The Catholic dailies

5,AUG 2018

Saturday 25th August
Weekday (20)
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mystery
B. V. M. on Saturday
 

FRST READING
“The glory of the Lord entered the temple. ”
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 43:1-7a)
[The angel] brought me to the gate, the gate facing east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the east; and the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with his glory. And the vision I saw was like the vision which I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and like the vision which I had seen by  the  river  Chebar;  and  I fell upon my face. As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. While the man was standing beside me, I heard one speaking to me out of the temple; and he said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the sons of Israel for ever.”

The word of the Lord.

 

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Ps 85:9ab and 10.11-12.13-14 (R. see 10b)
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

I will hear what the Lord God speaks;
he speaks of peace for his people and his faithful.
His salvation is near for those who fear him,
and his glory will dwell in our land. R.

Merciful love and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have kissed.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth,
and justice look down from heaven. R.

Also the Lord will bestow his bounty,
and our earth shall yield its increase.
Justice will march before him,
and guide his steps on the way. R.

 

ALLELUIA  Matthew23:9b.10b
Alleluia. You have one Father, who is in heaven, and you have one master, the Christ. Alleluia.

 

GOSPEL        
“They preach, but do not practice.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 23 : 1-12)
At that time: Jesus said to the ‘crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Today's Reflection
One of the main reasons why today’s religious and political leaders lack credibility among the people they exercise leadership over is that they do not walk the talk. There is considerable inconsistency in what they have professed and what they practice. Jesus wants us today to be leaders with credibility, leaders who are sensitive and committed to the welfare of the people. Unlike the Pharisees and the teachers of the law whose teachings are sensible but their actions are oppressive, we are called to lead above all with our irreproachable life witness. This life of witnessing is summarized in the liturgy of the Ordination of priests and deacons. “Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you now are, believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

 

Today's Saint
St. Louis of France (opt mem): Born in 1214, Louis IX became king of France while quite young. He was a model of prayer, kindness and Christian compassion. Happily married, he cared for the people entrusted to him, educated his eleven children and undertook two Crusades to the Holy Land. He died near Carthage, in Africa, in 1270.

Saint Joseph Calasanz, Priest. (opt mem):Joseph, born into a wealthy Spanish family in 1557, lived a carefree life up to the age of 36 when he converted to Christ. He gave up all his possessions and became a priest. Eventually he moved to Rome where he founded a few schools in order to educate the poor. He also founded the Piarists, or the Clerics Regular of Religious Schools, to continue his work. He died in 1648.

Quote
St Louis IX

Be kindhearted to the poor, the unfortunate and the afflicted. Give them as much help and consolation as you can. Thank God for all the benefits he has bestowed upon you, that you may be worthy to receive greater.

 

Today's Prayer Point

Pray for grace to always go to the mountain especially when danger is near.

Pray for the grace to have courageous faith in Jesus in times of adversity.

Let Us Pray
Prayer to release Angels”
Jesus, your word declares that angels intervened in the lives of human beings. Father, I thank you for the hosts of heaven that are operating on my behalf. Make me sensitive to the existence and presence of angelic beings. There are more angels working for me than there are demons working against me. Lord, I thank you for opening my eyes to see the angelic hosts and chariots of fire circling my situations to fight on my behalf. In the name of Jesus, I release the angels of prosperity on my behalf. Because I walk before the Lord, the angels of the Lord will prosper my ways. Lord, I thank you for angelic intervention in my dreams. Let the same anointing that was on Jacob be on me to dream dreams of angels. Father, I thank you for your spiritual ladder that comes from heaven to the earth.