Las Lecturas del sacramento de matrimonio en la Iglesia Católica

Primera Lectura - (Génesis 2:18-24)

Lectura del libro del Génesis 

Después dijo Yavé: “No es bueno que el hombre esté solo. Haré pues, un ser semejante a él para que lo ayude”. Yavé entonces formó de la tierra todos los animales del campo y todas las

aves del cielo y los llevó ante el hombre para que les pusiera nombre. Y cada ser viviente había de llamarse como el hombre lo había llamado.

El hombre puso nombres a todos los animales, a las aves del cielo y a las fieras salvajes. Pero no se encontró en ellos un ser semejante a él para que lo ayudara. ; pero no hubo ningún ser semejante a Adán para ayudarlo.

Entonces Yave hizo caer en un profundo sueño al hombre y este se durmió. Y le saco una de sus costillas, tapando el hueco con carne. De la costilla que Yave había sacado al hombre, formo una mujer y la llevo ante el hombre.

Entonces el hombre exclamo: “Esta sí que es hueso de mis huesos y carne de mi carne. Esta será llamada varona porque del varón ha sido tomada”. Por eso el hombre deja a sus padres para unirse a una mujer, y formar con ella un solo ser.

Palabra de Dios.    Te alabamos Señor.

Segunda lectura - (1 Juan 3:18-24)

Lectura de la primera carta del apóstol san Juan

Hijitos, no amemos con puras palabras y de labios afuera, sino verdaderamente y con obras. Esto nos dará la certeza de que somos de la verdad y se tranquilizara nuestra conciencia

delante de él cada vez que nuestra conciencia nos reproche, porque Dios es más grande que nuestra conciencia y lo conoce todo. Y si nuestra conciencia no nos condena, queridos, acerquémonos a Dios con toda confianza.

Entonces, cualquier cosa que pidamos, Dios nos escuchara, ya que guardamos sus mandatos Y procuramos hacer lo que es de su agrado. Su mandato es que creamos en el Nombre de su Hijo Jesucristo y que nos amemos los unos a los otros, tal como él nos tiene ordenado.

El que guarda sus mandatos permanece en Dios y Dios en él. Y por el Espíritu que Dios nos ha dado sabemos que el permanece en nosotros.

Palabra de Dios.   Te alabamos Señor. 

Evangelio - (San Mateo 22, 35-40)

Lectura del santo Evangelio según San Mateo Mateo 22, 35-40

Uno de ellos, un maestro de la Ley, trato de probarlo con esta pregunta: “Maestro, ¿Cuál es el mandamiento más importante de la Ley?” Jesús le respondió: “Amaras al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, con toda tu alma y con toda tu mente. Este es el primero y el más importante de los mandamientos. Y después viene otro semejante a este: Amaras a tu prójimo como a ti mismo. Toda la Ley y los Profetas se fundamentan en estos dos mandamiento”.

Palabra del Señor.   Gloria a ti Señor Jesús.  

28 August 2026 - homily for Friday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 25:1-13

Today’s parable from the Gospel of Matthew about the maidens is probably familiar to us, especially with its teaching that we should be prepared at all times since we do not know when Jesus will come again. At one time or another in our lives, we probably can identify with the foolish, unprepared maidens when we have not been as prepared as we should have been. We can remember those times when we procrastinate in life, putting something off to the last minute.  We are called to learn from those times we are not ready when we should be. Those of us who put ourselves under the rule of God's kingdom as Christ's followers should always be ready and prepared to play our role in the on-going story of God's relationship to us.  

As we hear about those maidens who were unprepared, we celebrate a saint today who is considered one of the most significant theologians in the history of our Catholic faith: St Augustine. Born in the middle of the 4th century as the son of a very devout Christian mother, St Monica, and a pagan father, Augustine did not become a Christian until the age of 33 after living a very worldly life and after having followed many different philosophies. Several years after converting to Christianity under the tutelage of the very influential Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan, Augustine was ordained a priest. Augustine last became Bishop of Hippo in North Africa. His book, The Confessions of St Augustine, is one of the first autobiographies written, and an important account of his conversion story.  In the Confessions, he writes: “And men go abroad to admire the heights of mountains, the mighty waves of the sea, the broad tides of rivers, the compass of the ocean, and the circuits of the stars, yet pass over the mystery of themselves without a thought.” Augustine worked tirelessly to bring others to the faith and to fight against the heresies of his day. His theology has had a lasting impact on our Church to this day.  We unite our prayers with the prayers of St Augustine today at Mass.  

 

28 August 2025 - prayers of the faithful for the Memorial of St Augustine - prayers of the faithful for Friday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to learn more about our faith. 

Christ Jesus - you are a light in the world. 

Lord Jesus - you reached out to the poor and the oppressed. 

Priest: As we celebrate the feast day of St Augustine today, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That our governmental leaders may dedicate themselves to justice, authentic freedom, and the defense of the poor. 

2. That God give us the strength to discern his divine will and to reject the false promises of this secular age.  

3. That God grant our Church leaders wisdom and courage as they lead the people of God.  

4. For those affected by natural disasters and the hot summer weather. 

5. For blessings on all students, teachers, parents, and school administrators in the new school year. 

6. For an increase of vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate, and to consecrated religious life.

7. For the sick and afflicted. For healing and wholeness. 

8. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For their entry into eternal life. 

9. For those prayers we hold in our hearts today. 

Priest: Heavenly Father, we unite our prayers with the prayers of St Augustine today. We present these prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever and ever.  AMEN. 

27 August 2026 - Prayers of the faithful for the Memorial Mass of ST MONICA - prayers of the faithful for Thursday of the 21st week in ORDINARY TIME

Lord Jesus - you are our hope.

Christ Jesus - you are our strength.

Lord Jesus - you are our Savior.

Priest: We present our prayers to our heavenly Father with faith and hope: 

1. We pray for a deeper commitment to the stewardship of our planet. May we find ways to secure the earth and her resources for our children and for future generations.

2. For all who are in special need. For those who suffer from anxiety or worry. For those who struggle through grief or anger. 

3. For the grace of true conversion, that we in the Church may address the needs of our world, not only with words, but with determination and action.

4. May we turn away from self-righteous attitudes. May the Lord free us from the need to control, from pride and selfishness. May we learn to serve others with love, patience and humility.

5. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.  For the souls in purgatory.  For their entry into eternal life.  

6. For the prayers we hold in our hearts today.  

Priest: Heavenly Father, we present our prayers this morning through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.   

27 August 2026 - Thursday - memorial mass for St Monica - homily for Tuesday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 - Psalm 145

It is not often that we celebrate mother and son saints in the Church, but today and tomorrow we celebrate a mother and her son who each have their own saint days in the official calendar of the Roman Catholic Church: St Monica and St Augustine. The fact that St Augustine is one of our Church’s most influential theologians is almost overshadowed by the fact that his mother's prayers are credited with bringing him to the Catholic faith after a lifetime of being outside of the faith and leading a very pleasure-filled secular lifestyle as a youth and as a young adult. St Monica lived in North Africa in the 4th century, being born in the town of Tagaste in the present day country of Algeria. She was the Christian wife of a pagan husband. Many mothers who pray for the return of their children to the faith identify with tenacious prayers of St Monica, who never gave up in her patience in praying for her son. There is a national prayer ministry for Catholic women named Millions of Monicas. They meet regularly at local parishes to pray for their children to encounter God and stay close to the Church. Indeed, Monica is a great example of faith. 

In the beginning of his letter to the Church in Corinth, Paul thanks God for the grace he has bestowed on the Christian community in Corinth, with the testimony they are able to give to the Gospel of Christ that God confirmed upon them.  Then, we hear the psalmist proclaim: “I will praise your name for ever, Lord.” May we praise God in our words and our actions in the everyday moments of life. 

It is not often that we celebrate mother and son saints in the Church, but today and tomorrow we celebrate a mother and her son who each have their own saint days in the official calendar of the Roman Catholic Church: St Monica and St Augustine. The fact that St Augustine is one of our Church’s most influential theologians is almost overshadowed by the fact that his mother's prayers are credited with bringing him to the Catholic faith after a lifetime of being outside of the faith and leading a very pleasure-filled secular lifestyle as a youth and as a young adult. St Monica lived in North Africa in the 4th century, being born in the town of Tagaste in the present day country of Algeria. She was the Christian wife of a pagan husband. Many mothers who pray for the return of their children to the faith identify with tenacious prayers of St Monica, who never gave up in her patience in praying for her son. There is a national prayer ministry for Catholic women named Millions of Monicas. They meet regularly at local parishes to pray for their children to encounter God and stay close to the Church. Indeed, Monica is a great example of faith. 

In the beginning of his letter to the Church in Corinth, Paul thanks God for the grace he has bestowed on the Christian community in Corinth, with the testimony they are able to give to the Gospel of Christ that God confirmed upon them.  Then, we hear the psalmist proclaim: “I will praise your name for ever, Lord.” May we praise God in our words and our actions in the everyday moments of life. 

26 August 2026 - homily for Wednesday of the 21st week of Ordinary time - Psalm 128

My Old Testament professor in seminary told us not to forget to preach on the first readings and the psalms from time to time. We hear a very interesting psalm refrain today from psalm 128: “Blessed are those who fear the Lord.” The people of Ancient Israel saw fear in reference to God in a very specific way.  It was not about being afraid of retribution from God, but rather having a healthy respect for him. So what are some learnings we can take away from this psalm?  

First, fearing the Lord means to be in awe of his holiness, to give him reverence and to honor him as the God of great glory, majesty, and power.  For example, when God revealed himself to the Israelites at Mount Sinai with thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and with the loud blast of a trumpet blast, they trembled in awe and wonder.  

Next, fear of the Lord and respect for him should call us to a great faith. True fear of God calls us as disciples of Christ to place our faith and trust in him alone for salvation.Think about the reaction of the Israelites after they had crossed through the Red Sea on dry ground and saw the destruction of the Egyptian army by God. In response, they feared the Lord and put their trust in him. They grew in their faith in God. 

Also, fear of God calls us to obedience. If we fear the Lord, we will desire to follow his commandments, to live according to his holy word, and to turn away from sin. In the book of Exodus, on Mount Sinai, God inspired fear in the Israelites so that they would learn to turn away from sin and to obey his laws. 

As a missionary, I was attacked several times by feral dogs. Thus, such dogs are something I fear. I am afraid of being attacked by them. I do think of fear of God in the same way. I don’t fear being attacked by God like I was attacked by a feral dog, but I am in awe of his power and might, as the creator of the universe.  

 

26 August 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Wednesday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus, you invited many to be your disciples. 

Christ Jesus, you are the living word of God. 

Lord Jesus, you invite people from afar to sit at your table. 

Prayer of the Faithful

Priest:  Brothers and sisters, let us pray for all people who are invited to accept God’s endless, loving mercy.

1. That we in the Church may present the face of God’s loving invitation to the world. 

2. For those who do not yet know the good news of God’s mercy. 

3. That Christians be true to Christ’s Gospel message. 

4. For students and teachers, that God accompany them throughout the school year. 

5. For those who are struggling through life in different ways. 

6. For peace throughout the world, across our country and within our communities and families. 

7. For the weary, the sick and the dying among us. For those who have died. 

8. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts today. 

Priest: Merciful God, you extend your love to all people who are open to receive it. Strengthen us when we falter on our journey. We ask these things in the name of Jesus, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.