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Daily Readings from the USCCB“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.” Luke 12:4–5Physical harm, or even death, is not the greatest threat we face. Certainly, many people fear the idea of dying suddenly; when such a tragedy occurs, the deceased’s loved ones rightly enter into mourning. The pain of loss is real. Jesus, however,...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church“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. Luke 11:52–54Jesus speaks of the grave failure among the scholars of the law who “have taken away the key of knowledge.” This key symbolizes the...

Daily Readings from the USCCBThen 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.” Luke 11:45–46Just prior to this exchange, Jesus delivered three piercing rebukes to the Pharisees: “Woe to you Pharisees!” He condemned them for ignoring “judgment and love for God,” for seeking “the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces,” and for being “like...

Daily Readings from the USCCBAfter Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. Luke 11:37–38Did Jesus break the Law of Moses by failing to observe the prescribed ritual handwashing before sitting down to eat? He did not. This ceremonial washing was not a precept of the Mosaic Law but rather a tradition developed by the elders. It was intended to signify ritual purity before meals. But Jesus rejected it because it...

Daily Readings from the USCCBWhile still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.” Luke 11:29–30Imagine a homily beginning with these words: “This generation is an evil generation…” Such a proclamation would surely draw attention and perhaps provoke outrage. Yet these are the very words our Lord spoke to a growing crowd. The “generation” Jesus condemned was...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus 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.” Matthew 22:1–3Today’s parable is part of Jesus’ final teachings in Jerusalem during Holy Week. It continues His direct confrontation with the religious leaders of Israel—specifically, the chief priests and elders. Through this story, Jesus unveils the mystery of the Kingdom, the tragedy of Israel’s...

By Dr. John BergsmaFood and clothing are necessary for life, and they are both themes in the Readings for this weekend. Food and clothing go together sometimes: for example, we still dress up for a formal banquet or a fancy date night. Some people still try to dress well for mass, and that’s a good custom, because how we dress shows the importance that we place on the event. No one shows up for a job interview in a tank top and cut-offs, for example. Is Mass as important as a job interview? But our external dress is not the...

Daily Readings from the USCCBWhile Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Luke 11:27–28Any loving mother would understand the sentiment expressed by this woman in the crowd. We can reasonably infer that she was likely a mother herself, one who took great joy in her children. After being deeply moved by Jesus’ words and presence, she looked upon Him with maternal admiration, expressing the...

Daily Readings from the USCCBWhen Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” Luke 11:15–18The name Beelzebul is first found in 2 Kings 1, where it refers to a false god worshiped by the Philistines in Ekron....

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...