Today's Mass Reading Novels & Stories

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Dominic recited the hail Mary and listened as Father Balboni led them through the first mystery, the resurrection of Christ. He closed his eyes as the priest’s voice droned on and he thought of Isadora, alone in his penthouse. “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, a world without end.” Dominic’s mind drifted through the hail Mary’s, the glory be prayers and the next four mysteries, the priest’s voice becoming softer and softer. He thought of all the times Conrad had taken him into the basement.

I drank half of it in one go. The Mass continued. Readings. Responsorial Psalm. Another song. Not mine this time. I let myself breathe. Let my heart come down from the high. Father Jude stood to give the Gospel. He was older, slower in his movements, but strong behind the mic. Everyone stood as he opened the Bible. He read from the Book of Matthew. I only half-heard it. My thoughts kept drifting. I stared at the stained-glass window above the altar. Colors shifted with the light. Red, blue, gold. I used to think the saints in the glass looked down on us. Now I just looked at them when I couldn’t look at anything else.

He read from Song of Solomon, chapter 8, verses 6 through 7. Cardinal Stefan read from the gospel of Matthew 22:35-40. “The gospel of the Lord.” “Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ,” the Catholics in the crowd said. “Now we will have a solo” Chastity stepped forward. As she sang, At Last, with the orchestra backing her up. Caitlin and Alexander looked into each other’s eyes. They were both sure and beyond ready. Davidson rested his head on his father’s shoulders as he listened to his mother sing like a bird.

He also reached for the syrup and topped my pancakes. I kissed him on the cheeks. "Thank you, Baby." We ate with only Reid and Wright speaking. I only answer when Reid asks. Sometimes I catch Wright glancing at me and then avert his gaze. "Let us begin the holy mass in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen." The Priest said softly. When the choir sings "Our Father", I held Reid's hand but he let go of my hand and made me and Wright hold or hand. He moved to my side and hold my other hand he held.

"...and lead us not into temptation.." "But deliver us from evil," Father Francis responded looking up briefly at her. Her eyes had rolled upward into their sockets. Blinking. She hissed and draw away from them. He willed his mind and returned to the prayer at hand. After a while, Father Lazarus grabbed the Roman Ritual copies. He handed the other copies to Father Francis and they began again. "Save your servant," prayed Father Lazarus, standing this time reading from the Ritual. "Who trusts in you, my God," answered Father Francis.

The priest sprinkles holy water on the coffin as he reads Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." He looks at us but I can only concentrat

Pastor's voice is deep and low. Dominic extends his warm, massive palm to me and I take it as Pastor holds the beautiful, white cross above our heads, making the sign of the Holy Trinity, "Benedicite haec unio, Dominus, glorificamus te, et in aeternum." Pastor's Latin perfectly translates in my head, "Bless this union, Lord. May it last and glorify you for eternity."

She will prepare breakfast and do some household chores instead. Beep..... "Good morning Kristina, are you free today? Can I invite you and Chad to attend a mass this afternoon at Saint John Nepomucene Church?" pops up a message from Nathaniel. Kristina then thought about it. Well, we haven't been in church for quite a long time. She then replied to Nathaniel," We plan to rest for today but since you are inviting us to attend a mass later, yes we are free to come with you then. "Great!

She flipped her blonde hair behind her shoulder. “Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with thee,” she began to pray desperately with rosary in hand. “Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” Chasity made the crucifix over herself. There was a tapping at the window-paned front door. Who could that be at this hour on a weekday? she thought with confusion.

LELLA “En el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo...” The priest began in a resonant voice as the ancient Spanish liturgy filled the cavernous space. (In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…) ​I felt like I was in a trance as the ceremony followed the traditional Rito del Matrimonio. We moved through the Liturgy of the Word, the familiar cadence of the Spanish scripture echoing the ones my mother used to read to me.