - 6, 8 - 9

2 O God, my God, to thee do I watch at break of day. For thee my soul hath thirsted; for thee my flesh, O how many ways!
3 In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, to see thy power and thy glory.
4 For thy mercy is better than lives: thee my lips shall praise.
5 Thus will I bless thee all my life long: and in thy name I will lift up my hands.
6 Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness: and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.
8 Because thou hast been my helper. And I will rejoice under the covert of thy wings:
9 My soul hath stuck close to thee: thy right hand hath received me.

SECOND READING: Romans 12: 1 - 2

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing unto God, your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world; but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, and the acceptable, and the perfect will of God.

GOSPEL: Matthew 16: 21 - 27

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.
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.
26 For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works.


Wednesday, August 06, 2014

Catholic Mass Readings For Thursday, August 07, 2014



FIRST READING: Jeremiah 31: 31 - 34

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

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

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.





Monday, August 04, 2014

Catholic Mass Readings For Tuesday, August 05, 2014

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

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

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

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

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."




Sunday, August 03, 2014

Catholic Mass Readings For Monday, August 04, 2014

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

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 28: 1 - 17

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

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

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.




Friday, August 01, 2014

Catholic Mass Readings For Saturday, August 02, 2014



FIRST READING: Jeremiah 26: 11 - 16, 24

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

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

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.




Thursday, July 31, 2014

Catholic Mass Readings For Friday, August 01, 2014



FIRST READING: Jeremiah 26: 1 - 9

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

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

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.




Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Catholic Mass Readings For Thursday, July 31, 2014



FIRST READING: Jeremiah 18: 1 - 6

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

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

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

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

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

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.