June 1
Sunday

9th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Dt 11:18, 26-28, 32

Engrave these words of mine on your heart and in your soul, brand them on your hand as a sign, and keep them always before your eyes.
See that on this day, I set before you a blessing and a curse. A blessing if you obey the commandments of Yahweh that I command you today; a curse if you disobey these commandments and turn aside from the way that I show you now, to follow strange gods which are not yours.
And be careful to carry out all the laws and precepts which I now set before you.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 31:2-3, 3-4, 17, 25
Lord, be my rock of safety.

Second Reading: Rom 3:21-25, 28

Now it has been revealed altogether apart from the Law, as it was already foretold in the Law and the Prophets: God makes us righteous by means of faith in Jesus Christ, and this is applied to all who believe, without distinction of persons. Because all have sinned and all fall short of the Glory of God; and all are graciously forgiven and made righteous through the redemption effected in Christ Jesus. For God has given him to be the victim whose blood obtains us forgiveness through faith.
For we hold that people are in God's grace by faith and not because of all the things ordered by the Law.

Gospel Reading: Mt 7:21-27

Not everyone who says to me: Lord! Lord! will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my heavenly Father. Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not speak in your name? Did we not cast out devils and perform many miracles in your name?" Then I will tell them openly: I have never known you; away from me, you evil people!
"So, then, anyone who hears these words of mine and acts accordingly is like a wise man, who built his house on rock. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house, but it did not collapse because it was built on rock." But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed, and what a terrible fall that was!"

Commentary
Notice that the house built upon rock was subjected to the very same wind and rain that would afflict the house built upon sand. The difference between the two houses would lie in their foundations.
In the same way, the follower of Jesus cannot expect to be spared the inevitable tempests and storms that are part of the human condition. The winds will blow and the rains will come! Being rooted in the firm foundation of faith, hope and charity will make all the difference in the world. May we never stray from the One who makes us strong.

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June 2
Monday

9th Week in Ordinary Time
Marcellinus and Peter

First Reading: 2 P 1:2-7

May grace and peace abound in you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and piety. First the knowledge of the One who called us through his own Glory and Might, by which we were given the most extraordinary and precious promises. Through them you share in the divine nature, after repelling the?corruption and evil desires of this world.
So, strive with the greatest determination and increase your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with moderation, moderation with constancy, constancy with piety, piety with mutual affection, mutual affection with charity.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 91:1-2, 14-15b, 15c-16
In you, my God, I place my trust.

Gospel Reading: Mk 12:1-12

Using parables, Jesus went on to say, "A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press and built a watch tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenants and went abroad.
"In due time he sent a servant to receive from the tenants his share of the fruit. But they seized the servant, struck him and sent him back empty-handed. Again the man sent another servant. They also struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent another and they killed him. In the same way they treated many others; some they struck and others they killed. One was still left, his beloved son. And so, last of all, he sent him to the tenants, for he said: 'They will respect my son.'
"But those tenants said to one another: 'This is the one who is to inherit the vineyard. Let's kill him and the property will be ours.' So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. Now, what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others."
And Jesus added, "Have you not read this text of the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected has become the keystone. This was the Lord's doing; and we marvel at it."
They wanted to arrest him for they realized that Jesus meant this parable for them, but they were afraid of the crowd. So they left him and went away.

Commentary
It is amazing that the tenants thought they could get away with the treatment of the master's servants and even his son. They were acting completely irrationally, for no probate court would ever award them their master's property.
Sin is fundamentally irrational, yet we think we can get away with it. What is to be gained by the mistreatment of others, the holding of the petty grudge, or the outright meanness that we can exhibit?
Only foolish tenants would act the way they did in the parable. Only a fool can think himself smarter than God.

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June 3
Tuesday

9th Week in Ordinary Time
Charles Lwanga and Companions

First Reading: 2 P 3:12-15a, 17-18

As you wait for the Day of God and long for its coming, when the heavens will dissolve in fire and the elements melt away in the heat. We wait for a new heaven and a new earth in which justice reigns, according to God's promise.
Therefore, beloved, as you wait in expectation of this, strive that God may find you rooted in peace, without blemish or fault.
And consider that God's patience is for our salvation, as our beloved brother Paul wrote to you, with the wisdom given him.
So then, dearly beloved, as you have been warned, be careful lest those people who have gone astray deceive you in turn and drag you along, making you stumble and finally fall away. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: to him be glory, now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 90:2, 3-4, 10, 14 and 16
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Gospel Reading: Mk 12:13-17

Jewish leaders sent to Jesus some Pharisees with members of Herod's party, with the purpose of trapping him in his own words. They came and said to Jesus, "Master, we know that you are true; you are not influenced by anyone, and your answers do not vary according to who is listening to you but you truly teach God's way. Tell us, is it against the Law to pay taxes to Caesar? Should we pay them or not?"
But Jesus saw through their trick and answered, "Why are you testing me? Bring me a silver coin and let me see it." They brought him one and Jesus asked, "Whose head is this, and whose name?" They answered, "Caesar's." Then Jesus said, "Return to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." And they were greatly astonished.

Commentary
With a wisdom far greater than Solomon's does Jesus resolve the matter at hand. That same wisdom is what we need in order to settle the vexing question of how we are to act in a society that is increasingly individualistic, materialistic and hedonistic. How are we to remain faithful to the Lord amidst the distractions of our day?
St. Augustine would say that we are to live in the world but not be of the world, advice that is perennially valid. We must keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus, lest we be led astray by the seductive lure of the things of this world.

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June 4
Wednesday

9th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 2 Tim 1:1-3, 6-12

From Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of his promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus, to my dear son Timothy.
May grace, mercy and peace be with you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I give thanks to God whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly, day and night, in my prayers.
For this reason I invite you to fan into a flame the gift of God you received through the laying on of my hands. For God did not confer on us?a spirit of bashfulness, but of strength, love and good judgment. Do not be ashamed of testifying to our Lord, nor of seeing me in chains. On the contrary, do your share in laboring for the Gospel with the strength of God. He saved us and called us-a calling which proceeds from his holiness. This did not depend on our merits, but on his generosity and his own initiative. This calling given to us from all time in Christ Jesus has just been manifested with the glorious appearance of Christ Jesus, our Lord, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light in his Gospel. Of this message I was made herald, apostle and teacher.
For its sake I now suffer this trial, but I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have believed and I am convinced that he is capable of taking care of all I have entrusted to him until that day.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 123:1b-2ab, 2cdef
To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.

Gospel Reading: Mk 12:18-27

The Sadducees came to Jesus. Since they claim that there is no resurrection, they questioned him in this way, "Master, in the Scriptures Moses gave us this law: 'If anyone dies and leaves a wife but no children, his brother must take the wife and give her a child who will be considered the child of his deceased brother.' Now, there were seven brothers. The first married a wife, but he died without leaving any children. The second took the wife and he, too, died leaving no children. The same thing happened to the third. Finally the seven died leaving no children. Last of all the woman died. Now, in the resurrection, to which of them will she be wife? For the seven had her as wife."
Jesus replied, "You could be wrong in this regard because you understand neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. When they rise from the dead, men and women do not marry but are like the angels in heaven.
"Now, about the resurrection of the dead, have you never reflected on the chapter of the burning bush in the book of Moses? God said to him: I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now, he is the God, not of the dead but of the living. You are totally wrong."

Commentary
Many things lie beyond our ability to understand. We err, in fact, when we try to reduce the mysteries of God to our own size.
What will our relationships with our loved ones be like in heaven? Only God knows! But the Lord does assure us that we will be ourselves in heaven (not absorbed into the energy of the cosmos) and that there exists now a communion of saints that will only be perfected in heaven.
We will know one another in heaven the way the Lord wants us to know one another: freed from the corruption of sin and death.

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June 5
Thursday

9th Week in Ordinary Time
Boniface

First Reading: 2 Tim 2:8-15

Remember Christ Jesus, risen from the dead, Jesus, son of David, as preached in my Gospel. For this Gospel I labor and even wear chains like an evildoer, but the word of God is not chained. And so I bear everything for the sake of the chosen people, that they, too, may obtain the salvation given to us in Christ Jesus and share eternal glory. This statement is true:
If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;
If we endure with him, we shall reign with him;
If we deny him, he will also deny us;
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself.
Remind your people of these things and urge them in the presence of God not to fight over words, which does no good, but only ruins those who listen. Be for God an active and proved minister, a blameless worker correctly handling the word of truth.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10, 14
Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Gospel Reading: Mk 12:28-34

A teacher of the Law had been listening to this discussion and admired how Jesus answered them. So he came up and asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?"
Jesus answered, "The first is: Hear, Israel! The Lord, our God, is One Lord; and you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. And after this comes another one: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these two."
The teacher of the Law said to him, "Well spoken, Master; you are right when you say that he is one and there is no other. To love him with all our heart, with all our understanding and with all our strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves is more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice."
Jesus approved this answer and said, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." But after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Commentary
All. Not part, but all. This is how we are to love our God, this is how we are to serve the Lord. Following Jesus is nothing less than a full-time commitment. We cannot dabble in discipleship. Holiness is not a hobby! The Lord gives everything that He has to give so that we might have life and have it in abundance. Our response to His incredible love must be nothing less than total.
Sin is holding out on God, giving Him less than His due. May we stay away from sin so that we might never be far from the kingdom of God.

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June 6
Friday

9th Week in Ordinary Time
Norbert

First Reading: 2 Tim 3:10-17

You, instead, have closely followed my teaching, my way of life, my projects, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions and sufferings. You know what happened to me at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. How many trials I had to bear! Yet the Lord rescued me from them all. All who want to serve God in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil persons and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
As for you, continue with what you have learned and what has been entrusted to you, knowing from whom you received it. Besides, you have known the Scriptures from childhood; they will give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, refuting error, for correcting and training in Christian life. Through Scripture the man of God is made expert and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 119:157, 160, 161, 165, 166, 168
O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.

Gospel Reading: Mk 12:35-37

As Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he said, "The teachers of the Law say that the Messiah is the son of David. How can that be? For David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit declared: The Lord said to my Lord: sit at my right until I put your enemies under your feet. If David himself calls him Lord, in what way can he be his son?" Many people came to Jesus and listened to him gladly.

Commentary
The words spoken by Jesus were compelling, and many came to follow Him through the power of His message. That same message is given to us in the Holy Bible so that we might also listen to Him and be guided by His message.
Through the daily discipline of reading the scriptures we draw near to divine wisdom. It has been said that every time the scriptures are proclaimed they are heard for the very first time. May your keeping of this Bible Diary help you to be even more attentive to God's Word, God's holy will in your life.

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June 7
Saturday

9th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 2 Tim 4:1-8

In the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by the hope I have of his coming and his kingdom, I urge you to preach the Word, in season and out of season, reproving, rebuking or advising, always with patience and providing instruction. For the time is coming when people will no longer endure sound doctrine but following their passions they will surround themselves with teachers to please their itching ears. And they will abandon the truth to hear fables. So be prudent, do not mind your labor, give yourself to your work as an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
As for me, I am already poured out as a libation, and the moment of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness with which the Lord, the just judge, will reward me on that day; and not only me, but all those who have longed for his glorious coming.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 71:8-9, 14-15ab, 16-17, 22
I will sing of your salvation.

Gospel Reading: Mk 12:38-44

As Jesus was teaching, he said, "Beware of those teachers of the Law who enjoy walking around in long robes and being greeted in the marketplace, and who like to occupy reserved seats in the synagogues and the first places at feasts. They even devour the widow's and the orphan's goods while making a show of long prayers. How severe a sentence they will receive!"
Jesus sat down opposite the Temple treasury and watched the people dropping money into the treasury box; and many rich people put in large offerings. But a poor widow also came and dropped in two small coins.
Then Jesus called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those who gave offerings. For all of them gave from their plenty, but she gave from her poverty and put in everything she had, her very living."

Commentary
The poor widow in the Gospel serves as a model for the offering that we make to the Lord through the Church of our time, talent and treasure. Equal gifts would be an unrealistic and unjust goal, for we are all of different means. Equal gifts are not expected, but equal sacrifices are. In sharing our resources with the Church we are simply returning to the Lord what He first gave to us. And as what He gave to us demanded the perfect sacrifice on His part, should not our offerings involve sacrifice on ours?

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June 8
Sunday

10th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Hos 6:3-6

In their affliction, people will say, "Let us strive to know Yahweh.
His coming is as certain as the dawn;
his judgment will burst forth like the light;
he will come to us as showers come,
like spring rain that waters the earth."
O Ephraim, what shall I do with you?
O Judah, how shall I deal with you?
This love of yours is like morning mist,
like morning dew that quickly disappears.
This is why I smote you through the prophets,
and have slain you by the words of my mouth.
For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice;
it is knowledge of God, not burnt offerings.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 50:1, 8, 12-13, 14-15
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Second Reading: Rom 4:18-25

Brothers and sisters, Abraham believed and hoped against all expectation, thus becoming father of many nations, as he had been told: See how many will be your descendants. He did not doubt although his body could no longer give life-he was about a hundred years old-and in spite of his wife Sarah being unable to have children. He did not doubt nor did he distrust the promise of God, and by being strong in faith, he gave glory to God: he was convinced that He who had given the promise had power to fulfill it.
This was taken into account for him to attain righteousness. This was taken into account: these words of Scripture are not only for him, but for us, too, because we believe in Him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from among the dead, he who was delivered for our sins and raised to life for us to receive true righteousness.

Gospel Reading: Mt 9:9-13

As Jesus was walking on, he saw a man named Matthew at his seat in the custom-house, and he said to him, "Follow me." And Matthew got up and followed him. Now it happened, while Jesus was at table in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and other sinners joined Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples, "Why is it that your master eats with those sinners and tax collectors?"
When Jesus heard this he said, "Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do. Go and find out what this means: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

Commentary
From the ranks of the most despised class of people did Jesus call His apostle Matthew. Few were hated more than the tax collectors, for they resorted to extortion and cruelty to exact payment from their charges. Yet the call of Jesus forever changed Matthew, and from that day his life was lived not for himself and his own selfish interests, but for the Lord. In that did Matthew find meaning, purpose and direction in his life, in that did Matthew's life take on lasting significance.
Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.

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June 9
Monday

10th Week in Ordinary Time
Ephrem

First Reading: 1 K 17:1-6

Now Elijah, the prophet from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As Yahweh, the God of Israel whom I serve lives, neither dew shall drop nor rain fall except at my command."
Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah, "Leave this place and go eastward. Hide yourself by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook and, for your food, I have commanded the ravens to feed you there." So Elijah obeyed the word of Yahweh and went to live by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan. There the ravens brought him bread in the morning and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 121:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down and his disciples gathered around him. Then he spoke and began to teach them:
Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Fortunate are those who mourn, they shall be comforted.
Fortunate are the gentle, they shall possess the land.
Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.
Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy.
Fortunate are those with a pure heart, for they shall see God.
Fortunate are those who work for peace, they shall be called children of God.
Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers. Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God. This is how this people persecuted the prophets who lived before you.

Commentary
Today we begin a continuous reading from the Gospel of Matthew that will take us several months to complete. St. Matthew wrote his Gospel to fit the particular needs of Jewish converts to Christianity, and we find in his Gospel many references to and quotes from the Old Testament.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises of the prophets of the Old Testament, He is the New Moses who gives the new law, the new way of life through His Sermon on the Mount, a sermon that begins with today's reading of the Beatitudes.

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June 10
Tuesday

10th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 1 K 17:7-16

After a while, the brook dried up because no rain had fallen in the land. Then Yahweh spoke to Elijah, "Go to Zarephath of the Sidonites and stay there. I have given word to a widow there to give you food." So Elijah went to Zarephath. On reaching the gate of the town, he saw a widow gathering sticks. He called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel that I may drink."
As she was going to bring it, he called after her and said, "Bring me also a piece of bread." But she answered, "As Yahweh your God lives, I have no bread left but only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am just now gathering some sticks so that I may go in and prepare something for myself and my son to eat-and die."
Elijah then said to her, "Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said, but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me; then make some for yourself and your son. For this is the word of Yahweh, the God of Israel, 'The jar of meal shall not be emptied nor shall the jug of oil fail, until the day when Yahweh sends rain to the earth."
So she went and did as Elijah told her; and she had food for herself, Elijah and her son from that day on. The jar of flour was not emptied nor did the jug of oil fail, in accordance with what Yahweh had said through Elijah.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 4:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8
Lord, let your face shine on us.

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its strength, how can it be made salty again? It has become useless. It can only be thrown away and people will trample on it.
"You are the light of the world. A city built on a mountain cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and covers it; instead it is put on a lamp-stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before others, so that they may see the good you do and praise your Father in heaven."

Commentary
Our world experiences plenty of the darkness of sin and corruption. The culture around us neither enlightens nor enriches the soul. Jesus is the light that scatters the darkness, and He does so by shining through those who believe in Him.
The Lord gives us a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in this world by allowing His light to shine through us. May we be attentive to eliminating anything in our lives that would diminish or obscure His light. How else will the light of the Lord shine forth, except through those who are bearers of His light?

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June 11
Wednesday

10th Week in Ordinary Time
Barnabas

First Reading: Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3

The hand of the Lord was with them so that a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the manifest signs of God's favor, he rejoiced and urged them all to remain firmly faithful to the Lord; for he himself was a good man filled with Holy Spirit and faith. Thus large crowds came to know the Lord.
Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus to look for Saul and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they had meetings with the Church and instructed many people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
There were at Antioch-in the Church which was there-prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon known as Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod, and Saul. On one occasion while they were celebrating the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul to do the work for which I have called them." So, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Gospel Reading: Mt 10:7-13

Jesus said to his disciples, "Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. You received this as a gift, so give it as a gift. Do not carry any gold, silver or copper in your purses. Do not carry a traveler's bag, or an extra shirt, or sandals, or walking stick: workers deserve their living.
"When you come to a town or a village, look for a worthy person and stay there until you leave.
"As you enter the house, wish it peace. If the people in the house deserve it, your peace will be on them; if they do not deserve it, your blessing will come back to you."

Commentary
The Lord is so very generous in sharing with us His abundant blessings and favors. All that we have and all that we are come from the Lord's mercy and favor.
Blessings received from the Lord are not meant to be clung to, but to be shared. Generosity is a virtue especially fitting those who follow the Lord. Jesus teaches us that it is far better to give than to receive. Without cost we have received, without cost we are to give. May our daily reception of the Word of God inspire within us a desire to share that same Word with others.

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June 12
Thursday

10th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 1 K 18:41-46

Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink, for the sound of rain is rushing in." So Ahab went up to eat and drink. Elijah, in the meantime, went to the top of Carmel, bowed to the ground and put his face between his knees. Then he said to his servant, "Go up and look in the direction of the sea." The man went up, looked, and said, "There is nothing." Then Elijah said, "Go again" and seven times he went. At the seventh time, he perceived a little cloud, the size of a man's hand, rising out of the sea. Elijah told him, "Go, tell Ahab: Prepare your chariot and go down before the rain stops you." A little later the sky grew dark with clouds and wind and a strong rain fell. Ahab was riding on his way to Jezreel; as for Elijah, the hand of Yahweh was on him, and tucking his cloak in his belt, he ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13
It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to the crowds, "I tell you, then, that if you are not righteous in a much broader way than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.
"You have heard that it was said to our people in the past: Do not commit murder; anyone who does kill will have to face trial. But now I tell you: whoever gets angry with a brother or sister will have to face trial. Whoever insults a brother or sister deserves to be brought before the council; whoever humiliates a brother or sister deserves to be thrown into the fire of hell. So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar and you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with him, and then come back and offer your gift to God.
"Don't forget this: be reconciled with your opponent quickly when you are together on the way to court. Otherwise he will turn you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, who will put you in jail. There you will stay, until you have paid the last penny."

Commentary
Jesus came to reconcile all things by the blood of the cross. If reconciliation is the reason why Jesus went to Calvary, then reconciliation must be at the heart of the life of a Christian. Petty grudges, long simmering feuds, and childish tit-for-tat have no place in the Kingdom. Rather, those who follow the Lord are to be quick to forgive and to put aside differences.
The Lord forgave those who crucified Him without their asking for forgiveness. We can do no better than to imitate the Lord when it is we who have been wronged.

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June 13
Friday

10th Week in Ordinary Time
Anthony of Padua

First Reading: 1 K 19:9a, 11-16

On reaching the place, he came to the cave and stayed in it. Then the word of Yahweh came to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
Then Yahweh said, "Go up and stand on the mount, waiting for Yahweh." And Yahweh passed by.
There was first a windstorm, wild wind which rent the mountains and broke the rocks into pieces before Yahweh, but Yahweh was not in the wind. After the storm, an earthquake, but Yahweh was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, a fire, but Yahweh was not in the fire. After the fire, the murmur of a gentle breeze. When Elijah perceived it, he covered his face with his cloak, went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Then he heard a voice addressing him again, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I am burning with jealous love for Yahweh, the God of?hosts, because the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars and slain your prophets with the sword. No one is left but myself, yet they still seek my life to take it away."
Yahweh said to him, "Take the road back through the desert and go to Damascus for you must anoint Hazael as king of Syria; you shall also anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king over Israel; and Elisha, son of Shaphat, from Abel Meholah, you shall anoint as prophet in your place."

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 27:7-8a, 8b-9abc, 13-14
I long to see your face, O Lord.

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:27-32

Jesus said to his disciples, "You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery. But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman to satisfy his lust has in fact already committed adultery with her in his heart.
"So, if your right eye causes you to sin, pull it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell. If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell.
"It was also said: anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce. But what I tell you is this: If a man divorces his wife except in the case of unlawful union, he causes her to commit adultery. And the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

Commentary
Jesus does not mince words when He teaches us how to live. Holiness of life means being configured into the image of the One who is all holy, the Lord Himself.
If we wish to be holy, we must surround ourselves with holy things and holy people. One cannot stay clean if one plays in the gutter! Rather, reading the Bible daily and engaging in prayer every day is a beautiful way of staying on the path of holiness. Likewise, the regular, faithful reception of the sacraments is always good for the soul, for through the sacraments we encounter the Lord.

June 14
Saturday

10th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 1 K 19:19-21

So Elijah left. He found Elisha, son of Shaphat, who was plowing a field of twelve acres and was at the end of the twelfth acre. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak over him. Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah and said, "Let me say goodbye to my father and mother; then I will follow you." Elijah said to him, "Return if you want, don't worry about what I did." However, Elisha turned back, took the yoke of oxen and slew them. He roasted their meat on the pieces of the yoke and gave it to his people who ate of it. After this, he followed Elijah and began ministering to him.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 16:1b-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10
You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples, "You have also heard that people were told in the past: Do not break your oath; an oath sworn to the Lord must be kept. But I tell you this: do not take oaths. Do not swear by the heavens, for they are God's throne, nor by the earth, because it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem because it is the city of the great king. Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. Say yes when you mean yes and say no when you mean no. Anything else you say comes from the devil."

Commentary
When one makes an oath he holds his soul in his hands. Oaths are made only for the most important reasons, such as testifying in a court of law. When we swear oaths in our ordinary speech we cheapen the tradition of sacred promises, and we reduce to a mascot the Lord in whose name we swear.
May we pray for the composure to use words wisely and prudently, for our speech reveals so clearly who we really are. As the psalmist would say, "Set, O Lord, a guard at the gate of my mouth."

June 15
Sunday

11th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Ex 19:2-6a

From Rephidim the Israelites camped in the wilderness of Sinai.
The Israelites camped there in front of the mountain, but Moses went up to God and Yahweh called to him from the mountain, saying, "This is what you are to say and to explain to the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself. Now if you listen to me and keep my covenant, you shall be my very own possession among all the nations. For all the earth is mine, but you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5
We are his people: the sheep of his flock.

Second Reading: Rom 5:6-11

Brothers and sisters, Christ died for us when we were still sinners and unable to do anything. Few would accept to die for an upright person; although, for a very good person, perhaps someone would dare to die. But see how God manifested his love for us: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us and we have become just through his blood. With much more reason now he will save us from any condemnation. Once enemies, we have been reconciled with God through the death of his Son; with much more reason now we may be saved through his life. Not only that; we feel secure in God because of Christ Jesus, our Lord, through whom we have been reconciled.

Gospel Reading: Mt 9:36-10:8

When Jesus saw the crowds he was moved with pity, for they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest."
Then he called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority over the unclean spirits to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon, the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, the man who would betray him.
Jesus sent these twelve on mission with the instruction: "Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town. Go instead to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.
"Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. You received this as a gift, so give it as a gift."

Commentary
When Jesus chose His apostles, He did not select the brightest and the best. Fishermen, tax collectors and those of limited education and means were among His closest followers. Yet Jesus chose whom He wished and gave them the gifts they needed in order to accomplish their work. From this small band of men of questionable abilities spread the message of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
Jesus has something for you to do in building up the kingdom. Question neither His wisdom nor His ability to equip you with all that you need for the task at hand.

June 16
Monday

11th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 1 K 21:1-16

Naboth, a man from Jezreel, owned a vineyard just beside the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria. Ahab asked Naboth, "Give me your vineyard which is near my house that I may use it for a vegetable garden. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange. Or, if you prefer, I will pay you its price."
But Naboth said to Ahab, "Yahweh forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers."
So Ahab went home angry and sad because of what Naboth had told him, that he would not give him the inheritance of his fathers. So he lay down on his bed with his face turned toward the wall and refused to eat.
His wife Jezebel came to him and said, "Why are you so angry that you refuse to eat?" He answered, "I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and asked him to sell me his vineyard or to exchange it for another better one but he answered: I will not give you my vineyard."
His wife Jezebel said to him, "Are you not king of Israel? Get up and eat and be joyful, for I will give you the vineyard of Naboth of Jezreel."
So Jezebel wrote letters using Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and important persons living near Naboth. This is what she wrote in the letters, "Declare a fast and put Naboth on trial. Get two worthless fellows to accuse him in this way: 'You have cursed God and the king.' Then take him out and stone him to death."
The people, the elders and the important persons who lived in his city did as Jezebel had instructed them in the letters she sent to them. They declared a fast and put Naboth on trial. The two worthless fellows came in and sat facing him, accusing Naboth before the people, "Naboth cursed God and the king!" So the people took him outside the city and stoned him to death. They then sent word to Jezebel that Naboth had been stoned and was dead.
As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, she told Ahab, "Now take possession of the vineyard of Naboth, the man of Jezreel who refused to sell it to you, for Naboth is now dead." As soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he went down to the vineyard of Naboth and took possession of it.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 5:2-3ab, 4b-6a, 6b-7
Lord, listen to my groaning.

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:38-42

Jesus said to his disciples, "You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other. If someone sues you in court for your shirt, give your coat as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give when asked and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you."

Commentary
If the ethic of "an eye for an eye" was followed, half of the world's population would be blind. Revenge is never freeing, rather it draws us deeper into the evil we are seeking to challenge.
The Lord challenges us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. While this stance of non-confrontation might not come to us easily it will always bring out the best within us, and will be the most powerful weapon against forces of evil.
"Vengeance is mine," says the Lord. It does not belong to us.

June 17
Tuesday

11th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 1 K 21:17-29

Then Yahweh spoke to Elijah of Tishbe, "Go down to meet Ahab, king of Israel, in Samaria. He is taking possession of the vineyard of Naboth. Say to him: 'Have you killed and have taken possession at the same time?' Then give him this word of mine: 'Dogs shall lick your blood in the very place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth.'"
Ahab then said to Elijah, "Who, better than my enemy, could find me here and now!" Elijah answered, "I have come to you because you have done what Yahweh abhors. This is Yahweh's word: I will bring disgrace on you. I will sweep you away and cut off every male of your family, from the lowliest to the greatest. Your family will disappear like the families of Jeroboam and Baasa, because you have offended me and have dragged Israel into sin. There is another word of Yahweh to Jezebel: 'The dogs shall devour Jezebel within the territory of Jezreel.' If anyone of Ahab's line dies in the city, he shall be devoured by dogs; if in the green country, the birds of the air shall feed on him."
There was no one like Ahab, urged by his?wife Jezebel, in doing what Yahweh abhorred. He did horrible things and ran after unclean idols just as the Amorites had done, from whom Yahweh had taken the land to give it to Israel.
On hearing these words, Ahab tore his clothes and put on sackcloth. He fasted as he lay in sackcloth and moved around despondently. Then Yahweh said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself? Because of this I will not bring about the disaster during his reign; during his son's reign disgrace will fall on his family."

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 11 and 16
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples, "You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy. But this I tell you: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good, and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust.
"If you love those who love you, what is special about that? Do not even tax collectors do as much? And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the pagans do as much? For your part you shall be righteous and perfect in the way your heavenly Father is righteous and perfect."

Commentary
Jesus calls us to a higher way of life than we could ever obtain on our own. Mere human wisdom does not permit us to conceive of a way of life in which enemies are loved and persecutors are prayed for. Only the Lord can bring us to a way of life in which we live by His words and follow His example of forgiving even those we despise most intensely. Love always brings out the best in us; love is the answer to the problems of this world.
We do not grow stronger by carrying around a grudge.

June 18
Wednesday

11th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 2 K 2:1, 6-14

Yahweh took Elijah up to ?heaven in a whirlwind. It happened this way: Elijah and Elisha had left Gilgal, and Elijah said to Elisha,
Elijah said once more to Elisha, "Stay here, I beg you, for Yahweh is only sending me to the Jordan." But Elisha answered, "I swear by Yahweh and by your life that I will never leave you." And as they went on their way, fifty fellow prophets of Jericho followed them at a certain distance.
When Elijah and Elisha stood by the Jordan Elijah took his mantle, rolled it, and struck the water with it. The water parted to both sides and they crossed over on dry ground.
After they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "What shall I do for you before I am taken away from you? Ask me." Elisha said, "Grant that I may have the best of your spirit." Elijah answered, "Your request is most difficult. Yet if you see me while I am being taken from you, then you shall have it. But if not, you shall not have it."
As they were talking on the way, a chariot of fire with horses of fire stood between them, and Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw him and cried out, "Father, my father, chariots of Israel and its horsemen!"
When Elisha lost sight of him, he took hold of his own clothes and tore them. He then picked up the mantle which had fallen from Elijah and returned to the banks of the Jordan. There he struck the water with the mantle, but it did not part. So he asked, "Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?" And as he struck the water again it parted. Elisha crossed over.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 31:20, 21, 24
Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples, "be careful not to make a show of your righteousness before people. If you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in heaven. When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be seen in the synagogues and in the streets in order to be praised by the people. I assure you, they have been already paid in full.
"If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift remains really secret. Your Father who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.
"When you pray, do not be like those who want to be seen. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father who sees what is kept secret will reward you.
"When you fast, do not put on a miserable face as do the hypocrites. They put on a gloomy face, so people can see they are fasting. I tell you this: they have been paid in full already. When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, because you are not fasting for appearances or for people, but for your Father who sees beyond appearances. And your Father, who sees what is kept secret will reward you.

Commentary
Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are the classic pillars of the season of Lent, but they must not be confined to that sacred season. Jesus teaches us that we are to discipline our lives that we will find prayer to be as natural as breathing, sacrifices (fasting) to be consistent and regular, and care of the poor (almsgiving) to be an authentic expression of our gratitude for the Lord caring for us.
Jesus describes in this Gospel passage not legalistic obligations, but a way of life in which deeds speak louder than words. God does not forget those who keep Him in mind.

June 19
Thursday

11th Week in Ordinary Time
Romuald

First Reading: Sir 48:1-14

Then came the prophet Elijah like a fire, his words a burning torch.
He brought a famine on the people and in his zealous love had them reduced in number.
Speaking in the name of the Lord he closed the heavens, and on three occasions called down fire.
How marvelous you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Who could ever boast of being your equal? By the word of the Most High you brought a dead man back to life; you brought kings to destruction and thrust famous men from their beds.
You heard a rebuke at Sinai and sentences of punishment at Horeb; you anointed kings to be avengers and prophets to succeed you.
You were taken up by a whirlwind of flames in a chariot drawn by fiery horses.
It was written that you should be the one to calm God's anger in the future before it broke out in fury, to turn the hearts of fathers to their sons and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
Happy are those who will see you and those who die in love, for we too shall live.
Such was Elijah, taken up in a whirlwind, and Elisha was filled with his spirit.
During his life no leader could shake him, no one dominated him. Nothing was too difficult for him and even in death his body prophesied. In life he worked wonders, in death his deeds were amazing.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 97:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Gospel Reading: Mt 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples, "When you pray, do not use a lot of words, as the pagans do, for they hold that the more they say, the more chance they have of being heard. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need, even before you ask him.
"This, then, is how you should pray:
Our Father in heaven,
holy be your name,
your kingdom come
and your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today the kind of bread we need.
Forgive us our debts
just as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
Do not bring us to the test
but deliver us from the evil one.
"If you forgive others their wrongs, your Father in heaven will also forgive yours. If you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive you either."

Commentary
This simple prayer sums up all of the prayers contained in the scriptures, and gives us a keen insight into the mind of Jesus. The Lord desires so much for us to be in a close relationship with His heavenly Father, and opens His arms on the cross to reconcile us with Him. Teaching us to call God "Father" is Jesus' innovation. Never before would a human being dare to approach God using that name, yet ever since Jesus taught us this simple prayer have we found such solace in doing so.
Daily may we pray this prayer until we are united forever in the house of Our Father.

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June 20
Friday

11th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 2 K 11:1-4, 9-18, 20

When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son had died, she was determined to wipe out all the descendants of the king. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash, her nephew, and brought him away from among the king's sons who were about to be killed, and put him with his wet nurse in the bedroom. Thus she hid him from Athaliah, so that the boy was saved. And Joash remained hidden in the House of Yahweh for six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.
In the seventh year, Jehoiada the chief priest, summoned the officers of the royal guard and of the Carites to the House of Yahweh. After concluding a pact with them under oath, he showed them the king's son.
The commanders of the guards did what Jehoiada the priest had told them to do and they showed up with all their men, those who were to go off duty on the sabbath as well as those who were to come on duty on that day. Jehoiada entrusted to the officers the spears and shields of King David which were in the House of Yahweh. And then the guards stood from the southern corner of the house to the north, surrounding the altar and the House of Yahweh.
Then Jehoiada, the priest, brought out the king's son, crowned him and put the bracelets on him, then proclaimed and consecrated him king. All clapped their hands, shouting and crying out, "Long live the king!"
When Athaliah heard the noise of? the people, she approached the crowd surrounding the House of Yahweh. The king was standing by the pillar, according to the custom, and the officers and the trumpeters were with him. The people were filled with joy and they were blowing trumpets. On seeing this, Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, "Treason, treason!"
Jehoiada the priest commanded the officers, "Surround her and bring her out to the courtyard, and kill anyone who tries to defend her." He gave this order, because he thought, "She should not die in the House of Yahweh."
They brought her out, and when they reached the palace of the king by the horses' entrance, there they killed her.
Jehoiada made a covenant between Yahweh and the king and the people so they would be the people of Yahweh. All the citizens went to the temple of Baal and destroyed it. They broke the altars and the images into pieces, and killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, before his altar.
Then Jehoiada, the priest, posted guards over the House of Yahweh. All the citizens were happy and the city was at peace. Now regarding Athaliah, she had died by the sword in the king's palace.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 132:11, 12, 13-14, 17-18
The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.

Gospel Reading: Mt 6:19-23

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not store up treasure for yourself here on earth where moth and rust destroy it, and where thieves can steal it. Store up treasure for yourself with God, where no moth or rust can destroy nor thief come and steal it.
"For where your treasure is, there also your heart will be.
"The lamp of the body is the eye; if your eyes are sound, your whole body will be in the light. If your eyes are diseased your whole body will be in darkness. Then, if your light has become darkness, how dark will be the darkest part of you!"

Commentary
Earthly riches and material possessions have quite a lure upon our hearts. We can easily become seduced by the desire for more and more things, thinking that our security will rest upon how many goods we are able to accumulate.
Jesus tells us that this is folly. Material possessions and money are relatively unim-portant. They can be used to do any number of good things, including putting bread on the family table, but in the end we will not be able to take any of the things of this world with us to the next.
Heavenly, not earthly treasures must be our goal.

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June 21
Saturday

11th Week in Ordinary Time
Aloysius Gonzaga

First Reading: 2 Chr 24:17-25

After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came to pay court to the king, and the king now turned to them for advice. The Judaeans abandoned the house of Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, for the worship of sacred trunks and idols and God's anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem because of their guilt. He sent them prophets to bring them back to Yahweh, but when the prophets spoke, they would not listen. The spirit of God took control of Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood up before the people and said, "God says this: Why are you disobeying the commandments of Yahweh? You cannot prosper. You have abandoned Yahweh and he will abandon you."They then plotted against him and by order of the king stoned him in the court of Yahweh's House. King Joash forgot the kindness of Jehoiada, the father of Zechariah, and killed Jehoiada's son who cried out as he died, "Let Yahweh see and do justice!"
When a year had gone by, the Aramaean army made war on Joash. They reached Judah and Jerusalem, and killed all the officials among the people, sending back to the king of Damascus all that they had plundered from them. Though the Aramaean army was small, Yahweh delivered into its power an army of great size for they had abandoned him, the God of their ancestors.
The Aramaeans wounded Joash and when they withdrew they left him a very sick man; and his officers, plotting against him to avenge the death of the son of Jehoiada the priest, murdered him in his bed. So he died, and they buried him in the City of David, though not in the tombs of the king.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 89:4-5, 29-30, 31-32, 33-34
For ever I will maintain my love for my servant.

Gospel Reading: Mt 6:24-34

Jesus said to his disciples, "No one can serve two masters; for he will either hate one and love the other, or he will be loyal to the first and look down on the second. You cannot at the same time serve God and money.
"This is why I tell you not to be worried about food and drink for yourself, or about clothes for your body. Is not life more important than food and is not the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow, they do not harvest and do not store food in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than birds?
"Can any of you add a day to your life by worrying about it? Why are you so worried about your clothes? Look at the flowers in the fields how they grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his wealth was clothed like one of these. If God so clothes the grass in the field which blooms today and is to be burned tomorrow in an oven, how much more will he clothe you? What little faith you have!
"Do not worry and say: What are we going to eat? What are we going to drink? Or: what shall we wear? The pagans busy themselves with such things; but your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your heart first on the kingdom and justice of God and all these things will also be given to you. Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Commentary
Everything that we have, everything that we are comes from the Lord. God's love brought us into being sustains us, and He will be there for us to the end. How blessed we are when we learn to trust daily in His mercy and goodness. What cause has the Lord ever given us to worry about whether He will be faithful to His promises? What reason could we have to doubt that the Lord will provide for us, in season and out?
"Jesus, I trust in You" is the prayer of those who seek to rely more and more upon the providence of the Lord. May we pray that prayer often and well.

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June 22
Sunday

12th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Jer 20:10-13

Jeremiah said, "I hear many people whispering,
'Terror is all around!
Denounce him! Yes, denounce him!'
All my friends watch me to see if I will slip:
'Perhaps he can be deceived,' they say;
'then we can get the better of him
and have our revenge.'
But Yahweh, a mighty warrior, is with me.
My persecutors will stumble and not prevail;
that failure will be their shame
and their disgrace will never be forgotten.
Yahweh, God of hosts, you test the just
and probe the heart and mind.
Let me see your revenge on them,
for to you I have entrusted my cause.
Sing to Yahweh! Praise Yahweh and say:
he has rescued the poor from the clutches of the wicked!"

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35
Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Second Reading: Rom 5:12-15

Brothers and sisters, sin entered the world through one man and through sin, death, and later on death spread to all humankind, because all sinned. As long as there was no law, they could not speak of disobedience, but sin was already in the world. This is why from Adam to Moses death reigned among them, although their sin was not disobedience as in Adam's case-this was not the true Adam, but foretold the other who was to come.
Such has been the fall, but God's gift goes far beyond. Multitudes die because of the fault of one man, but how much more does the grace of God spread when the gift he granted reaches the multitudes, from this unique man Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reading: Mt 10:26-33

Jesus instructed the twelve as follows, "Do not be afraid. There is nothing covered that will not be uncovered, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. What I am telling you in the dark, you must speak in the light. What you hear in private, proclaim from the housetops.
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but have no power to kill the soul. Rather be afraid of him who can destroy both body and soul in hell. For only a few cents you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father's consent. As for you, every hair of your head has been counted. So do not be afraid: you are worth much more than many sparrows.
"Whoever acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. Whoever rejects me before others I will reject before my Father in heaven."

Commentary
Since the day St. Stephen was stoned to death outside the gates of Jerusalem, there has been a thin, red line of martyrs blood extending through every age and every land. Thousands of the Lord's followers have suffered and died precisely because their faith was a threat to civil authorities. They died as they lived, trusting that the Lord's words are true, acknowledging His authority as far superior to any earthly power.
Though we might not be called to suffer martyrdom, we are called to witness to our faith in spite of opposition. May the prayers of the martyrs sustain us.

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June 23
Monday

12th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 2 K 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18

The army of the king of Asshur subjected the whole of Israel, and they came to Samaria and laid siege to it for??three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria, exiled the Israelites to Asshur and made them settle in Halah, at the banks of Habor, the river of Gozan, as well as in the cities of the Medes.
This happened because the children of Israel had sinned against Yahweh, their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, where they were subject to Pharaoh, but they had turned back to other gods. They followed the customs of the nations which Yahweh had driven out before them.
Yahweh warned Israel and Judah through the mouth of every prophet and seer, saying: "Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and precepts according to the laws which I commanded your fathers and which I have sent to you by my servants, the prophets."
But they did not listen and refused as did their fathers who did not believe in Yahweh, their God. They despised his statutes and the covenant he had made with their fathers, and the warnings he had given them.
They went after worthless idols and they themselves became worthless, following the nations which surrounded them, in spite of what Yahweh had said, "Do not do as they do."
So Yahweh became indignant with Israel and cast them far away from his presence, leaving only the tribe of Judah.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 60:3, 4-5, 12-13
Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us.

Gospel Reading: Mt 7:1-5

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not judge and you will not be judged. In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use for others will be used for you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and not see the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother: 'Come, let me take the speck from your eye,' as long as that plank is in your own? Hypocrite, take first the plank out of your own eye, then you will see clear enough to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

Commentary
The power of judgment is one that we use every day. Making prudential judgments about the circumstances of our lives and the people with whom we work and live is absolutely necessary to our survival. While we can and should judge the actions of another, we must avoid the temptation to judge the state of that person's soul. Only God can do that. God alone sees what is secret.
Meanwhile, let us pray for those whose actions we judge to be misguided. Let us pray for their ongoing conversion of heart, and let us pray that the Lord will be merciful when our day of judgment comes.

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June 24
Tuesday

Birth of John the Baptist

First Reading: Is 49:1-6

Listen to me, O islands, pay attention, peoples from distant lands. Yahweh called me from my mother's womb; he pronounced my name before I was born. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword. He hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me into a polished arrow set apart in his quiver.
He said to me, "You are Israel, my servant, Through you I will be known." "I have labored in vain," I thought and spent my strength for nothing." Yet what is due me was in the hand of Yahweh, and my reward was with my God. I am important in the sight of Yahweh, and my God is my strength.
And now Yahweh has spoken, he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him. He said: "It is not enough that you be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob, to bring back the remnant of Israel. I will make you the light of the nations, that my salvation will reach to the ends of the earth."

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 139:1-3, 13-14, 14-15
I praise you for I am wonderfully made.

2nd Reading: Acts 13:22-26

After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'

"From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.'

"Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.

Gospel Reading: Lk 1:57-66, 80

When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful Lord had done a wonderful thing for her and they rejoiced with her.
When on the eighth day they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." They said to her, "No one in your family has that name"; and they asked the father by means of signs for the name he wanted to give. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote on it, "His name is John," and they were very surprised. Immediately Zechariah could speak again and his first words were in praise of God.
A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the Hills of Judea the people talked about these events. All who heard of it pondered in their minds and wondered, "What will this child be?" For they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him.
As the child grew up, he was seen to be strong in the Spirit; he lived in the desert till the day when he appeared openly in Israel.

Commentary
John the Baptist figures prominently in the Gospels, for his holiness and call to radical conversion of heart prepared the way for the message of Jesus. John's birth is remembered today, for he was sent by God to testify to the light. He was not the light, but bore witness to it, so that countless souls might be saved. Ultimately, his own death at the hand of Herod would prefigure the Lord being condemned to death by Pontius Pilate.
Through the intercession of St. John the Baptist, may we draw closer to the Lord Jesus, and may we embrace the call to radical conversion of heart.

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June 25
Wednesday

12th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 2 K 22:8-13; 23:1-3

At that moment Hilkiah, the high priest, said to Shaphan, the secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the House of Yahweh." And he entrusted the Book to Shaphan who read it. Then Shaphan went to the king and said, "We have gathered the money in the House, and this has been turned over to the caretakers of the House to make the repairs."
And Shaphan added, "The priest Hilkiah has turned over a book to me." And Shaphan read the book to the king. When the king heard the contents of the book, he tore his clothes and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam, Achbor, the secretary Shaphan, and Asaiah, his minister, to do the following, "Go and consult Yahweh about the threats in this book which you have found. Consult him for me, for the people and for the whole of Judah, since our fathers did not listen to what this book says nor to its ordinances. This is why the anger of Yahweh is ready to burn against us."
The king summoned to his side all the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem. Then he went up to the House of Yahweh followed by all the people of Judah and Jerusalem. The priests with the prophets and all the people went with him, from the youngest to the oldest. When all were gathered, he read to them the book of the Law found in the House of Yahweh.
The king stood by the pillar; he made a covenant in the presence of Yahweh, promising to follow him, to keep his commandments and laws, and to respect his ordinances. He promised to keep this covenant according to what was written in the book with all his heart and with all his soul. And all the people promised with him.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 119:33, 34, 35, 36-37, 40
Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.

Gospel Reading: Mt 7:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples, "Beware of false prophets: they come to you in sheep's clothing but inside they are wild wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Do you ever pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
"A good tree always produces good fruit, a rotten tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit and a rotten tree cannot bear good fruit. Any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. So you will know them by their fruit."

Commentary
Jesus' words are direct and clear, and provide us with a compelling image that helps us to discern good from evil. There are plenty of voices that seek to influence us, the voices of materialism, individualism and hedonism to name but a few. Yet what are the fruits that they bear? Greed, loneliness, and broken hearts. By the fruits of our contemporary culture should we judge whether we will follow its siren call, or whether we will follow the message of the Gospel.
When one stays near the cross of Jesus, the tree of life, one will discover the good fruit that it bears.

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June 26
Thursday

12th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 2 K 24:8-17

Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he succeeded his father, and he reigned for three months in Jerusalem. His mother was Nehushta, daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. Jehoiachin treated Yahweh badly, as his father had done.
At that time, the officials of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to attack Jerusalem, surrounding the city. Nebuchadnezzar came while the city was being besieged by his men.
Jehoiachin, king of Judah, surrendered together with his mother, his servants, his leaders and the palace officials. It was the eighth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar captured them and he took away the treasures of the House of Yahweh and of the king's house. He also destroyed all the objects of gold which Solomon, king of Israel, had made for the sanctuary of Yahweh. So the word Yahweh had spoken, was fulfilled.
Nebuchadnezzar carried off into exile all the leaders and prominent men, the blacksmiths and lock-smiths, all the men of valor fit for war. A total of ten thousand were exiled to Babylon. Only the poorest sector of the population was left. Nebuchaddnezzar also carried away Jehoiachin, with his mother, his wives, the ministers of the palace, and the prominent men of the land.
So all the prominent people, numbering seven thousand, the blacksmiths, numbering a thousand, and all the men fit for war were deported to Babylon by the king of Babylon.
He made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's uncle, king of Jerusalem, in place of Jehoiachin. And he changed his name to Zedekiah.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 79:1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9
For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

Gospel Reading: Mt 7:21-29

Jesus said to his disciples, "Not everyone who says to me: Lord! Lord! will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my heavenly Father. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not speak in your name? Did we not cast out devils and perform many miracles in your name?' Then I will tell them openly: I have never known you; away from me, you evil people!
"So, then, anyone who hears these words of mine and acts accordingly is like a wise man, who built his house on rock. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house, but it did not collapse because it was built on rock. But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed, and what a terrible fall that was!"
When Jesus had finished this discourse, the crowds were struck by the way he taught, because he taught with authority unlike their teachers of the Law.

Commentary
The firm foundation of faith, hope, and love is one upon which a person can build a life of virtue and holiness. In spite of what the world might say, the good life is measured by integrity, justice, and a right relationship with God. The good life is not spared the proverbial rains, floods and winds. But the strengths of its foundations in the teachings of the Lord will allow it to endure to the end.
A wise man once said, "Tough times never last, but tough people do." May we find our strength in the Lord, whose promises are always fulfilled.

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June 27
Friday

12th Week in Ordinary Time
Cyril of Alexandria

First Reading: 2 K 25:1-12

In the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched with his entire army and laid siege to Jerusalem. They camped outside the city and built siege works all around it. The city was under siege up to the eleventh year of Zedekiah.
On the ninth day of the fourth month famine became a serious problem in the city, and throughout the land there was no bread for the people. When the city was opened by a breach in the wall, the Judean army fled through the gate between the two walls near the king's garden while the Chaldeans were still around the city and they fled towards the Arabah. The Chaldeans followed in??hot pursuit of King Zedekiah and caught up with him in the plains of Jericho. All his army deserted and scattered.
The Chaldeans seized the king and led him away to Riblah in the territory of Hamath and there the king of Babylon passed sentence on him. There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah in his presence. He then put out the eyes of Zedekiah, bound him with a double bronze chain and took him to Babylon.
On the seventh day of the fifth month in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, commander of the bodyguard and servant of the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem and set fire to the House of Yahweh and the royal palace as well as to all the houses in Jerusalem. The Chaldean army under the commander of the bodyguard completely demolished all the walls around Jerusalem.
Nebuzaradan, commander of the bodyguard, carried off into exile the last of the Jews left in the city, those who had deserted to the king of Babylon and the remainder of the artisans. But he left those among the very poor who were capable of working in vineyards and cultivating the soil.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

Gospel Reading: Mt 8:1-4

When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him.
Then a leper came forward. He knelt before him and said, "Sir, if you want to, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I want to, be clean again." At that very moment the man was cleansed from his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, "See that you do not tell anyone, but go to the priest, have yourself declared clean, and offer the gift that Moses ordered as proof of it."

Commentary
In the disease of leprosy, the sensitivity of the nerve endings in the extremities is progressively diminished. A leper will lose fingers and toes because he is unable to feel pain, even when his digits are in danger.
The leper being cleansed by the touch of Jesus is an image of forgiveness and holiness. Sin has a corrosive effect upon our souls, and gradually numbs the conscience so that its guilt is no longer felt. Sin damages and disfigures, but the Lord's healing touch given through the Sacrament of Penance both restores and renews.

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June 28
Saturday

12th Week in Ordinary Time
Irenaeus

First Reading: Lam 2:2, 10-14, 18-19

Without pity Yahweh has shattered in Jacob every dwelling. He has torn down in his anger the ramparts of Judah's daughter. He has thrown her rulers and her king to the ground, dishonored.
The elders of the daughter of Zion sit in silence upon the ground, their heads sprinkled with dust, their bodies wrapped in sackcloth, while Jerusalem's young women bow their heads to the ground.
With weeping my eyes are spent; my soul is in torment because of the downfall of the daughter of my people, because children and infants faint in the open spaces of the town.
To their mothers they say, "Where is the bread and wine?" as they faint like wounded men in the streets and public squares, as their lives ebb away in their mothers' arms.
To what can I compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? Who can save or comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? Deep as the sea is your affliction, and who can possibly heal you?
Your prophets' visions were worthless and false. Had they warned of your sins, your fate might have been averted. But what they gave you instead were false, misleading signs.
Cry out to the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion! Oh, let your tears flow day and night, like a river. Give yourself no relief; grant your eyes no respite.
Get up, cry out in the night, as the evening watches start; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint with hunger at the corner of every street.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 74:1b-2, 3-5, 6-7, 20-21
Lord, forget not the souls of your poor ones.

Gospel Reading: Mt 8:5-17

When Jesus entered Capernaum, an army captain approached him to ask his help, "Sir, my servant lies sick at home. He is paralyzed and suffers terribly." Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."
The captain answered, "I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will be healed. For I myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers. And if I say to one: 'Go,' he goes, and if I say to another: 'Come,' he comes, and to my servant: 'Do this,' he does it."
When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those who were following him, "I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel. I say to you, many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven; but the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown out into the darkness; there they will wail and grind their teeth."
Then Jesus said to the captain, "Go home now. As you believed, so let it be." And at that moment his servant was healed. Jesus went to Peter's house and found Peter's mother-in-law in bed with fever. He took her by the hand and the fever left her; she got up and began to wait on him.
Towards evening they brought to Jesus many possessed by evil spirits, and with a word he drove out the spirits. He also healed all who were sick. In doing this he fulfilled what was said by the prophet Isaiah: He bore our infirmities and took on himself our diseases.

Commentary
The impassioned plea of the Roman officer has become the prayer that we say before receiving Holy Communion. No earthly food can truly satisfy our hunger, no earthly drink can quench our thirst. Only the Holy Eucharist can fill the void that is within us, for only the Lord Jesus can heal the soul.
The servant of that man of great faith was healed by the word given by Jesus. We rightly place our trust in His Holy Word that is given to us through the scriptures and the breaking of the bread, the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

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June 29
Sunday

Peter and Paul

First Reading: Acts 12:1-11

About that time King Herod decided to persecute some members of the Church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword, and when he saw how it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
This happened during the festival of the Unleavened Bread. Herod had him seized and thrown into prison with four squads, each of four soldiers, to guard him. He wanted to bring him to trial before the people after the Passover feast, but while Peter was kept in prison, the whole Church prayed earnestly for him.
On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound by a double chain, while guards kept watch at the gate of the prison.
Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood there and a light shone in the prison cell. The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him saying, "Get up quickly!" At once the chains fell from Peter's wrists. The angel said, "Put on your belt and your sandals." Peter did so, and the angel added, "Now, put on your cloak and follow me."
Peter followed him out; yet he did not realize that what was happening with the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first guard and then the second and they came to the iron door leading out to the city, which opened of itself for them. They went out and made their way down a narrow alley, when suddenly the angel left him.
Then Peter recovered his senses and said, "Now I know that the Lord has sent his angel and has rescued me from Herod's clutches and from all that the Jews had in store for me."

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Second Reading: 2 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18

As for me, I am already poured out as a libation, and the moment of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness with which the Lord, the just judge, will reward me on that day; and not only me, but all those who have longed for his glorious coming.
But the Lord was at my side, giving me strength to proclaim the Word fully, and let all the pagans hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will save me from all evil, bringing me to his heavenly kingdom. Glory to him for ever and ever. Amen!

Gospel Reading: Mt 16:13-19

Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples, "What do people say of the Son of Man? Who do they say I am?" They said, "For some of them you are John the Baptist, for others Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
Jesus asked them, "But you, who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "It is well for you, Simon Barjona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.
"And now I say to you: You are Peter (or Rock) and on this rock I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it.
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and what you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven."

Commentary
The tombs of Saints Peter and Paul are among the most visited shrines of the Church. Pilgrims make their way from around the world to pray at the tombs of the apostles who were so instrumental in bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Saints Peter and Paul both ministered in the city of Rome and suffered martyrdom there, Peter by crucifixion and Paul by the sword. Neither could have imagined the consequences of his saying "Yes" to the Lord's invitation, yet each wears the crown of victory that awaits all those who follow the Lord.
Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us!

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June 30
Monday

13th Week in Ordinary Time
First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

First Reading: Am 2:6-10, 13-16

Yahweh says this, "Because Israel has sinned, not once but three times and even more, I will not relent. They sell the just for money and the needy for a pair of sandals; they tread on the head of the poor and trample them upon the dust of the earth, while they silence the right of the afflicted; a man and his father go to the same woman to profane my holy name; they stretch out upon garments taken in pledge, beside every altar; they take the wine of those they swindle and are drunk in the house of their God.
"It was I who destroyed the Amorites before them, whose height was like the height of the cedar, a people as sturdy as an oak. I destroyed their fruit above and their roots below.
"It was I who brought you up from the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness to take possession of the land of the Amorites.
"Behold, I will crush you to the ground, as a cart does when it is full of sheaves. The swift shall be unable to flee and the strong man shall lose his strength. The warrior shall not save himself nor the bowman stand his ground. The swift of foot shall not escape nor the horseman save himself. Even the most stout-hearted among the warriors shall flee away naked on that day," says Yahweh.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 50:16bc-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23
Remember this, you who never think of God.

Gospel Reading: Mt 8:18-22

When Jesus saw the crowd press around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A teacher of the Law approached him and said, "Master, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."
Another disciple said to him, "Lord, let me go and bury my father first." But Jesus answered him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

Commentary
"Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today," the old adage says. The Lord's invitation to discipleship carries with it a certain urgency. Serving the Lord is not something that we get around to. It is something that we do! Being faithful to the commandments is not something that we put off until the future. We obey them now!
"If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts," the psalmist says. May we re-cognize clearly the immediacy of the opportunities the Lord gives us to respond to His gracious invitation to participate fully in the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God.

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