Category Archives: suffering

848. You cannot follow Me truly without bearing the pain of the Cross

The Book of Truth:
Wednesday, July 17th, 2013, 11:40

My dearly beloved daughter, how the prayers of all My beloved followers lift Me at this time. I Am in their hearts and souls and their souls are favoured. I must ask them to suffer the ridicule they will face for following My Path and for My Cross, which they bear, for in time they will understand why this must be so.

You cannot follow Me truly without bearing the pain of the Cross. When you love Me, a Light is present within your soul. This pure Light is like a magnet, as it attracts the worst in other people. Well-meaning souls are often attacked by the spirit of evil, to inflict hurt upon anyone who follows the Truth of My Teachings.

When you declare the Truth of God, you will be hated by those who do not love God. When you follow Me, even in silence, you endure the same pain. This pain is caused by those – usually those you are fond of and respect – who attack you, because you love Me and are loyal to My Teachings.

The time has come for you to go out and speak of My Messages. Priests, however, will find this difficult, as they must remain obedient to their superiors. Many in My Church will be frightened to bear witness to My Messages, but this does not mean that they cannot defend the Truth of My Holy Word. The Word, given to My Apostles, lives on, although many try to kill it. You will notice how little I Am revered in public – hardly ever.

My Teachings no longer play an important role in your society. You must insist, whatever Christian Church you belong to, that My servants do not forget to mention My Name, when referring to good, for good cannot come from a stone. Good can only come from God.

Your Jesus”

 
—-
Roman Catholic:

Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 389

Reading 1 Is 1:10-17

Hear the word of the LORD,
princes of Sodom!
Listen to the instruction of our God,
people of Gomorrah!
What care I for the number of your sacrifices?
says the LORD.
I have had enough of whole-burnt rams
and fat of fatlings;
In the blood of calves, lambs and goats
I find no pleasure.When you come in to visit me,
who asks these things of you?
Trample my courts no more!
Bring no more worthless offerings;
your incense is loathsome to me.
New moon and sabbath, calling of assemblies,
octaves with wickedness: these I cannot bear.
Your new moons and festivals I detest;
they weigh me down, I tire of the load.
When you spread out your hands,
I close my eyes to you;
Though you pray the more,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood!
Wash yourselves clean!

Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;
cease doing evil; learn to do good.
Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,
hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.

Responsorial Psalm pS 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think you that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Alleluia Mt 5:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 10:34-11:1

Jesus said to his Apostles:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth.
I have come to bring not peace but the sword.
For I have come to set
a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
and one’s enemies will be those of his household.
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,
and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
and whoever does not take up his cross
and follow after me is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

“Whoever receives you receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet
will receive a prophet’s reward,
and whoever receives a righteous man
because he is righteous
will receive a righteous man’s reward.
And whoever gives only a cup of cold water
to one of these little ones to drink
because he is a disciple–
amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”

When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples,
he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.”

—-

 
Orthodox (Greek Catholic):
“…
13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is sacrificed on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this so that they may be applied in my case. Indeed, I would rather die than that—no one will deprive me of my ground for boasting! 16 If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.”

The Demand for a Sign

16 The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus[a] they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.[b] An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, “Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.””

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16%3A1-6&version=NRSVCE;NR2006;SCH2000;ERV-HU;BDS

—–
https://oca.org/readings/daily/2018/07/16
 

—–

The Book of Truth:
“… 
To those who may be led into this deceit, know that other signs will emerge, which point to one thing – My Divinity will no longer be proclaimed.

Your churches will see new crosses emerge where the head of the beast will be embedded within them; your altars will be changed and will mock Me. Every time you see new and unusual symbols in My Church, look carefully because the beast is arrogant and he flaunts his wickedness, by displaying signs, which honour him.

Those amongst you, who are not alert to this deceit, will find yourselves sucked into practices, which do not honour Me. They will disguise the true intent, which will be to pay homage to Satan and his wicked spirits.

The signs have begun.”

835. Mother of Salvation: What I witnessed could never be put down on paper, so vile were the cruelties inflicted upon His Divine Body

The Book of Truth:
My child, when you suffer for my Son, it is okay to cry out in pain, because you are only human after all. When I witnessed my Son’s scourging and then His terrifying Crucifixion, I was beside myself with grief. And as I watched His pitiful Body endure what no animal would be able to tolerate in a slaughterhouse, I fainted so many times with shock that I could barely stand.How He suffered, no one will ever know, because what I witnessed could never be put down on paper, so vile were the cruelties inflicted upon His Divine Body. This is why so little description is given of the degrading insults they inflicted on Him, because it would be so shocking that it would defile His Holy Name by writing it down. You, my child, suffer, but such a small fraction of His pain. You must know that while you are in physical pain, that my Son only allows His suffering to manifest in those He chooses.  When He does this, it helps Him to defy, defeat and destroy the power of evil, through the gift of your free will to my precious Son. By doing so, you consecrate your soul, as well as your body, and this is a very special gift to Him – a gift, which enables Him to save others.So please understand that when my Son increases your suffering and when He truly suffers within you, that this is a Grace, which you must not reject. Embrace it. You will understand soon how powerful this is. When my Son manifests His Wounds within the body of a chosen soul, it brings with it a terrible persecution. This is when the evil one attacks in a serious and violent rage. You will be frightened at first, but now that you understand, you will accept this and simply protect yourself through the recital of, at least three times a day, my Most Holy Rosary.My child, please ensure that you do not allow fear to take you away from this Work, for that is what the evil one wants. You must stand up, endure and remain silent, when the hatred mounts against you.These trials are to be expected in a Mission of this size. Be at peace and know that all the angels and saints are with you and guide you.

Your beloved Mother, Mother of God, Mother of Salvation”

 

—-
Roman Catholic:

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 98

Reading 1 Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24

God did not make death,
nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.

For he fashioned all things that they might have being;
and the creatures of the world are wholesome,
and there is not a destructive drug among them
nor any domain of the netherworld on earth,
for justice is undying.
For God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made him.
But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world,
and they who belong to his company experience it.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13

R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Reading 2 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15

Brothers and sisters:
As you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse,
knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you,
may you excel in this gracious act also.For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Not that others should have relief while you are burdened,
but that as a matter of equality
your abundance at the present time should supply their needs,
so that their abundance may also supply your needs,
that there may be equality.
As it is written:
Whoever had much did not have more,
and whoever had little did not have less
.

Alleluia Cf. 2 Tm 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him,
and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to Jesus,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?'”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
Do not be afraid; just have faith.
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly
.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.”

—-
Orthodox (Greek Catholic):

10 Brothers and sisters,[a] my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Salvation Is for All

Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say?

“The word is near you,
    on your lips and in your heart”

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because[b] if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.”

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+10%3A1-10&version=NRSVCE;NR2006;SCH2000;ERV-HU;BDS

Jesus Heals the Gadarene Demoniacs

28 When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes,[a] two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 Suddenly they shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. 31 The demons begged him, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 And he said to them, “Go!” So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. 33 The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.”

“…  24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah[f] should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” “https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+24%3A12-35&version=NRSVCE;NR2006;SCH2000;ERV-HU;BDS

—–
https://oca.org/readings/daily/2018/07/01

823. It will be within the Roman Empire that the great abomination will rise up against Me

The Book of Truth:
My dearly beloved daughter, just as I walked alone during the slow and painful walk to the top of Mount Calvary, so too will walk My Remnant Army.When I walked this torturous hill, I was surrounded by hundreds of Roman soldiers who blocked those along the path who wanted to give Me comfort. While it would not have been necessary for such large amounts of soldiers to guard just one man, their presence was to demonstrate a number of things. They wanted to show My followers and anyone who attempted to spread the Truth of My Teachings, who was in charge. This act of aggression was to threaten and bully those who dared to show allegiance to Me.The Jews denied Me and then betrayed Me. The Roman’s crucified Me and it was in Rome that My Beloved apostle Peter was instructed to form My Church on Earth, for I wished that My Church be formed amongst those who persecuted Me.

As My Second Coming is to take place soon and as My Final Mission to come back in order to bring humanity the final salvation I promised is unveiled, history will be repeated. The Jews will still deny Me, until the Warning takes place. The enemies of God will rise against Me, everywhere. Those who love Me and those who say that they represent Me will betray Me.

It will be within the Roman Empire that the great abomination will rise up against Me. Babylon, home of the Roman Empire and where the nations which have abandoned God in favour of false gods are located, will be the seat from which all lies will spew forth.


The beast with the ten horns is Europe and in Rome an army will rise up against Me. They will be responsible, yet again, for the crucifixion before the Great Day. They will bring about the final insult, when they crucify and destroy My Mystical Body on Earth. My Body is My Church. Those who separate from My Body, by choosing to follow a new doctrine, will betray Me and yet they will have the nerve to stand up and say that they come from Me. On that day when the New One World religion is made known, which will be endorsed by sections within the Catholic Church, as foretold, the skies will darken and a great thunder will descend upon the Earth. It will be as it was the second I drew My last breath on the Cross, when the Anger of My Father was cast down upon the Hill of Calvary. When that happens and the sign that My One True Church has been taken away and a false pagan abomination has replaced it, you must know this. This is when the chastisements will rain down upon the human race, everywhere.Every sign will be given from Heaven to warn those who side with the false prophet and his soon to be cohort, the antichrist, that their days will be numbered. They will be shown what it will be like to experience the Anger of My Father. Many bishops and priests will realise the Truth at that stage and will fight against this wickedness. They will not abandon Me and will continue to lead My True Church on Earth. Sadly, many will not have the courage to do this and they will be like lambs being led to the slaughter, but they will be comforted to know that I will never abandon them. I will send them much help and My Remnant Army will rise and spread the Gospels, when they will have been pushed to one side, everywhere.  They will preach in every corner of the world and they will be fearless. Their love for Me will conquer the work of the antichrist. Their obedience to Me and their response to My Crusade Prayers will save billions of souls.

And then, My Plan will be completed.

Your Jesus”

 
Kill any of God’s children and you will have no life. Life on Earth, although it can bring much love, joy and hope, is full of trials. Each trial must be faced and you must accept that it is part of God’s plan in the purification of His children. “

—-
Roman Catholic:

Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 362

Reading 1 1 Kgs 18:41-46

Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink,
for there is the sound of a heavy rain.”
So Ahab went up to eat and drink,
while Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel,
crouched down to the earth,
and put his head between his knees.
“Climb up and look out to sea,” he directed his servant,
who went up and looked, but reported, “There is nothing.”
Seven times he said, “Go, look again!”
And the seventh time the youth reported,
“There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.”
Elijah said, “Go and say to Ahab,
‘Harness up and leave the mountain before the rain stops you.'”
In a trice the sky grew dark with clouds and wind,
and a
heavy rain fell.
Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel.
But the hand of the LORD was on Elijah,
who girded up his clothing and ran before Ahab
as far as the approaches to Jezreel.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13

R. (2a) It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
You have visited the land and watered it;
greatly have you enriched it.
God’s watercourses are filled;
you have prepared the grain.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
Thus have you prepared the land:
drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers,
blessing its yield.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
You have crowned the year with your bounty,
and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
The untilled meadows overflow with it,
and rejoicing clothes the hills.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

Alleluia Jn 13:34

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery
Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” ”

http://usccb.org/bible/readings/061418.cfm

 
——
Orthodox (Greek Catholic):
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in[a] hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes[b] for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes[c] with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God,[d] who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit[e] intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.[f] …”https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A22-27&version=NRSVCE;NR2006;SCH2000;ERV-HU;BDS“… 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.24 A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

Whom to Fear

26 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.[a] 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10%3A23-31&version=NRSVCE;NR2006;SCH2000;ERV-HU;BDS

—–
https://oca.org/readings/daily/2018/06/14
—–

  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A1-6&version=NRSVCE;NR2006;SCH2000;NT-HU;BDS
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Wisdom+3&version=NRSVACE;NR2006;SCH2000;NT-HU;BDS

https://oca.org/readings/daily/2018/06/01
—-

795. Those who followed the Word of God, laid down by the prophets before Me, were the first to spit at Me

The Book of Truth:
My dearly beloved daughter, to those amongst My disciples who are suffering because of their belief in these Messages from Heaven, I have this to say.Difficult though your suffering is, you must know that you have been blessed with My Gift, given to you to help open your eyes to the Truth. The abuse you will have to endure in My Name, because of your loyalty to these Messages, will come from those close to you. In particular, many sacred servants of Mine, who refuse to seek Me out through this, My Holy Word, will cause you the most upset. You will be vilified, belittled, challenged, criticised and mocked, and yet these same people profess to speak in My Holy Name.

You must endure this pain just as My apostles and disciples had to bear it. During My time on earth, I was cast out of the Temples of God. My disciples were warned to keep away from Me or face banishment from the Church if they were seen with Me. When they spoke My Holy Word and spread My Teachings they were threatened and whipped in some cases. They were made spectacles of. Those who followed the Word of God, laid down by the prophets before Me, were the first to spit at Me. Their anger was caused by the fact that I spoke the Truth, for they did not want to hear the Truth. It frightened them and made them uncomfortable.

Filled with the Power of the Holy Spirit, My apostles were hated after My Ascension, by many who worshipped in the Temples. And, although their suffering was great, and the voices of opposition screamed loudly in their presence, it did not matter.

Nothing can prevent My Word from spreading. No voice will be loud enough. No argument will be credible enough. No venom will be strong enough. My Power is impossible to conquer. My Holy Spirit will draw billions of souls into the safety of My New Paradise. All voices of discontent will be quietened and all opposition will be suppressed, for the intervention of My Father will ensure that the brambles and boulders, which litter the Path of Truth, will be eradicated.

Only My Voice will remain. It will be the only Voice of Authority, which will be sustained and then the Great Day will come.

Your Jesus”
 
—-
Roman Catholic:

Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
Lectionary: 564

Reading 1 Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and sisters
(there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons
in the one place).
He said, “My brothers and sisters,
the Scripture had to be fulfilled
which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand
through the mouth of David, concerning Judas,
who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus.
Judas was numbered among us
and was allotted a share in this ministry.
For it is written in the Book of Psalms:Let his encampment become desolate,
and may no one dwell in it.
and:
May another take his office.

Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men
who accompanied us the whole time
the Lord Jesus came and went among us,
beginning from the baptism of John
until the day on which he was taken up from us,
become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas,
who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.
Then they prayed,
“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all,
show which one of these two you have chosen
to take the place in this apostolic ministry
from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.”
Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,
and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

R. (8) The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
To seat them with princes,
with the princes of his own people.
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia See Jn 15:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.”I have told you this so that my joy might be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.” ”

http://usccb.org/bible/readings/051418.cfm

 
—-
Orthodox (Greek Catholic):

The Uproar in Thessalonica

17 After Paul and Silas[a] had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah[b] to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This is the Messiah,[c] Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.” Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason’s house. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers[d] before the city authorities,[e] shouting, “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.” The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this, and after they had taken bail from Jason and the others, they let them go.

Paul and Silas in Beroea

10 That very night the believers[f] sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Beroea as well, they came there too, to stir up and incite the crowds. 14 Then the believers[g] immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him.”

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17%3A1-15&version=NRSVCE;NR2006;SCH2000;ERV-HU;BDS

47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place[a] and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.” 51 He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. 53 So from that day on they planned to put him to death.

54 Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples.

55 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for Jesus and were asking one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? Surely he will not come to the festival, will he?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus[b] was should let them know, so that they might arrest him.”

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+11%3A47-57&version=NRSVCE;NR2006;SCH2000;ERV-HU;BDS

—–
https://oca.org/readings/daily/2018/05/14

726. Many of you will reject this Call from Heaven because of fear

The Book of Truth:
” My dearly beloved daughter, I call to all those in the world who believe in Me, Jesus Christ, to listen.

So many of you will find it difficult to accept the suffering you will have to face in My Name. Up to now, your suffering has been limited to the sorrow you have felt in your souls for the sins of man and for the Sacrifice I made to save humanity from its wickedness. Now, you will be ridiculed for your Faith and made to feel ashamed when you uphold My Teachings and the Laws of God.

Many of you will reject this Call from Heaven because of fear. To accept that I now communicate with the world, to prepare it for My Second Coming, is not something people can accept easily.  For who is My prophet? And who are those who came before her in My Name? How do you know she speaks the Truth with so many false prophets and imposters who confuse you? Never has there been a prophet, sent from Heaven, who has not suffered ridicule, abuse, torment and cruelty. Not one. Many were murdered. You can be assured that when the fruits of My Work, given to such prophets, result in prayer and conversion, that they have been sent by God, into the world, to prepare His children, so that they will come back to Him.

Be aware that My true prophets will withstand the test of time and for those who ignore the Messages they bring to the human race, there will be screaming and gnashing of teeth. When you attack My Holy Word, given to a true prophet, you interfere with the Will of God. You may feel no shame now. You may believe you are defending My Word when you attack My prophets, but in time the damage you do to this, My last Mission on earth, when revealed to you, will bring you terrible fear and sorrow.

If you love Me, you must keep your eyes open and read carefully My instructions. If you fail to heed My warnings, given to you because of God’s Love, you will reject the Truth. The Truth can only save you. The Truth is the oxygen needed to sustain the life of your soul. Without the Truth you will not see Me clearly, nor will you be able to make the right choices. Remember I Am the Truth. Without Me, you have no life.

Your Jesus”

—-
Roman Catholic:

Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
Lectionary: 238

Reading 1DN 3:25, 34-43

Azariah stood up in the fire and prayed aloud:

“For your name’s sake, O Lord, do not deliver us up forever,
or make void your covenant.
Do not take away your mercy from us,
for the sake of Abraham, your beloved,
Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one,
To whom you promised to multiply their offspring

like the stars of heaven,
or the sand on the shore of the sea.
For we are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation,
brought low everywhere in the world this day
because of our sins.
We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader,
no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense,
no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you.
But with contrite heart and humble spirit
let us be received;
As though it were burnt offerings of rams and bullocks,
or thousands of fat lambs,
So let our sacrifice be in your presence today
as we follow you unreservedly;
for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame.
And now we follow you with our whole heart,
we fear you and we pray to you.
Do not let us be put to shame,
but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.
Deliver us by your wonders,
and bring glory to your name, O Lord
.”

Responsorial PsalmPS 25:4-5AB, 6 AND 7BC, 8-9

R. (6a) Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Verse Before The GospelJL 2:12-13

Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart;
for I am gracious and merciful.

GospelMT 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
“Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive him?
As many as seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began the accounting,
a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
Since he had no way of paying it back,
his master ordered him to be sold,
along with his wife, his children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’
Moved with compassion the master of that servant
let him go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a much smaller amount.
He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,
‘Pay back what you owe.’
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
But he refused.
Instead, he had him put in prison
until he paid back the debt.
Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,
they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master
and reported the whole affair.
His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant!
I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you?’
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers
until he should pay back the whole debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.” “
—-
Orthodox (Greek Catholic):

11
So the Lordraised adversaries[a]against them,
    and stirred up their enemies,
12 the Arameans on the east and the Philistines on the west,
    and they devoured Israel with open mouth.
For all this his anger has not turned away;
    his hand is stretched out still.

13 The people did not turn to him who struck them,
    or seek theLord of hosts.
14 So the Lordcut off from Israel head and tail,
    palm branch and reed in one day—
15 elders and dignitaries are the head,
    and prophets who teach lies are the tail; …”

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A9-22&version=NRSVCE;NR2006;SCH2000;ERV-HU;BDS
10 And after seven days the waters of the flood came on the earth.

11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. 12 The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. 13 On the very same day Noah with his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons entered the ark14 they and every wild animal of every kind, and all domestic animals of every kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every bird of every kind—every bird, every winged creature. 15 They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. 16 And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in. …”

—-

Torah:
Construction of the TabernacleAll those with skill among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains; they were made of fine twisted linen, and blue, purple, and crimson yarns, with cherubim skillfully worked into them. The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains were of the same size.”

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+36&version=NRSVCE;NR2006;SCH2000;ERV-HU;BDS

” 48 So Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of the Lord: the golden altar, the golden table for the bread of the Presence, 49 the lampstands of pure gold, five on the south side and five on the north, in front of the inner sanctuary; the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of gold; 50 the cups, snuffers, basins, dishes for incense, and firepans, of pure gold; the sockets for the doors of the innermost part of the house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the nave of the temple, of gold. …”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+7%3A40-77&version=NRSVCE;NR2006;SCH2000;ERV-HU;BDS
Dedication of the Temple

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the ancestral houses of the Israelites, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion. …”