4th SUNDAY OF EASTER, year B (Readings)

Acts 4:8-12
Psalm 118 “The stone rejected by the builders 
has become the cornerstone.”
1 John 3:1-2
John 10:11-18

Acts 4:8-12

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said: “Leaders of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”

Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29 
R. The stone rejected by the builders 
has become the cornerstone

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
R. The stone rejected by the builders 
has become the cornerstone

I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
R. The stone rejected by the builders 
has become the cornerstone

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;
we bless you from the house of the Lord.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his kindness endures forever.
R. The stone rejected by the builders 
has become the cornerstone

1 John 3:1-2

Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

John 10:11-18

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

SUNDAY 1st OF ADVENT, year B (Readings)

Isaiah 63:16b-17,19b;64:2b-7
Psalm 80: “Lord, make us turn to you; 
let us see your face and we shall be saved.”
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:33-37


Isaiah 63:16b-17,19b;64:2b-7

Were Abraham not to know us, nor Israel to acknowledge us, You, Lord, are our father, our redeemer you are named forever. Why do you let us wander, O Lord, from your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you, While you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for, such as they had not heard of from of old. No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him. Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways! Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful; all of us have become like unclean men, all our good deeds are like polluted rags; We have all withered like leaves, and our guilt carries us away like the wind. There is none who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to cling to you; For you have hidden your face from us and have delivered us up to our guilt. Yet, O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands.

Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
R. Lord, make us turn to you; 
let us see your face and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; 
let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Once again, O Lord of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; 
let us see your face and we shall be saved.

May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; 
let us see your face and we shall be saved.

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mark 13:33-37

Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'"

PRAYER: Silence of Mary

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
you who treasured things
and pondered them carefully in your heart,
teach us that deep, interior silence
which enfolded you throughout your lifetime

the silence of the Annunciation, of faith, mission and obedience;
the silence of the Visitation, of humility, service and praise;
the silence of Bethlehem, of birth, incarnation and wonder;
the silence of the flight into Egypt, of perseverance, hope and trust;
the silence of Nazareth, of simplicity, intimacy and communion;
the silence of Mt. Calvary, of courage, death and abandonment;
the silence of Easter, of resurrection, jubilation and glory;
the silence of Ascension, of fulfillment, transformation and new creation;
the silence of Pentecost, of peace, power and love.

Mary, in your wisdom, teach us that silence
which enables us to listen to the small, still voice of our God;
which compels us to worship Him alone in spirit and in truth;
which empowers us to acknowledge our nothingness and exult confidently in our Savior;
which frees us to lose ourselves in unceasing adoration of the God who is Infinite Love.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us now and always,
that we may enter into that silence of yours
which unites us to Jesus, your Son,
in he mistery of His silence before the Father of mercies.

Amen.

THE ANGELUS

The Angelus derives its name from the first word of the Latin version of the prayer Angelus Domini nuntiavit Maria, "The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary." Each response is followed by reciting the Hail Mary. Traditionally the Angelus is prayed three times a day, at 6:00 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m., to honor the incarnation of Jesus. 

- The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
- And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary...

- Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
- May it be done unto me according to your word.
Hail Mary...

- And the Word became flesh.
- And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary...

- Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
- That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, your Son, was made known by the message of the angel, may by his passion and cross be brought to the glory of his resurrection. Through the same Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

HAIL, HOLY QUEEN

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To you we cry, the children of Eve;
to you we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this land of exile.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us;
lead us home at last
and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus:
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

THE APOSTLES´ CREED

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

At the words that follow, up to and including
“the Virgin Mary”, all bow

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand
of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.

HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY

1. Pray the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles´ Creed
2. Pray the Lord´s Prayer
3. Pray three Hail Marys
4. Pray the Glory Be.
5. Say the first mystery; then pray the Lord´s Prayer
6. Pray ten Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery.
7. Pray the Glory Be
8. Say the second mystery; then pray the Lord´s Prayer

Repeat 6 and 7 and continue with the third, fourth, and fifth mysteries of the day in the same manner.

9. Pray the Hail, Holy Queen

THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
– The Joyful Mysteries
(Pray on Mondays and Saturdays)

The Annuntiation
The Visitation
The Nativity
The Presentation in the Temple
The Finding in the Temple

– The Luminous Mysteries
(Pray on Thursdays)

The Baptism of Jesus
The Wedding at Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist

– The Sorrowful Mysteries
(Pray on Tuesdays and Fridays)

The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion and Death

– The Glorious Mysteries
(Pray on Wednesdays and Sundays)

The Resurrection
The Ascension
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Assumption of Mary
The Coronation of Many in Heaven

Source: Prayers for Our Catholic Family
Our Sunday Visitor

CAMINOS DE FE (2014-2015) Northwest Deanery School of Ministry, Archdiocese of Santa Fe (NM, USA)

YOU are invited to participate in a pilgrimage of faith and growth in following Jesus Christ. As a person involved in ministry or interested in being more involved in your parish life, you will join others from parishes in the Northwest Deanery to JOURNEY AS ONE toward our baptismal call to be followers of Christ and ministers of his Church to all God's people.

The goal of the CAMINOS DE FE program is to help form Catholics who are:

+ well-grounded in the Gospel
+ Familiar with contemporary theology in the Catholic Tradition
+ Able to enter into mature relationships with God, others and cultures of the world in which we live
+ Able to make what they learn part of their own lives and ministries
+ Skilled, both in education and attitude, for effective ministry.

CAMINOS DE FE is designed to provide an opportunity for further development of the spiritual and educational foundations that are essential for a committed life of faith and effective ministry. The courses increase one's understanding of the Catholic faith; create an expression of a community of faith through prayer and learning; and teach skills to be utilized in serving others through a variety of ministries.

The program is open to all adult Catholics who desire to increase their knowledge and practice of the faith and are willing to commit themselves to the goals of the program.

The sessions are held on Saturdays, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm and meet in various parishes throughout the deanery. The program is largely funded by the parishes of the deanery and subsidized by the Archdiocesan Annual Catholic Appeal. The participation cost per Saturday is $5.

Additional information may be obtained from your parish Pastor, Catechetical Leader, Office Staff or by contacting the program coordinator Joanne Dupont Sandoval, P.O. Box 429, Truchas, NM 87578; 505-689-2404; jdsand@windstream.net. Fuller descriptions of the sessions can also be requested from Dr. Sandoval.

SATURDAYS FROM 8:30 AM TO 3:00 PM

Sept. 20, 2014: Retreat: Being a Person of Prayer.
                        Mary Ann Holland, MA
                        Our Lady of Guadalupe, Velarde

Oct. 11, 2014: Skills: Reflective Listening
                         Patricia McIntire, MTh
                         Our Lady of Guadalupe, Taos

Nov. 8, 2014: Scripture: Catholic Approaches to Scripture
                        Sr. Paula Gallagher, IHM
                        Taos Pueblo, CMS Building

Nov. 22, 2014: Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament
                         Sr. Paula Gallagher, IHM
                         Holy Family, Chimayo

Dec. 13, 2015: Christian Scriptures: New Testament
                         Sr. Paula Gallagher, IHM
                         Santa Cruz de la Cañada, Santa Cruz

Jan. 10, 2015: Skills: Understanding Self and Others
                         Mary Ann Holland
                         St. John the Baptist, Okay Owingeh

Jan. 31, 2015: Church History: 1st to 6th Centuries
                        Presenter TBA
                        Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Pojoaque

Feb. 14, 2015: Church History: 600 through Reformation
                        Presenter TBA
                        Sacred Heart, Española

Mar. 14, 2015: Church History: Post-Reformation On
                         Kathleen Holscher, PhD
                         San Antonio, Peñasco

April 11, 2015: Skills: Collaboration, Leading Groups

                          Michelle Montez, MTh
                          St. Francis of Assisi - Rachos de Taos

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (some questions and answers)

Must a person be dying to receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick?

The anointing of the sick may be administered to the faithful who have the use of reason and whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age. (Can.1004 & Rite of Anointing 4)

Some examples would be: when serious illness is the reason for surgery; the elderly who have become noticeable weakened; sick children who have the use of reason.

Church law indicates that if there is doubt whether the person has the use of reason, is seriously sick or is dead, then the sacrament may be administered (Canon 1005; Rite of Anointing 8, 10,12)

May a person who is dead be anointed?

If the person is already dead, the priest does not administer the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. Instead he prays the prayers of the dead for that person. These prayers ask God’s forgiveness of his/her sins and that God receive him/her into the kingdom of heaven (Rite of Anointing, 15)

May a deacon or lay person anoint with the Oil of Sick?

The Oil of the sick is used only in the anointing associated with the sacrament of the anointing of the sick and only a priest may validly administer this sacrament. For this reason, deacons, communion ministers to the sick or others who come to pray with the sick are advised not to use any type of oil to anoint one who is ill so as not to give the impression of celebrating the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.

Sources: Rite of Anointing, Canon Law.

28th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, year A (readings)

Isaiah 25:6-10a
Psalm 23: I shall live in the house of the Lord 
all the days of my life
Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
Matthew 22:1-14 or 22:1-10 

Isaiah 25:6-10a

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!" For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.

Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord 
all the days of my life

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord 
all the days of my life

He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord 
all the days of my life

You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord 
all the days of my life

Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord 
all the days of my life 

Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20

Brothers and sisters: I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.

Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen."

29th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, year A (readings)

Isaiah 45:1,4-6
Psalm 96: Give the Lord glory and honor
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b
Matthew 22:15-21

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

Thus says the Lord to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, subduing nations before him, and making kings run in his service, opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred: For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel, my chosen one, I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not. I am the Lord and there is no other, there is no God besides me. It is I who arm you, though you know me not, so that toward the rising and the setting of the sun people may know that there is none besides me. I am the Lord, there is no other.

Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10
R. Give the Lord glory and honor

Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all you lands.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor

For great is the Lord and highly to be praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the Lord made the heavens.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor

Give to the Lord, you families of nations,
give to the Lord glory and praise;
give to the Lord the glory due his name!
Bring gifts, and enter his courts.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor

Worship the Lord, in holy attire;
tremble before him, all the earth;
say among the nations: The Lord is king,
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen. For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.

Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?"  They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

Life in the Spirit Seminar

27th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, year A (readings)

Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80: The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel
Philippians 4:6-9
Matthew 21:33-43

Isaiah 5:1-7

Let me now sing of my friend, my friend's song concerning his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes. Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard: What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? Now, I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard: take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled! Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it. The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant; he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry!

Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel

A vine from Egypt you transplanted;
you drove away the nations and planted it.
It put forth its foliage to the Sea,
its shoots as far as the River.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel

Why have you broken down its walls,
so that every passer-by plucks its fruit,
The boar from the forest lays it waste,
and the beasts of the field feed upon it?
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel

Once again, O Lord of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel

Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
O Lord, God of hosts, restore us;
if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel

Philippians 4:6-9

Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times." Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS (Feast), Year A-B-C (Readings)

Numbers 21:4b-9
Psalm 78 “Do not forget the works of the Lord”
Philippians 2:6-11
John 3:13-17


Numbers 21:4b-9

With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!” In punishment the Lord sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned in complaining against the Lord and you. Pray the Lord to take the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people, and the Lord said to Moses, “Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if any who have been bitten look at it, they will live.” Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

Psalm 78: Do not forget the works of the Lord!

Hearken, my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable,
I will utter mysteries from of old.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!

While he slew them they sought him
and inquired after God again,
Remembering that God was their rock
and the Most High God, their redeemer.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!

But they flattered him with their mouths
and lied to him with their tongues,
Though their hearts were not steadfast toward him,
nor were they faithful to his covenant.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!

But he, being merciful, forgave their sin
and destroyed them not;
Often he turned back his anger
and let none of his wrath be roused.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord! 

Philipians 2:6-11

Brothers and sisters: Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John 3:13-17

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

23rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, year A (Readings)

23rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, year A
Ezekiel 33:7-9
Psalm 95:”If today you hear his voice,
harden not your heart”
Romans 13:8-10
Matthew 18:15-20

Ezekiel 33:7-9

Thus says the Lord: You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me. If I tell the wicked, “O wicked one, you shall surely die, ” and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death. But if you warn the wicked, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself.

Responsorial 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
R. If today you hear his voice, 
harden not your hearts

Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord;
let us acclaim the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, 
harden not your hearts

Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the Lord who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, 
harden not your hearts

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works.”
R. If today you hear his voice, 
harden not your hearts

Romans 13:8-10

Brothers and sisters: Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet, ” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”