Sunday Readings: PASSION SUNDAY (PALM SUNDAY)

LET US PRAY Almighty God, we pray you bless + these branches and make them holy.  Today we joyfully acclaim Jesus our Messiah and King.  May we reach one day the happiness of the new and everlasting Jerusalem by faithfully following him who lives and reigns for ever and ever.   GOSPEL A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 21: 1-11. Theme: Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord! When they were near Jerusalem and had come in sight of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village facing you, and you will immediately find a tethered donkey and a…

Sunday Readings: FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT READINGS YR A

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Give me justice, O God, and defend my cause against the wicked; rescue me from deceitful and unjust men. You, O God, are my refuge.   OPENING PRAYER Father, help us to be like Christ your Son, who loved the world and died for our salvation. Inspire us by his love, guide us by his example, who lives and reigns.   FIRST READING A reading from the Prophet Ezekiel 37:12-14 Theme: I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live. The Lord says this: I am now going to open your graves; I mean to raise you from your graves, my people, and lead you back to the soil of Israel….

Sunday Readings: FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT YR. ‘A’ 30/03/2014

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Rejoice, Jerusalem! Be glad for her, you who love her; rejoice with her, you who mourned for her, and you will find contentment at her consoling breasts   OPENING PRAYER Father of peace, we are joyful in your Word, your Son Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to you.  Let us hasten towards Easter with the eagerness of faith and love.   FIRST READING A reading from the first book of Samuel   16: 1, 6-7, 10-13 Theme: David is anointed king of Israel. The Lord said to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil and go, I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen myself a king among his sons.” When…

Sunday Readings: 3rd Sunday of lent – March 23, 2014

First reading : Exodus 17:3-7 Tormented by thirst, the people complained against Moses. ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt?’ they said. ‘Was it so that I should die of thirst, my children too, and my cattle?’ Moses appealed to the Lord. ‘How am I to deal with this people?” he said. ‘A little more and they will stone me!’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take with you some of the elders of Israel and move on to the forefront of the people; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the river, and go. I shall be standing before you there on the rock, at Horeb. You must strike the rock,…

Sunday Readings: 7th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR “A” (23/2/2014)

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON PS 12.6 Lord, your mercy is my hope, my heart rejoices in your saving power. I will sing to the Lord for his goodness to me.   OPENING PRAYER Father, keep before us the wisdom and love you have revealed in your  Son. Help us to be like him in word and deed, for he lives and reigns…   FIRST READING A reading from the book of Leviticus                      19:1-2, 17-18 You must love your neighbour as yourself The Lord spoke to Moses, he said: “Speak to the whole community of the sons of Israel and say to them: “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy. “You must not bear hatred…

Sunday Readings: SIXTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR “A” (9/2/2014)

ENTRANCE  ANTIPHON Lord, be my rock of safety, the stronghold that save me. For the honour of your name, lead me and guide me.   OPENING PRAYER God our Father, you have promised to remain for ever with those who do what is just and right.  Help us to live in your presence.   FIRST READING A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus   15: 15-20 Theme: He never commanded anyone to be godless. If you wish, you can keep the commandments; to behave faithfully is within your power.  He has set fire and water before you; put out your hand to which ever you prefer.  Man has life and death before him; whichever a man…

Sunday Readings: PRESENTATION OF THE LORD YR A (2/2/2014)

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Within your temple, we ponder your loving kindness, O God. As your name, so also your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with justice.   OPENING PRAYER All powerful Father, Christ your Son became man for us and was presented in the temple. May He free our hearts from sin and bring us into your presence.   FIRST READING A reading from the Prophet Malachi                    3:1-4 The Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter His temple The Lord God says this: Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter His Temple;…

Sunday Readings: THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (26/1/2014)

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place.   OPENING PRAYER Almighty ever-living God, direct our actions according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the  unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.   FIRST READING A reading from the Prophet Isaiah 8:23, 9:3 In Galilee of the nations the people has seen a great light In days past the Lord humbled the land…

Sunday Readings: SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR “A” 19/1/2014

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON All the earth shall bow down before you. O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High!   OPENING PRAYER Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.   FIRST READING A reading from the Prophet Isaiah                 49:3,5-5 I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. The Lord said…

SUNDAY READINGS: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR A 22/12/2013

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.   OPENING PRAYER Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.   FIRST READING A reading from the prophet Isaiah  7, 10-14 Theme: The maiden is with child Once again the…

SUNDAY READINGS: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT A 15/12/2013

OPENING PRAYER Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.   FIRST READING A reading from the Prophet Isaiah 35, 1-6a. 10 Theme: Look, your God is coming, he is coming to save you. Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy. The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God.  Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling…

SUNDAY READINGS: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR A 8/12/2013

OPENING PRAYER God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome.  Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns….   FIRST READING A reading from the prophet Isaiah   11:1-10 Theme: He judges the wretched with integrity A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse, a scion thrust from his roots: on him the spirit of the Lord rests, a spirit of wisdom and insight, a spirit of counsel and power, a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.  (The fear of the Lord is his breath.) …

SUNDAY READINGS: THIRTY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR C 17/11/2013

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON The Lord says: my plans for you are peace and not disaster when you call to me, I will listen to you, and I will bring you back to the place which I exiled you.   OPENING PRAYER Father of all that is good, keep us faithful in serving you, for to serve you is lasting joy.   FIRST READING A reading from the prophet Malachi 3:19-20 Theme: For you the sun of righteousness will shine out. The day is coming now, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and the evil-doers will be like stubble. The day that is coming is going to burn them up, says the Lord of hosts,…

SUNDAY READINGS: THIRTY SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR C 3/11/2013

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Let my prayer come before you, Lord, listen and answer me.   OPENING PRAYER God of power and mercy, protect us from all harm, give us freedom of spirit and health in mind and body to do your work on earth.   FIRST READING A reading from the Second Book of Maccabees  7:1-2. 9-14 Theme: The King of the world will raise us up to live again for ever. There were seven brothers who were arrested with their mother.  The king tried to force them to taste pig’s flesh, which the Law forbids, by torturing them with whips and scourges.  One of them, acting as spokesman for the others, said, “What are you…

SUNDAY READINGS – November 3, 2013

Entrance Antiphon Ps 37:22-23 Do not abandon me, My God, do not go away from me! Hurry to help me, my Saviour.   Opening Prayer God of power and mercy, only with your help can we offer you fitting service and praise. May we live the faith we profess and trust your promise of eternal life.   FIRST READING                            A reading from the book of  wisdom  11:22-12:2 Theme You are merciful to all because you love all that exists. In your sight, Lord, the whole world is like a grain of dust that tips the scales, like a drop of morning dew falling on the ground. Yet you are merciful to all, because you can…

SUNDAY READINGS – 30th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (c) 27/10/2013

OPENING PRAYER Almighty and ever-living God, strengthen our faith, hope and love.  May we do with loving hearts what you ask of us and come to share the life you promise. FIRST READING A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus 35: 12 – 14. 16 – 19 Theme: The humble Man’s prayer pierces the clouds. The Lord is a judge who is no respecter of personages.  He shows no respect of personages to the detriment of a poor man, He listens to the plea of the injured party.  He does not ignore the orphan’s supplication, nor the widow’s as she pours out her story.  The man who with his whole heart serves God will be…

SUNDAY READINGS: 29th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (c) 20/10/2013

OPENING PRAYER Almighty and ever-living God, our source of power and inspiration, give us strength and joy in serving you as followers of Christ.   FIRST READING A reading from the book of Exodus 17:8-13 Theme: As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage. The Amalekites came and attacked Israel at Rephidim.  Moses said to Joshua, “pick out men for yourself, and tomorrow morning march out to engage Amalek.  I, meanwhile, will stand on the hilltop, the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him and marched out to engage Amalek, while Moses and Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill.  As long…

SUNDAY READINGS: 28th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (c) 13/10/2013

OPENING PRAYER Lord, our help and guide, make your love the foundation of lives. May our love for you express itself in our eagerness to do good for others.   First Reading A reading from the second book of the Kings 5:14 – 17 Theme: Naama returned to Elisha and acknowledged the Lord. Naaman the leper went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, as Elisha had told him to do.  And his flesh became clean once more like the flesh of a little child. Returning to Elisha with his whole escort, he went in and stood before him. “Now I know”, he said, “that there is no God in all the earth…

SUNDAY READING: October 06, 2013 Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING: Habakkuk 1: 2-3; 2:24. O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and thou wilt not hear? Or cry to thee “Violence!” and thou wilt not save? Why dost thou make me see wrongs and look upon trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain upon tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Behold, he whose soul is not upright in him shall fail, but the righteous…

SUNDAY READINGS: 26th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (c) 29/9/2013

OPENING PRAYER Father, you show your almighty power in your mercy and forgiveness. Continue to fill us with your gifts of love. Help us to hurry toward the eternal life you promise and come to share in the joys of your kingdom.   FIRST READING A reading from the prophet Amos  6:1.4-7 Theme: Those who sprawl and those who bawl will be exiled The Almighty Lord says this: Woe to those ensconced so snugly in Zion and to those who feel so safe on the mountain of Samaria. Lying on ivory beds and sprawling on their divans, they dine on lambs from the flock, and stall-fattened veal; they bawl to the sound of the harp,…