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Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading IDn 7:13-14As the visions during the night continued, I saw    one like a Son of man coming,        on the clouds of heaven;    when he reached the Ancient One        and was presented before him,    the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;        all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.    His dominion is an everlasting dominion        that shall not be taken away,        his kingship shall not be destroyed.Reading IIRv 1:5-8Jesus Christ is the faithful witness,the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father,to him be glory and power forever and ever.  Amen.Behold, he is coming amid the clouds,and every eye will see him,even those who pierced him.All the peoples of the earth will lament him.Yes.  Amen."I am the Alpha and the Omega, " says the Lord God,"the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."GospelJn 18:33b-37Pilate said to Jesus,"Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your ownor have others told you about me?" Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world.If my kingdom did belong to this world,my attendants would be fightingto keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world,to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading IDn 12:1-3In those days, I Daniel,     heard this word of the Lord:"At that time there shall arise    Michael, the great prince,    guardian of your people;it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress    since nations began until that time.At that time your people shall escape,    everyone who is found written in the book.“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake;    some shall live forever,    others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.“But the wise shall shine brightly    like the splendor of the firmament,and those who lead the many to justice    shall be like the stars forever."Reading IIHeb 10:11-14, 18Brothers and sisters:Every priest stands daily at his ministry,offering frequently those same sacrificesthat can never take away sins. But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offeringhe has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.Where there is forgiveness of these,there is no longer offering for sin.GospelMk 13:24-32Jesus said to his disciples:"In those days after that tribulationthe sun will be darkened,and the moon will not give its light,and the stars will be falling from the sky,and the powers in the heavens will be shaken."And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds'with great power and glory,and then he will send out the angelsand gather his elect from the four winds,from the end of the earth to the end of the sky."Learn a lesson from the fig tree.When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,you know that summer is near.In the same way, when you see these things happening,know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you,this generation will not pass awayuntil all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away,but my words will not pass away."But of that day or hour, no one knows,neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading I1 Kgs 17:10-16In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath.As he arrived at the entrance of the city,a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her,"Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink." She left to get it, and he called out after her,"Please bring along a bit of bread." She answered, "As the LORD, your God, lives,I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jarand a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;when we have eaten it, we shall die." Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose.But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says,'The jar of flour shall not go empty,nor the jug of oil run dry,until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'" She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well;the jar of flour did not go empty,nor the jug of oil run dry,as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.Reading IIHeb 9:24-28Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands,a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,that he might now appear before God on our behalf. Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuarywith blood that is not his own;if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedlyfrom the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the agesto take away sin by his sacrifice. Just as it is appointed that human beings die once,and after this the judgment, so also Christ,offered once to take away the sins of many,will appear a second time, not to take away sinbut to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.GospelMk 12:38-44In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,"Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robesand accept greetings in the marketplaces,seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretextrecite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."He sat down opposite the treasuryand observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in morethan all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,her whole livelihood."

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading IDt 6:2-6Moses spoke to the people, saying:"Fear the LORD, your God,and keep, throughout the days of your lives,all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you,and thus have long life.Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them,that you may grow and prosper the more,in keeping with the promise of the LORD, the God of your fathers,to give you a land flowing with milk and honey."Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God,with all your heart,and with all your soul,and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today."Reading IIHeb 7:23-28Brothers and sisters:The levitical priests were manybecause they were prevented by death from remaining in office,but Jesus, because he remains forever,has a priesthood that does not pass away.Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them.It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners,higher than the heavens.He has no need, as did the high priests,to offer sacrifice day after day,first for his own sins and then for those of the people;he did that once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests,but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law,appoints a son,who has been made perfect forever.GospelMk 12:28b-34One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,"Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this:Hear, O Israel!The Lord our God is Lord alone!You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,with all your soul, with all your mind,and with all your strength.The second is this:You shall love your neighbor as yourself.There is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.You are right in saying,'He is One and there is no other than he.'And 'to love him with all your heart,with all your understanding,with all your strength,and to love your neighbor as yourself'is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,he said to him,"You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading IJer 31:7-9        Thus says the LORD:    Shout with joy for Jacob,        exult at the head of the nations;        proclaim your praise and say:    The LORD has delivered his people,        the remnant of Israel.    Behold, I will bring them back        from the land of the north;    I will gather them from the ends of the world,        with the blind and the lame in their midst,    the mothers and those with child;        they shall return as an immense throng.    They departed in tears,        but I will console them and guide them;    I will lead them to brooks of water,        on a level road, so that none shall stumble.    For I am a father to Israel,        Ephraim is my first-born.Reading IIHeb 5:1-6Brothers and sisters:Every high priest is taken from among menand made their representative before God,to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring,for he himself is beset by weaknessand so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himselfas well as for the people.No one takes this honor upon himselfbut only when called by God,just as Aaron was.In the same way,it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest,but rather the one who said to him:    You are my son:        this day I have begotten you;just as he says in another place:    You are a priest forever        according to the order of Melchizedek.GospelMk 10:46-52As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,sat by the roadside begging.On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,he began to cry out and say,"Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more,"Son of David, have pity on me."Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."So they called the blind man, saying to him,"Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you."He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sightand followed him on the way.

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading IIs 53:10-11The LORD was pleased    to crush him in infirmity.If he gives his life as an offering for sin,    he shall see his descendants in a long life,    and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.Because of his affliction    he shall see the light in fullness        of days;through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,    and their guilt he shall bear.Reading IIHeb 4:14-16Brothers and sisters:Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God,let us hold fast to our confession.For we do not have a high priestwho is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,but one who has similarly been tested in every way,yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of graceto receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.GospelMk 10:35-45James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glorywe may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drinkor be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink,and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to givebut is for those for whom it has been prepared." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them,"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentileslord it over them,and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you.Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be servedbut to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading IWis 7:7-11    I prayed, and prudence was given me;        I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.    I preferred her to scepter and throne,    and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,        nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;    because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,        and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.    Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,    and I chose to have her rather than the light,        because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.    Yet all good things together came to me in her company,        and countless riches at her hands.Reading IIHeb 4:12-13Brothers and sisters:Indeed the word of God is living and effective,sharper than any two-edged sword,penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.No creature is concealed from him,but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of himto whom we must render an account.GospelMk 10:17-30As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,knelt down before him, and asked him,"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.You know the commandments: You shall not kill;you shall not commit adultery;you shall not steal;you shall not bear false witness;you shall not defraud;honor your father and your mother." He replied and said to him,"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,"You are lacking in one thing.Go, sell what you have, and give to the poorand you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement his face fell,and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,"How hard it is for those who have wealthto enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words.So Jesus again said to them in reply,"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needlethan for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,"Then who can be saved?"Jesus looked at them and said,"For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God." Peter began to say to him,"We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you,there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sistersor mother or father or children or landsfor my sake and for the sake of the gospelwho will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:houses and brothers and sistersand mothers and children and lands,with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading IGn 2:18-24The LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone.I will make a suitable partner for him."So the LORD God formed out of the groundvarious wild animals and various birds of the air,and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them;whatever the man called each of them would be its name. The man gave names to all the cattle,all the birds of the air, and all wild animals;but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man,and while he was asleep,he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.The LORD God then built up into a woman the ribthat he had taken from the man.When he brought her to the man, the man said:    "This one, at last, is bone of my bones        and flesh of my flesh;    this one shall be called 'woman, '        for out of 'her man' this one has been taken."That is why a man leaves his father and motherand clings to his wife,and the two of them become one flesh.Reading IIHeb 2:9-11Brothers and sisters:He "for a little while" was made "lower than the angels, "that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.For it was fitting that he,for whom and through whom all things exist,in bringing many children to glory,should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.He who consecrates and those who are being consecratedall have one origin.Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers.”GospelMk 10:2-16 or 10:2-12The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked,"Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him.He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied,"Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorceand dismiss her."But Jesus told them,"Because of the hardness of your heartshe wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and motherand be joined to his wife,and the two shall become one flesh.So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together,no human being must separate." In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them,"Whoever divorces his wife and marries anothercommits adultery against her;and if she divorces her husband and marries another,she commits adultery."And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them,but the disciples rebuked them.When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,"Let the children come to me;do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs tosuch as these. Amen, I say to you,whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a childwill not enter it."Then he embraced them and blessed them,placing his hands on them.

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading 1Nm 11:25-29The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;yet the spirit came to rest on them also,and they prophesied in the camp.So, when a young man quickly told Moses,"Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, "Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses' aide, said,"Moses, my lord, stop them."But Moses answered him,"Are you jealous for my sake?Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"Reading 2Jas 5:1-6Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,your gold and silver have corroded,and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;it will devour your flesh like a fire.You have stored up treasure for the last days.Behold, the wages you withheld from the workerswho harvested your fields are crying aloud;and the cries of the harvestershave reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.You have condemned;you have murdered the righteous one;he offers you no resistance.GospelMk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48At that time, John said to Jesus,"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my namewho can at the same time speak ill of me.For whoever is not against us is for us.Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drinkbecause you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward."Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,it would be better for him if a great millstonewere put around his neckand he were thrown into the sea.If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.It is better for you to enter into life maimedthan with two hands to go into Gehenna,into the unquenchable fire.And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.It is better for you to enter into life crippledthan with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eyethan with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading 1Wis 2:12, 17-20The wicked say:Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;he sets himself against our doings,reproaches us for transgressions of the lawand charges us with violations of our training.Let us see whether his words be true;let us find out what will happen to him.For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend himand deliver him from the hand of his foes.With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the testthat we may have proof of his gentlenessand try his patience.Let us condemn him to a shameful death;for according to his own words, God will take care of him.Reading 2Jas 3:16—4:3Beloved:Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,then peaceable, gentle, compliant,full of mercy and good fruits,without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peacefor those who cultivate peace.Where do the warsand where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passionsthat make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive,because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.GospelMk 9:30-37Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them,“The Son of Man is to be handed over to menand they will kill him,and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying,and they were afraid to question him.They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,he began to ask them,“What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent.They had been discussing among themselves on the waywho was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,“If anyone wishes to be first,he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,and putting his arms around it, he said to them,“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;and whoever receives me,receives not me but the One who sent me.”

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading 1Is 50:5-9aThe Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear;and I have not rebelled,have not turned back.I gave my back to those who beat me,my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;my face I did not shieldfrom buffets and spitting.The Lord GOD is my help,therefore I am not disgraced;I have set my face like flint,knowing that I shall not be put to shame.He is near who upholds my right;if anyone wishes to oppose me,let us appear together.Who disputes my right?Let that man confront me.See, the Lord GOD is my help;who will prove me wrong?Reading 2Jas 2:14-18What good is it, my brothers and sisters,if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wearand has no food for the day,and one of you says to them,"Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well, "but you do not give them the necessities of the body,what good is it? So also faith of itself,if it does not have works, is dead.Indeed someone might say,"You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works,and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.GospelMk 8:27-35Jesus and his disciples set outfor the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples,"Who do people say that I am?" They said in reply,"John the Baptist, others Elijah,still others one of the prophets." And he asked them,"But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply,"You are the Christ." Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.He began to teach themthat the Son of Man must suffer greatlyand be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,but whoever loses his life for my sakeand that of the gospel will save it."

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading 1Is 35:4-7aThus says the LORD:Say to those whose hearts are frightened:Be strong, fear not!Here is your God,he comes with vindication;with divine recompensehe comes to save you.Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,the ears of the deaf be cleared;then will the lame leap like a stag,then the tongue of the mute will sing.Streams will burst forth in the desert,and rivers in the steppe.The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water.Reading 2Jas 2:1-5My brothers and sisters, show no partialityas you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.For if a man with gold rings and fine clothescomes into your assembly,and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in,and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothesand say, “Sit here, please, ”while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ”have you not made distinctions among yourselvesand become judges with evil designs?Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.Did not God choose those who are poor in the worldto be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdomthat he promised to those who love him?GospelMk 7:31-37Again Jesus left the district of Tyreand went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impedimentand begged him to lay his hand on him.He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man's earsand, spitting, touched his tongue;then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,“Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” —And immediately the man's ears were opened,his speech impediment was removed,and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to,the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said,“He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona