March 2024: Mass Readings and Resources

The gospel for Friday of the 2nd week of Lent warns against the dangers of greed and pride. The parable depicts the tenant farmers, who were entrusted to care for the vineyard, as refusing to honor their commitments and ultimately killing the son of the owner.

The gospel for Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent, the parable of the prodigal son, shows the mercy and forgiveness of God. It shows that no matter how far we may stray from the path of righteousness, God is always ready to welcome us back with open arms when we turn to Him in repentance.

The readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year B help us understand that we must follow God’s commandments and truly live them in our hearts to find life. Some possible themes for this weekend are the Ten Commandments, morality, and Church authority.

In the gospel for Monday of the 3rd week of Lent, Jesus speaks in the synagogue in Nazareth and proclaims that no prophet is accepted in his own hometown, a statement that was met with anger and hostility from the people who knew him. Jesus then gave examples from the time of Elijah and Elisha, where God had worked through people who were outsiders to Israel, rather than choosing those within the established religious community.

In the gospel for Tuesday of the 3rd week of Lent , Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, and Jesus responds that he should forgive not just seven times, but seventy-seven times.

In the gospel for Wednesday of the 3rd week of Lent, Jesus is speaking to his disciples and explaining to them that he has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. This statement is significant because the Law and the Prophets were considered to be the foundation of Jewish faith and belief, and they were considered to be unchangeable and permanent.

The gospel for Thursday of the 3rd week of Lent recounts an encounter between Jesus and a man who was possessed by a demon. Jesus casts out the demon, and the people who witness the miracle are amazed. However, some of the onlookers accuse Jesus of using the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, to cast out the demon. Jesus responds by explaining that Satan cannot cast out Satan, and that his power comes from God.

In the gospel for Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent, a scribe asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest. Jesus responds by quoting from the book of Deuteronomy, saying, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. He then adds that the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. The scribe agrees with Jesus, and Jesus commends him for his understanding of the law.

In the gospel for Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent, we hear the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee was proud of his achievements and considered himself righteous, while the tax collector recognized his sinfulness and begged for mercy. Jesus reminds us that it is the humble and repentant sinner who is justified before God.

The readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year B focus on God’s faithfulness in drawing us closer to him. Discussions for these readings could include topics such as God’s love for us, light and darkness, and our longing for God. Here are some ideas.

The gospel for Monday of the 4th Week of Lent invites us to consider the nature of faith and the ability of Jesus to perform miracles. As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that through his divine power, he is able to heal the sick and change lives.

The first reading and the gospel for Tuesday of the 4th week of Lent offer a powerful message of God’s love and compassion for his people. Both passages speak of God’s love and renewal, inviting us to open our hearts to his healing touch.

The readings for Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent offer an invitation for us to reflect on our relationship with God and our response to His love and mercy.

The readings for Thursday of the 4th week of Lent offer us valuable insights into the nature of sin, repentance, and God’s mercy towards sinners.

The readings for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent touch on important aspects of the Christian faith, including the struggle between good and evil, the importance of faith in God’s protection, and the idea that suffering can lead to redemption and vindication.

The gospel for Saturday of the 4th Week of Lent tells the story of the confusion and division that arose among the people of Jerusalem during Jesus’ ministry. Some believed that Jesus was the Messiah, while others were skeptical and even hostile towards Him. As Catholics, we can reflect on this passage and see it as an opportunity to deepen our faith in Christ and to seek unity with our fellow believers.

The readings for the 5th Sunday of Lent Year B focus on God’s covenant with us, even though we are often unfaithful. Discussions for these readings could include topics such as the covenants in scripture, how death can lead to life, and why we should pray for God’s will to be done

On Monday of the 5th week of Lent, the readings provide us with two powerful stories that offer us valuable lessons for our daily lives. The first story is about Susanna, who was falsely accused by two elders of adultery. The gospel tells of a woman who was caught in adultery and brought to Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, a distinguished bishop and theologian of the early Christian Church. He played a significant role in the Council of Constantinople in 381, where the Nicene Creed was formulated and affirmed the orthodox position. It was during the Council of Nicaea that the term consubstantial was first used in the Nicene Creed to describe the relationship between the Father and the Son. St. Cyril later employed the term in his own theological writings, and it became widely used in the Church as a way of expressing the understanding of the nature of Christ.

March 19 is the Solemnity of St. Joseph Husband of Mary. Joseph was a just and holy man, chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus. St. Joseph is the patron saint of fathers, carpenters, immigrants, happy death, the Catholic Church, and more.

The readings for Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent offer us powerful lessons on faith, courage, and the importance of staying true to God’s teachings.

Reflecting on the readings for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent helps us to deepen our understanding of our relationship with God and the importance of faith in our lives.

The readings for Saturday of the 5th week of Lent speak of the themes of restoration and reunification, but from different perspectives. In Ezekiel, the prophet is given a vision of God’s plan to reunite the two kingdoms of Israel and to establish a new covenant with his people. This vision is one of hope and promise, but also of accountability, as the sons of wickedness are to be separated from the rest of the people.

The readings for Palm Sunday Year B (Passion Sunday) focus the sacrifice which Jesus Christ made for me and you. So these readings would definitely lead into a discussion of the Pascal Mystery. Here are some ideas.

As we read the gospel for Monday of Holy Week, we are struck by the extravagant love and devotion shown by Mary towards Jesus. She takes a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard and anoints Jesus’ feet with it, then wipes his feet with her hair. This act of love is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ imminent death and burial, and it is a poignant reminder of the deep connection between love and sacrifice.

The Mass readings for Tuesday of Holy Week invite us to contemplate the mystery of Jesus’ suffering and death, as well as the significance of his sacrifice for our salvation.

The gospel for Wednesday of Holy Week tells the story of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas Iscariot. In this passage, we see the intimate setting of the Last Supper, where Jesus is gathered with his disciples to share a meal before his crucifixion. As they are eating, Jesus announces that one of them will betray him. Judas responds by asking if it is him, and Jesus confirms that it is.

On Holy Thursday, Catholics remember the last supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles. This marks the establishment of the sacrament of the Eucharist and the priesthood.

On Good Friday, Catholics remember the death by crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This is a solemn day of fast and abstinence.

Holy Saturday is the day between Good Friday and Easter. It is a mix of both sorrow for the suffering of Jesus Christ and expectation of his rising.

Easter is the most significant celebration in the church year. Catholics celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter is actually an octave, lasting eight days.