GLORIALITURGY

As we celebrate and offer our daily offerings in our daily Mass on God's Altar in remembrance of Christ Sacrifice, may God destroy every evil altar in our homes, families and lives.

Monday 31 January 2022

SAVE ME MY GOD

LET HIM CURSE IF THE LORD HAS TOLD HIM
MON
DAY  WEEK IV IN ORD. TIME YEAR C  Eternal Father, I offer thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its sufferings and all its merits.

First: To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Readings 

Second: To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit……  Lectures 

Third:
 To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Pieta Reflection Saint John Bosco

First Reading 2 Samuel 15:13-14,30,16:5-13

David flees Absalom and is cursed by Shimei

A messenger came to tell David, ‘The hearts of the men of Israel are now with Absalom.’ So David said to all his officers who were with him in Jerusalem, ‘Let us be off, let us fly, or we shall never escape from Absalom. Leave as quickly as you can in case he mounts a surprise attack and worsts us and puts the city to the sword.’ 

David then made his way up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, his head covered and his feet bare. And all the people with him had their heads covered and made their way up, weeping as they went. 

As David was reaching Bahurim, out came a man of the same clan as Saul’s family. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he came he uttered curse after curse and threw stones at David and at all King David’s officers, though the whole army and all the champions flanked the king right and left. The words of his curse were these, ‘Be off, be off, man of blood, scoundrel! the Lord has brought on you all the blood of the House of Saul whose sovereignty you have usurped; and the Lord has transferred that same sovereignty to Absalom your son. 

Now your doom has overtaken you, man of blood that you are.’ Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘Is this dead dog to curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut his head off.’ But the king replied, ‘What business is it of mine and yours, sons of Zeruiah? Let him curse. If the Lord said to him, “Curse David,” what right has anyone to say, “Why have you done this?”’ 

David said to Abishai and all his officers, ‘Why, my own son, sprung from my body, is now seeking my life; so now how much the more this Benjaminite? Let him curse on if the Lord has told him to. Perhaps the Lord will look on my misery and repay me with good for his curse today.’ So David and his men went on their way.

Responsorial Psalm: Arise, Lord; save me, my God

Gospel Mark 5:1-20

The Gadarene swine

Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me!’ – for Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’ ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘My name is legion,’ he answered ‘for there are many of us.’ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district.

Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs, let us go into them.’ So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake, and there they were drowned. The swineherds ran off and told their story in the town and in the country round about; and the people came to see what had really happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid. And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs. Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him. Jesus would not let him but said to him, ‘Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.’ So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

Sunday 30 January 2022

THE SUPREMACY OF CHARITY

MY LIPS WILL TELL OF YOUR HELP
SUNDAY  WEEK IV IN ORD. TIME YEAR C
PRAYER FOR DAILY NEGLECTS: Eternal Father, I offer thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its sufferings and all its merits. 

First: To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Readings 

Second: To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit……  Lectures 

Third: To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Pieta Reflection

First Reading Jeremiah 1:4-5,17-19

'I have appointed you prophet to the nations'

 In the days of Josiah, the word of the Lord was addressed to me, saying:

‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations.

‘So now brace yourself for action. Stand up and tell them all I command you. Do not be dismayed at their presence, or in their presence I will make you dismayed.

‘I, for my part, today will make you into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, and a wall of bronze to confront all this land: the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests and the country people.

They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you, it is the Lord who speaks.’

Responsorial Psalm: My lips will tell of your help

Second Reading 1 Corint. 12:31-13,13

The supremacy of charity

Be ambitious for the higher gifts. And I am going to show you a way that is better than any of them.

If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, I am simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing. If I have the gift of prophecy, understanding all the mysteries there are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all. If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever.

Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.

Love does not come to an end. But if there are gifts of prophecy, the time will come when they must fail; or the gift of languages, it will not continue for ever; and knowledge – for this, too, the time will come when it must fail. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophesying is imperfect; but once perfection comes, all imperfect things will disappear. When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and think like a child, and argue like a child, but now I am a man, all childish ways are put behind me. Now we are seeing a dim reflection in a mirror; but then we shall be seeing face to face. The knowledge that I have now is imperfect; but then I shall know as fully as I am known.

In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.

Gospel Luke 4:21-30

No prophet is ever accepted in his own country

Jesus began to speak in the synagogue: ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. They said, ‘This is Joseph’s son, surely?’ 

But he replied, ‘No doubt you will quote me the saying, “Physician, heal yourself” and tell me, “We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own countryside.”’

And he went on, ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.

‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’

When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.

God my Father, my lips will tell of your great deeds. Father I thank you for the wonder of my being. Thank you for my consecration before my birth. Father my life is in your hand. Do with me whatever you will. Let your Holy Will be done in my life God my Father. Father for you know me through and through. I am your creature, you are my Father, my God.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels pray for me. My Guardian Angel pray for me. Protect me. Guide and guard me.


Pray the Holy Rosary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary pray for us. May she bring us close to her Son Jesus Christ our Lord.



Saturday 29 January 2022

A PURE HEART CREATE FOR ME

I HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE LORD
SATURDAY  WEEK III IN ORD. TIME YEAR C
PRAYER FOR DAILY NEGLECTS: Eternal Father, I offer thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its sufferings and all its merits. 

First: To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Readings 

Second: To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit……  Lectures 

Third: To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Pieta Reflection

First Reading  2 Samuel 12 :1-7, 12-17

David's penitence over Uriah

The Lord sent Nathan the prophet to David. He came to him and said:

‘In the same town were two men, one rich, the other poor. The rich man had flocks and herds in great abundance; the poor man had nothing but a ewe lamb,one only, a small one he had bought. This he fed and it grew up with him and his children, eating his bread, drinking from his cup, sleeping on his breast; it was like a daughter to him. 

When there came a traveller to stay, the rich man refused to take one of his own flocks or herd to provide for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.’

David’s anger flared up against the man. ‘As the Lord lives,’ he said to Nathan ‘the man who did this deserves to die! He must make fourfold restitution for the lamb, for doing such a thing and showing no compassion.’

Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man. So now the sword will never be far from your House, since you have shown contempt for me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.”

‘Thus the Lord speaks, “I will stir up evil for you out of your own House. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to your neighbour, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. You worked in secret, I will work this in the face of all Israel and in the face of the sun.”’

David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord, for his part, forgives your sin; you are not to die. Yet because you have outraged the Lord by doing this, the child that is born to you is to die.’ Then Nathan went home.

The Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David and it fell gravely ill. David pleaded with the Lord for the child; he kept a strict fast and went home and spent the night on the bare ground, covered with sacking.

The officials of his household came and stood round him to get him to rise from the ground, but he refused, nor would he take food with them.

Responsorial Psalm: A pure heart create for me O God

Gospel Mark 4:35-41

'Even the wind and the sea obey him'

With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ 

And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Sulpitius Severus, Lay Consecrated. May he intercede for you through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Heavenly Father I come before you asking for pardon for my sin. Father create a pure heart for me. My God, my Father you are full of mercy and compassion. You are forgiven, give me a humble heart to acknowledge my sins and come before you asking for your mercy and pardon. Father keep me from sin. Father may your grace abide in me. Father fill me with your Holy Spirit. I ask of you God my Father through your Son Jesus Christ my Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ my Master, most times I am confused. I am frightened by the challenges in my life. The uncertainties, and the evils that are perpetrated in our world. These are storms that are threats to human existence. Give me courage to know that you are with me. My Master, my Lord calm every storm challenging my existence and my salvation. ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ 

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels pray for me. My Guardian Angel pray for me. Protect me, guide and guard me.

Pray the Holy Rosary: Our weapon against every form of vice, and challenge. May the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary bring us close to her Son.

Friday 28 January 2022

TO ONE WHO HAS FAITH NO EXPLANATION IS NECESSARY

HAVE MERCY ON ME O LORD
FRIDAY  WEEK III IN ORD. TIME YEAR C
PRAYER FOR DAILY NEGLECTS: Eternal Father, I offer thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its sufferings and all its merits. 

First: To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Readings 

Second: To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit……  Lectures 

Third: To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Pieta 

First Reading 2 Samuel 11:1-4,5-10,13-17

David and Bathsheba

At the turn of the year, the time when kings go campaigning, David sent Joab and with him his own guards and the whole of Israel. They massacred the Ammonites and laid siege to Rabbah. David, however, remained in Jerusalem. 

It happened towards evening when David had risen from his couch and was strolling on the palace roof, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful. David made inquiries about this woman and was told, ‘Why, that is Bathsheba, Eliam’s daughter, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.’ Then David sent messengers and had her brought. She came to him, and he slept with her. She then went home again. The woman conceived and sent word to David; ‘I am with child.’ 

Then David sent Joab a message, ‘Send me Uriah the Hittite’, whereupon Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah came into his presence, David asked after Joab and the army and how the war was going. David then said to Uriah, ‘Go down to your house and enjoy yourself.’ Uriah left the palace, and was followed by a present from the king’s table. Uriah however slept by the palace door with his master’s bodyguard and did not go down to his house. 

This was reported to David; ‘Uriah’ they said ‘did not go down to his house.’ The next day David invited him to eat and drink in his presence and made him drunk. In the evening Uriah went out and lay on his couch with his master’s bodyguard, but he did not go down to his house.....

Responsorial Psalm: Have mercy on us Lord, for we have sinned

Gospel Mark 4:26-34

The kingdom of God is a mustard seed growing into the biggest shrub of all

Jesus said to the crowds: 

‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’

He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’

Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Thomas of Acquinas Priest and Doctor, may he intercede for you through Jesus Christ our Lord.

My Father in heaven, when I am alone and it may look like I am idle, Father let me find solace in you. Guide my thoughts. Father guide my actions. May your Holy Spirit abide in me.

He would not speak to them except in parables, but explained everythig to his disciples when they were alone. Teach me your word O Lord. Give me wisdom to understand your teaching Lord Jesus Christ. Increase my faith Lord for to one who has faith no explanaton is necessary. 

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me.  Saint Joseph pray for me. Saint Thomas of Acquinas pray for me. God's Holy Angels pray for me. My Guardian Angel, pray for me. Be my protection, guide and guard me.

Pray the Rosary. May the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary our Mother bring us to Christ Jesus her Blessed Son.












Thursday 27 January 2022

I WILL BUILD YOU A HOUSE

THE LORD OF HOST IS GOD OVER ISRAEL
THURSDAY  WEEK III IN ORD. TIME YEAR C
PRAYER FOR DAILY NEGLECTS: Eternal Father, I offer thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its sufferings and all its merits. 

First: To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Readings 

Second: To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit……  Lectures 

Third: To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Pieta  Reflection

First Reading 2 Samuel 7:18-19,24-29

'The house of your servant will be blessed for ever'

After Nathan had spoken to him, King David went in and, seated before the Lord, said: ‘Who am I, O Lord, and what is my House, that you have led me as far as this? Yet in your sight, O Lord, this is still not far enough, and you make your promises extend to the House of your servant for a far-distant future. You have constituted your people Israel to be your own people for ever; and you, Lord, have become their God.

‘Now, O Lord, always keep the promise you have made your servant and his House, and do as you have said. Your name will be exalted for ever and men will say, “The Lord of Hosts is God over Israel.” The House of your servant David will be made secure in your presence, since you yourself, Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, “I will build you a House”; hence your servant has ventured to offer this prayer to you. Yes, Lord, you are God indeed, your words are true and you have made this fair promise to your servant. Be pleased, then, to bless the House of your servant, that it may continue for ever in your presence; for you, Lord, have spoken; and with your blessing the House of your servant will be for ever blessed.’

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David

Gospel Mark 4:21-25 

A lamp is to be put on a lampstand. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given

Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’ 

He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Angela Merici, virgin. May your birthday Saint pray for you.

Loving Father my Lord, my God remember the promise you have made to me your servant. Fulfil your promise Father, may your name be exalted for ever through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord and Saviour.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Protect me, guide and guard me.

Pray the Holy Rosary. Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ bring us to your Son. 


Wednesday 26 January 2022

SOWING THE WORD OF GOD

THE SECRET OF GOD'S KINGDOM
WEDNESDAY  WEEK III IN ORD. TIME YEAR C
  
PRAYER FOR DAILY NEGLECTS: Eternal Father, I offer thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its sufferings and all its merits. 

First: To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Readings 

Second: To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit……  Lectures 

Third: To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Pieta  Reflection Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops

First Reading  Tim. 1:1-8

Fan into a flame the gift God gave you

From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus in his design to promise life in Christ Jesus to Timothy, dear child of mine, wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Night and day I thank God, keeping my conscience clear and remembering my duty to him as my ancestors did, and always I remember you in my prayers. I remember your tears and long to see you again to complete my happiness. Then I am reminded of the sincere faith which you have, it came first to live in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I have no doubt that it is the same faith in you as well. 

That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy.

Responsorial Psalm: Proclaime the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples

The Gospel Mark 4:1-20

The parable of the sower

Jesus began to teach by the lakeside, but such a huge crowd gathered round him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there. The people were all along the shore, at the water’s edge. He taught them many things in parables, and in the course of his teaching he said to them, ‘Listen! Imagine a sower going out to sow. Now it happened that, as he sowed, some of the seed fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground where it found little soil and sprang up straightaway, because there was no depth of earth; and when the sun came up it was scorched and, not having any roots, it withered away. Some seed fell into thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no crop. And some seeds fell into rich soil and, growing tall and strong, produced crop; and yielded thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!’

When he was alone, the Twelve, together with the others who formed his company, asked what the parables meant. He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you, but to those who are outside everything comes in parables, so that they may see and see again, but not perceive; may hear and hear again, but not understand; otherwise they might be converted and be forgiven.’.....

Yourth Birthday Saints: Saints Timothy, Titus and José. May they intercede on your behalf.

Heavenly Father, my God I thank you for your grace, mercy and peace. Thank you Father the gift of the spirit of power, spirit of love and spirit self-control, for you have not given me a spirit of timidity. My Father I am not ashamed of testifying of your goodness over my life for I am a living testimony of your love. God my Father I rely on your saving power for you have called me to be holy.

Father the secret of your Kingdom is in your WORD. Your word are truth, they are Spirit and Life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit Father that I may perceive, I may hear and I may understand your WORD. Father hear my prayer through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Saints Timothy, Titus and José pray for me. God's Holy Angels pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me/ Guide and guard me. Be my protection.

Pray the Holy Rosary. May our Blessed Mother, Virgin Mary bring us to her Son Jesus Christ our Lord.









Tuesday 25 January 2022

THE GREAT ENCOUNTER

THE CONVERSION OF SAUL
TUESDAY
  WEEK  III IN ORD. TIME YEAR C  
PRAYER FOR DAILY NEGLECTS: Eternal Father, I offer thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its sufferings and all its merits. 

First: To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Readings 

Second: To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit……  Lectures 

Third: To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Pieta  Reflection 

First Reading Acts 22:3-16

'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'

Paul said to the people, ‘I am a Jew and was born at Tarsus in Cilicia. I was brought up here in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was taught the exact observance of the Law of our ancestors. In fact, I was as full of duty towards God as you are today. I even persecuted this Way to the death, and sent women as well as men to prison in chains as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify, since they even sent me with letters to their brothers in Damascus. When I set off it was with the intention of bringing prisoners back from there to Jerusalem for punishment. 

‘I was on that journey and nearly at Damascus when about midday a bright light from heaven suddenly shone round me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” I answered: Who are you, Lord? and he said to me, “I am Jesus the Nazarene, and you are persecuting me.” The people with me saw the light but did not hear his voice as he spoke to me. I said: What am I to do, Lord? The Lord answered, “Stand up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told what you have been appointed to do.” The light had been so dazzling that I was blind and my companions had to take me by the hand; and so I came to Damascus. 

‘Someone called Ananias, a devout follower of the Law and highly thought of by all the Jews living there, came to see me; he stood beside me and said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight.” Instantly my sight came back and I was able to see him. Then he said, “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Just One and hear his own voice speaking, because you are to be his witness before all mankind, testifying to what you have seen and heard. And now why delay? It is time you were baptised and had your sins washed away while invoking his name.”’

Responsorial Psalm: Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News

Gospel Mark 16:15-18

Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News

Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:  ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Paul, the Apostle. May he intercede on your behalf as we celebrate his Feast Day.

What am I to do, Lord? for times I have persecuted my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ ignorantly.  Holy Spirit teach me, give me understanding and guide my actions.  Transform me Lord Jesus Christ.

We pray today for all persecuted Christians that God may give understanding to those who persecute Christians as a result of ignorance. May God's Spirit open their hearts, minds, eyes both physical and spiritual and give them understanding that they may realise their mistakes. We also pray for those who destroy lives as a result of ignorance in their conviction and religious belief.

Each moment Lord Jesus Christ we encounter you. We pray for transformation in our lives for a positive change. Transformation in our lives to respect human dignity. Transformation in our lives to understand that  life is sacred. Protect your creatures, protect our world loving Father. We ask you through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, the Prince of Peace.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. Saint Paul pray for me. God's Holy Angels pray for me. My Guardian Angel pray for me. Protect me, guide and guard me.

Pray the Holy Rosary. May our Mother, Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Jesus Christ bring us to her Son.


Monday 24 January 2022

GOD'S KING AND SHEPHERD

A DIVIDED KINGDOM
MONDAY  WEEK  III IN ORD. TIME YEAR C  
PRAYER FOR DAILY NEGLECTS: Eternal Father, I offer thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its sufferings and all its merits. 

First: To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Reaings, 

Second: To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit……  Lectures

Third: To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…… Pieta Reflection  Saint Francis de Sales, Doctor

First Reading 2 Samuel 5:1-7,10

'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel'

All the tribes of Israel then came to David at Hebron. ‘Look’ they said ‘we are your own flesh and blood. In days past when Saul was our king, it was you who led Israel in all their exploits; and the Lord said to you, “You are the man who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you shall be the leader of Israel.”’ So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a pact with them at Hebron in the presence of the Lord, and they anointed David king of Israel.

David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty years. He reigned in Hebron over Judah for seven years and six months; then he reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years. 

David and his men marched on Jerusalem against the Jebusites living there. These said to David, ‘You will not get in here. The blind and the lame will hold you off.’ (That is to say: David will never get in here.) But David captured the fortress of Zion, that is, the Citadel of David. 

David grew greater and greater, and the Lord, the God of Hosts, was with him.

Responsorial Psalm: My truth and love shall be with him

Gospel Mark 3:22-30

A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand

The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house. 

‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor. May he interced on your behalf through Jesus Christ our Lord.

My God, my Father, may your truth and your love abide with me. Father may I not blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. Delivier me Father from the guilt of eternal sin. May your Kingdom reign in my heart for a kingdom divided against itself can never stand. Yours Father in heaven is an Everlasting Kingdom. Your Son Jesus Christ is the Heavenly Prince, I acknowledge his reign over my life.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. Saint Francis de Sales pray for me. God's Holy Angels pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Protect me, be my guide and my guard.

Pray the Holy Rosary: May the Mother of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour intercede for us. May she bring us to her Son Jesus Christ.




RELIGION AND ART

GLOIRE ET LOUANGE À TOI, SEIGNEUR JÉSUS !

JEUDI SAINT: AELF « Aujourd’hui s’accomplit ce passage de l’Écriture que vous venez d’entendre. »   Première Lecture Isaïe 61, 1-3a.6a.8...

GLORIA LITURGY