Saturday – Saint Rosa of Lima, virg. – Our Lady on Saturday

                                                    Patron saint of Peru, North and South America and the Philippines

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 excepted,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s word.

Available every day.

CONSIDERATION

Once again, today’s first reading seems an anticipation of words of Jesus: ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’ ..
‘I was hungry and thou gavest me food’ …I was thirsty and thou gavest me drink …: Ruth marries a man who is righteous and good. The child she will give to the world is perceived by Israel as a blessing from God-though the Moabite Ruth originally belongs to a tribe hated by that same Israel. But God’s ways are not ours: He is working through every human being, whatever colour, nationality or background. Is our affection for people we do not know as unconditional? Do we give our friendship to everyone regardless? What does God want to achieve through us? Are we open to his plan of salvation?

FIRST READING        Ruth 2:1-3. 8-11 ; 4, 13-17

Blessed be the Lord,
who has now given you an heir after all ;
he is the father of Isai, the father of David.

From the Book of Ruth

Noomi was on her husband’s side
related to a certain Boaz,
a wealthy man from the family of Elimelek.
Ruth, the Moabite, said to Noomi :
”I would like to go to the country to find somewhere
behind a reaper, allowing me to read ears.”
Noomi replied :
“Do so, my daughter.”
So his went to the country to read ears behind the mowers.
Coincidentally, she ended up in the field of Boaz,
that man from Elimelek’s family.
Boaz then turned to Ruth and said :
“Hear, my daughter,
you must not go and read ears in another field.
“Don’t go from here
and join my maidens.
“Follow them closely and keep your eyes fixed
on the field being mown.
“I have instructed my servants to let you go.
“And if you get thirsty, go to the water jars
and drink from the water the servants have drawn.”
Ruth threw herself flat to the earth and said :
“To what have I deserved that thou art so good to me?
“Surely I am only a stranger.”
Boaz answered her :
“I have been told at length what you did after the death of your husband
all you did for your mother-in-law;
father, mother and homeland you left
to go to a people previously unknown to you.”

Later, Boaz took Ruth to wife.
He had intercourse with her; by the favour of the Lord
she became pregnant and gave birth to a son.
Then the women said to Naomi :
“Blessed be the Lord ,
who has yet given you an heir,
whose name will be established in Israel.
He will revive you and sustain you
in your old age,
for your daughter-in-law, who loves you so much,
has given birth to him : she means more to you than seven sons.”
Noomi took the child on her lap and nursed it.
The neighbouring women named the child and said :
“Noomi is born a son.”
They named the child Obed.
He is the father of Isai, the father of David.

INTERLUDIUM      Ps. 128(127), 1-2, 3, 4, 5

Every man is blessed
who gives honour to the Lord.

Happy who fear God,
go the way of the Lord.
Ye shall eat the fruit of your own labour,
contented and prosperous shalt thou be.

Thy wife within thy house
is like a richly laden vine.
And like olive branches around the trunk
so are thy sons around thy table.

Yes, so is every man blessed
who gives honour to the Lord.

To thee bless the Lord from Zion;
may thou see Jerusalem prosperous
as long as thy days last.

ALLELUIA       I Petr. 1, 25

Alleluia.
The word of the Lord remains for ever ;
and this word is the message
proclaimed to you in the gospel.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL         Mt 23:1-12
They themselves do not act on their words.

From the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Matthew

At that time Jesus spoke to the people and to his disciples :,

“In the chair of Moses
the scribes and Pharisees have taken their seats.
But do not act according to their works ;
for they themselves do not act according to their words.
“They make bundles of heavy, almost unbearable burdens
and lay them upon men’s shoulders ,
but they themselves will not lift a finger at it.
“Everything they do, they do to get noticed by people ;
for they make their prayer belts wide
and their tassels large,
they lust for the place of honour at meals
and the principal seats in the synagogues,
they like to be greeted in the marketplace
and want to be called rabbi by the people.
“But thou must not let thyself be called a rabbi.
“Ye have but one Master
and ye are all brethren.
“And call none of you on earth Father ;
ye have but one Father, the heavenly one.
“Nor be called a teacher ;
ye have but one teacher, the Christ.
“Whoever is the greatest among you
must be thy servant.
“All who exalt themselves shall be humbled
and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.”

________________________________________________________

Laudato Si

Encyclical of

POPE FRANCISCUS

On caring for the common home

91. A sense of intimate connection with the other beings in the

nature cannot be real if at the same time there is no tenderness in the heart,

compassion and concern for human beings. The inconsistency of the one

who fights against the trade in animals in danger of extinction, but totally

remains indifferent to human trafficking, has no interest in

the poor or is determined to kill another human being he does not like

destroy, is obvious. This brings the meaning of the struggle for the environment into

danger. It is no coincidence that in the song in which he praises God, the

st Francis adds, “Be praised, my Lord, for those who

forgive for your love”. Everything is connected. That is why there is a

concern for the environment required that is linked to a sincere

love for human beings and an ongoing commitment concerning the problems

of society.

To be continued
Every day at 1 am