31 May 2024 -The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Feast

Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II)

Readings at Mass

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EITHER: --------

First reading

Zephaniah 3:14-18a 

The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst.

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!

    Sing joyfully, O Israel!

Be glad and exult with all your heart,

    O daughter Jerusalem!

The LORD has removed the judgment against you,

    he has turned away your enemies;

The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,

    you have no further misfortune to fear.

On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:

    Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!

The LORD, your God, is in your midst,

    a mighty savior;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

    and renew you in his love,

He will sing joyfully because of you,

    as one sings at festivals.

OR: --------

First reading

Romans 12:9-16

Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.

Brothers and sisters: Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.

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Responsorial Psalm

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

God indeed is my savior;

    I am confident and unafraid.

My strength and my courage is the LORD,

    and he has been my savior.

With joy you will draw water

    at the fountain of salvation.

Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;

    among the nations make known his deeds,

    proclaim how exalted is his name.

Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;

    let this be known throughout all the earth.

Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,

    for great in your midst

    is the Holy One of Israel!

Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

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Gospel Acclamation

see Luke 1:45

Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed

that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.

Alleluia, alleluia.

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Gospel

Luke 1:39-56

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

    And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

    my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

    for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

    the Almighty has done great things for me,

    and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

    in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

    he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

    and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

    and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

    for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

    the promise he made to our fathers,

    to Abraham and his children forever.”

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Commentary:

1. Mary Visits Elizabeth: Mary visits her relative Elizabeth in Judea. Upon Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's baby leaps in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaims Mary blessed for her faith and the child she bears.

2. Elizabeth's Blessing: Elizabeth praises Mary for believing in God's promises. Her words confirm the miraculous nature of Mary's pregnancy and highlight Mary's faith.

3. Mary's Song of Praise: Mary sings the Magnificat, glorifying God for His mindfulness of her humble state and predicting that all generations will call her blessed. She praises God's mighty deeds and His holy name.

4. God's Mercy and Justice: Mary highlights God's mercy to those who fear Him and His justice in overthrowing the proud and exalting the humble, reflecting God's preferential treatment of the humble and hungry over the rich and powerful.

5. Faithfulness to Israel: Mary concludes by acknowledging God's help to Israel and His fulfillment of promises to Abraham's descendants, underscoring His enduring faithfulness. She stays with Elizabeth for about three months before returning home.

Luke 1:39-56 highlights Mary's visit to Elizabeth, emphasizing the joy and confirmation of God's work. Mary's Magnificat praises God's mercy, justice, and faithfulness, reflecting her deep faith and recognition of God's covenant promises. The passage underscores the transformative impact of God's intervention in the lives of Mary and His people.

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30 May 2024 Thursday of week 8 in Ordinary Time - Reading

Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II)

Readings at Mass

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First reading

1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you.

Beloved: Like new-born infants, long for pure spiritual milk so that through it you may grow into salvation, for you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

    You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Once you were no people

    but now you are God’s people;

you had not received mercy

    but now you have received mercy.

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul. Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that if they speak of you as evildoers, they may observe your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Commentary:

1. Spiritual Growth: Peter encourages believers to crave pure spiritual milk, similar to how newborns crave milk, so that they may grow in their salvation. He emphasizes that this growth is grounded in the experience of the Lord's goodness.

2. Living Stones and a Spiritual House: Believers are described as living stones being built into a spiritual house. Jesus is the living stone rejected by men but chosen by God. As a spiritual house, believers form a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

3. Chosen People: Peter declares believers to be a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God's special possession. This status is meant to proclaim the excellencies of God, who called them out of darkness into His wonderful light.

4. Call to Holy Living: Believers, once not a people but now the people of God, are urged to live holy lives. Peter calls them to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against their soul, emphasizing their new identity and calling in Christ.

5. Witness through Conduct: Peter instructs believers to maintain good conduct among the Gentiles. By living honorably, even when accused of wrongdoing, their good deeds will glorify God on the day He visits, demonstrating the transformative power of their faith.

1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12 calls believers to spiritual growth, portraying them as living stones forming a spiritual house with Christ as the cornerstone. It emphasizes their identity as a chosen people meant to proclaim God's goodness and urges them to live holy lives, maintaining good conduct as a witness to others.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 100:2, 3, 4, 5

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;

    serve the LORD with gladness;

    come before him with joyful song.

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

Know that the LORD is God;

    he made us, his we are;

    his people, the flock he tends.

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

    his courts with praise;

Give thanks to him;

    bless his name.

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

The LORD is good:

    his kindness endures forever,

    and his faithfulness, to all generations.

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

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Gospel Acclamation

John 8:12

Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Alleluia, alleluia.

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Gospel

Mark 10:46-52

Master, I want to see.

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

Commentary:

1. Encounter with Bartimaeus: Jesus and His disciples, followed by a large crowd, arrive in Jericho. Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, is sitting by the roadside. Hearing that Jesus is passing by, he begins to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" This title, "Son of David," acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah.

2. Persistent Faith: Despite being rebuked by many to be quiet, Bartimaeus shouts all the more, demonstrating his persistent faith and desperation for Jesus' help. His refusal to be silenced shows his deep belief in Jesus' ability to heal him.

3. Jesus' Response: Jesus stops and calls Bartimaeus to come to Him. The crowd then encourages Bartimaeus, saying, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Bartimaeus throws aside his cloak, jumps to his feet, and comes to Jesus, indicating his eagerness and faith.

4. Healing Request: Jesus asks Bartimaeus, "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus replies, "Rabbi, I want to see." This direct request signifies Bartimaeus' clear understanding of his need and his faith that Jesus can meet it.

5. Restoration of Sight: Jesus says, "Go, your faith has healed you." Immediately, Bartimaeus receives his sight and follows Jesus along the road. This miracle underscores the power of faith in Jesus and the compassionate response of Jesus to those in need.

Mark 10:46-52 highlights Bartimaeus' persistent faith and recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. His healing demonstrates Jesus' compassion and the power of faith. Bartimaeus' immediate decision to follow Jesus after receiving his sight signifies a transformed life dedicated to discipleship.

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29 May 2024 Wednesday of week 8 in Ordinary Time - Readings

Saint Paul VI, Pope 
Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II).

Readings at Mass

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First reading
1 Peter 1:18-25

You were ransomed with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a spotless unblemished Lamb.

Beloved: Realize that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious Blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished Lamb. He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

    Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another intensely from a pure heart. You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God, for:

    “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts; but the word of the Lord remains forever.” This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

Commentary:

1. Redemption through Christ's Blood: Believers are redeemed not with perishable items like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. This highlights the immense value and eternal significance of Jesus' sacrificial death.

2. Christ's Foreordination: Christ was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in these last times for believers' sake. This demonstrates that God's plan of salvation through Jesus was established before creation.

3. Faith and Hope in God: Through Christ, believers place their faith and hope in God, who raised Jesus from the dead and glorified Him. This resurrection and glorification are central to the Christian faith.

4. Call to Sincere Love: Believers are urged to love one another deeply and sincerely from the heart. This call to love is a direct result of their purification through obedience to the truth, reflecting the transformative power of their redemption.

5. The Enduring Word of God: Human life is fleeting, but God's word endures forever. Quoting Isaiah, Peter emphasizes the permanence and reliability of God's promises, contrasting them with the temporary nature of human existence.

1 Peter 1:18-25 underscores the profound nature of believers' redemption through Christ's sacrificial death and the eternal plan of God. It calls for a sincere, deep love among believers and emphasizes the enduring nature of God's word, offering a foundation of faith and hope that transcends the temporary nature of worldly things.

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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

or
Alleluia.

Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
    praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
    he has blessed your children within you.

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

or
Alleluia.

He has granted peace in your borders;
    with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
    swiftly runs his word!

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

or
Alleluia.

He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
    his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
    his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

or
Alleluia.

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Gospel Acclamation
Mark 10:45

Alleluia, alleluia.

The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Alleluia, alleluia.

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Gospel
Mark 10:32-45

Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be handed over.

The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.” 
    Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, ‘What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, ‘We can.” Jesus said to them, “The chalice that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Commentary:

1. Jesus Predicts His Suffering: Jesus tells His disciples about His upcoming suffering, death, and resurrection, emphasizing the certainty of these events.

2. Request of James and John: James and John ask to sit at Jesus' right and left in His glory, misunderstanding His mission and seeking positions of power.

3. Jesus' Response: Jesus explains that they will share in His sufferings but cannot grant the positions they seek, as these are determined by the Father.

4. Disciples' Indignation: The other disciples are indignant at James and John, revealing their own desires for status and misunderstanding of Jesus' teaching.

5. Teaching on Servanthood: Jesus teaches that true greatness in God's kingdom is achieved through serving others, exemplified by His own life and mission to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:32-45 underscores Jesus’ prediction of His sacrificial death and highlights the contrast between worldly ambition and the kingdom's call to humility and servanthood, teaching that true greatness comes from serving others.

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28 May 2024 Tuesday of week 8 in Ordinary Time - Readings

Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II)

Readings at Mass

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First reading

1 Peter 1:10-16 

They prophesied about the grace that was to be yours; therefore, live soberly and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you.

Beloved: Concerning the salvation of your souls the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the Good News to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look.

    Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, Be holy because I am holy.

Commentary:

1. Prophets' Inquiry: The prophets diligently searched and inquired about the salvation now revealed to believers, understanding that their messages were for future generations.

2. Grace in Christ: Peter highlights the grace revealed through Christ's suffering and subsequent glory, showing the fulfillment of prophetic messages.

3. Call to Holiness: Believers are urged to live in holiness, responding to the divine command to be holy as God is holy.

4. Reverent Fear: Peter emphasizes the importance of living in reverent fear of God, recognizing His impartial judgment.

5. Enduring Word: The Word of God is imperishable and stands forever, contrasting with the fleeting nature of human existence.

1 Peter 1:10-16 calls believers to appreciate the revealed mystery of salvation, live in holiness, and reverent fear, and recognize the enduring power of God's Word.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

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.

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.

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.

The Lord has made known his salvation.

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Gospel Acclamation

see Matthew 11:25

Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;

you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Alleluia, alleluia.

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Gospel

Mark 10:28-31

You will receive a hundred times as much persecution in this present age, and eternal life in the age to come.

Peter began to say to Jesus, ‘We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Commentary:

1. Peter's Statement: Peter reminds Jesus that the disciples have left everything to follow Him, highlighting their sacrifice and commitment to His ministry.

2. Jesus' Assurance: Jesus assures His followers that anyone who has left home, family, or fields for His sake and the gospel will receive a hundred times as much in this present age. This reward includes houses, family, and fields, though it also comes with persecution.

3. Present and Eternal Rewards: Jesus emphasizes that the sacrifices made for the kingdom of God will be richly rewarded both in this life and in the life to come, promising eternal life to His followers.

4. Persecutions: Jesus realistically acknowledges that along with rewards, His followers will face persecutions. This reflects the cost of discipleship and the challenges inherent in following Him.

5. Reversal of Fortunes: Jesus concludes with the profound statement that many who are first will be last, and the last first, illustrating the kingdom's reversal of worldly values and the ultimate reward for faithful discipleship.

Mark 10:28-31 reassures believers that sacrifices made for Jesus and the gospel will be abundantly rewarded both now and in eternity. It acknowledges the reality of persecutions but promises eternal life and highlights the reversal of worldly values in God's kingdom.

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