Monthly Archives: July 2024

Bible readings

Daily mass readings for Aug 3, 2024

Daily mass readings: Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Jer 26:11-16, 24

The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people,
“This man deserves death;
he has prophesied against this city,
as you have heard with your own ears.”
Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people:
“It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city
all that you have heard.
Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds;
listen to the voice of the LORD your God,
so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.
As for me, I am in your hands; 
do with me what you think good and right.
But mark well: if you put me to death,
it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves,
on this city and its citizens.
For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you,
to speak all these things for you to hear.”

Thereupon the princes and all the people
said to the priests and the prophets,
“This man does not deserve death;
it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.” 

So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah,
so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

Responsorial Psalm : PS 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34

R.(14c)  Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink!
may I be rescued from my foes,
and from the watery depths.
Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me,
nor the abyss swallow me up,
nor the pit close its mouth over me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Alleluia : Mt 5:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mt 14:1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus
and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist.
He has been raised from the dead;
that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison
on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
for John had said to him,
“It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people,
for they regarded him as a prophet.
But at a birthday celebration for Herod,
the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests
and delighted Herod so much
that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.
Prompted by her mother, she said,
“Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests who were present,
he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl,
who took it to her mother.
His disciples came and took away the corpse
and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.


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St. Lea

St. Lea

Feast dayJuly 20

St. Lea—a remarkable figure from the early Christian era! Let’s delve into her story.

St. Lea of Rome lived during the fourth century and is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church. Her life is known primarily through the writings of her close friend, the learned Saint Jerome. Here’s what we know:

  1. Background and Transformation:
  • Lea was born into wealth and privilege in Rome. She enjoyed a life of comfort and social standing.
  • Tragically, she became a widow soon after her marriage. Rather than retiring as a wealthy widow, Lea made a radical choice: She joined a convent of consecrated virgins in the city, shedding all her material possessions and status.
  • Lea’s transformation exemplifies the power of faith and self-sacrifice. She chose a life of austerity and devotion to God.
  1. Life in the Convent:
  • Lea supported a house run by another saint, Marcella. She worked as a menial servant and later became the prioress of the convent.
  • Her nights were spent in prayer, and she led by example rather than through speeches.
  • St. Jerome described her as “blessed,” emphasizing her virtues as worthy of heaven.
  1. Jerome’s Tribute:
  • In a letter to Marcella upon Lea’s death, Jerome drew a parallel with the parable of Lazarus and Dives. He urged Marcella to prioritize eternal things over worldly possessions.
  • Lea’s feast day in the Roman Catholic Church is March 22¹.

So, when you think of St. Lea, remember her as a woman who chose spiritual riches over material wealth—a lesson that still resonates today. If you’re seeking solace or guidance, perhaps St. Lea’s example can inspire you. 😊²³⁴

Is there anything else you’d like to explore or discuss? Perhaps another saint or a different topic?

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 25/07/2024
(1) Saint Lea – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lea.
(2) Saint Lea of Rome – Catholic Saint | Saint for a Minute: Blesseds & Saints. https://www.saintforaminute.com/saints/saint_lea_of_rome.
(3) Saint of the day: St. Lea – Catholic Trends. https://catholic-trends.com/2024/03/22/saint-of-the-day-st-lea/.
(4) St. Lea – Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-lea-185.


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Daily mass readings for August 2, 2024

Daily mass readings : Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Jer 26:1-9

In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim,
son of Josiah, king of Judah,
this message came from the LORD:
Thus says the LORD:
Stand in the court of the house of the LORD
and speak to the people of all the cities of Judah
who come to worship in the house of the LORD;
whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing.
Perhaps they will listen and turn back,
each from his evil way,
so that I may repent of the evil I have planned to inflict upon them
for their evil deeds.
Say to them: Thus says the LORD:
If you disobey me,
not living according to the law I placed before you
and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets,
whom I send you constantly though you do not obey them,
I will treat this house like Shiloh,
and make this the city to which all the nations of the earth
shall refer when cursing another.

Now the priests, the prophets, and all the people
heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the LORD.
When Jeremiah finished speaking
all that the LORD bade him speak to all the people,
the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying,
“You must be put to death!
Why do you prophesy in the name of the LORD:
‘This house shall be like Shiloh,’ and
‘This city shall be desolate and deserted’?”
And all the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm : PS 69:5, 8-10, 14

R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Those outnumber the hairs of my head
who hate me without cause.
Too many for my strength
are they who wrongfully are my enemies.
Must I restore what I did not steal?
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Since for your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother’s sons,
Because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Alleluia : 1 Pt 1:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of the Lord remains forever;
this is the word that has been proclaimed to you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mt 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.
They were astonished and said,
“Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
Is he not the carpenter’s son?
Is not his mother named Mary
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Are not his sisters all with us?
Where did this man get all this?”
And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and in his own house.”
And he did not work many mighty deeds there
because of their lack of faith.


Views: 8

St. Faith

St. Faith

Feast dayJuly 20

St. Faith, also known as Saint Faith of Conques (Latin: Sancta Fides; French: Sainte Foy; Spanish: Santa Fe), was a young Christian martyr from Agen in Aquitaine. Here are some key points about her life and legacy:

  1. Early Life and Martyrdom:
    • St. Faith lived during the 3rd century and was known for her unwavering faith in Christ.
    • She was arrested during the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire and refused to make pagan sacrifices.
    • St. Faith was tortured to death with a red-hot brazier, a testament to her steadfast faith¹².
  2. Veneration and Relics:
    • Her relics were transferred to the Abbey of Sainte-Foy in Conques, France, in the 9th century, where they became a major pilgrimage site.
    • She is venerated in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion¹.
  3. Feast Day and Patronage:
    • St. Faith’s feast day is celebrated on October 6.
    • She is considered the patron saint of pilgrims, prisoners, and soldiers¹².
  4. Legends and Miracles:
    • Numerous legends surround St. Faith, including stories of miracles attributed to her intercession.
    • One popular legend involves her causing a ring to fly off a woman’s swollen finger, demonstrating her miraculous powers¹.

St. Faith’s story continues to inspire many with her example of courage and devotion. 🌹🙏✨

¹: Wikipedia
²: Saint for a Minute

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 24/07/2024
(1) Saint Faith – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Faith.
(2) Saint Faith – Catholic Saint | Saint for a Minute: Blesseds & Saints. https://www.saintforaminute.com/saints/saint_faith.
(3) Saint Faith Biography | Pantheon. https://pantheon.world/profile/person/Saint_Faith.


Views: 11

Daily mass readings for Aug 1,2024

Daily mass readings: Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Reading 1 : Jer 18:1-6

This word came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
Rise up, be off to the potter’s house;
there I will give you my message.
I went down to the potter’s house and there he was,
working at the wheel.
Whenever the object of clay which he was making
turned out badly in his hand,
he tried again,
making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased.
Then the word of the LORD came to me:
Can I not do to you, house of Israel,
as this potter has done? says the LORD.
Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter,
so are you in my hand, house of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm : Ps 146:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6AB

R. (5a) Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD, O my soul;
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I live.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Put not your trust in princes,
in the sons of men, in whom there is no salvation.
When his spirit departs he returns to his earth;
on that day his plans perish.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD, his God.
Who made heaven and earth,
the sea and all that is in them.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia : Acts 16:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our heart, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mt13:47-53

Jesus said to the disciples:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea,
which collects fish of every kind.
When it is full they haul it ashore
and sit down to put what is good into buckets.
What is bad they throw away.
Thus it will be at the end of the age.
The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous
and throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

“Do you understand all these things?”
They answered, “Yes.”
And he replied,
“Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven
is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom
both the new and the old.”
When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.


Views: 3

St. David

St. David

Feast dayJuly 20

St. David, also known as Dewi Sant in Welsh, is the patron saint of Wales. He was a 6th-century bishop who played a significant role in spreading Christianity throughout Wales. Here are some key points about his life:

  1. Early Life:
    • St. David was born around 520 AD near St. Bride’s Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
    • According to tradition, he was the son of Sant, a chieftain, and Non, who later became a saint herself¹.
  2. Monastic Life and Teachings:
    • David was educated at Henfynyw and became renowned as a teacher and preacher.
    • He founded several monastic settlements and churches in Wales, Dumnonia (modern-day Devon and Cornwall), and Brittany.
    • His most famous monastery was at Glyn Rhosyn (now St. David’s), in Pembrokeshire¹².
  3. Miracles and Legends:
    • St. David is associated with several miracles. One of the most famous is when the ground beneath him rose up to form a hill while he was preaching, allowing the crowd to see and hear him better. A white dove is said to have landed on his shoulder during this event².
    • He is also credited with restoring sight to a blind man and resurrecting a child².
  4. Death and Legacy:
    • St. David died around 589 AD and was buried at his monastery in St. David’s.
    • His shrine at St. David’s Cathedral became a significant pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages.
    • He was canonized by Pope Callixtus II in 1120¹².
  5. Feast Day and Celebrations:
    • St. David’s feast day is celebrated on March 1. It is a national day of celebration in Wales, marked by parades, traditional Welsh costumes, and the wearing of daffodils or leeks².

St. David’s life and teachings continue to inspire many, emphasizing the importance of faith, humility, and service. 🌼🙏✨

¹: Wikipedia
²: Britannica

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 23/07/2024
(1) Saint David – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_David.
(2) Saint David | Biography, Patron Saint, Wales, & Facts. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-David.
(3) Saint David – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_David.
(4) Saint David – Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help. https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Saint-David/601892.


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Daily mass readings for July 31, 2024

Daily mass readings : Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

Reading 1 : Jer 15:10, 16-21

Woe to me, mother, that you gave me birth!
a man of strife and contention to all the land!
I neither borrow nor lend,
yet all curse me.
When I found your words, I devoured them;
they became my joy and the happiness of my heart,
Because I bore your name,
O LORD, God of hosts.
I did not sit celebrating
in the circle of merrymakers;
Under the weight of your hand I sat alone
because you filled me with indignation.
Why is my pain continuous,
my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?
You have indeed become for me a treacherous brook,
whose waters do not abide!
Thus the LORD answered me:
If you repent, so that I restore you,
in my presence you shall stand;
If you bring forth the precious without the vile,
you shall be my mouthpiece.
Then it shall be they who turn to you,
and you shall not turn to them;
And I will make you toward this people
a solid wall of brass.
Though they fight against you,
they shall not prevail,
For I am with you,
to deliver and rescue you, says the LORD.
I will free you from the hand of the wicked,
and rescue you from the grasp of the violent.

Responsorial Psalm : Ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18

R. (17d) God is my refuge on the day of distress.
Rescue me from my enemies, O my God;
from my adversaries defend me.
Rescue me from evildoers;
from bloodthirsty men save me.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
mighty men come together against me,
Not for any offense or sin of mine, O LORD.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
O my strength! for you I watch;
for you, O God, are my stronghold,
As for my God, may his mercy go before me;
may he show me the fall of my foes.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
But I will sing of your strength
and revel at dawn in your mercy;
You have been my stronghold,
my refuge in the day of distress.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
O my strength! your praise will I sing;
for you, O God, are my stronghold,
my merciful God!
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.

Alleluia : Jn 15:15b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I call you my friends, says the Lord,
for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mt 13:44-46

Jesus said to his disciples:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”


Views: 5

St. Pius X

St. Pius

Feast dayJuly 20

St. Pius X, born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto on June 2, 1835, in Riese, Venetia (now Italy), was the Pope of the Catholic Church from 1903 to 1914. Here are some key points about his life and legacy:

  1. Early Life and Priesthood:
    • Giuseppe Sarto was ordained a priest in 1858 and served in various pastoral roles, including as a parish priest and later as a bishop.
    • He became the Bishop of Mantua in 1884 and the Patriarch of Venice in 1893.
  2. Papacy:
    • Sarto was elected Pope on August 4, 1903, taking the name Pius X.
    • His papacy was marked by a strong stance against Modernism, a movement that sought to reinterpret traditional Catholic teachings.
    • He issued the encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis in 1907, condemning Modernist ideas and promoting traditional Catholic doctrine¹².
  3. Reforms and Contributions:
    • Pius X is known for his liturgical reforms, including the promotion of frequent reception of the Eucharist and the lowering of the age for First Communion.
    • He also reformed the Roman Curia and encouraged the use of the Gregorian chant in liturgy.
  4. Canonization and Legacy:
    • Pius X was canonized as a saint on May 29, 1954, by Pope Pius XII.
    • His feast day is celebrated on August 21.
    • He is remembered for his deep piety, pastoral care, and efforts to restore all things in Christ, as reflected in his papal motto, “Instaurare Omnia in Christo” (To restore all things in Christ)¹²³.

St. Pius X’s legacy continues to inspire many within the Catholic Church, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to traditional teachings and the sacraments. 🙏✨

¹: Britannica
²: Wikipedia
³: Britannica Summary

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 22/07/2024
(1) Saint Pius X | Biography, Legacy, & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Pius-X.
(2) Pope Pius X – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Pius_X.
(3) Saint Pius X summary | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Saint-Pius-X.


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Daily mass readings for July 30,2024

Daily mass readings : Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Jer 14:17-22

Let my eyes stream with tears
day and night, without rest,
Over the great destruction which overwhelms
the virgin daughter of my people,
over her incurable wound.
If I walk out into the field,
look! those slain by the sword;
If I enter the city,
look! those consumed by hunger.
Even the prophet and the priest
forage in a land they know not.

Have you cast Judah off completely?
Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow
that cannot be healed?
We wait for peace, to no avail;
for a time of healing, but terror comes instead.
We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness,
the guilt of our fathers;
that we have sinned against you.
For your name’s sake spurn us not,
disgrace not the throne of your glory;
remember your covenant with us, and break it not.
Among the nations’ idols is there any that gives rain?
Or can the mere heavens send showers?
Is it not you alone, O LORD,
our God, to whom we look?
You alone have done all these things.

Responsorial Psalm : Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13

R. (9) For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower;
all who come to him will live for ever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mt 13:36-43

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.
His disciples approached him and said,
“Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom.
The weeds are the children of the Evil One,
and the enemy who sows them is the Devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will collect out of his Kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”


Views: 4

Daily mass readings 29 July, 2024

Daily mass readings: Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Reading 1  : JER 13:1-11

The LORD said to me: Go buy yourself a linen loincloth;
wear it on your loins, but do not put it in water.
I bought the loincloth, as the LORD commanded, and put it on.
A second time the word of the LORD came to me thus:
Take the loincloth which you bought and are wearing,
and go now to the Parath;
there hide it in a cleft of the rock.
Obedient to the LORD’s command, I went to the Parath
and buried the loincloth.
After a long interval, the LORD said to me:  
Go now to the Parath and fetch the loincloth
which I told you to hide there.
Again I went to the Parath, sought out and took the loincloth
from the place where I had hid it.
But it was rotted, good for nothing!
Then the message came to me from the LORD:  
Thus says the LORD:
So also I will allow the pride of Judah to rot,
the great pride of Jerusalem.
This wicked people who refuse to obey my words,
who walk in the stubbornness of their hearts,
and follow strange gods to serve and adore them,
shall be like this loincloth which is good for nothing.
For, as close as the loincloth clings to a man’s loins,
so had I made the whole house of Israel
and the whole house of Judah cling to me, says the LORD;
to be my people, my renown, my praise, my beauty.
But they did not listen.

Responsorial Psalm  : DEUTERONOMY 32:18-19, 20, 21

R.  (see 18a)  You have forgotten God who gave you birth.
You were unmindful of the Rock that begot you,
You forgot the God who gave you birth.
When the LORD saw this, he was filled with loathing
and anger toward his sons and daughters.
R.  You have forgotten God who gave you birth.
“I will hide my face from them,” he said,
“and see what will then become of them.
What a fickle race they are,
sons with no loyalty in them!”
R.  You have forgotten God who gave you birth.
“Since they have provoked me with their ‘no-god’
and angered me with their vain idols,
I will provoke them with a ‘no-people’;
with a foolish nation I will anger them.”
R.  You have forgotten God who gave you birth.

Alleluia  : Jn 8:12

R.    Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R.    Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel  : JN 11:19-27

Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary
to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died].
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
she went to meet him;
but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus,
“Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that whatever you ask of God,
God will give you.”
Jesus said to her,
“Your brother will rise.”
Martha said to him,
“I know he will rise,
in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus told her,
“I am the resurrection and the life;
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
She said to him, “Yes, Lord.
I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,
the one who is coming into the world.”

Or: LK 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me.”
The Lord said to her in reply,
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her.”


Views: 12