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Daily Readings from the USCCB“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9–10Prayer is our lifeline to God. It opens the door to the outpouring of His grace. If we need grace every day—and we do—then, we need to pray every day. When we form a habit of prayer, it becomes the central foundation of our identity, enabling us to live as...

"Persecuted Just for Posting a Verse" A Must Watch. ✝️

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Our Lady of the RosaryJesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” Luke 11:1–4Imagine witnessing Jesus in prayer. Every word and gesture would radiate a sacred...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus 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.” Luke 10:38–40Why was Martha burdened with much serving? The Greek word translated as “burdened” literally suggests being dragged around or pulled in every direction. Though her actions were inspired by love, they were...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight.” Luke 10:30–33Jews viewed Samaritans as heretics, and Samaritans often harbored disdain for Jews. Though...

Daily Readings from the USCCBTwenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary TimeJesus 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.” Matthew 21:42–43The Parable of the Wicked Tenants is rich in Old Testament imagery. The image of the vineyard comes from the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 5:1–7) and represents the people of Israel. The...

By Dr. John BergsmaThe past several Sundays we have been reading from the vineyard parables of Jesus in Matthew, and this Sunday we reach a climactic point in the hostility between the leaders of the people (chief priests and elders) and Jesus. The Readings for this Lord’s Day are skillfully chosen to complement the Gospel reading. Most commentators agree that the vine parables of the Old Testament found in Isaiah 5 and Psalm 80 are the textual background for Jesus’ own vineyard parable in Matthew 21:33-43. The First Reading gives us Isaiah 5:1-7, the key prophetic parable that identifies the...

Daily Readings from the USCCBThe seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17–20The seventy-two disciples Jesus sent out on a mission symbolize the whole Church. Though the Twelve...

As Reporter Lewis Denison explains, pubs and retailers will be able to accept digital ID as proof of age to buy alcohol under new rules. The move aims to provide an alternative to carrying a physical ID so punters can use their phones to prove their age at the pub, festivals and concerts. The changes to the licensing act that come into force on Tuesday apply to businesses in England and Wales and the government expects it to take some time for the technology to be widely adopted. The ID will be available through third-party apps such as Yoti, which...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of the Holy Guardian Angels“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” Matthew 18:10Angels fascinate both young and old. Countless books and stories have been written and shared about encounters with these heavenly beings. If you were to behold one of God’s angels, you would undoubtedly be filled with awe, marveling at the angel’s beauty, splendor, and power. Today, the Church honors those members of the Celestial Hierarchy who are most intimately involved...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the ChurchJesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” Luke 10:1–3One of the clearest safeguards for ensuring the authenticity and integrity of Christian duty is that we proclaim the Gospel...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the ChurchAs Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Luke 9:57–58As Jesus made His final journey toward Jerusalem, where He would offer Himself as the Sacrificial Lamb on the Cross, someone approached Him with a bold declaration: “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus does not reject the offer but...

Daily Readings from the USCCBFeast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, ArchangelsJesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” John 1:47–49Today we celebrate the only three heavenly spirits given names in Sacred Scripture: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. In Heaven, the angels are pure...

Daily Readings from the USCCBAn argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” Luke 9:46–48The Twelve Apostles had left everything behind to follow Jesus. Their lives had been radically transformed. As they accompanied Him on His mission, they heard...

Daily Readings from the USCCBTwenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary TimeJesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” Matthew 21:28–31This parable must have been difficult for the chief priests and...

By Dr. John BergsmaApparently Holy Mother Church wants us to learn something about God’s justice and mercy, because the themes of this Sunday’s Readings repeat, with variation, those of last weeks. Last week we had to deal with the difficult Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, which raised the issue of whether God is “unfair” in his merciful generosity. (On a side note, a good friend and fellow scholar passes on a suggestion from a saintly priest that the “denarius” in last week’s parable may be identified with the Eucharist, the “daily wage” or “daily bread” that sustains us...

Daily Readings from the USCCBWhile they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. Luke 9:43b–45After Jesus revealed His coming Passion, Death, and Resurrection to the Twelve for the first time, eight days passed. Then He took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where He...

Daily Readings from the USCCBOnce when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” Luke 9:18–20Today’s Gospel presents a decisive moment of revelation. As Jesus prays in solitude with the Twelve nearby, He asks, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” After hearing their responses, He...

Daily Readings from the USCCBHerod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him. Luke 9:7–9Something peculiar happens when those who refuse to live according to God’s will witness His presence in the lives of others—they become unsettled, even confused. Herod was one of these souls. Though...

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