• Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary TimeNovember 18, 2025

  Reading I 2 Maccabees 6:18-31

  Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes,
  a man of advanced age and noble appearance,
  was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork. 
  But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement,
  he spat out the meat,
  and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture,
  as people ought to do who have the courage to reject the food
  which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life. 
  Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately,
  because of their long acquaintance with him,
  and urged him to bring meat of his own providing,
  such as he could legitimately eat,
  and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice
  prescribed by the king;
  in this way he would escape the death penalty,
  and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him.
  But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner,
  worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age,
  the merited distinction of his gray hair,
  and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood;
  and so he declared that above all
  he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God.

  He told them to send him at once
  to the abode of the dead, explaining:
  “At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense;
  many young people would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar
  had gone over to an alien religion.
  Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life,
  they would be led astray by me,
  while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age.
  Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men,
  I shall never, whether alive or dead,
  escape the hands of the Almighty.
  Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, 
  I will prove myself worthy of my old age,
  and I will leave to the young a noble example
  of how to die willingly and generously
  for the revered and holy laws.”

  Eleazar spoke thus,
  and went immediately to the instrument of torture.
  Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed,
  now became hostile toward him because what he had said
  seemed to them utter madness.
  When he was about to die under the blows,
  he groaned and said:
  “The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that,
  although I could have escaped death,
  I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging,
  but also suffering it with joy in my soul
  because of my devotion to him.”
  This is how he died,
  leaving in his death a model of courage
  and an unforgettable example of virtue
  not only for the young but for the whole nation.

  Responsorial Psalm Psalm 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

  R.    (6b) The Lord upholds me.
  O LORD, how many are my adversaries!
      Many rise up against me!
  Many are saying of me,
      “There is no salvation for him in God.”
  R.    The Lord upholds me.
  But you, O LORD, are my shield;
      my glory, you lift up my head!
  When I call out to the LORD,
      he answers me from his holy mountain.
  R.    The Lord upholds me.
  When I lie down in sleep,
      I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
  I fear not the myriads of people
      arrayed against me on every side.
  R.    The Lord upholds me.

  Alleluia 1 John 4:10b

  R. Alleluia, alleluia.
  God loved us, and sent his Son
  as expiation for our sins.
  R. Alleluia, alleluia.

  Gospel Luke 19:1-10

  At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
  Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
  who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, 
  was seeking to see who Jesus was;
  but he could not see him because of the crowd,
  for he was short in stature. 
  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
  who was about to pass that way.
  When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, 
  “Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
  for today I must stay at your house.” 
  And he came down quickly and received him with joy. 
  When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, 
  “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” 
  But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
  “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
  and if I have extorted anything from anyone
  I shall repay it four times over.”
  And Jesus said to him,
  “Today salvation has come to this house
  because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. 
  For the Son of Man has come to seek
  and to save what was lost.”

  • Readings for the Optional Memorial of Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
  • Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin [In the Dioceses of the United States]

  – – –
  

  Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

• Martes de la XXXIII semana del Tiempo ordinarioNovember 18, 2025

  Primera Lectura 2 Macabeos 6, 18-31

  Había un hombre llamado Eleazar, de edad avanzada y aspecto muy digno. Era uno de los principales maestros de la ley. Querían obligarlo a comer carne de puerco y para ello le abrían a la fuerza la boca. Pero él, prefiriendo una muerte honrosa a una vida de infamia, escupió la carne y avanzó voluntariamente hacia el suplicio, como deben hacer los que son constantes en rechazar manjares prohibidos, aun a costa de la vida.

  Los que presidían aquel sacrificio pagano, en atención a la antigua amistad que los unía con Eleazar, lo llevaron aparte y le propusieron que mandara traer carne permitida y que la comiera, simulando que comía la carne del sacrificio ordenada por el rey. Así se podría librar de la muerte y encontrar benevolencia, por la antigua amistad que los unía.

  Pero Eleazar, adoptando una actitud cortés, digna de sus años y de su noble ancianidad, de sus canas honradas e ilustres, de su conducta intachable desde niño y, sobre todo, digna de la ley santa, dada por Dios, respondió enseguida:

  “Envíenme al sepulcro, pues no es digno de mi edad ese engaño. Van a creer los jóvenes que Eleazar, a los noventa años, se ha pasado al paganismo. Y si por miedo a perder el poco tiempo de vida que me queda, finjo apartarme de la ley, se van a extraviar con mi mal ejemplo. Eso sería manchar y deshonrar mi vejez. Y aunque por el momento me librara del castigo de los hombres, ni vivo ni muerto me libraría de la mano del Omnipotente. En cambio, si muero ahora como un valiente, me mostraré digno de mis años y dejaré a los jóvenes un gran ejemplo, para que aprendan a arrostrar voluntariamente una muerte noble por amor a nuestra santa y venerable ley”.

  Dicho esto, se fue enseguida hacia el suplicio. Los que lo conducían, considerando arrogantes las palabras que acababa de pronunciar, cambiaron en dureza su actitud benévola.

  Cuando Eleazar estaba a punto de morir a causa de los golpes, dijo entre suspiros: “Tú, Señor, que todo lo conoces, bien sabes que pude librarme de la muerte; pero, por respeto a ti, sufro con paciencia y con gusto, crueles dolores en mi cuerpo y en mi alma”.

  De esta manera, Eleazar terminó su vida y dejó no sólo a los jóvenes, sino a toda la nación, un ejemplo memorable de virtud y heroísmo.

  Salmo Responsorial Salmo 3, 2-3. 4-5. 6-7

  R. (6b) El Señor es mi defensa. 

  Mira, Señor, cuántos contrarios tengo, 
  y cuántos contra mí se han levantado; 
  cuántos dicen de mí:
  “Ni Dios podrá salvarlo”. 

  R. El Señor es mi defensa. 

  Mas tú, Señor, eres mi escudo,
  mi gloria y mi victoria;
  desde tu monte santo me respondes
  cuando mi voz te invoca. 

  R. El Señor es mi defensa. 

  En paz me acuesto, duermo y me despierto, 
  porque el Señor es mi defensa. 
  No temeré a la enorme muchedumbre 
  que se acerca y me acecha. 

  R. El Señor es mi defensa. 

  Aclamación antes del Evangelio Cfr 1 Juan 4, 10

  R. Aleluya, aleluya.
  Dios nos amó y nos envió a su Hijo,
  como víctima de expiación por nuestros pecados.
  R. Aleluya.

  Evangelio Lucas 19, 1-10

  En aquel tiempo, Jesús entró en Jericó, y al ir atravesando la ciudad, sucedió que un hombre llamado Zaqueo, jefe de publicanos y rico, trataba de conocer a Jesús, pero la gente se lo impedía, porque Zaqueo era de baja estatura. Entonces corrió y se subió a un árbol para verlo cuando pasara por ahí. Al llegar a ese lugar, Jesús levantó los ojos y le dijo: “Zaqueo, bájate pronto, porque hoy tengo que hospedarme en tu casa”

  Él bajó enseguida y lo recibió muy contento. Al ver esto, comenzaron todos a murmurar diciendo: “Ha entrado a hospedarse en casa de un pecador”.

  Zaqueo, poniéndose de pie, dijo a Jesús: “Mira, Señor, voy a dar a los pobres la mitad de mis bienes, y si he defraudado a alguien, le restituiré cuatro veces más”. Jesús le dijo: “Hoy ha llegado la salvación a esta casa, porque también él es hijo de Abraham, y el Hijo del hombre ha venido a buscar y a salvar lo que se había perdido”.

  • Readings for the Memoria Opcional de la Dedicación de las Basilicas de San Pedro y San Pablo, ápostoles
  • Readings for the Memoria Opcional de Santa Rosa Filipina Duchesne, virgen [para los diócesis de los Estados Unidos de América]

  – – –
  

  Los textos de la Sagrada Escritura utilizados en esta obra han sido tomados de los Leccionarios I, II y III, propiedad de la Comisión Episcopal de Pastoral Litúrgica de la Conferencia Episcopal Mexicana, copyright © 1987, quinta edición de septiembre de 2004. Utilizados con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados. Debido a cuestiones de permisos de impresión, los Salmos Responsoriales que se incluyen aquí son los del Leccionario que se utiliza en México. Su parroquia podría usar un texto diferente.

Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, 
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. 
I love You above all things, 
and I desire to receive You into my soul. 
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, 
come at least spiritually into my heart. 
I embrace You as if You were already there 
and unite myself wholly to You. 
Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

St. Alphonsus Liguori

Spiritual Communion Prayer

At Thy feet, O my Jesus, I prostrate myself and I offer Thee repentance of my contrite heart, which is humbled in its nothingness and in Thy holy presence. I adore Thee in the Sacrament of Thy love, the ineffable Eucharist. I desire to receive Thee into the poor dwelling that my heart offers Thee. While waiting for the happiness of sacramental communion, I wish to possess Thee in spirit. Come to me, O my Jesus, since I, for my part, am coming to Thee! May Thy love embrace my whole being in life and in death. I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee. Amen.

Servant of God Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val

Anima Christi Prayer

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from Christ’s side, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee.
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints.
Forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion

Lord, Father all-powerful and ever-living God, I thank You, for even though I am a sinner, your unprofitable servant, not because of my worth but in the kindness of your mercy, You have fed me with the Precious Body & Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion may not bring me condemnation and punishment but forgiveness and salvation. 

May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will. May it purify me from evil ways and put an end to my evil passions. May it bring me charity and patience, humility and obedience, and growth in the power to do good. May it be my strong defense against all my enemies, visible and invisible, and the perfect calming of all my evil impulses, bodily and spiritual. May it unite me more closely to you, the One true God, and lead me safely through death to everlasting happiness with You.

And I pray that You will lead me, a sinner, to the banquet where you, with Your Son and holy Spirit, are true and perfect light, total fulfillment, everlasting joy, gladness without end, and perfect happiness to your saints. grant this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

St. Thomas Aquinas

Sunday, April 13th – Palm Sunday

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