Born in Lisbon on Aug. 15, 1195
Died in Padua on June 13, 1231
Patron of lost causes
Invitation
May I hereby draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation wants to share with you the joy of the Gospel.
Everyone, no one except,
can experience this joy by opening his heart to the healing effect of God’s word.
Available every day
Consideration
Jesus gives form to the yes of God to men. This is also the mission of the apostles and the Church. To be imbued with that yes, believers receive the Spirit of God, which unites them more and more with Jesus. Thus they become the salt that preserves the earth from decay and ruin. And through their faith, they radiate light for those in darkness and hopelessness. In that light, above all, God’s goodness becomes visible. That is why the psalmist prays: Let your face shine before your servant, Lord (Ps. 119, 135). Our countenance, too, will then be allowed to radiate the yes.
FIRST READING 2 Cor. 1, 18-22
Jesus was not Yes and No; in Him was only Yes.
From the Second Letter of the Apostle Paul to the Christians of Corinth
Brothers and sisters,
God is the guarantor :
The word that we speak to you is not at the same time yes and no.
The Son of God,
Christ Jesus, whom we have proclaimed among you,
by me and Silvanus and Timothy,
He was not yes and no;
in Him was only Yes.
For all God’s promises have been fulfilled in Him.
Therefore through Him, we also speak our
“Amen. Yes, so it is”.
To the glory of God.
and it is God Himself
who confirms us together with you in Christ and has anointed us.
It is also He who has pressed His seal upon us
and has imparted the Spirit to our hearts as a gift.
Responsorial Ps. 119(118), 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135
Let your servant’s face shine, Lord.
Excellent is all that thou decrees,
therefore, my spirit holds fast to it.
The interpretation of your words gives clarity,
giving wisdom to the inexperienced.
My mouth I open panting,
so I yearn for your commandment.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as Thou art always with those who love Thee.
Guide my steps as Thou hast promised ;
no evil shall overcome me.
Let your face shine before your servant,
let me see thy judgments.
ALLELUIA cf. Acts 16, 14b
Alleluia.
Make our hearts receptive, Lord,
and that we may hear the word of your Son.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt 5, 13-16
You are the light of the world.
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Matthew
At that time Jesus said to his disciples :
“You are the salt of the earth.
“But if the salt loses its power,
with which shall one salt?
“It has no more use
than to be thrown away and trampled on by men.
“Thou art the light of the world.
“A city cannot be hidden
if it is on top of a mountain!
“One does not light a lamp
and put it under a bushel,
but one places it on a stand
so that it may give light to all who are in the house.
“So your light must shine before the eyes of men,
that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
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Laudato Si
Encyclic of
POPE FRANCIS
On Care of the Common Home
199. It cannot be maintained that empirical science provides a complete explanation of life, the interplay of all creatures, and the whole of reality. This would be to breach the limits imposed by its own methodology. If we reason only within the confines of the latter, little room would be left for aesthetic sensibility, poetry, or even reason’s ability to grasp the ultimate meaning and purpose of things. I would add that “religious classics can prove meaningful in every age; they have an enduring power to open new horizons… Is it reasonable and enlightened to dismiss certain writings simply because they arose in the context of religious belief?” It would be quite simplistic to think that ethical principles present themselves purely in the abstract, detached from any context. Nor does the fact that they may be couched in religious language detract from their value in public debate. The ethical principles capable of being apprehended by reason can always reappear in different guises and find expression in a variety of languages, including religious language.
To be continued
The Bible text in this edition is taken from De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling,
©Nederlands Bijbelgenootschap 2004/2007.
Recitals from Liturgical Suggestions for the Weeks and Sundays
Laudato Si Official English translation
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