Free Republic

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...

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...

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...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), PriestJesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.” Luke 9:1–3Imagine having the power to lay hands on the sick and heal them. Though it may seem like something from the world of fantasy or superheroes, it is, in...

Daily Readings from the USCCBThe mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” Luke 8:19–21In biblical Greek, the word translated as “brothers” can refer not only to biological siblings but also to close relatives, kinsmen, or even spiritual brethren, depending on the context. For example, the Greek translation of...

Daily Readings from the USCCBFeast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelistAs Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.” Matthew 9:9Saint Matthew, whom we honor today, makes following Christ seem so simple. Jesus said, “Follow me,” and Matthew did so, leaving behind his former life and all the baggage he carried. Or did he? Though Matthew’s instant response is inspiring, we should not presume that everything became easy from that moment on. When we have deeply ingrained habits of sin, it...

NOW THANKS BE UNTO GOD! SONG DEVOTIONAL Beloved, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ” (2 Cor. 2:14). What a glorious reason for thanksgiving! Our thanksgiving is not ultimately rooted in our circumstances, possessions, health, or earthly victories. It is rooted in the ETERNAL Person of our precious Lord Jesus Christ, our ETERNAL Victor! Throughout our pilgrim journey, we will experience both joys and trials, victories and tears. Yet through them all, Almighty God is faithfully working in us and leading us in Christ's triumph! At the cross, Jesus conquered sin; through His resurrection,...

Daily Readings from the USCCBTwenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary TimeJesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Matthew 20:1–2As the parable unfolds, the landowner returns to the marketplace four more times—at nine o’clock, noon, three, and finally at five—to hire additional workers. When the day’s labor concluded at six o’clock, each received the same full daily wage. Was this fair? To those who had worked the entire day, it...

Daily Readings from the USCCBWhen a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.”...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources. Luke 8:1–3Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and “many others” faithfully accompanied Jesus and the Twelve. This diverse group of disciples defied conventional expectations. They were not the kind of followers one...

Daily Readings from the USCCBA certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:36–38Why did Simon the Pharisee invite Jesus to dine at his house? Though the Gospel does...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, MartyrsJesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’” Luke 7:31–32The simile Jesus uses in this teaching—“We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep”—portrays a generation that is spiritually unresponsive and resistant...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Our Lady of SorrowsJesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:33–35It is no liturgical coincidence that the day after we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we honor Our Lady of Sorrows. This close...