I do everything for the glory of God in whom I have placed my trust.

St. Claret Ministries Mozambique

First Reading 
2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-10 
6The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. 9As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." 10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 
Responsorial Psalm 
PSALMS 112:1-2, 5-9 
1Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 5It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice. 6For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered for ever. 7He is not afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. 8His heart is steady, he will not be afraid, until he sees his desire on his adversaries. 9He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever; his horn is exalted in honor. 
Gospel 
JOHN 12:24-26 
24Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

First Reading
2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-10
6The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. 9As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." 10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
Responsorial Psalm
PSALMS 112:1-2, 5-9
1Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 5It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with ju

Daily Gospel Reflection#808#10.8.22# Year C, Jn 12:24-26# Food for the soul# Fr. Roy Arackal

July 31, 2022, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C 
1st Reading – Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 
2 Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! 
 
21 Here is one who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and yet to another who has not labored over it, he must leave property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune. 22 For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun? 
 
23 All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest. This also is vanity. Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 AND 17 
R. (1) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 
 
3 You turn man back to dust, 
saying, “Return, O children of men.” 
4 For a thousand years in your sight 
are as yesterday, now that it is past, 
or as a watch of the night. 
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. You make an end of them in their sleep; 
the next morning they are like the changing grass, 
6 Which at dawn springs up anew, 
but by evening wilts and fades. 
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 
 
12 Teach us to number our days aright, 
that we may gain wisdom of heart. 
13 Return, O LORD! How long? 
Have pity on your servants! 
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 
 
14 Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, 
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. 
17 And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours; 
prosper the work of our hands for us! 
Prosper the work of our hands! 
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 
 
2nd Reading – Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 
Brothers and sisters: 
1 If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. 
 
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 
 
4 When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory. 
 
5 Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. 9 Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices 
 
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. 
 
11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all. 
 
Alleluia – Matthew 5:3 
R. Alleluia, alleluia. 
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
R. Alleluia, alleluia. 
Gospel – Luke 12:13-21 
13 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” 
 
14 He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” 
 
15 Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” 
 
16 Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. 
 
17 He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ 18 And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods 
 
19 and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ 
 
20 But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ 
 
21 Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”

July 31, 2022, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
1st Reading – Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23
2 Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!

21 Here is one who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and yet to another who has not labored over it, he must leave property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune. 22 For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun?

23 All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest. This also is vanity. Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 AND 17
R. (1) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

3 You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
4 For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.  You make an end of them in their sleep;
the next morning they are 

Daily Gospel Reflection#798#31.7.22# Year C # Luke 12:13-21# Food for the soul # Fr. Roy Aarackal

July 30, 2022, Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time 
1st Reading – Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24 
11 The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people, “This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” 12 Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: “It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard. 24 So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.13 Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you. 
 
14 As for me, I am in your hands; do with me what you think good and right. 
 
15 But mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens. For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear.” 
 
16 Thereupon the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.” 
 
 
 
Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34 
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me. 
 
15 Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink! 
may I be rescued from my foes, 
and from the watery depths. 
16 Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me, 
nor the abyss swallow me up, 
nor the pit close its mouth over me. 
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me. 
 
30 But I am afflicted and in pain; 
let your saving help, O God, protect me. 
31 I will praise the name of God in song, 
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving. 
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me. 
33 “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; 
you who seek God, may your hearts revive! 
34 For the LORD hears the poor, 
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” 
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me. 
 
Alleluia – Matthew 5:10 
R. Alleluia, alleluia. 
10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness 
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. 
R. Alleluia, alleluia. 
 
Gospel – Matthew 14:1-12 
1 Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus 
 
2 and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, 
 
4 for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 
 
5 Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. 
 
6 But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod 7 so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. 
 
8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 
 
9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, 
 
10 and he had John beheaded in the prison. 
 
11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him, and they went and told Jesus.

July 30, 2022, Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading – Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24
11 The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people, “This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”  12 Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: “It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard. 24 So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.13 Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.

14 As for me, I am in your hands; do with me what you think good and right.

15 But mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens. For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear.”


Daily Gospel Reflection#797# 30.7.22# Year C, Matthew 14:1-12# Food for the Soul# Fr. Roy Arackal

1st Reading – Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13 
4 Thus says the LORD: They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority; they established princes, but without my approval. With their silver and gold they made idols for themselves, to their own destruction. 
 
5 Cast away your calf, O Samaria! my wrath is kindled against them; How long will they be unable to attain innocence in Israel? 
6 The work of an artisan, no god at all, Destined for the flames such is the calf of Samaria! 
 
7 When they sow the wind, they shall reap the whirlwind; The stalk of grain that forms no ear can yield no flour; Even if it could, strangers would swallow it. 
 
11 When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin, his altars became occasions of sin. 
 
12 Though I write for him my many ordinances, they are considered as a stranger’s. 13 Though they offer sacrifice, immolate flesh and eat it, the LORD is not pleased with them. He shall still remember their guilt and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt. 
 
Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 115:3-4, 5-6, 7AB-8, 9-10 
R. (9a) The house of Israel trusts in the Lord. 
or: 
R. Alleluia. 
 
3 Our God is in heaven; 
whatever he wills, he does. 
4 Their idols are silver and gold, 
the handiwork of men. 
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord. 
or: 
R. Alleluia. 
 
5 They have mouths but speak not; 
they have eyes but see not; 
6 They have ears but hear not; 
they have noses but smell not. 
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord. 
or: 
R. Alleluia. 
7AB They have hands but feel not; 
they have feet but walk not. 
8 Their makers shall be like them, 
everyone that trusts in them. 
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord. 
or: 
R. Alleluia. 
 
Alleluia – John 10:14 
R. Alleluia, alleluia. 
14 I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; 
I know my sheep, and mine know me. 
R. Alleluia, alleluia. 
 
Gospel – Matthew 9:32-38 
32 A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, 
 
33 and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” 
34 But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.” 
 
35 Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. 
 
36 At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. 
 
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; 38 so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

1st Reading – Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13
4 Thus says the LORD: They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority; they established princes, but without my approval. With their silver and gold they made idols for themselves, to their own destruction.

5 Cast away your calf, O Samaria! my wrath is kindled against them; How long will they be unable to attain innocence in Israel?
6 The work of an artisan, no god at all, Destined for the flames such is the calf of Samaria!

7 When they sow the wind, they shall reap the whirlwind; The stalk of grain that forms no ear can yield no flour; Even if it could, strangers would swallow it.

11 When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin, his altars became occasions of sin.

12 Though I write for him my many ordinances, they are considered as a stranger’s. 13 Though they offer sacrifice, immolate flesh and eat it, the LORD is not pleased with them. He shall still remember their guilt and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt.

Responsorial Psalm – 

Daily Gospel reflection# 778# 5/7/22/ Year C /Matthew 9:32-38/ Food for the soul/ Fr. Roy Aracakal

April 20, 2022, Wednesday in the Octave of Easter 
1st Reading – Acts 3:1-10 
1 Peter and John were going up to the temple area for the three o’clock hour of prayer. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. 
 
4 But Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 
 
5 He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. 
 
6 Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.” 7 Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong. 
 
8 He leaped up, stood, and walked around, and went into the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God. 
 
2 And a man crippled from birth was carried and placed at the gate of the temple called “the Beautiful Gate” every day to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 
 
10 they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with amazement and astonishment at what had happened to him. 
 
Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9 
R. (3b) Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord. 
or: 
R. Alleluia. 
 
1 Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name; 
make known among the nations his deeds. 
2 Sing to him, sing his praise, 
proclaim all his wondrous deeds. 
R. Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord. 
or: 
R. Alleluia. 
 
3 Glory in his holy name; 
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! 
4 Look to the LORD in his strength; 
seek to serve him constantly. 
R. Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord. 
or: 
R. Alleluia. 6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, 
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 
7 He, the LORD, is our God; 
throughout the earth his judgments prevail. 
R. Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord. 
or: 
R. Alleluia. 
8 He remembers forever his covenant 
which he made binding for a thousand generationsB 
9 Which he entered into with Abraham 
and by his oath to Isaac. 
R. Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord. 
or: 
R. Alleluia. 
 
Alleluia – Psalms 118:24 
R. Alleluia, alleluia. 
24 This is the day the LORD has made; 
let us be glad and rejoice in it. 
R. Alleluia, alleluia. 
 
Gospel – Luke 24:13-35 
13 That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, 
 
14 and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. 
15 And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, 
 
16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. 
 
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. 
 
18 One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” 
 
19 And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. 
 
21 But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. 
 
22 Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning 
 
23 and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. 
 
24 Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” 
 
25 And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! 
 
26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 
 
27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. 
 
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. 
 
29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 
 
30 And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. 
 
31 With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. 
 
32 Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” 
 
33 So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them 
 
34 who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 
 
35 Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

April 20, 2022, Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
1st Reading – Acts 3:1-10
1 Peter and John were going up to the temple area for the three o’clock hour of prayer. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms.

4 But Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”

5 He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.

6 Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.” 7 Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong.

8 He leaped up, stood, and walked around, and went into the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God.

2 And a man crippled from birth was carried and placed at the gate of the temple called “the Beautiful Gate” every day to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God,

10 they recognized

Daily Gospel Reflection#769# 20/4/22/ Year C, Luke 24:13-35/ Food for the Soul/ Fr. Roy Arackal cmf

April 1 2022, Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent 
1st Reading – Wisdom 2:1A, 12-22 
1A The wicked said among themselves, thinking not aright: 
12 “Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, Reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. 13 He professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the LORD. 
14 To us he is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us, 
15 Because his life is not like that of others, and different are his ways. 
16 He judges us debased; he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure. He calls blest the destiny of the just and boasts that God is his Father. 
17 Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. 
18 For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. 
19 With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. 
20 Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.” 
21 These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them, 
22 and they knew not the hidden counsels of God; neither did they count on a recompense of holiness nor discern the innocent souls’ reward. 
Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 AND 23 
R. (19a) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. 
17 The LORD confronts the evildoers, 
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. 
18 When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, 
and from all their distress he rescues them. 
R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. 
19 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; 
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. 
20 Many are the troubles of the just man, 
but out of them all the LORD delivers him. 
R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. 
21 He watches over all his bones; 
not one of them shall be broken. 
23 The LORD redeems the lives of his servants; 
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him. 
R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. 
Verse Before The Gospel – Matthew 4:4B 
4B One does not live on bread alone, 
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. 
Gospel – John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 
1 Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. 2 But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. 10 But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. 25 Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? 26 And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? 27 But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” 28 So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. 29 I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come. The gospel of the Lord.

April 1 2022, Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
1st Reading – Wisdom 2:1A, 12-22
1A The wicked said among themselves, thinking not aright:
12 “Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, Reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. 13 He professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the LORD.
14 To us he is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us,
15 Because his life is not like that of others, and different are his ways.
16 He judges us debased; he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure. He calls blest the destiny of the just and boasts that God is his Father.
17 Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him.
18 For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
19 With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gent

Daily Gospel Reflection#749# )1/04/2022/ Year C, John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30/ Food for the Soul/ Fr. Roy

March 26, 2022, Saturday of the Third Week of Lent 
1st Reading – Hosea 6:1-6 
1 “Come, let us return to the LORD, it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds. 
 
2 He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in his presence. 3 Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.” 
 
4 What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away. 
 
5 For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; 
 
6 For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21AB 
R. (see Hosea 6:6) It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice. 
 
3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; 
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 
4 Thoroughly wash me from my guilt 
and of my sin cleanse me. 
R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice. 
18 For you are not pleased with sacrifices; 
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. 
19 My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; 
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. 
R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice. 
 
20 Be bountiful, O LORD, to Zion in your kindness 
by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem; 
21AB Then shall you be pleased with due sacrifices, 
burnt offerings and holocausts. 
R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice. 
Verse Before The Gospel – Psalms 95:8 
8 If today you hear his voice, 
harden not your hearts. 
 
Gospel – Luke 18:9-14 
9 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. 
 
10 “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector. 
 
12 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 
 
13 But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ 
 
14 I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

March 26, 2022, Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
1st Reading – Hosea 6:1-6
1 “Come, let us return to the LORD, it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds.

2 He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in his presence. 3 Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.”

4 What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away.

5 For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth;

6 For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.  Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21AB
R. (see Hosea 6:6) It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.

3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodn

Daily Gospel Reflection #743# 26/3/22/ Year C, Luke 18:9-14/ Food for the Soul/ Fr. Roy Arackal

We are called to follow Christ personally. Whatever happens to our life, we shall remain faithful to what we have professed with conviction.

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