H. Charbel was a Maronite monk from Lebanon. He was born on 8 May 1828
and died on 24 December 1898. He was canonised in 1977.
Invitation
May I draw your attention to
the daily Gospel reading
This invitation wants to share with you the joy of the Gospel.
Everyone, without exception
can experience that joy by opening his or her heart
to the healing power of the Word of God.
Available every day
Consideration
We listen to the story of the prophet Jeremiah’s calling. It can serve as an example for all of us. God takes the initiative, not man. Despite man’s resistance, rejection and weakness, God continues to offer his love. He never stops giving Himself, spreading the seed. Because He knows there is always good receptive ground. Sometimes it takes a long time to discover your calling. Are we receptive to His calling?
FIRST READING Jer. 1, 1.4-10
I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.
The beginnings of the prophet Jeremiah
The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah,
priest of Anathoth in Benjamin.
The word of the Lord came to me :
“Before I formed you in the womb, I chose you,
before you were born, I destined you for me,
as a prophet to the nations I appointed you”.
I said :
“Ah, Lord, my God, I cannot speak,
I am too young.
But the Lord replied:
“Do not say, I am too young!
“To whom He sends you, you must go.
And whatever He sends you, you must tell Him.
“Do not be afraid of them ,
for I am with you to save you.
so says the divine word of the Lord.
Then the Lord stretched out his hand, touched my mouth
and spoke to me:
“I hereby put my words in your mouth.
“I appoint you today
over nations and kingdoms ,
to uproot and overthrow them
To destroy and ravage them,
to build them up and plant them.
Interludium Ps. 71(70), 1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab, 17
I will praise your righteousness, O Lord.
With you, O Lord, I will seek refuge
but never forsake me.
You are just, save me and deliver me.
Hear me and come to my aid.
Be for me a refuge, a place of safety ;
my rock and my fortress you have always been.
Deliver me, my God, from the hands of sinners.
For You, my God, are my hope,
You are my hope, O Lord, from my earliest childhood.
From my mother’s womb I have leaned on Thee,
Thou art my protector from my birth.
I will praise Your righteousness
Thy assistance all day long.
From childhood I have experienced it
and even now I praise Your works.
ALLELUIAH Mt 11:25
Alleluia.
I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth
because You
have revealed to the children.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt 13:1-9
The yield of the seed
that fell on good soil was a hundredfold.
From the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
One day Jesus went out of his house
And sat down by the lake.
And there was such a large crowd gathered around him ,
That he had to get into a boat to sit there,
while the whole crowd stood along the shore.
He spoke to them in parables.
Once upon a time,” he began, “a sower went out to sow.
A sower went out to sow.
“While he was sowing, some fell on the road.
And the birds came and ate it.
“Some fell on rocky places
where there was not much soil;
“It germinated quickly because it was in shallow soil.
“When the sun came up it suffered from the heat,
“so it withered for lack of roots.
“Another part fell under the thistles
and these grew so much that it suffocated.
“Another part eventually fell on good soil
and bore fruit:
some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
“He who has ears listens.”
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Continued
Every morning at 1 am
The Bible text of this edition is from the New Bible Translation,
Netherlands Bible Society 2004/2007.
Reflections on liturgical suggestions for weekdays and Sundays
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