Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Daniel 3.25, 34-43

Then Azariah stood up and prayed in this way;
and opening his mouth
in the middle of the fire, he said,

“Yet do not deliver us up completely,
for the sake of your name,
nor completely annul your covenant.
And do not cause your mercy to depart from us,
for the sake of your beloved Abraham,
for the sake of your servant Isaac,
and for the sake of your holy Israel,
to whom you have spoken and promised
that you would multiply their seed
as the stars of heaven
and as the sand which lies upon the seashore.

For we, O Lord, have become less than any nation
and are oppressed this day in all the world
because of our sins.
Nor is there at this time any prince, prophet, or leader,
any burnt offering or sacrifice, oblation or incense,
or place to sacrifice before you in order to find mercy.

Nevertheless, with a contrite heart and a humble spirit,
let us be accepted.
Just as in the burnt offerings of rams and bullocks,
and just as in myriads of fat lambs,
so let it be with our sacrifice in your sight this day;
and grant that we may completely follow you,
for those who put their trust in you
shall not be dismayed.

And now we follow you with all our heart;
we fear you and seek your face.
Do not put us to shame,
but deal with us according to your loving kindness
and according to the multitude of your mercies.
Deliver us also according to your marvelous works
and give glory to your name, O Lord.”

Responsorial – Psalm 25.4-5ab, 6+7bc, 8-9 Resp. 6a

R. Lord, remember your tender mercies.

Show me your ways, O Lord.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation,

R. Lord, remember your tender mercies.

Lord, remember your tender mercies
and your loving kindness, they are from of old.
Remember me according to your loving kindness,
for your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

R. Lord, remember your tender mercies.

Good and upright is the Lord,
therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
He will guide the humble in justice.
He will teach the humble his way.

R. Lord, remember your tender mercies.

Gospel – Matthew 18.21-35

Then Peter came and said to him,
“Lord, how often should I forgive
my brother when he sins against me?
Even seven times?”
Jesus said to him,
“I do not tell you ‘even seven times’,
but, even seventy times seven.
Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a king,
who wanted to reconcile accounts
with his servants.
When he had begun to reconcile,
one was brought to him who owed him
ten thousand talents.
But because he could not pay,
his lord commanded him to be sold,
with his wife, his children, and all that he had,
and payment be made.
The servant therefore fell down
and kneeled before him, saying,
‘Lord, have patience with me,
and I will repay you all!’
The lord of that servant,
being moved with compassion,
released him and forgave him the debt.

But that servant went out,
and found one of his fellow servants,
who owed him one hundred denarii,
and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat,
saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
So his fellow servant fell down at his feet
and begged him, saying,
‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’
He would not but went and cast him into prison,
until he should pay back what was due.
So when his fellow servants saw what had happened,
they were exceedingly upset,
and came and told their lord all that had happened.

So his lord called him in, and said to him,
‘You wicked servant!
I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow servant,
even as I had mercy on you?’
His lord was angry and delivered him to the tormentors,
until he should pay all that was due to him.
So my heavenly Father will do to you as well,
if each of you does not forgive their brother or sister
from your heart.”