Daily mass readings for Nov 20,2024

Daily mass readings: Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Rv 4:1-11

I, John, had a vision of an open door to heaven,
and I heard the trumpetlike voice
that had spoken to me before, saying,
“Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards.”
At once I was caught up in spirit.
A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat one
whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian.
Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald.
Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones
on which twenty-four elders sat,
dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads.
From the throne came flashes of lightning,
rumblings, and peals of thunder.
Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne,
which are the seven spirits of God.
In front of the throne was something that resembled
a sea of glass like crystal.

In the center and around the throne,
there were four living creatures
covered with eyes in front and in back.
The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf,
the third had a face like that of a man,
and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight.
The four living creatures, each of them with six wings,
were covered with eyes inside and out.
Day and night they do not stop exclaiming:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty,
who was, and who is, and who is to come.”
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks
to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
the twenty-four elders fall down
before the one who sits on the throne
and worship him, who lives forever and ever.
They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming:

“Worthy are you, Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things;
because of your will they came to be and were created.”

Responsorial Psalm : 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. (1b) Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
Praise the LORD in his sanctuary,
praise him in the firmament of his strength.
Praise him for his mighty deeds,
praise him for his sovereign majesty.
R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
Praise him with the blast of the trumpet,
praise him with lyre and harp,
Praise him with timbrel and dance,
praise him with strings and pipe.
R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
Praise him with sounding cymbals,
praise him with clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath
praise the LORD! Alleluia.
R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Alleluia : See Jn 15:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Lk 19:11-28

While people were listening to Jesus speak,
he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem
and they thought that the Kingdom of God
would appear there immediately.
So he said,
“A nobleman went off to a distant country
to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.
He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins
and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’
His fellow citizens, however, despised him
and sent a delegation after him to announce,
‘We do not want this man to be our king.’
But when he returned after obtaining the kingship,
he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money,
to learn what they had gained by trading.
The first came forward and said,
‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’
He replied, ‘Well done, good servant!
You have been faithful in this very small matter;
take charge of ten cities.’
Then the second came and reported,
‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’
And to this servant too he said,
‘You, take charge of five cities.’
Then the other servant came and said,
‘Sir, here is your gold coin;
I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,
for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;
you take up what you did not lay down
and you harvest what you did not plant.’
He said to him,
‘With your own words I shall condemn you,
you wicked servant.
You knew I was a demanding man,
taking up what I did not lay down
and harvesting what I did not plant;
why did you not put my money in a bank?
Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’
And to those standing by he said,
‘Take the gold coin from him
and give it to the servant who has ten.’
But they said to him,
‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’
He replied, ‘I tell you,
to everyone who has, more will be given,
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king,
bring them here and slay them before me.’”

After he had said this,
he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

St. Joanna

Feast day

June 9

St. Joanna, also known as Joanna, the wife of Chuza, was a significant figure in the early Christian community. She is often referred to as Saint Joanna the Myrrhbearer due to her role in anointing Jesus’ body after his crucifixion. Joanna was married to Chuza, the steward of King Herod Antipas, but she chose a life of faith and discipleship2.

Joanna is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke as one of the women who provided for Jesus and the Apostles from their resources. She was also one of the women who discovered the empty tomb on the first Easter morning, making her one of the first witnesses to the Resurrection2.

Her feast day is celebrated on May 24th in the Roman Catholic Church and June 27th in the Orthodox Church. Joanna is venerated for her faithful devotion and her role in the early Christian community.

Daily mass readings Nov 19,2024

Daily mass readings :Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1: RV 3:1-6, 14-22

I, John, heard the Lord saying to me:
“To the angel of the Church in Sardis, write this:

“‘The one who has the seven spirits of God
and the seven stars says this: “I know your works,
that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die,
for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.
Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it, and repent.
If you are not watchful, I will come like a thief,
and you will never know at what hour I will come upon you.
However, you have a few people in Sardis
who have not soiled their garments;
they will walk with me dressed in white,
because they are worthy.“‘

The victor will thus be dressed in white,
and I will never erase his name from the book of life
but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father
and of his angels.

“‘Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”“

“To the angel of the Church in Laodicea, write this:

“‘The Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the source of God’s creation, says this:
“I know your works;
I know that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were either cold or hot.
So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold,
I will spit you out of my mouth.
For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,’
and yet do not realize that you are wretched,
pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich,
and white garments to put on
so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed,
and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see.
Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise.
Be earnest, therefore, and repent.

“‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
then I will enter his house and dine with him,
and he with me.
I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne,
as I myself first won the victory
and sit with my Father on his throne.

“‘Whoever has ears ought to hear
what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Responsorial Psalm : PS 15:2-3A, 3BC-4AB, 5

R. (Rev. 3: 21) I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.

Alleluia : 1 JN 4:10B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God loved us, and sent his Son
as expiation for our sins.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : LK 19:1-10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house.”
And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
“He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.”
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over.”
And Jesus said to him,
“Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost.”

Thanksgiving Fun: Creative Activities to Help Kids Express Gratitude! 🙏✨

Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and pumpkin pie; it’s about taking a moment to pause and soak in gratitude. For kids, weaving thankfulness into their world can be as fun and heartwarming as a warm slice of pie fresh from the oven.

Here are 6 creative activities to bring gratitude to life this Thanksgiving and cultivate a tradition of thankfulness that will echo long after the holiday ends.

1. The Enchanted Gratitude Jar:

Picture this: a plain mason jar, transformed into a magical vessel brimming with colourful slips of paper, each one a tiny secret of thankfulness. Start by setting up a “gratitude station” complete with markers, stickers, and glitter (because who doesn’t love glitter?). Each day leading up to Thanksgiving, encourage the kids to jot down one thing they’re grateful for.

On Thanksgiving Day, gather around the jar and take turns drawing out the notes. Expect giggles when someone reads, I’m thankful for chocolate chip pancakes, and a heartfelt I’m grateful for Dad’s bedtime stories to bring misty eyes. This simple jar will soon become a cherished centrepiece, glowing not just with decoration, but with the warmth of shared memories.

2. The Thankful Tree That Grew in the Living Room

Imagine a tree not outside, but right in the middle of your living room, its branches swaying with bright, paper leaves. This Thankful Tree begins as a bare branch (picked from the yard or crafted from paper). Kids get to decorate paper leaves and write what they’re thankful for before attaching them to the tree.

Every leaf tells a story: Grandma’s hugs, The neighbour’s friendly cat, The first snowfall. By Thanksgiving Day, the tree isn’t just an art project; it’s a living testament to the joys that colour their world. Best of all, the Thankful Tree stands as a reminder that gratitude, like the branches, can grow if we nurture it.

3. The Great Gratitude Banner

Who says a Thanksgiving feast can’t have a parade of its own? This one comes in the form of a gratitude banner stretched across your dining room wall. Hand out triangles of construction paper or fabric and have each child write or draw something they’re grateful for. String them together with twine and hang them up.

As the turkey cooks and the room fills with laughter, guests can read through the banner: Family game nights, Sunday morning pancakes, The library with the nice librarian. The banner becomes more than a decoration; it’s a conversation starter and a visual reminder that the most beautiful things in life are often the simplest.

4. Thankfulness Journals: Secret Diaries of Joy

Not all gratitude needs to be shouted from the rooftops; some of it is best kept tucked away like a hidden treasure. Give each child a small, decorated journal and encourage them to write or draw one thing they’re thankful for every day during November. The entries can range from the way the sun feels on a cold day to my sister teaching me how to whistle.

These journals become keepsakes, pages filled with a child’s unique view of the world. On Thanksgiving night, after the dishes are done and the house is quiet, invite the kids to read one favourite entry each. Watch as their faces glow with pride, and know that these tiny books will hold echoes of gratitude long after the last leaf falls.

5. The Gratefulness Scavenger Hunt

Turn thankfulness into a treasure hunt! Create a list of items or themes for kids to find around the house or yard, like something that makes you laugh, something that makes you feel safe, or something that reminds you of family.

The hunt begins with laughter and scampering feet. Kids return with a hodgepodge of objects: a well-loved teddy bear, a family photo, a funny hat that always makes everyone giggle. As they explain why they chose each item, the house fills with stories and memories, each one shining with newfound appreciation.

6. Giving Back: The Most Thankful Act of All

What better way to show gratitude than by giving back? Gather the kids and prepare care packages for a local shelter, or bake cookies for an elderly neighbor. If possible, take them to deliver the packages and see the joy on someone else’s face. It’s a lesson in thankfulness that words can’t capture, one that teaches kids that gratitude isn’t just about what we receive—it’s about what we give.

Watch their smiles widen when they realize the smallest gesture, like handing over a homemade card, can light up a whole room. This act of kindness is the most magical way to end Thanksgiving, leaving kids with hearts full of gratitude and the understanding that giving is its own reward.

These Thanksgiving activities go beyond crafts and games; they instil lasting values of gratitude and empathy in children. Whether through a simple jar filled with thankful notes or spending time giving back to the community, these activities are sure to enrich your family’s holiday and create cherished traditions.

Try incorporating one or more of these activities into your Thanksgiving plans and watch as your children’s understanding of gratitude deepens.

Daily mass readings for Nov 18, 2024

Daily mass readings: Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : RV 1:1-4; 2:1-5

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him,
to show his servants what must happen soon.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
who gives witness to the word of God
and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud
and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message
and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.

John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace
from him who is and who was and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits before his throne.

I heard the Lord saying to me:
“To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this:

“‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand
and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this:
“I know your works, your labor, and your endurance,
and that you cannot tolerate the wicked;
you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not,
and discovered that they are impostors.
Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name,
and you have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you:
you have lost the love you had at first.
Realize how far you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Otherwise, I will come to you
and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”’”

Responsorial Psalm :PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6

R. (Rev. 2:17) Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
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. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
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. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
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. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.

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 : LK 18:35-43

As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

St. Pelagia

Feast day

June 9

St. Pelagia is an intriguing and inspiring saint with a unique story, reflecting themes of repentance and transformation. Known primarily as Pelagia of Antioch, she is sometimes referred to as Pelagia the Penitent or Pelagia the Harlot, highlighting her journey from a life of sin to sainthood.

Early Life and Conversion

Pelagia was originally a famed actress and courtesan in Antioch, renowned for her beauty and lavish lifestyle. She was known for leading a life filled with worldly pleasures, wealth, and excess. However, during a sermon by Bishop Nonnus, she was deeply moved by his words about repentance and salvation. This encounter sparked a profound change in her heart, leading her to seek forgiveness and convert to Christianity.

Radical Transformation

After her baptism, Pelagia renounced her former life and distributed her wealth to the poor. She chose to live as an ascetic, dressing in men’s clothing and adopting the name Pelagius to disguise her identity. Pelagia journeyed to Jerusalem, where she spent the rest of her days living as a hermit on the Mount of Olives. Her life of strict penance and prayer became a powerful example of redemption and spiritual dedication.

Legacy and Feast Day

St. Pelagia’s life story has been cherished for centuries as an emblem of the boundless grace of God and the potential for radical transformation through faith. Her feast day is celebrated on October 8 in the Eastern Orthodox Church and on October 4 in the Roman Catholic tradition.

Her story reminds believers of the hope and possibility inherent in true repentance, emphasizing that no one is beyond the reach of divine mercy. Pelagia is also sometimes seen as a patron of actresses and repentant sinners due to her dramatic shift from an indulgent lifestyle to one of piety.

Daily mass readings for Nov 17,2024

Daily mass readings : Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

Reading 1 : EPH 1:1-10

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
to the holy ones who are in Ephesus
and faithful in Christ Jesus:
grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.

In Christ we have redemption by his Blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.

Responsorial Psalm : PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4, 5-6

R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

Alleluia : JN 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : LK 11:47-54

The Lord said:
“Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets
whom your fathers killed.
Consequently, you bear witness and give consent
to the deeds of your ancestors,
for they killed them and you do the building.
Therefore, the wisdom of God said,
‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles;
some of them they will kill and persecute’
in order that this generation might be charged
with the blood of all the prophets
shed since the foundation of the world,
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah
who died between the altar and the temple building.
Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!
Woe to you, scholars of the law!
You have taken away the key of knowledge.
You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.”
When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees
began to act with hostility toward him
and to interrogate him about many things,
for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

St. Timothy

Feast day

June 9

St. Timothy was an early Christian evangelist and a trusted companion of St. Paul the Apostle. He was born in Lystra (modern-day Turkey) to a Greek father and a Jewish-Christian mother, Eunice. His grandmother, Lois, was also noted for her piety, and both women played an important role in teaching Timothy the Scriptures from a young age.

St. Paul met Timothy during his second missionary journey and was so impressed by his faith and dedication that he invited him to join him in spreading the Gospel. Timothy became a close associate of Paul, accompanying him on many of his missions and serving as an emissary to various early Christian communities. Paul referred to Timothy as his “beloved and faithful child in the Lord” and “his true son in the faith,” highlighting the deep spiritual bond they shared.

Timothy was instrumental in the leadership of the early Church and was appointed by Paul to oversee the Christian community in Ephesus. He received two epistles (1 Timothy and 2 Timothy) from Paul, which are part of the New Testament and provide guidance on pastoral duties, church leadership, and maintaining sound doctrine.

Tradition holds that Timothy remained a faithful leader in Ephesus until his death. He is believed to have been martyred around the year 97 AD under the Roman emperor Domitian, after protesting a pagan festival in the city.

St. Timothy is venerated as a saint in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions, and his feast day is celebrated on January 26. He is the patron saint of those who suffer from stomach ailments, possibly referencing Paul’s advice in 1 Timothy 5:23 about using a little wine for his health.

Daily mass readings for Nov 16, 2024

Daily mass readings : Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : GAL 5:18-25

Brothers and sisters:
If you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry,
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm : PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6

R. (see Jn 8:12) Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
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. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
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. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
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. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Alleluia : JN 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : LK 11:42-46

The Lord said:
“Woe to you Pharisees!
You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb,
but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God.
These you should have done, without overlooking the others.
Woe to you Pharisees!
You love the seat of honor in synagogues
and greetings in marketplaces.
Woe to you!
You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”

Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply,
“Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.”
And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law!
You impose on people burdens hard to carry,
but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”

St. Ethelreda (Audrey)

Feast day

June 9

St. Ethelreda, also known as St. Audrey, was a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon princess and abbess. She was born around 636 in Exning, Suffolk, and was the daughter of Anna, King of East Anglia¹². Ethelreda is renowned for her deep commitment to her faith and her role in founding the Abbey of Ely.

Despite being married twice, she maintained her vow of perpetual virginity. Her first marriage was to Tondberht, a local prince, and after his death, she married Ecgfrith, King of Northumbria. However, she eventually left her royal life to become a nun¹².

Ethelreda founded a double monastery at Ely in 673, which became a significant religious center. She is remembered for her piety and dedication to the church. Her feast day is celebrated on June 23rd²³.