Exodus 22:20-26; I Thessalonians 1:5c-10; Matthew 22:34-40. In the first reading, the Lord tells the Israelites the laws regarding treatment of aliens, widows, and orphans, and the lending of money to the poor. Paul compliments the Thessalonians for their faith and for becoming a model for all the believers…not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, […]
Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew 22:15-21. In the first reading, the Lord says to his anointed, Cyrus…I have called you by your name. Through Cyrus, all will know there is no God besides the Lord. In the second reading, Paul, Silvanus and Timothy greet the Thessalonian Church with thanksgiving and affirmation. In the […]
Isaiah 25:6-10a; Philippians 4:12, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14 or 22:1-10. The prophet Isaiah tells of the great banquet the Lord will prepare for his people at the end of time. Paul writes to the Philippians, assuring them that he knows how to live in different sets of circumstances and that I can do all things in […]
Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43. Isaiah tells of a friend’s vineyard, a friend who does everything possible to tend his vineyard, only to find that it produces wild grapes. Paul encourages the Philippians to be not anxious, but pray with thanksgiving and to think about what is true, just, and lovely. Jesus tells a […]
Ezekiel 18:25-28; Philippians 2:1-11 or 2:1-5; Matthew 21: 28-32. In our first reading, the Lord speaks to Israel through the prophet Ezekiel and tells them that the wicked who turn from sin shall live. In today’s Epistle, Paul exhorts the Philippians to live in unity, taking Jesus as their example of humility. In the Gospel, […]
Isaiah 55:6-9; Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a; Matthew 20: 1-16a. Isaiah encourages his people to seek the Lord and ask for his mercy—God whose thoughts are far above their own. Saint Paul tells the Philippians that Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. And though Paul longs to be with Jesus […]
Sirach 27:30-28:7; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18: 21-35. Sirach tells the people. Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. Thus, they are to forgive their neighbor as they wish to be forgiven by the Lord. Paul tells the Romans, None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. […]
Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20. In the first reading, the Lord tells Ezekiel that he will be held responsible for the death of the wicked one if he does not speak out to dissuade [him] from his way. In the Letter to the Romans, paul writes that the one who loves another has fulfilled […]
Jeremiah 20:7-9; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27. Jeremiah accuses the Lord of duping him, for his prophecies are met with laughter and mocking, derision and reproach. Paul encourages the Romans to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice. In the Gospel, Jesus reveals that he must suffer greatly, and Peter attempts to dissuade him. Jesus accuses […]
Isaiah 22:19-23; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20. The Lord tells Shebna, the scribe, I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station and replace you with the honorable Eliakim. In the second reading, Paul writes to the Romans about the inscrutable judgements and unsearchable ways of God: For from him and […]