Saturday June 28, 2025
IMMACULATE HEART OF THE BVM (MEMORIAL)
Office: Memorial, Psalter week 4
Mass and preface of the memorial
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mystery
Vespers I of the solemnity of Ss Peter & Paul
-FIRST READING-
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, and Sarah shall have a son.”
A reading from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 18:1-15)
In those days: The Lord appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men stood in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the earth, and said, “My lord, if I have found favour in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I fetch a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on — since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds, and milk, and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” The Lord said, “I will surely return to you in the spring, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying; “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, in the spring, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Luke 1:46-47.48-49.50 and 53.54-55(R. 54b)
R/. The Lord has remembered his mercy.
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. R/.
For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed:
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name. R/.
R/. The Lord has remembered his mercy.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away. R/.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever. R/.
ALLELUIA Matthew 8:17
Alleluia. Christ took our infirmities and bore our diseases. Alleluia.
-GOSPEL-
“Many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 8:5-17)
At that time: As Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, begging him and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralysed at home, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion answered him, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard him, he marvelled, and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and quash their teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment. And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served him. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
The humility of the centurion is noteworthy. His expression has been imprinted on our hearts through our Eucharistic worship when we pray: “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you…” Apart from humility, we see in the centurion the extraordinary love of one who goes to Jesus on behalf of a servant. We see his great respect; his awareness that a Jew who entered his home would be considered as defiled. We see a wise person making good use of his own experience in coming to understand others. Finally, we see the quality that amazes Jesus: his faith. We can discern a composite of virtues in the centurion. Let us reflect in gratitude upon our own stores of these qualities of heart, mind, reason and will, and how we might use them more creatively to build God’s Kingdom.
Personal Devotional
“For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God” Ephesians 1: 7
- I loose myself from all heart attacks rooted in fear, and I command all spirits of fear to leave in the name of Jesus.
- I loose myself from all diabetes rooted in rejection, self-hatred, ancestral inheritance, and guilt in the name of Jesus.
- I break all causes of sickness and diseases, and I command all hereditary spirits of sickness of come out of me in the name of Jesus.
- I paralyze every activities of evil parasites, immune destroyers, demonic wasters and health devourers in my life in the name of Jesus.
Let Us Pray
Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will. Amen.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
VIGIL OF S. PETER AND S. PAUL, AP.
At the vigil Mass
This Mass is used on the evening of 28 June, either before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer 1) of the Solemnity.
Entrance Antiphon
Peter the Apostle, and Paul the teacher of the Gentiles, these have taught us your law, O Lord.
Collect
Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, that we may be sustained by the intercession of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that, as through them you gave your Church the foundations of her heavenly office, so through them you may help her to eternal salvation. Through our Lord..
-FIRST READING-
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 3:1 -10)
“I give you what I have, in the name of Jesus, rise and walk.”
In those days: Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognised him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm19:2-3.4-5 (R. 5a)
R/. Their sound goes forth through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.
Day unto day conveys the message
and night unto night imparts the knowledge. R/.
No speech, no word, whose voice goes unheeded;
their sound goes forth through all the earth,
their message to the utmost bounds of the world. R/.
-SECOND READING-
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 1:11-20)
“God set me apart before I was born.”
Brethren: I would have you know that the Gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA John 21 .17d
Alleluia. Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. Alleluia.
-GOSPEL-
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 21:15-19)
“Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.”
When [Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and] they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you fastened your own belt and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will fasten your belt for you and bring you where you do not wish to go.” (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Appreciation
God Bless you
Financial appeal
We appreciate your support and contributions for the propagation of God's word
You can also support us to evangelize by donating to this mission. God bless you.
Account Name: OBTech Missal
Account No. 5404019432 PROVIDUS BANK (NGN)
Account No. 5404033159 PROVIDUS BANK (USD). Swift Code: UMPLNGLA
Or donate directly here
Email Address
Amount
Naira (NGN)
PRAYER FOR NIGERIA IN DISTRESS
All powerful and merciful Father,
You are the God of justice, love and peace.
You rule over the nations of the earth.
Power and might are in your hands and no one can withstand you.
We present our country Nigeria before you.
We praise and thank you for you are the source of all we have and are.
We are sorry for all the sins we have committed
and for the good deeds we have failed to do.
In your loving forgiveness,
keep us safe from the punishment we deserve.
Lord, we are weighed down not only by uncertainties,
but also by moral, economic and political problems.
Listen to the cries of your people who confidently turn to you,
Our God of infinite goodness,
our strength in adversity,
our health in weakness,
our comfort in sorrow;
be merciful to us your people.
Spare this nation Nigeria from chaos, anarchy and doom.
Bless us with your kingdom of justice, love and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
IMMACULATE HEART OF THE BVM (MEMORIAL)
Office: Memorial, Psalter week 4
Mass and preface of the memorial
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mystery
Vespers I of the solemnity of Ss Peter & Paul
-FIRST READING-
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, and Sarah shall have a son.”
A reading from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 18:1-15)
In those days: The Lord appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men stood in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the earth, and said, “My lord, if I have found favour in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I fetch a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on — since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds, and milk, and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” The Lord said, “I will surely return to you in the spring, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying; “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, in the spring, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Luke 1:46-47.48-49.50 and 53.54-55(R. 54b)
R/. The Lord has remembered his mercy.
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. R/.
For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed:
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name. R/.
R/. The Lord has remembered his mercy.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away. R/.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever. R/.
ALLELUIA Matthew 8:17
Alleluia. Christ took our infirmities and bore our diseases. Alleluia.
-GOSPEL-
“Many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 8:5-17)
At that time: As Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, begging him and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralysed at home, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion answered him, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard him, he marvelled, and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and quash their teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment. And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served him. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
The humility of the centurion is noteworthy. His expression has been imprinted on our hearts through our Eucharistic worship when we pray: “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you…” Apart from humility, we see in the centurion the extraordinary love of one who goes to Jesus on behalf of a servant. We see his great respect; his awareness that a Jew who entered his home would be considered as defiled. We see a wise person making good use of his own experience in coming to understand others. Finally, we see the quality that amazes Jesus: his faith. We can discern a composite of virtues in the centurion. Let us reflect in gratitude upon our own stores of these qualities of heart, mind, reason and will, and how we might use them more creatively to build God’s Kingdom.
Personal Devotional
“For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God” Ephesians 1: 7
- I loose myself from all heart attacks rooted in fear, and I command all spirits of fear to leave in the name of Jesus.
- I loose myself from all diabetes rooted in rejection, self-hatred, ancestral inheritance, and guilt in the name of Jesus.
- I break all causes of sickness and diseases, and I command all hereditary spirits of sickness of come out of me in the name of Jesus.
- I paralyze every activities of evil parasites, immune destroyers, demonic wasters and health devourers in my life in the name of Jesus.
Let Us Pray
Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will. Amen.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
VIGIL OF S. PETER AND S. PAUL, AP.
At the vigil Mass
This Mass is used on the evening of 28 June, either before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer 1) of the Solemnity.
Entrance Antiphon
Peter the Apostle, and Paul the teacher of the Gentiles, these have taught us your law, O Lord.
Collect
Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, that we may be sustained by the intercession of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that, as through them you gave your Church the foundations of her heavenly office, so through them you may help her to eternal salvation. Through our Lord..
-FIRST READING-
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 3:1 -10)
“I give you what I have, in the name of Jesus, rise and walk.”
In those days: Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognised him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm19:2-3.4-5 (R. 5a)
R/. Their sound goes forth through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.
Day unto day conveys the message
and night unto night imparts the knowledge. R/.
No speech, no word, whose voice goes unheeded;
their sound goes forth through all the earth,
their message to the utmost bounds of the world. R/.
-SECOND READING-
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 1:11-20)
“God set me apart before I was born.”
Brethren: I would have you know that the Gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA John 21 .17d
Alleluia. Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. Alleluia.
-GOSPEL-
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 21:15-19)
“Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.”
When [Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and] they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you fastened your own belt and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will fasten your belt for you and bring you where you do not wish to go.” (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Appreciation
God Bless you
Financial appeal
We appreciate your support and contributions for the propagation of God's word
You can also support us to evangelize by donating to this mission. God bless you.
Account Name: OBTech Missal
Account No. 5404019432 PROVIDUS BANK (NGN)
Account No. 5404033159 PROVIDUS BANK (USD). Swift Code: UMPLNGLA
Or donate directly here
Email Address
Amount
Naira (NGN)
PRAYER FOR NIGERIA IN DISTRESS
All powerful and merciful Father,
You are the God of justice, love and peace.
You rule over the nations of the earth.
Power and might are in your hands and no one can withstand you.
We present our country Nigeria before you.
We praise and thank you for you are the source of all we have and are.
We are sorry for all the sins we have committed
and for the good deeds we have failed to do.
In your loving forgiveness,
keep us safe from the punishment we deserve.
Lord, we are weighed down not only by uncertainties,
but also by moral, economic and political problems.
Listen to the cries of your people who confidently turn to you,
Our God of infinite goodness,
our strength in adversity,
our health in weakness,
our comfort in sorrow;
be merciful to us your people.
Spare this nation Nigeria from chaos, anarchy and doom.
Bless us with your kingdom of justice, love and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Saturday June 28, 2025
IMMACULATE HEART OF THE BVM (MEMORIAL)
Office: Memorial, Psalter week 4
Mass and preface of the memorial
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mystery
Vespers I of the solemnity of Ss Peter & Paul
-FIRST READING-
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, and Sarah shall have a son.”
A reading from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 18:1-15)
In those days: The Lord appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men stood in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the earth, and said, “My lord, if I have found favour in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I fetch a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on — since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds, and milk, and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” The Lord said, “I will surely return to you in the spring, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying; “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, in the spring, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Luke 1:46-47.48-49.50 and 53.54-55(R. 54b)
R/. The Lord has remembered his mercy.
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. R/.
For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed:
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name. R/.
R/. The Lord has remembered his mercy.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away. R/.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever. R/.
ALLELUIA Matthew 8:17
Alleluia. Christ took our infirmities and bore our diseases. Alleluia.
-GOSPEL-
“Many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 8:5-17)
At that time: As Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, begging him and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralysed at home, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion answered him, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard him, he marvelled, and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and quash their teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment. And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served him. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
The humility of the centurion is noteworthy. His expression has been imprinted on our hearts through our Eucharistic worship when we pray: “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you…” Apart from humility, we see in the centurion the extraordinary love of one who goes to Jesus on behalf of a servant. We see his great respect; his awareness that a Jew who entered his home would be considered as defiled. We see a wise person making good use of his own experience in coming to understand others. Finally, we see the quality that amazes Jesus: his faith. We can discern a composite of virtues in the centurion. Let us reflect in gratitude upon our own stores of these qualities of heart, mind, reason and will, and how we might use them more creatively to build God’s Kingdom.
Personal Devotional
“For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God” Ephesians 1: 7
- I loose myself from all heart attacks rooted in fear, and I command all spirits of fear to leave in the name of Jesus.
- I loose myself from all diabetes rooted in rejection, self-hatred, ancestral inheritance, and guilt in the name of Jesus.
- I break all causes of sickness and diseases, and I command all hereditary spirits of sickness of come out of me in the name of Jesus.
- I paralyze every activities of evil parasites, immune destroyers, demonic wasters and health devourers in my life in the name of Jesus.
Let Us Pray
Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will. Amen.
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VIGIL OF S. PETER AND S. PAUL, AP.
At the vigil Mass
This Mass is used on the evening of 28 June, either before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer 1) of the Solemnity.
Entrance Antiphon
Peter the Apostle, and Paul the teacher of the Gentiles, these have taught us your law, O Lord.
Collect
Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, that we may be sustained by the intercession of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that, as through them you gave your Church the foundations of her heavenly office, so through them you may help her to eternal salvation. Through our Lord..
-FIRST READING-
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 3:1 -10)
“I give you what I have, in the name of Jesus, rise and walk.”
In those days: Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognised him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm19:2-3.4-5 (R. 5a)
R/. Their sound goes forth through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.
Day unto day conveys the message
and night unto night imparts the knowledge. R/.
No speech, no word, whose voice goes unheeded;
their sound goes forth through all the earth,
their message to the utmost bounds of the world. R/.
-SECOND READING-
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 1:11-20)
“God set me apart before I was born.”
Brethren: I would have you know that the Gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA John 21 .17d
Alleluia. Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. Alleluia.
-GOSPEL-
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 21:15-19)
“Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.”
When [Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and] they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you fastened your own belt and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will fasten your belt for you and bring you where you do not wish to go.” (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Appreciation
God Bless you
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PRAYER FOR NIGERIA IN DISTRESS
All powerful and merciful Father,
You are the God of justice, love and peace.
You rule over the nations of the earth.
Power and might are in your hands and no one can withstand you.
We present our country Nigeria before you.
We praise and thank you for you are the source of all we have and are.
We are sorry for all the sins we have committed
and for the good deeds we have failed to do.
In your loving forgiveness,
keep us safe from the punishment we deserve.
Lord, we are weighed down not only by uncertainties,
but also by moral, economic and political problems.
Listen to the cries of your people who confidently turn to you,
Our God of infinite goodness,
our strength in adversity,
our health in weakness,
our comfort in sorrow;
be merciful to us your people.
Spare this nation Nigeria from chaos, anarchy and doom.
Bless us with your kingdom of justice, love and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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